Pradhan: Literary recognition

Darjeeling, Dec. 23: His love for botany led him to take it up as his subject of choice. His love for life and fellow-human beings led him to feel for them.

Prem Pradhan’s emotions found expression in a novel, Udashin Rukharu (frustrated trees) drawing a parallel between the trees and the psychology, ego and frustrations in the lives of young people, which was critically acclaimed. It also nominated him for the prestigious Sahitya Academy Award in Nepali for 2002.

Speaking to reporters after his name was announced by the executive committee of the academy in Delhi, the 54-year-old local school teacher said: “It gives me great pleasure to know that my contribution to the Nepali language has been acknowledged.”

Pradhan is among the 22 people selected for the award, given for excellence in literature in Indian languages. They will be felicitated in Delhi on February 17. The award consists of a citation, a shawl and a cash prize of Rs 40,000.

Though this is Pradhan’s first brush with an honour of such high degree, it is not the science graduate’s first shot at literature. Pradhan started his literary career in 1965 when his first short story, Binduli, was published in a Darjeeling literary magazine JanaDuth. He was recognised as a writer, however, with Kalo Sarpa and also dabbled in verse and short stories, which are in the curriculum for students of Standard 10.

He is the editor of Diyalo, a monthly literary magazine published by the Nepali Sahitya Sammelan.

He is also the president of the sammelan, and takes credit of playing an active role in getting the Nepali language recognised under the Eighth schedule of the constitution in 1992.

Pradhan is the 26th recipient of the Nepali Sahitya award, instituted in 1977.Inder Bahadur Rai, who received the Bhanu Purashkar given by the state government, early this year was the first recipient of the award.

Darjeeling has been a permanent fixture in the award list with literary figures bagging the awards for three consecutive years.

Ram Lal Adhikhari had bagged the award in 2000 followed by Lakhi Devi Sundas, last year.