Narayan Wagle gets Madan Puraskar

KOL Report

KATHMANDU, Aug 31 - The Madan Puraskar Award Trust has decided to present the "Madan Puraskar" for the year 2061 to litterateur and journalist Narayan Wagle for his book entitled ?Palpasa Caf?.?

Palpasa Caf?, the debut novel by Wagle, had created a new "fastest selling" record in the Nepali book publication history. The second edition of the novel has already hit bookstores after 5,000 copies were sold out in the first month of its release in the end of July.

The decision to this effect was taken by a meeting of the trust Wednesday. The award carries a purse of Rs. 200,000.

The 245-page novel has been able to arouse enormous interest and satisfaction among the readers because it highlights contemporary issues facing the country, book critics say.

Wagle is the editor of Kantipur daily.

Likewise, the trust decided to present this year?s ?Jagadamba Shree Award? to litterateur Phanindra Raj Khetala in recognition of his more than half-century long service to the field of Nepali literature. The award also carries a purse of Rs. 200,000. (snn)

****************************************************


Congratulations to Narayan Wagle!

I can't comment on his book because I have yet to get hold of a copy and read it, though -- thanks to the publisher Kiran of Nepalaya -- I know that a signed-by-the-author copy is waiting for me in Kathmandu.

Narayan is an immensely likable guy. That, plus his being the editor of Kantipur makes him a really powerful figure in Nepal. Besides, all the young journalists adore him. All these combine to make it virtually impossible for his book to get a 'bad' review in Nepal.

Some observations on the prize, and, as a no-nonsense long-time friend of Narayan, I hope he tolerates my raising these issues here.

1. Narayan's book came out just two months ago or so. Now it's already won Nepal's most prestigious literature prize.

I can't help thinking: Isn't the prize for Narayan a little too soon, too early, too fast?
I mean, the book is getting ecstatic reviews and is still in its ''honeymoon' phase,
so to speak . . . surely Narayan's winning it NEXT year perhaps would have been
more appropriate, I'd think.

2. By giving the prize to Narayan this fast this soon, are the prize committee members (who are anonymous) sending a signal to the market that they seriously consider even the very recent books of first-time novelists?

3. I am confused: Madan Purasakar has this image of being really stuffy, dowdy and too mustily Nepali lit. It usually goes to people with three long names such as . . . Krishna Prasad Parajuli. Is the Prize Committee trying to be hip and young and oh-so-relevant in contemporary times by giving the prize to Narayan? Alternatively, is it trying to piggy-back on the poularity of Narayan's novel?

Just some food for thought.

Once again, congrats to Narayan.

oohi
ashu

Gautamji wrote:
>"पल्पसा क्याफे" गत वर्षको उत्कृष्ट कृति भएका कारण यो
>पुरस्कार दिइएको रहेछ भने नेपाली साहित्यको वर्तमान
>बारेमा हामी निराश बन्छौँ।

मलाई पनि त्यस्तै लाग्छ ।

Hello,

Ashu, have you finished reading the novel. Let's see how you will comment about the novel. Seriousely what I mean is your comment will reveal whether you will lick Narayan Wagle's ass or not.

Prem dai, you seriously need help man

darshankaka, "पल्पसा क्याफे"ले वर्तमान नेपालको चित्रण गर्ने कोशिश गरेको छ। जारी हिंसा र त्यसले नेपाली समाजमाथि पारेको प्रभावलाई एउटा पात्रको माध्यामबाट विश्लेषण गर्न खोजेको छ। समाधानको बारेमा भने उपन्यास मौन छ। विषयवस्तु आजभोलि हामीले भोग्दै आएको र पढ्दै आएको भएपनि कलात्मक प्रस्तुति भने छ। जहाँसम्म यो पढेपछि पाठकमा आउनसक्ने परीवर्तनको कुरा छ, माओवादी विद्रोहले आजसम्म प्रत्यक्ष असर नपरेका ब्यक्तिहरुलाई भने केहि झक्झक्याउन र गम्भिर बनउन सक्छ।

This thread was started by Ashu.. and he reported that he read the novel as well... and somewhere also he wrote that he will send his comments to the Narayan Wagle personally!! Bullshit.

Thanks Gautam B. Ashu let me extend my questions to you as well since you also have read that novel.

पोहर एउटा यात्रा संस्मरण प्रकाशित भएको थियो नेपालमा "सोह्र साँझहरु- युध्दका असरहरु बीच यात्रा" भन्ने (लेखकको नाम याद भएन, गोविन्द वर्तमान हुन् कि?)। माओवादी द्वन्दको राम्रो चित्रण छ भन्ने समीक्षा पढेको थिएँ कतै। साझावासीहरु कसैले पढेको भए त्यसबारेको जानकारी बाँड्दा कसो होला?

Read a beautiful review / analysis of Palpase Cafe in MULYANKAN patrika and it dissected the novel and ripped it apart. I don't think I will ever read the novel after having read that review / analysis. Some reviews can be lethal, and this surely was one irreverent, punk ass, no holds barred, in your face review. This review also made other mainstream reviewers look like fools. Remember Lenny Bruce? It totally dampened my initial craving for the novel.

Alas in our mutual-appreciation, self-referential, ass kissing society of Kathmandu, such reviews are indeed rare and a no no.

1. How did you get Mulyankan here?

2. Is it by Ninu Chapagai? Probably, You do not know him. Ashu-Narayan haru lai thangna ma sutayera tin din kokro ma hallai dina sakchhan - Yathrthabadi sahitya bishleshan ma. Janab le :) Waha haru le Katipaya Chapaiyeka Anuhar Haru chapayeko dekhu parne. Daulat Bikram ko kattu matrai baki thiyo.

Have you ever find any positive review of any mainstream literature in Mulyankan / Bedana? I hope you get it.

Karmapa: Why don't you scan and post here that review appreared in Mulyankan? It's very important.

I have no problem Wagle writing Palpasa... but everybody seems to have problem with how fast and hastily Guthi showered him with Madan.

What I mean is everyone has rights to write an publish and sell ... noboby's arguing about that... probably some cheap aththanni porno books are sold more copies in India than Palpasa Cafe in Nepal.

But lobh is the issue here... and chakadi!! Is it Guthi doing chakadi to Wagle or Wagle's publisher to Guthi or Wagle to Publisher or Guthi or indian investment in Kantipur publication t Wagle.. or for some reason.. ??????? Bujheko ho mula Ashu,... you never showd up here with your review... ki ittai Narayan Wagle lai personal review dina hazir hunu bhayo??? Tagat chha bhane lekh na yenha sajha ma timro review... afterall you are the originator fo this thread.... Don't Give Up man.... C'mon!!! C'mon!!!!

Ha Ha Ha Ha ... bhageko Ashu lai sajha ma pachharna balchhi haleko ho ki kya ho?

Don't expect him to show up again here.. ha ha... he is gone.. he gave up, I guess...!!! Probably meditation tira ho ki.... I heard that our communist leaders like Sherchan, Madhav Nepal, Lilamani Poudel are these days going for yoga practice and regularly they watch one guru's television programme to get rid of their physical aches and so on... I wonder how they gonna remove pain of Nepalese.... these unhealthy leaders!!!