Laxmi Prasad Devkota (1909-1959), lovingly known as Mahakavi or Great Poet for his great body of powerful poetry and significant writings in Nepali and English, commands great respect in the world of Nepali letters. Nearly half a century after he left the literary scene, Devkota's contributions in diverse genres of literature and many areas of Nepalese social and cultural life remain deeply felt and appreciated. MAHAKAVI LAXMI PRASAD DEVKOTA STUDY AND RESEARCH CENTRE was set up in June 2005 at the initiative of writers, academicians and concerned citizens to honour the memory of Laxmi Prasad Devkota and to promote research and scholarship on his life and works.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this Centre are:

• to act as a non-profit organization to preserve Devkota's physical and intellectual properties by developing Kavi-Kunja, the Devkota Home, and the poet's birthplace at Dhobidhara as sites of cultural heritage where objects used by the poet are displayed;
• to preserve these objects used by the poet as well as his manuscripts with a view to publishing, translating, and discussing them;
• to promote the study, research and publication of Nepalese literature at home and abroad and to introduce world literature in Nepal through research and academic discussions, thereby promoting Devkota Centre as a study and research organization; and
• to promote and encourage creativity.

PROGRAMMES

To realize these broad objectives, Devkota Centre plans to pursue the following programmes:
• Conserve Mahakavi's home and develop it as a site of cultural tourism,
• promote Nepalese literature, arts and crafts nationally and internationally through wide-ranging means available,
• compile the materials and objects used by the Mahakavi and set up library-cum-museum to display them for public use,
• create necessary infrastructure for the study and research of Mahakavi Devkota and Nepalese literature,
• organize national and international level seminars to conserve and promote Nepalese literature and culture,
• initiate and distribute awards and prizes in the name of creative artists including Mahakavi Devkota,
• publish research articles, monographs,
• set up publication house to print works of Mahakavi Devkota and other writers, and
• initiate other required programmes.