Literary Awards for Nepali Literature

Madan Puraskar: Although there are many literary awards, the Madan Puraskar is the most prestigious of all. This award started from 1955 AD (2012 BS) by Madan Puraskar Guthi and is conferred annually to the best book of Nepali language published in the year of award. In these many years until 2017 AD, altogether 72 books have been awarded. This award was established on September 26, 1955AD By Queen Jagadamba Kumari Devi in memory of her husband Late General Madan Shamsher JBR. The first recipients of the award were Satya Mohan Joshi (book:

Haamro Lok Sanskriti), Chitaranjan Nepali (for General Bhimsen Thapa)) and Balram Joshi

(for…..) in the year 1956 AD (2013 BS). Satya Mohan Joshi has been awarded three times (2013 BS, 2017 BS for Nepali Rastriya Mudra, 2028 BS for Karnali Lok Sanskriti) till now. The award prize is NRs 200,000.00 from the Golden Jubilee year 2005 AD. The latest awardee is Yogmaya for year 2017AD. Yogmaya is a novel authored by Neelam Karki Niharika who lives in North Carolina, USA. This is first time ever the award has been won by a Nepali diaspora writer who lives outside South Asia. Annex 1 presents the list of books that were awarded in these many years. The list of

Jagadamba Shree Puraskar: Madan Puraskar Guthi also confers another annual literary award called Jagdamba Shree Puraskar to individuals who have contributed to the development of literature and culture in Nepal. It was established in the memory of Late Jagadamba Maharani in the year 2045 BS. The award prize is also NRs 200,000.00. In 2017, Jagdamba Shree Puraskar was awarded to Shanta Das Manandhar who, according to Madan Puraskar Guthi, contributed to the development, expansion and promotion of child literature for the past five decades.

Padmashree Literary Award: Another notable literary award is Padmashree Literary Award given each year by Khem Lal Harikala Lamichhane Academy. This year’s (2075 BS) Padmashree award has not been announced yet, but last year’s awardee was Sagarmatha ko Gahirai, an anthology of poetry by Nawaraj Parajuli.

Sajha Puraskar: Yet another prestigious literary award is Sajha Puraskar, being conferred by Sajha Publications since 1969 AD. It is a literary prize awarded by Sajha Publication annually. It is awarded to best literary work done on Nepali literature. The first recipient of this award was Bhupi Sherchan in the year 2026 BS for his book ‘Ghumne Mech maathi Andho Maanchhe’.

There are some other reputed awards for the creation and contribution in Nepali literature-

Padma Shree Samman: Awarded to Rochak Ghimire and Nagandra Ray Sharma in the year 2073 BS

B. P. Sahityika Samman: Awarded to Dr. Abhi Subedi in the year 2074 BS

Krishna Prasad Bhattarai Rastriya Puraskar: Awarded to Bijaya Kumar Pandey in the year 2074 BS

Devkota Kabya Puraskar: awarded to Tulsi Diwas in the year 2074 BS

Yug Kavi Shiddhi Charan Puraskar: Awarded to Basudev Tripathi in the year 2074 BS

Devkota Kabya Puraskar: Awarded to Tulsi Diwas in the year 2074 BS

BhanuBhakta Puraskar: established in 2052 BS

Yuwa Barsa Moti Puraskar: established in 2042 BS

Basundhara Shree Puraskar: Awarded to Dr. Tara Nath Sharma in the year 2074 BS

Lekhanath Kabya Puraskar: Awarded to R D Chatauta in the year 2074 BS

Chhinnalata Puraskar: It was awarded since 1982 AD by Chhinnalata Puraskar Guthi in the field of song writer, music composer and the singer. As a writer, it is awarded to Gyanendra Gadal in the year 2075 BS (2018 AD)

History of Nepali literature

Renowned Nepali litterateur and linguist Dr. Tara Nath Sharma divides the history of Nepali literature in five (5) time periods. In the list of these 5 periods, obvious is the importance of Bhanubhakta Acharya in the history of Nepali literature.

a. Pre-Bhanubhakta Era (Until 1871 BS)

b. Bhanubhakta Era (1872 – 1936 BS)

c. Motiram Era (1940 – 1976 BS)

d. Pre-Revolution Era (1977 – 2007 BS)

e. Post-Revolution Era (2007 to until now)

Let us briefly go over each period:

