Author Radhika Kalpit’s short story collection Sammohan has been recently launched during a special literary program in Kathmandu.
During the event, writers Shyamal, Bindu Sharma, and Hem Bhandari shared their thoughts on the newly launched book. Shyamal described Sammohan as a powerful and promising work from both social and psychological perspectives. He said, “The stories beautifully present social realities without the influence of political themes, and the psychology of the characters is portrayed in a detailed and nuanced manner.”
Critic Bindu Sharma noted that the stories skillfully depict suppressed desires of reality and the unconscious. She praised Sammohan as a work with psychological depth, based on the sensitivities of characters masked by ideals.
Journalist Hem Bhandari highlighted that the stories critique the patriarchal structures of Nepali society and expose gender discrimination. He said, “The stories subtly question social complexities and the presence of the state.”
The collection focuses on themes like gender discrimination, social disintegration, sexual psychology, and patriarchal consciousness. The characters are developed vividly, and the language used is said to be poetic, according to the commentators.
The program was hosted by ghazal writer and poet Babu Tripathi.
Published by Indigo Ink Pvt. Ltd., the book is priced at 499 rupees.
