He breathed his last during the course of treatment at the Gwarko-based Kist Medical College this morning.
According to a source at the hospital, he passed away at 7: 09 am today. Joshi, who had been suffering from prostate and heart-related ailments for the past many years, was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital on October 10. Joshi was also suffering from pneumonia and was also found infected with dengue during the blood test. Earlier, he had announced to donate his body to the hospital after his death. Although Joshi’s health condition looked like it was improving in the initial few days of his hospitalization, it deteriorated later on. The KIST Medical College had been providing Joshi and his spouse free medical treatment. Born in 1919 in Patan, Joshi is celebrated for his achievements in the field of literature, history, and culture with more than 60 books on music, drama, culture, and history to his credit. Some of his prominent publications include Hamro Lok Sanskriti (Madan Puraskar in 1956); Nepali Rastriya Mudra (Madan Puraskar of 1960); Karnali Lok Sanskriti (a research collection); Charumati, Sunkeshari, Majipha Lakhe, Bagh Bhairab (dramas) Joshi is a three-time recipient of the Madan Puraskar for his work on folk studies, Nepali numismatics and the traditions of the Karnali region, Joshi is a name among Nepalis that elicits respect, honor and reverence. He is an institution in himself. Joshi’s contribution to Nepali culture, art and history are huge. He founded the Rashtriya NachGhar as part of his effort to keep Nepali culture and art alive. He has been honored with an honorary Doctor of Literature degree by the Kathmandu University. He set up the Araniko White Dagoba Gallery in Kirtipur, Kathmandu, using historical artifacts related to Araniko, a Nepali sculptor and architect of ancient Nepal who built the White Pagoda in China. The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) issued three new coins of denominations Rs 100, Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,500 in September 2019, featuring Joshi’s portrait, to commemorate his 100th birthday. On 17 November 2021, Joshi became the first person to receive Nepal’s electronic passport. Joshi was working as the chancellor of the Nepal Bhasa Academy.
