Do you have a particular theme/topics you usually work on?
I prefer historical, geographical, and cultural writings. In terms of literature, I’m more inclined to write about marginalized communities, diverse races, identities, and cultures, and primarily about Nepal. I feel it’s my job to chronicle the history of my nation. Besides, I write about the need to provide a platform for the voiceless, so they can speak for themselves. In my opinion, a writer shouldn’t limit themselves to just one theme. They need to be versatile. What is your writing process like? I like to do my research before I begin to write. Once I have read every text there is to read on the subject I’m working on only then do I sit down to write. I like to write, revise, and review my work thoroughly. For instance, I have dedicated 20 years to ‘Agni’. The book was supposed to be published first in the epic series. But I had to suspend my work and begin writing other pieces because there was a research gap. I waited and looked for material that would help me complete this book. I just wanted to make sure that my readers understood what I had and wanted to say. And it ultimately got published after my other two epics. Patience and research are very important in writing. What legacy do you hope to leave behind? Recently, I’ve noticed that authors are more focused on creating works that are appealing to the readers. My ideology is different. I write to impart knowledge. I wouldn’t mind if fewer people read my books, but it has to have the potential to educate and empower them. Without a doubt, I want my readers to get some knowledge about Nepal. I hope to inspire aspiring writers to include our culture and identity in their writings. What’s your opinion on the future of Nepali literature? I’m very optimistic about it. I believe that writers from every generation, especially new ones, have and will contribute a lot to the progress of Nepali literature in their own way. I also think that the younger generation is very intelligent and has a lot of potential. I’m sure that these aspirant young minds will do a good job, or maybe even better than what we have seen so far. What books do you recommend to the readers? Books are good teachers. I can’t recommend one or two books. I would suggest people read books that impart historical, cultural, and geographical knowledge. These books will help you to enrich your critical thinking and help you to understand ideologies better. Having said that, a few books have inspired me in the past. They are ‘Shakuntala’ by Laxmi Prasad Devkota, ‘Narsingh Avatar’ by Jagadish Shamsher Rana, and ‘Tarun Tapasi’ by Lekhnath Paudyal. I think people should read these masterpieces. Lamsal’s Picks Shakuntala by Laxmi Prasad Devkota This is one of the greatest works of Laxmi Prasad Devkota, which was published in the year 1945. Narsingh Avatar by Jagadish Shamsher Rana Narsingh Avatar is a poetry epic written by Jagadish Shamsher Rana that was awarded Madan Puraskar in 1981. Tarun Tapasi by Lekhnath Paudyal Tarun Tapasi by Lekhnath Paudyal was published in 1953. The epic is divided into 19 cantos and is written in ‘shikharini chhanda’.
