Amar Nyaupane is a wellknown name in modern Nepali literature. The author of three path-breaking novels—‘Pani ko Ghaam’ (2009), ‘Seto Dharti’ (2012), and ‘Karodau Kasturi’ (2015)—Nyaupane has also penned poems, stories and memoirs. He had shot to fame after ‘Seto Dharti’ in 2012 got the prestigious Madan Purashkar. Nyaupane has been able to create a niche for himself due to his unique plots, characterizations and experimentation.

 

Aside from catapulting him to popularity, ‘Seto Dharti’ stayed atop the bestseller list in Nepal for weeks, and earned him acclaim from readers and critics alike for what was described as a unique portrayal of human suffering.

 

‘Literature has helped me express my inner voices and thoughts’

 

“Literature has helped me express my inner voices, thoughts and opinions easily through emotive storytelling,” says Nyaupane, 41. “My life, surroundings and mother nature inspire me to dabble in literature. Especially the evolution of plants with the change of season is something magical,” explains Nyaupane.

 

Born and raised in Parvatipur village, Chitwan, Nyaupane never dreamt of becoming a full-time writer. Instead he was interested in arts and crafts. It was his parents, father Eknath Nyaupane and mother Harimaya Nyaupane, who used to encourage him to take up creative writing since his schooldays. But even though he wrote a lot, he was too shy to show his writing to anyone else. He was so shy he never asked any of his teachers any questions right through his schooldays. Even now, he feels shy to ask questions.

 

He is delighted with the interest of the young generation in Nepali literature. “More and more of them are reading books and offering their invaluable feedback,” says Nyaupane.

 

For Nyaupane, literature is an outlet for the expression of one’s suppressed emotions, thoughts and opinions, which one cannot otherwise reveal in earnest. “Literature often connects the internal and external worlds, as well as opens portals to otherwise unimagined world,” asserts Nyaupane.

 

Who were his inspirations? “Diamond Shumsher Junga Bahadur Rana, Bisheswor Prasad Koirala, Guru Prasad Mainali, and Govinda Bahadur Malla ‘Gothaale’, among others,” he answers.

 

Nyaupane believes Nepali literature can attain even greater heights by including more voices, opinions and issues from the Mechi in the east to the Mahakali in the west. “Our literature can indirectly help raise public awareness and morals and nudge people into socio-cultural changes,” he adds.

 

stayed atop the best-seller list for weeks, earning him great acclaim

 

Nyaupane thinks Nepali literature has already undergone a metamorphosis, in terms of writing approaches, wordplay, characterization and connecting readers with literary works. He points out how there has been a massive overhaul in terms of audience segmentation, production, promotion and marketing of Nepali literature. Major publishers such as Fine Print, Book Hill, Shangri-La launch books amid much fanfare and extensive media coverage. Nyaupane believes youth-centric promotional tactics such as use of jacket ads, banner ads, expos, book tours, meetand- greet with acclaimed authors and interactive book discussions have been “major plus points” for all authors.

 

And what about the impact of social media on literature? “On the one hand, it has boosted awareness and sales of literary works among our youths. On the other, it has also helped reduce the circulation and readership of literature in urban areas,” Nyaupane says.

 

 Asked about the place of Nepali literature in the international arena, Nyaupane replies: “Nepal still lags in the international arena, as reading of Nepali literature is still limited among Non-Resident Nepalese (NRNs). Only a handful of literary works such as ‘Palpasa Café’, ‘Muna Madan’, ‘Radha’, ‘Seto Bagh’ and ‘Aaj Ramita Chha’ have been translated into other languages for non-native audiences.”

 

Nyaupane hopes the trend of translation gathers speed and more Nepali literature will be available for the global audience.

 

In the end, what is next for the acclaimed author? “I have finalized a draft of my next novel. But I am yet to get a launch date from my publishers”.