1. Pre-Bhanubhakta Era(Pre 1872 BS, i.e., 1815 AD)

Nepali literature existed even before Bhanubhakta, but mostly in the form of verbal folklores. There were few poets then who mostly wrote on wars and bravery. Shuwananda Das (first known poet of this era), Radha Ballav Arjyal, Shakti Ballav Arjyal, Udayaa Nanda Arjyal, Bhanu Datta ( creation- Nirgun Bhakti Dhara) and Pandit Divya Keshari Arjyal ( creation- Ugal Geet) are some of the names of poets of that time. Their works were mostly in Sanskritor very heavily influenced by Sanskrit, so only accessible to elite and high-caste Brahmins. One book of historical importance that was written during this era is Divya Upadesh, a collection of the guidelines and insights offered by Prithvi Narayan Shah on governance of Nepal, who is the king who united Nepal. This book written in 1832 BS is considered the oldest prose written in Nepali. For more on this period, see https://xnepali.net/history -of -nepali -literature -part -1/.

2. Bhanubhakta Era (1872-1936 BS or 1815-1879 AD)

Born in Chundi-Ramghaa of Tanahun district, Bhanubhakta Acharya (1814 AD – 1868 AD) is honored as the Pioneer Poet of Nepal (Aadikavi in Nepali). Although this title was initially bestowed to him by Motiram Bhatta in 1981 BS (1924 AD), all Nepalese so heartily accepted it that his birthday, the 29^th day of month of Ashar (approximately mid-July), is celebrated as

“Bhanu Jayanti”– the birth anniversary of Bhanubhakta Acharya – not only in Nepal but by all Nepalese settled throughout the world. The essence and influence of Bhanubhakta’s poems among common folks was vastly superior to those of poets who preceded him.

Bhanubhakta’s most notable contribution is his Nepali translation of ‘Ramayana’ from Sanskrit in lucid lyrical verses that was widely understood even by common folks. Therefore, this book became hit with masses and was read in every house then, and even now many households keep a copy of Bhanubhakta Ramayan in their homes.Here is a link for enjoying melodious audio recitation of this epic; please listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzXjlxTUUNU

Bhanubhakta has written many original poems on diverse subjects. One very popular is Ghaansi (grass cutter in English). In this poem, the poet explains how he got inspired to engage in charity works by a poor person who earned his subsistence living from cutting and selling grasses/fodders for cattle but built a drinking water well from his meager income so that people could have easy access to drinking water. His other popular poem is Alakapuri Kantipuri Nagari that describes the exemplary beauty of the city of Kantipur, which is also called Kathmandu. Here is a video link of a young girl reciting this poem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDC4It -DHZg . Bholi (a satirical poem on the bureaucratic culture of lethargy and practice of postponing things to tomorrow, instead doing them right away) – here is the link to the poem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzVq_SmtIJg .

The other notable books written by Bhanubhakta are Badhu Siksha, Bhakta Mala, Prasnottari, Ram Geeta etc

Some other figures in this era are Basanta Padya Luintel (Book- Shree Krishna Charitra), Yadhu Nath Pokhrel, Lalit Tripura Sundari etc

3. Motiram Era (1940-1976 BS or 1883-1919 AD)

Motiram Bhatta was born in 1866 AD (1923 BS) in Kathmandu on the day of Krishna-Janmastami festival. He is the one who publicized the contributions and legacy of Bhanubhakta in Nepali literature by publishing his literary works in 1887 AD. His main creations were Pickdut, Gajendramokchhya, Pralhad Bhakti Katha, Manodwag Prawaha, Bhramar Geet etc. Motiram also wrote Bhanubhakta’s biography four years later.

Motiram’s own poetry, especially his Pralhadbhakti, attained immense popularity. He is the first significant literary prose writer in Nepali language. He is the first poet who introduced Ghazals in Nepali literature. Scholars also remember him as a fine critic and language analyst; without him the Nepali language would have floundered for a long time before reaching its present height. Coincidentally Motiram Bhatta died on the day of his birth. He was thirty years old when he died in the year 1896 AD (1953 BS).

The other writers in this era are- Krishna Prasad Regmi ( Crreations- Prawati Charitra, Vedstuti, Shivageeta etc) Rajib Lochan Joshi, Gopi Nath Lohani, Kedar Nath Khatiwada, Hom Nath Subedi, Shikhar Nath Subedi,Jaya Prithivi bahadur Singh, PahalmanSwar, Laxmi Dutta Panta etc

4. The Pre-Democratic Revolution Era (1977-2007 BS or 1920-1950 AD)

The era of pre-democratic revolution against the autocratic Rana regime was a prolific time for creative writing in Nepal, such that this era is also called the ‘Golden Period’ of Nepali literature. During this period, Sharada was the only independent printed medium available for publication of Nepali literature. First we present below a short description of the three most important legends of Nepali literature, namely Lekhnath Paudyal, Laxmi Prasad Devkota and Bal Krishna Sama.

