Kathmandu, 3 July
Literary portal SahityaPost has awarded three books with ‘Uttam Best Book Awards’ for the year 2079 BS. In an event held at Hotel Akama in the capital on Monday under the chairmanship of SahityaPost’s Editor-in-Chief Aswini Koirala, the literary portal awarded senior cardiologist Dr. Abani Bhushan Upadhyaya’s non-fiction Mutusangako Yatra, Hari Bol Kafle’s novel Yashodhara and Pradip Rodan’s ghazal collection Muffler with Uttam Best Non-Fiction Award, Uttam Best Fiction Award and Uttam Best Poetry Award respectively. The awards carry a sum of fifty thousand rupees each and a citation. The first two awards have are sponsored by researcher and writer Uttam Prasad Pant, while Uttam Bhaukajee is the sponsor of the best poetry book award. The winners in non-fiction, fiction and poetry were picked by a panel of judges coordinated by Basudev Adhikari, Kedar Bashishtha and Sheetal Dahal respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, novelist Hari Bol Kafle said the organisers had in deed honored the backgrounded historical character Yashodhara by awarding his novel of the same title. He credited Yashodhara for being the force behind the enlightenment of Siddhartha and called for a better and more objective understanding of Yashodhara. Ghazalist Pradeep Rodan said the award had added life to his authorial self, and would continue to deliver ghazals to the best of his capacity and dedication. Because cardiologist Dr. Upadhyaya is overseas, his award and citation were received by his editor Laxman Adhikari.
Addressing the gathering, poet and essayist Bhawani Khatiwada, winner of Uttam Award for the year 2078 for her travelogue Ghambhanda Pahile said, he had used the award money to institute a scholarship fund for the best performer of the SEE examination from the school in Okhaldhunga where she graduated form. She also credited the award for boosting up her morals and encouraging her to scale high Himalayan passes. SahityaPost’s editor Mahesh Paudyal said, every award, however big or small it might be, is a stepping stone for writers to move up the ladder.
One of the award sponsors, Uttam Prasad Panta said it was an honor on his part to see research-based mytho-poetic works like Yashodhara being awarded, as he was himself a researcher and believed in research-based works. Another sponsor Uttam Bhaukajee promised to continue his support to the awards.
Speaking as the session chair, Editor-in-Chief of SahityaPost, Mr. Aswini Koirala said his team would continue its honest and dedicated service to the promotion of Nepali literature. The event was conducted by SahityaPost Executive Editor Krishna Dhungel.
It might be noted that Uttam Book Awards are giving to the best debutants in non-fiction, fiction and poetry, published in the immediately preceding Nepali year.
