Nepali literature, written in the Nepali language, has a rich and varied history that traces its roots back to the evolution of the language itself. Nepali, which became the national language of Nepal in 1958, originated from Sanskrit, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact beginnings of its literary tradition. Initially, much of the scholarly work was composed in Sanskrit, limiting literary activity to the educated Brahmin caste. However, over time, literature in Nepali developed its distinct identity, which can be broadly categorized into five major periods.
Pre-Bhanubhakta Era
While it is believed that Nepali literature existed in oral traditions for centuries, written records before Bhanubhakta's time are scarce. Sanskrit was the primary literary language, restricting literary expression to a small, educated elite. Common people had little access to literary works. Some scholars, however, suggest that Suwananda Daas may have been the first significant literary figure in Nepali history. Saint Gyandil Das, a contemporary of Bhanubhakta, was also a notable poet who contributed to the Nirgun Bhakti Dhara, a tradition of attribute-less devotional poetry, and composed the work "Udayalahari."
Bhanubhakta Era
Bhanubhakta Acharya holds a revered place in Nepali literature, often celebrated as the "Adikavi" or "first poet" of the Nepali language. His most significant contribution is the translation of the Ramayana into Nepali, which he rendered in a metric form similar to the Sanskrit original. In addition to this monumental work, Bhanubhakta wrote original poems on various topics, including family values, bureaucratic satire, and social commentary.
Early 20th Century
This period is frequently referred to as the Motiram Bhatta era, named after the poet who played a crucial role in reviving Bhanubhakta's legacy. Motiram Bhatta (1866–1896 CE) not only promoted Bhanubhakta's work but also significantly influenced the development of Nepali literature during his time. The first Nepali novel, "Bir Charitra," written by Girish Ballabh Joshi, was published in 1903, although it faced restrictions under the Rana regime and only saw a complete edition published in 1965. Another landmark novel, "Roopmati" by Rudra Raj Pande, published in 1934, gained widespread popularity and is sometimes considered the first major novel in Nepali literature.
1960–1991: Pre-Revolution Era
Despite the lack of freedom of expression during this period, creative writing flourished. The magazine "Sharada" was the primary platform for publishing Nepali literature. This era produced significant works in various genres, including short stories by Laxmi Prasad Devkota, Guru Prasad Mainali, Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala, and Gadul Singh Lama (Sanu Lama), all of which contributed to the evolution of Nepali literature. One of the most influential literary works of this time is Laxmi Prasad Devkota's "Muna Madan," a play that poignantly depicts the human condition through the story of a man who leaves his family to seek fortune in Tibet. Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala's stories, such as "Teen Ghumti," "Doshi Chashma," and "Narendra Dai," are notable for introducing psychological depth into Nepali literature.
This period also saw the emergence of several prominent poets, including Laxmi Prasad Devkota, Gopal Prasad Rimal, Siddhicharan Shrestha, Bhim Nidhi Tiwari, and Balkrishna Sama. During the Panchayat regime, poets like Indra Bahadur Rai, Parijat, Bhupi Sherchan, Madhav Prasad Ghimire, Bairagi Kainla, Banira Giri, Ishwor Ballav, Tulsi Diwasa, Kul Bahadur KC, Toya Gurung, Vishnu Raj Atreya, and Krishna Bhooshan Bal also made significant contributions.
Post-Revolution Era (1991–Present)
The period following the democratic revolution of 1991 has seen a proliferation of literary activity in the Nepali language. Writers like Khagendra Sangraula, Ashesh Malla, Yuyutsu Sharma, Suman Pokhrel, Shrawan Mukarung, Geeta Tripathee, Nayan Raj Pandey, Ramesh Kshitij, Narayan Wagle, Buddhi Sagar, Mahananda Poudyal, Deenbandhu Sharma, and Subhash Chandra Bhandari, among others, have enriched Nepali literature with their diverse contributions. As Nepali speakers have migrated globally, a vibrant diasporic literature has emerged, adding new dimensions and perspectives to the literary tradition. Nepali literature continues to evolve, reflecting the changing social, cultural, and political landscape of Nepal and the broader Nepali-speaking community worldwide.
