Mahananda Poudyal

Shree Mahananda Poudyal, an octogenarian Nepali writer^[1] was born in Kalimpong; Darjeeling District, India on the 19th of January 1931.He got his primary education from Saint Michael Roman Catholic School, Kalimpong. Later he went on to study in Scottish Universities Mission Institution. A very bright student from a young age, he completed graduation from Darjeeling Government. Soon after graduation, he started his career as a teacher. He joined service in the Department of Education in the Sikkim Government, where he was in service for about 11 years. He then left his job to pursue a career in Nepali literature.

Known to be inspired by his own family and people surrounding him in his daily life, Shree Mahananda Poudyal found a mentor in his own father Shree Khadananda Poudyal, who was himself a well known and a great Sanskrit Scholar. The first poem Shree Mahananda Poudyal wrote was called 'Mitra Barga' (which translated means My friends).The poem made it to the annual magazine of the Scottish Universities Mission Institution in the year 1952.Later he expanded his genre into short stories, essays, travelogue and criticism. His publications include Jhumra ko putali (1988), Haamra kehi lok katha (1988), Shakespheare ka kehi natya katha (1996), Bichar Afnai Chhitiztira (1996), Chanda ra alankar (1988), Sanobhai, Shree Katha, Fulharu, Patiharu (2002), Bhasa Sahitya Barha Bakhan and so on.

Apart from literary activities, Shree Manahanda Poudyal was also engaged in various political and social activities in Darjeeling and adjacent regions. He took active participation in the Gorkha Movement and has written several articles on the Gorkha League. Thus it is safely assumed that some of his writings have also been influenced by the political philosophy of the Gorkha Movement. They reflected his orientation and drew the attention of the people towards the movement.

His commitment to propagate the ideas and activities of the Gorkha Movement, that had an identity/recognition of working for the upliftment of the poor around Darjeeling region and his association with several other social and literary organizations like Gorkha Dukha Niwasan Sammelan, Bhartiya Gorkha League, Bhanu Jayanti Samaroah Samiti, Sikkim Sahitya Academy, Kedriya Sikshya Parishad, Rashtriya Pathya Pustak Parishad, Kedriya Sahitya Academy, Purviya Parishad Sanskrit Kendra, proved him to be a philanthropist more than a literary person. Rather his writings reflected the agonies of the oppressed and the downtrodden in the society and called for the upliftment of the affected people.

Personal life

Mr Mahananda Poudyal was born in Kalimpong, District Darjeeling, West Bengal, India to Mr Khadananda Poudyal and Mrs Poudyal.His childhood was spent in the quiet town of Kalimpong.As he grew up he started travelling around for his education.At the age of he married Bishnu Sharma now Mrs Bishnu Poudyal and had 8 kids by the name of Bidhya Sharma, Gyanu Sharma, Kusum Sharma, Indu Sharma, Geeta Sharma, Kalpana Sharma, Srijana Sharma and Anil Sharma.He is now a grandfather to 12 kids.Currently he resides in Pakyong, East Sikkim, India.

See also

• Nepali literature

References

1. ^ "Santosh Alley conferred Dr. Shova Kanti Thegim Award, 2011". Sikkim Mail. 5 July 2011. http://isikkim.com/2011-07-santosh-alley-conferred-dr-shova-kanti-thegim-award-2011-052/. Retrieved 10 August 2011.