Nara Bahadur Dahal was a well-known figure
in the Indian Nepali literary world and had presented valuable contributions to
literature in different genres since the 1950s. He was known as an
indefatigable creator and a senior writer whose service to Nepali society and
literature befits recognition and admiration. After an elongated, laborious
life of 86 years, Dahal breathed his last on September 8, 2023. For almost a
year,
he was afflicted with a critical illness,
throat cancer that finally took his life. He was receiving treatment at a
cancer hospital in Rangapani, close to Siliguri, and during his last days he
was suffering from the loss of speech also. He breathed his last on that Friday
evening, leaving behind his wife, four sons and daughters-in-law, one daughter,
and several grandchildren.
Early Life
Nara Bahadur Dahal was born on 5 September
1937 in a modest middle-class family in Kalimpong. He was the firstborn son to
his parents, Jit Bahadur Dahal and Manmaya Dahal. A younger sister was born two
years later. Dahal started his early education in 1941 at SUMI, Scottish
Universities' Mission Institution in Kalimpong. But his life took a sad turn
when his father died suddenly in 1946 when Dahal was just nine years old. Two
years after his father's death, because of family quarrels, his mother also
left the family, leaving the young Dahal to his grandparents, Kuldeep Dahal and
Vedmaya Dahal. Family Background and Struggles
Dahal's grandparents had migrated from
Nepal to Kalimpong around 1870 and initially earned their livelihood by running
small businesses. While his grandmother ran a tea-cum-snack shop, his
grandfather sold oranges during the fruit season. The family had by then taken
up residence in a rented three-storey wooden house near the Kalimpong market
belonging to the family of Bhutan's then Prime Minister, S.T. Dorji. They were
not exactly well off, yet they could afford to pay the monthly rent of 25
rupees, which included the whole house and its total of 25 rooms. The business
flourished and his grandmother even rented out some of the rooms to others. His
younger sister was later taken in by an uncle, his grandmother's younger
sister's son from Nepal, who brought her up as his daughter and later married
her into a respectable family from an upper caste of Brahmins.
Education Pursued
After studying up to the seventh grade at
SUMI, Dahal joined another educational institution, Kumudini Homes. But then
tragedy struck again. His grandmother, the only guardian he had, died when he
was in the tenth grade. His grandfather died when he was 85 years old. These
losses all alone were too much for Dahal to bear as he abandoned his studies,
entering the workforce when still rather young.
Literary Beginnings
His interest in literature started when he
was a student.
His very first published work, a prose poem
titled "Smaran," appeared under the pseudonym "Vardan" in
the monthly magazine "Prabhat," edited by Lainsingh Bangdel, in 1950
when he was just 13 years old. His works also appeared under this pseudonym in
the magazine "Gorkha," published in Kalimpong. Later, he began to
write under his own name, and his first short story, "Manche" (The
Man), was published in "Bharati" in 1952. His second story,
"Smriti" (Memory), was published in 1954 in the magazine "Jagrat
Gorkha" from Dehradun. Rise in the Literary World
During this time, his works began to be
followed, with his writings being published in leading magazines like
"Gorkha," "Bharati," and others.
"Bharati", a reputed Nepali
monthly magazine, published from Darjeeling from June 1949 to June 1958,
provided an important platform for Dahal. It was edited by Rupnarayan Sinha and
Parasmani Pradhan. 15 poems, 12 stories, and several essays published in this
magazine were his early contributions to become the centre of early exposure in
the literary circle. During his lifetime, Dahal published around 600 writings
of different genres in various Indian and Nepali literary journals and
newspapers. All the writings published in those journals and newspapers were
not collected into book form. The published works include two collections of
poetry, two collections of short stories, one novel, one political essay (a
booklet), and three biographies.
Published Works
1.
Unmad (Poetry Collection – 1958)
2.
वार्तामान नेपाल रा दर्जिलिङको नेपाली (Current Nepal and the Nepalis of Darjeeling – 1959)
3.
वर-पिपल (Short Story Collection – 1960)
4.
मध्य रात्को तारा (The Star of Midnight – Novel – 1965)
5.
Timro Preet Nai Mero Geet Ted Dinò (Your Love is My Song – Poetry
Collection – 1970)
6.
Narendra Prasad Kumai Ted Dinò
(Biography – 2000)
7.
Ganga Prasad Pradhan Ted Dinò
(Biography – 2011)
8.
Gorkha Mahanayak Dambar Singh Gurung Ted Dinò (Biography – 2015)
9.
Love You Zindagi (Collection of Short Stories – 2022)
He has also left behind three unpublished
works, namely: 1) Jhaljhali Aankhama (Reminiscences), 2) Sawari Mero Rellai Ma,
and 3) Ek Mutthi Jun – Poetry Collection. Besides, there are nearly 18
book-sized manuscripts of his that remain unpublished. As lovers of literature,
we should search for these works and publish them, while organizations should come
forward to take on this noble cause.
Editing and Contributions
Dahal also played an important role as an
editor.
