Shilash Thapa Tamang
Kathmandu, 9 August
Madan Puraskar Guthi has announced the shortlist of five books for the Madan Puraskar 2079. Those shortlisted for the award are Ejoriya by Subin Bhattrai, Aaithan by Bibek Ojha, Chakrabyuhma Nepalko Jalasrot by Dwarika Nath Dhungel, Thangra by Pragati Rai and Matako Ghar by Sanjaya Bista.
According to a press release issued by the Guthi, a total of 313 books published in the year 2079 had been submitted for the award, out of which only five books were selected by the jury. Eight books had been shortlisted last year and Nabaraj Lamsal’s Agni had been finally picked for the award Madan Puraskar 2078.
Ejoriya, which has been shortlisted for this year, is Bhattrai’s fifth novel. The novel remained the bestseller estimating a sale of more than sixty thousand copies so far. The novel unveils love, hatred and tension seen in a family. Author Bhattrai is one of the most celebrated novelists of the present time and is popular especially among the teenagers.
Another shortlisted book Aithan by Bibek Ojha aims to familiarize the new generation with the two decade-long Maoist insurgency. Similarly, Dwarika Nath Dhungel’s Chakrabyuha elucidates the complications behind Nepal’s inability to use its own water resources. Dhungel, a former Secretary of the Government of Nepal, has succinctly presented different treaties signed on the rivers of Nepal under different prime ministerial tenures.
Pragati Rai’s novel Thangra attacks patriarchal ideology. Love leading to marriage between a Rai girl from eastern Nepal and a Dalit boy from far-west is presented in the novel. Matoko Ghar, a collection of stories by Sanjaya Bista has also made it to the list of top five books.
Established in 1955, Madan Puraskar is considered the most prestigious literary award in Nepal, conferred annually to one book published in Nepali language and regarded to be the best in the given year. The winner of Madan Puraskar receives four lakh rupees and a citation.
