Darjeeling-based Nepali writer Chuden Kabimo’s novel Urmaal has been selected for the prestigious Madan Puraskar 2081. The decision was announced by the Madan Puraskar Guthi in its meeting held on Friday. Alongside this, the Guthi decided to confer the Jagadamba Shree Puraskar on Prem Dev Giri for his significant contribution to the collection and preservation of folk songs.
Urmaal tells the unheard stories of women tea-garden workers in the Dooars, capturing their cultural and historical realities.
Author Kabimo was previously acclaimed for his debut novel Fatsung (2019), which centered on the Gorkhaland Movement and received wide recognition for its depth and storytelling.
This year, Urmaal, published by FinePrint, was selected from among 299 submissions. It had earlier made the shortlist of seven works, which also included Chhalbato by Ramesh Bhusal, Darjyu Sanlaap by Kumari Lama, Panchatatwako Palam by Manprasad Subba, Bahurupi by Shreyaj Subedi, Bhikshu, Byapar ra Bidroha by Sudheer Sharma, and Hiunko Geet by Tirtha Gurung.
Similarly, Prem Dev Giri, who has been selected for the Jagadamba Shree Award, is a personality devoted for several decades to the preservation and promotion of folk songs, tunes, and indigenous melodies. Giri has been collecting endangered tunes from various regions of Nepal and has worked to keep age-old oral traditions alive through books and recordings.
Established in 1955, the Madan Puraskar is regarded as Nepal’s highest literary recognition, awarded annually to an outstanding contribution in Nepali literature. The Guthi has stated that the date and venue of the formal award distribution ceremony will be announced later.
