Birth: 21 August 1948, Khotang
Death: 22 September 2021, Bhaktapur

Gadulman Rai, a teacher and researcher, devoted his life to promoting the Kirati culture. Born in Ratanchha, Sakela Rural Municipality-2, Khotang, Rai’s formal education ended after grade 10.

But that didn’t stop him from continuing various forms of education and promoting Kirat literature. In 1968, two years after starting his teaching career, he took part in a 10-month teaching training. At various times, he also trained in community forestry, village development, and linguistics. 

Yet teaching for him was not a one-way street. He was involved in training other teachers to teach Kirat language to grade one students in different districts and had an instrumental role in the establishment of the Shree Panchakanya primary school in Ratanchha in 1988.

In addition to writing textbooks for grades one to five in Chamling language, Rai translated textbooks for mathematics, science, health and physical education, social studies, and creative arts into Chamling. 

Having done so much, he decided to retire from his event-filled teaching career in 2000. Rai was then elected ward chairperson of Ratanchha-8 VDC where he introduced significant reforms in budget management.

Also read: Ramesh KC ‘Mattare’: A life dedicated to acting

Rai was actively involved in publishing various works in Chamling language, including the ‘Chamling Ardahbaarsik Mukhpatra’ (volumes 1, 2, and 3). He was the researcher behind the book ‘Chamling Sanskar, Sanskriti, and Myth’ and compiler and editor of the Chamling dictionary. He also wrote  Kirat Sanskar (Chamling-Nepali), the definitive book on the birth-to-death rites of Chamling Rais as well as the ‘Chamling-Nepali Experimental Vocabulary’.

In 2002, he was elected secretary of the Kirat Rai Chamling Khambatim committee for five years. In appreciation of his contribution, Kirat Rai Yayokkha conferred on him the 'Chhatra-Vishnu Rai Kriti Samman-2064' and Nepal Pragya Pratishthan honored him with 'Nepal Pragya Matrubhasha Sahitya Puraskar-2072'.

In 2016, he won the Rashtriya Pragya Puraskar for his contribution to Chamling language and literature.

Rai passed away at the age of 73 in Bhaktapur on September 22 while undergoing treatment for cancer. He is survived by his wife, four sons, and two daughters.