Aadikavi (first poet) Bhanubhakta Acharya was remembered by the literary community, students and linguists alike by organising various programmes on his 194th birth anniversary Friday.

The nation is commemorating the Aadikavi’s birth anniversary acknowledging his immense contribution to Nepali language and literature.

To mark the day, a life-size statue of the late poet was unveiled at his birthplace in Chudiramgha, Tanahun district, amidst a function today.

Later to be known as Aadikavi, Bhanubhakta Acharya was the first to translate the epic Ramayana from Sanskrit to generally understood Nepali language thus hugely contributing to building the foundation of Nepali literature through many of his epics and poems that he wrote. He is a revered not only in Nepal but beyond the national frontiers, Darjeeling, Sikkim and Deheradun.

Similarly, Nepal Education Council and Poet Bhanu Bhakta Foundation put flowers and garlanded the statue of Bhanubhakta in front of Ranipokhari today by organising a ceremony in his memory.

The foundation also awarded Adikavi Bhanubhakta Award to various persons who have contributed to Nepali language and literature in their own right.

Schools across the country also celebrate this day by organising poetry contest among the students.

Meanwhile, reports said the house where the nation’s most eminent poet was born is now in a dilapidated condition. Litterateurs as well as historians and academicians have often been warning that the nation may loose one of the important relics of Bhanubhakta if concerned authorities didn’t pay any heed to its renovation and preservation.