Still a student at SUMI, he edited the
handwritten magazine "Arunodaya" along with some friends. He also
edited the school magazine "Udgam"(cyclostyled, 1950). In the 1960s,
while seeing the inactiveness of the Kalimpong branch of the All India Gorkha
League(AIGL), he actively worked for its reorganization. After restructuring,
late Ramkrishna Sharma became its secretary, and Dahal edited the bulletin
"Sadhai Gaurav Rakhshechau Gorkhako" (1960) published by the AIGL.
Later, he did editing work for various reputed publications such as the weekly
newspaper "Gorkha" (1962) from Kalimpong, the literary magazine
"Sangam" (1968), and the weekly "Pratinidhi" (1975). Other
works edited by Dahal include:
1.
Amar Katha (Short Story Collection – 1962)
2.
Selko Mala (Satirical Poetry
Collection – 1966)
3.
Sikkim Prasanga (Collection of Essays – 1968)
4.
Ajambari Ganga Prasad Pradhan (Collection of Essays – 2015), coedited
with Dr. Adon Rongong.
Besides these, he edited about 15 souvenir
publications.
Political Activism
Dahal's life was one of immense struggle.
He started his initiation into the literary
world at the tender age of 13, and by the time he reached the age of 16 years,
he became a worker for the Gorkha League, actively participating in politics.
His dual role as a writer and a political activist made him come in contact
with many prominent literary figures and political leaders of his time. It is
said, "good company makes a man," and Dahal was indeed fortunate to
have the company of eminent personalities since his childhood. Further, this
association honed his literary skills. His interest in literature, initiated at
SUMI, grew more when he started studying at Kumudini Homes.
There, he came into close contact with the
principal, Tikaram Sharma, who was a renowned scholar and the top leader of
Gorkha League. Dahal's growth as a functionary of Gorkha League could be
inspired by the influence of Tikaram Sharma. Working in the Gorkha League,
Dahal became known to many leading personalities including Ramkrishna Sharma
and Nara Bahadur Gurung. Personal Life and Legacy
The life of Nara Bahadur Dahal had been one
of toil, fight, and a never-dying love for literature. Despite all the ups and
downs that life had thrown at him, Dahal was able to leave an indelible mark on
the Nepali literary world. His writings, which began during his childhood and
flowed beyond his seventieth birthday, created a legacy that remains alive and
constantly inspires future generations.
Regarding his work, Dahal has written about
the struggle of life, the nuances of human relationships, and socio-political
contexts concerning the times in which he lived. His works are not just pieces
of literature but highly important documents with details of socio-political
and cultural concerns of the time in which he lived.
His works toward Nepali literature have
established him in the esteemed category among the giants of literature of his
time. He has been an inspiration to many young up-and-coming writers and still
is a guiding light for those who want to take up literature as a medium to put
forth their thoughts and ideas.
Though Nara Bahadur Dahal left this world,
his works remain alive. His life stands as a perfect testimony to the verity of
strong perseverance and the worth of literature in the reshaping of society.
Accolades and popularity certainly, Nara
Bahadur Dahal became one of the most significantly acclaimed litterateurs and
social employees for the duration of his lifetime. some of awards and
felicitations that got here his way spoke to his have an impact on and status
in the global of letters. those have been acts of popularity now not handiest
of his contribution to Nepali literature however additionally of his lifelong
commitment to the Nepali diaspora in India.
among many, the following are some of the
important ones he acquired:
Bhanu Puraskar in 1997: stated to be one of
the highest-rating awards in Nepali literature, Bhanu Puraskar became kept upon
his name after the incredibly valued poet Bhanu Bhakta Acharya. This prize
became given to Dahal for lifelong contributions in Nepali literature.
Sahitya Akademi Award in 1998: thru his
great works of literature, he have become an undisputed most important literary
discern, and hence, the country wide Academy of Letters, India, bestowed this
award upon him.
Gorkha Dukha Niwarak Sammelan Felicitation
- 2004: Gorkha Dukha Niwarak Sammelan is one business enterprise dedicated for
welfare for the Nepali community. It felicitated him because he relentlessly
served the community.
Gorkha Rastriya Mukti Morcha Felicitation -
2010: Gorkha Rastriya Mukti Morcha is a political and social corporation that
identified his contributions closer to the Nepali community and literature.
This speaks oodles of the honour accorded
to him now not only via his friends however also by society in popular. All his
diverse awards and recognitions were in no way a feather in his cap but a
feather in the cap for the complete Nepali-speakme network in India.
Influence on Future Generations
Nara Bahadur Dahal's influence extended far
beyond his own generation into scores of young writers and poets who wove
Nepali literature into the rich tapestry that it is.
As a great writer, he was a mentor for many
upcoming writers who came to him for guidance and inspiration for their works.
His knack of interlinking the cultural, social, and political narratives of his
time formed part of an important resource pool in understanding the growth and
development that the Nepali-speaking community of India undertook.
