Kathmandu, July 13: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said the geography and culture of the Himavatkhanda (the Himalayan area) is extensive.

"The Himvatkhanda is also the mine of knowledge," he said while addressing a programme organised by Madan Bhandari Art and Literature Foundation at the Prime Minister's official residence at Baluwatar to mark the 207th birth anniversary of Adikavi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya today.

PM Oli said in the Ramayana that he trans created from the original Sanskrit version, Adikavi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya has strengthened the nationality through the medium of the Nepali language spoken by the masses that he used.

On a different note, he said 'Dohori', the typical Nepali duet song sung in question-answer form, is possible only in Nepal due to the 'favourable natural environment.'

Referring to the story of Ram which is narrated in the Ramayana epic, he said, "Ayodhya, where lord Ram was born and ruled as a king, is near our city of Birgunj. So, in this sense, it is not surprising that Nepal's daughter Sita being married off to prince Ram of ancient kingdom of Ayodhya from Nepal's Janakpur."

He added that ancient Janakpur of the Mithila kingdom where the sage king Janak ruled was a centre of knowledge and learning.

"The existence of sage Balmeeki at the scenic bank of the Narayani river and the sage Kaushiki's hermitage's location being at the bank of the Koshi, and Dhanawantari and Charak, the proponents of Ayurveda having been mentioned as living in Nepal, it can be understood from this that Himvatkhanda itself is the land of creation of knowledge and meditation," the Prime Minister opined.

Stating that institutions of learning should be dynamic and functional constantly emitting knowledge like the eternal lamp that never goes out, Prime Minister Oli said the adage 'Satya mewa jayate or truth should win, is the voice of our own ancestors and it was a Nepali creation.

Chancellor of Nepal Academy, Ganga Prasad Uprety said the Nepali literature has got the leadership of a Prime Minister who understood the importance of art and literature well.

Vice Chancellor of Nepal Academy Dr Jagaman Gurung said the Academy wanted to work together with the representatives of literary organisations of the Nepali migrants. He also floated the concept of promoting 'Bhanu Paripath or Bhanu Circuit' connection the places associated with the life of Adikavi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya, the pioneer poet of Nepal, like Chundi Ramgha where he was born and grew up, his in-law's place at Manung, his maternal uncle's house at Bhorletaar, Balaju in Kathmandu and Baneras of India. He requested for support and cooperation from the government in this endeavour.

Chair of the Foundation and federal lawmaker Dr Bijaya Subba proposed organising a music mega meet of the Himvatkhanda in Nepal, which was received by the audience with a round of applause.

Singers Lochan Bhattarai, lawmaker and singer Komal Oli and poet Dr Ratnawali Sharma recited some verses from the Ramayana on the occasion.

Foundation general secretary and academician Dr Devi Nepal described the pioneer poet of Nepal, Bhanu Bhakta Acharya, as an icon of the Nepali race.