Lekhnath Paudyal (1885–1966 BS)

Lekhnath Paudel is regarded as the Kavi Shiromani (the Crown Jewel Poet) of Nepali literature. His poems possessed formal dignity and literary refinement, which generally lacked in the works of earlier poets, but adhered to the old-fashioned classical conventions of Sanskrit poetry. Pinjra Ko Sugaa is his most unforgettable poem. In this poem, the poet uses a caged parrot as a metaphor for representing Nepali people who were caged in a society devoid of freedom of expression by the autocratic Rana regime and describes the pains and struggles of the parrot to get free from the cage.

Here is an audio link to a musical version of this poem: http://curvetube.com/Lekhnath_Poudyal's_Poem -Balak_Ba buro_mov/danUsKF724c.video . A reader has also uploaded English translation and interpretation of this poem on the web: https://latebecame.wordpress.com/2014/02/06/analysis -the parrot -in -the -cage/. Also find here an audio recitation of his

other poem “Himalaya”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jDSiXsySL0 ; if you are interested in English translation of this poem, visit: http://brucespoems.blogspot.com/2017/08/himalaya lekhnath -paudyal.html . We strongly encourage you to read/listen the verses in the above links.

Many creations are to his credit; to list a couple of them: Tarun Tapasi, Ritu Bichaar, Buddhi Binod, Abhigyan Sakuntala, etc.

3. Laxmi Prasad Devkota (1909-1959AD)

Laxmi Prasad Devkota (1909 – 1959 AD), born in Kathmandu, was a poet, playwright, essayist and novelist, all in one, and is honored as the Mahaa Kavi (the Greatest Poet) of Nepal. Some of his popular works include Muna Madan, Sulochana,Kunjini and Shakuntala. Before him, Sanskrit poetic traditions strongly dominated Nepali literature, but he departed from this tradition being inspired by the Newari language ballad song Ji Waya La Lachhi Maduni and wrote a famous mini-epic titledMuna Madan in 1930 AD.

Muna-Madan is a long narrative poem in popular folklore rhyme, which became his most eminent creation and is also the most sold book in the history of Nepali literature. It tells the story of Madan—a traveling merchant—who departs from his wife Muna and ventures to Tibet to earn money. The poem masterfully describes the hardships of the journey to Tibet, the grief of separation, the itching longing, and tormenting experiences of Madan when he learns of the death of his beloved Muna. The musical drama of Muna Madan has been performed on stage numerous times.

Devkota’s poetry abounds in appreciation of nature, love and compassion; therefore, he is credited with starting an era of romantic poems in Nepali literature. His poem Yaatri (Pilgrim) is considered a masterpiece, which has also been composed into a movie song by Music Director Ranjit Gajmer and sung by Rabin Sharma for movie Bashudev. Listen to this song at:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uygAfH -G_2s .

Before Devkota, Nepali poetry were written in verses with standard and prescribed meters. Prosaic types of poems were looked down upon as inferior poetry. Although Devkota was accomplished in the traditional form of poetry, he demonstrated that good poetry can be written in prosaic form too. One such his well-known poem is Paagal, which has also been translated to English under the title Crazy. Please visithttps://www.poemhunter.com/poem/crazy -3/ for the English version.

Devkota was not only a poet, but also an essayist, playwright and novelist par excellence. A collection of his essays has been published under the title Laxmi Nibandh Sangrah. Ke Nepal Saano Chha and Haai Haai Angrezi essays are very popular. His Bhikhaari (The Beggar) is another landmark poem (English translation: https://bodhicharya.org/manyroads/the -beggar -by -laxmi prasad -devkota -translated -from -the -nepali -by -albert -harris/). A scholar has compared this poem with William Wordsworth’s The Old Cumberland Beggar; visit http://profkvdominic.blog spot.com/2018/03/a -critical -and -comparative -analysis -of.html .