Indeed, through his works, Dahal captured
the hues of human experience-be it love, loss, struggle, or resilience. His
works were characterized by immense empathy for the common man and a keen
awareness of life's complexities. It is what made his literature relatable and
timeless, seeing it would continue to echo in the hearts of readers generation
after generation.
Besides being a litterateur, Dahal's
involvement in politics and the rights of the Nepali-speaking community in
India made him important not only within the sphere of literature but also
beyond to the wider socio-political milieu. His legacy, in this sense,
continues to inspire future generations in their pursuit of literature for
social change and sustenance of culture.
Challenge and Resilience
It is very well elaborated with the example
of Nara Bahadur Dahal that an individual puts effort to make his life upright
and strong, which sometimes goes up and down in life. A number of personal and
professional challenges in life became void as he never budged from his work.
His childhood was saturated with sad events and all kinds of streaks of bad
luck: he lost his parents when he was a child and had to leave school for
self-support. These numerous drawbacks did not daunt him in the relentless
pursuit of interest in literature.
The adversities that always came his way
could never deter Dahal from his continuous literary production of high
quality, and therein lies a big tribute to the indomitable spirit of his.
Thereby, his life itself has been an inspiration for many, evoking the belief
that with determination and perseverance one can overcome even the most
difficult of circumstances.
Even when his body was ravaged by disease
in old age, Dahal never stopped writing. "Love You Zindagi," his last
published work-a collection of short stories-came only a year before his
demise, showing his undying love for literature.
Legacy and Conclusion
The demise of Nara Bahadur Dahal was an era
in Nepali literature, but he is alive through his writings and the products he
produced. His works continue to be an integral part of Nepali literature,
affording a view into the socio-political and cultural contexts of his time. It
is in literature that he contributed more than seven decades to, and in the
hearts and minds of readers where such contribution is bound to be remembered.
The life of Dahal epitomizes a saga of
resilience, creativity, and dedication. From a young boy hailing from Kalimpong
to one of the most respected figures in Nepali literature, his journey is an
example for all those seeking to leave a mark in this world. His legacy resides
not only in a collection of works but also in reminding one of the power of
perseverance and cultural and social consciousness.
The life and contributions of the late Nara
Bahadur Dahal have shown that literature stands at the very root of human
understanding of the world and our place therein.
His works continue to shine like a guiding
light to illuminate a path for generations of writers and thinkers in the
future so that their ways may remain clear. Though Nara Bahadur Dahal has gone
from among us physically, his spirit lives on through the words he left behind
to educate and inspire everyone who chances upon this remarkable literary
legacy.
पोखरीका रङ बिरंगी माछाहरुमेरा भावना र तिम्रो चरित्र जस्तै स्वच्छ, निर्मल र पवित्र सङ्लो पानीले भरिएको यो पोखरीमा कहाँ-कहाँबाट पस्छन् यी गन्धे माछाहरू……? ल्याउँछन् भल, बाढी र बर्खे भेलले बगाएर, बस्छन्, पोखरीका डिलडिलमा उम्रिएका झारपात, हिलो,मैलो लेउ खाएर । कहाँ कहाँबाट आउँछन्,दुषित पार्न पोखरी- यी असला.बुदुना र कत्ले चित्र-विचित्रका रंगविरंगी माछाहरू । म जान्दछु ,तिम्रो मन खोला होइन । यो पोखरी जस्तै सीमावद्ध छ । यो कहिले भँगालिदैन । म जान्दछु, अहिले पनि यो भँगालिएको छैन । तर…. पोखरीको धमिलो पानी जस्तै मेरो मन भने किन हो किन अझ सँगालिएको छैन । |
माटोको सृजनाफूल भएर जन्मिनै भूल गरेछु ! मुटु भित्रै सुकाएर कामना, हृदय भित्रै लुकाएर भावना, म फेरि माटोमै झरेछु…. फूल भएर जन्मिनै भूल गरेछु कसैको श्रृंगारले मन मेरो लियो कि ! कसैको केशमा अल्झिने मन थियो कि ! सुहागरातको सजावट बनेर या फूलदानीमै सजेर प्रिया रिझाउने जीवन थियो कि । बाहिर म हाँस्थें, हृदय प्यासा थियो कि ! आशा थियो कि, अभिलाषा थियो कि ! सोधेन कसैले काँडामाथि सजिएर किन मुस्काऩ छरेंछु ? फूल भएर जन्मिनै भूल गरेछु । |
तिम्रो नाममा एउटा कविताकसरी भनुँ अब तिमीमा मेरो कुनै विश्वास छैन । भन्न सक्तिन, गईसक्यौ तिमी अब कतै कुनै आश छैन । कसरी भनुँ तिम्रो सम्झनामा मन मेरो उदास छैन । हेर प्रिये, कविता त केवल हो बहाना…. भन्छ कसले मनमा कुनै सन्त्रास छैन । बाहिर व्यग्रता छ, भित्र वेदना छ, आँखामा आँसु र के हृदयमा कुनै उच्छ्वास छैन ? |
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