Benyonne Schwortz, bschwortz@gmail.com
Bayside High School, http://www.baysidehighschool.org

Modern Writers of Nepal

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Appendix 5c: Nepali Short Story Writers

From Himalayan Voices: An Introduction to Modern Nepali Literature

Gautam, Dhruba Chandra (1944--):  “Since 1969, he has published five highly accomplished novels.  A profic writer with at least sixty short stories to his credit, Gautam deals almost exclusively with contemporary social issues and has a unique narative style” (Hutt Himalayan Voices 290).

Bikal, Ramesh (1932--): “Bikal, whose real name is Rameshvr Prasad Chalise, was born near Gokarpa in the Kathmandu valley, got his B.Ed in 1960, and has worked in education much of his life.  His early stories reflected his socialist beliefs and antiestablishment instincts, for which he was imprisoned three times between 1949 and 1952.  His analyses of rural life are especially progressive, and hissuccess in describing and empathizing with the lives of the common people of his counry is parallel” (Hutt Himalayan Voices  244).

Bhikshu, Bhavani (19114-1981):  “Born in te Kapilvastu districto of the Tarai, Bhikshu spent much of his life in Kathmandu.  His first story was published in 1936, but soon established a reputation as a poet.  Nepali was not his native language, but Awadhi, a dialect of Hindi.  Sometimes his stories in Nepali are criticized for this awkwardly constructed sentences.  Because he lost two wives before 1952, his analyses of emale psychology are highly regarded for their thoughfulness and subtlety.  (Hutt Himalayan Voices 206-7).

Bishtha, Dalat Bikram (1926--):  “One of Nepal’s truly accomplished novelists, Bishtha’s stories are extremely varied andinclude psychological portraits, portrayals of oppression, and simple romances (Hutt Himalayan Voices 231).

Brajaki, Manu (9142--): “His first story was published in 1962, Brajaki is considered whose work reflects contemporary trends” (Hutt Himalayan Voices 298).

Koirala, Bishweshwar Prasad (1915-1983): “Better known as B.P., the leader of the Nepali Congress Party that ousted the Rana, Koirala became Nepal’s frst elected prime minister in 1959.  He began studying law in Darjeeling during the1930’s.  His first story appeared in 1935; and the most common theme of his stories and novels was the relationship between men and women, and social issues” (Hutt Himalayan Voices 197).

Koirala, Tarini Prasa(d (1922-1924):  “Born in India and educated in Banaras and Calcutta, Koirala’s novel entitled Snakebite is a startlingly Freudian tale of child psychology.  Although he is published very few stories, he still a popular writer” (Hutt Himalayan Voices 271).

Lamichane, Shankar (1928-1975):  “Born in Kathmandu but lived in Banaras until he was eleven, Shankar worked for a number governmental and cultural institutes in Kathmandu.  He admired modern American fiction and often his stories are heavy with symbolism, often lacking a conventional plot.  His prose is rich, fluent, and mature” (Hutt Himalayan Voices 253).

Mainali, Guruprasad (1900-1971): “Mainali was one of the first generation of writers to develop the modern short story in Nepali.  Born in Kanur village, he spent most of his life in government sevice.  His first stories apeared beween 1935-1938.  Only 11 stories have been published, collected in Nano in 1969” (Hutt Himalayan Voices 189).

Malla, Bijay (1925--):  “Born into a literary family, Malla was educated at Banaras Hindu University and at Trichandra College in Kathmandu.  He spent two years in jail for his anit-Rana political activities during the last 1940’s, and was until 1990 the secretary of the Royal Nepal Academy (a literary organization).  His stories reflect his speech patterns: rapid and confiding.   He observes life in Kathmandu, and even writes a parable about humankind in the age of technolog” (Hutt Himalayan Voices 236).

Pahadi, Kishor (1956--): “Considered a ‘new’ writer whose first story was published in 1971, Pahadi’s stories having been collected in volumes in 1980 and 1988” (Hutt Himalayan Voices 304).

Pande, Poshan (1932--):  Pande’s stories have surprise endings and carefully constructed plots.  Many related  minor incidents from daily life or adopt everyday items as symbols of confliect, jealousy, or anger” (Hutt Himalayan Voices 266).

Pradhan, Parashu (1943--):  Born in Bhojpur district, Parashu received an M.A. in Nepali literature and politics.  His main themes are social conridictions and human relations.  He is admired for the poetic and symbolistic quality of his prose.  Recently he has included foreigners in his stories” (Hutt Himalayan Voices 284).

Rai, Indra Bahadur (1928--):  Considered a most original and influential Nepal writers, his earlystories were written in a naturalistic style.  His style was new in Nepali literature, and unorthodox in nature.  He is also a respected critic in Nepali literature” (Hutt Himalayan Voices 260).

Rai, Shivkmar (1916-):  Born in Sikkim, Rai has made his home in Darjeeling district of West Bengal.  After receiving his BA from Calcutta University in 1941, Rai held many political positions.  His first story appeared in 1944, and thereafter, his stories range from topics set in tribla communities of the northeast frontier states, to a mounteering accident, to the life of a dancing girl in the Mughal court.  His finest stories are those that describe the lives of the lower classes of the Darjeeling district (Hutt Himalayan Voices 224).

Shah, Prema (?):  “Shah writes about widowhood, and a second influential story details in a diary, a woman dying form tuberculosis and observing her husband from her hsopital bed” (Hutt Himalayan Voices 278).

From Secret Places: New Writing from Nepal

Brajaki, Manu (1942--): “Brajaki lives on the southern plains ofNepal.  He has published four short story collections, and has won numermous awards” (Stewart Secret Places: New Writing from Nepal 215).

Dhakal, Narayan (1953--): “Born in Mulpani, near Kathmandu, Dhakal is theauthor of two short story collections and a novel.  Originally an anarchist andfollower of the Allen Ginsberg-inspired Hungry Generation novement, Dhakal later became an active protestor of the Panchayat regime.  He was eventually elected to the Nepali Parliament” (Stewart Secret Places: New Writing from Nepal 216).

Kanchuli, Manju (1951--): “Author of several collections of stories and poems, Kanchuli is a atranslator and receipient of seveal awards” (Stewart Secret Places: New Writing from Nepal 271).

Regmi, Sanat (1947--): “Born in Nepalgunj, in west Nepal, Regmi has six story collections, is editor of severa magazines, and is now an activie member of the Nepali Congress party” (Stewart Secret Places: New Writing from Nepal 218).

Sapkota, Dhruba (1951--): “Dhruba has published four collections of short stories, and a novel published in 2001.  He lives in Kathmandu with his wife and two children and works as a finance controller at Tribhuvan Univesity” (Stewart Secret Places: New Writing from Nepal 218).

Thakuri, Maya 91938--): “Born in Assam, India, Thakuri  is the author of four short story collections. She teaches in Pokhara, in west Nepal” (Stewart Secret Places: New Writing from Nepal 218).

Vikal, Ramesh (1927--): “Born in Arubari, near Kathmandu, Vikal has written three novels and seven short story collections.  His stories have been translated by Manjushree Thapa and published in A Leaf in a Begging Bowl.  He has received many prizes and awards, and form 1995-1999, Vikal served as a member of the Royal Nepal Academy” (Stewart Secret Places: New Writing from Nepal 219).