4.Bal Krishna Sama (1903 – 1981 AD)

Bal Krishna Sama (1903 – 1981 AD), also born in Kathmandu in a Rana family, is honored as the Natya Shiromani (the Crown Jewel Dramatist) or the Shakespeare of Nepali literature. His famous dramas include Bhakta Bhanubhakta, Prem Pinda (on which a movie has been made),Mukunda Indira and Mutu ko Byatha. Although he belonged to Rana aristocratic dynasty and like all Ranas he too had his surname ‘Shumsher,’ which actually was a title Ranas took upon themselves to show Rana’s superiority over other Nepalese, Bala Krishna Shumsher forsook this elitist surname as a show of

protest against Rana autocracy and replaced his surname with

‘Sama;’ Sama means ‘equal’ in Nepali.

Not only a playwright, Bal Krishna Sama also acted and directed his dramas. Not only a dramatist, he was an accomplished poet and an artist too. Below is an excerpt from https://mypo eticside.com/poets/balkrishna -sama -poems :

There are many writers of pre-democracy era, we like to talk about. Before that however, we like to mention about three of them who are still surviving.

5.Madhav Prasad Ghimire

Madhav Prasad Ghimire, born in Lamjung district in 1919 AD is one of the older generations of poets who still alive. He is honored as the Rashtra Kavi (the Poet of the Nation) and is an inspiration to younger poets. Even at the current age of 99, he is busy in writing poetry. The Royal Nepal Academy's Modern Nepali Poems (1972 AD First ed.) commends his poems as ‘manifestations of Nepalese life'. Some of his best creations are:Gauri, Malati Mangale (which is a musical drama that has been performed numerous times on stage), Himal Pari Himal Wari, Aswathama , Rajeshwari and Shakuntala and Bansuri Aphnai Gita. Of all his poems, one is most popular as a national poem whose first verse reads as:

Gaaunchha Geet Nepali

Jyoti ko Pankha Uchaali

Jaye Jaye Jaye Hey Nepal

Sundar Shaant Bishaal

For complete lyrics and audio visit: https://www.tunesnepal.com/aruna -lama/gaucha -geet -nepali .

6. Bairagi Kainla

Bairagi Kainla, born in 1939 AD in Paanchthar district is another older generation writer who still survives. His real name is Til Bikram Nembang Limbu, but is more known by his pen name Bairagi Kainla. Examples of his famous poems are: (1) Sapana ko Laas (The Corpse of a Dream), Maateko Maanchheko Bhaasan – Madhyaraatpachhiko Sadaksita (A Drunk Man’s Speech to the Street after Midnight) and Haat Bharne Maanis (People Shopping at a Weekly Market).

Bairagi Kainla is also known for Tesro Aayaam or the ‘Third Wave” Movement that he championed in the early 1960s with two other prominent poets, namely Ishwor Ballav and Indra Bahadur Rai. Third Wave is a movement that urges writers to question traditional values and ways of thinking, writing and usage of language and urges them to experiment with new values, newer metaphors and methods of expressions for the purpose of development of Nepali literature. Of the above trio, Ishwor Ballav (1937 – 2008 AD; known for his poems: Aagokaa Phoolharu Hun; Aagokaa Phoolharu Hoinan and Samantar) and Indra Bahadur Rai (1927 – 2018 AD) live no more.

Mr. Rai resided in Darjeeling, India and he was awarded Sahitya Academi Award by Indian government. He was a poet, story writer and novelist. Recently, two of his best works have been translated into English: (1) Aaja Ramita Chha is translated in English by Manjushree Thapa (There’s a Carnival Today) who is a Canadian writer of Nepali origin and (2) Raatbhari Huri Chalyo translated in English by Prawin Adhikari (Long Night of Storm).

Satya Mohan Joshi (1920 AD - ) born in Lalitpur district is a legendary writer and researcher, a scholar of culture, four time winner of Madan Puraskar for his works in 1956, 1960 and 1971. He is currently the Chancellor of Nepal Bhasa Academy. He researched in China and introduced Arniko to Nepali people; Arniko was an architect who during Lichhvi period was sent to China to spread Nepali art and architecture there.

There are many others whose contributions to Nepali literature cannot be forgotten. Below we mention just a few of them.

Siddhicharan Shrestha (1912 – 1992 AD), born in Okhaldunga district, is honored as the Yug Kavi or the Poet of the Era. He wrote poems both in Nepali and his mother tongue Newari. His most famous poem is Mero Pyaro Okhaldhunga,which expresses the poet’s deep love for his birthplace. Siddhicharan was a revolutionary writer of the time. He was sentenced for 18 years in prison and his properties were confiscated by the then autocratic Rana regime.

7.Bishnu Kumari Waiba (1937 – 1993 AD)

Popularly known as Parijat in the literary world, Bishnu Kumari Waiba was born in Darjeeling, India. She began her literary career with “Dharti” while she was studying in Kathmandu. Besides being a brilliant novelist and poet, she led the “Ralfa Movement” towards progressive idealism that aimed to get rid of orthodox practices and conservative ideas prevalent in the society. In her workers she depicted the life and struggle of down trodden people. Her most famous creation is a novel titled Shirish Ko Phool (The Blue Mimosa).

In the field of poetry the names of Gopal Prasad Rimal (1918 – 1973 AD): the first poet to reject the use of meter in poetry; best known poems: Aama ko Sapana and the all-time favorite national song Jungi Nishaan Haamro), his poem that has been composed into a song by Ambar Gurung and sung by Phattemaan may be listened at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8s4SEDsph4 .

Ek Abstract Chintan: Pyaaj are his popular essays.

Mohan Koirala (1926 – 2007 AD; collection of poems Mohan Koirala ka Kavita), and

Bhupi Sherchan (1937 – 1990 AD): the most successful poet who popularized free verse in poetry; most notable poem Ghumne Mechmaathi Andho Maanchhe i.e., A Bland Man on a Revolving Chair) also must be mentioned.

There were some other prominent writers in this era:

(1) Guru Prasad Mainali (the stories of Naaso and Paraal ko Aago),

(2) Bisheshwor Prasad Koirala (Doshi Chasma, Karnel ko Ghoda , Teen Ghumti, Sumnima, Modiaain, Narendra dai and Sipaahi),

(3) Bhavaani Bhikshu (Maanav, Haarjit and Maiyasaaheb) in the genre of stories,

(4) Rudra Raj Pandey (Raani Rupmati),)

(5) Lil Bahadur Chhetri (Basaain) and

(6) Daulat Bikram Bista (Jyoti Jyoti Mahaajyoti and Chapaaieka Anuhaar)

(7) Bhim Nidhi Tiwari (Shahanshila Sushila, Yashashwi shab, Kabita Kunja, Tarpan, Bishfot, Titaura ra Mashyaura and Maato ko Maaya)

(8) Bijay Malla (Kohi Kin Barbaad Hos and Anuraadha) in the genre of dramas.

(9) Dharanidhar Koirala (10) Baburam Achaya (11) Krishna Chandra Singh Pradhan (12) Krishna Bhushan Bal (13) Mahananda Sapkota, etc 5. Post-Revolution Era (Post 1950 AD Era)

There are many modern Nepali language authors who have been active in writing ground breaking, innovative Nepali literature in the era after the Democratic Revolution of 1991; some of them have been in the literary scene from years before that too. Examples (in no any specific order) are: Khagendra Sangraula , Shailendra Sakar , Amar Neupane, Bimal Nibha , Nayan Raj Pan dey , Buddhi Sagar, Narayan Wagle , Dhurba Chandra Gautam,, Saru Bhakta,Subin Bhattarai, Benju Sharma, Manju Kanchuli, Banira Giri, Nawaraj Parajuli, Bishnu Bibhu Ghimire, Chhetra Pratap Adhikari, Jhamak Ghimire, Sarubhakta, Shrawan Mukarung, Toya Gurung, Sharada

Sharma, Upendra Subba, Yuyutsu Sharma, Abhi Subedi, Krishna Dharabasi, Mahendra Bikram Shah, Momila, Mahananda Poudyal, Biplov Dhakal and many more. For those interested, an introduction to contemporary Nepali literature may be found at http://www.onlinesa hitya.com/Contemporary -Nepali -Literature -Fiction -Short -Story -Mukul -Dahal .

Reputed personalities in Nepali literature are honored by title as:

Bhanu Bhakta Acharya: Aadi Kavi (the pioneer poet)

Lekhanath Poudyal: Kavi Siromani (Crown jewel poet)

Laxmi Prasad Devkota: Maaha Kavi (Greatest poet)

Bal Krishna ‘Sam’: Natya Siromani (crown jewel dramatist)

ShiddhiCharan Shrestha: Yug Kavi (poet of the era)

Motiram Bhatta: Yuwa Kavi (Youth poet- popular poet died at the age of 30)

Madhav Prasad Ghimire: Rastra Kavi (poet of the nation)

Dharmaraj Thapa- Jana Kavi Keshari

Shambhu Prasad Dhungel: Aanshu Kavi