By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Aug. 19: Rastrakavi Madhav Prasad Ghimire passed away at his Lainchaur-based residence on Tuesday evening. He was 101.
Born on September 23, 1919 in Pustung, Lamjung district, Ghimire is well known for his literary works, including Gauri, Manjari, Malati Mangale, Aswasthama, Sakuntala, Charu Charcha, Himal Pari Himal Wari, Rastra Nirmata, Kinnar-Kinnari, Afno Bansuri Aafnai Geet and Indrakumari, among others.
The most revered living poet Rastrakavi Ghimire breathed his last at his home, said Bijeta Ghimire, his daughter-in-law.
Dr. Kiran Regmi, another daughter of Ghimire, said he had been receiving oxygen support for the last four months, owing to difficulty in breathing.
“As per his wish, he had been receiving treatment at home under the regular observation of the doctors,” said Dr. Regmi, who is herself medical doctor.
According to his family, the last rites of poet Ghimire will take place tomorrow with state honour.
He was one of the last of the oldest generation of poets in Nepal. He was a poet of the romantic tradition.
In 2060 B.S, he had been conferred with the title of Rastrakavi (Poet of the nation).
He was the recipient of the Sajha Award for Himal Pari Himal Wari in 1997/98 and Charu Charcha in 2001/02.
He had also received the Padmashree Sadhana Samman Puraskar in 2010/11 for his contribution to Nepali literature and language.
His most popular work is Gauri (1947), an eponymous tragic epic, written in memory of his first wife, following her sudden untimely death. It is widely regarded as one of the best works of the late poet.
In his masterpieces such as Malati Mangale, Ghimire portrayed unpleasant truth of the society.
Ghimire is widely known as one of the pioneer figures in the Nepali literature for patriotic writing. He had also penned popular national songs ‘Gauchha Geet Nepali’, ‘Aajai Ra Raati Ke Dekhe Sapana’ and ‘Phool Ko Thunga Bagera Gayo.’
Ghimire also worked as an editor of the Gorkhapatra. He is also an Honorary Brigadier General of Nepali Army.
In his lifetime, he contributed immensely to the betterment and promotion of Nepali literature and language.
After completing his studies from Varanasi, India, he worked as a writer for Bhashanubad Parishad in 1998 B.S. (1941 AD) and as associate editor at Gorkhapatra in 2001 BS (1944 AD).
His first literary creation was published in the Gorkhapatra at the age of 14.
In 1951 AD, he returned to his home village and worked as a teacher for a brief period. In 1953, he became a member of Kavya Pratisthan led by Mahakavi Laxmi Prasad Devkota.
As soon as the news of his demise spread, individuals, associations, organisations and political leaders, including President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, expressed their condolences on the sad death of the iconic Nepali poet.
President Bhandari has expressed shock over the sad demise of Rastrakavi Madhav Prasad Ghimire.
In a tweet this evening, President Bhandari has said that the contribution by late Ghimire to the nation, nationality and Nepali literature is immortal.
Taking to the Twitter handle, PM Oli wrote, “With the demise of Ghimire, Nepal has lost a senior devotee of Nepali literature and language. Nepali denizens will never forget the contribution he has made to the nation through literature.”
Rastrakavi Ghimire is the only literary figure of Nepal who is equally admired by his contemporaries as well as the young generation.
Shree Om Shrestha ‘Roadhan’, a poet, journalist and writer, remembered late Ghimire as one and only literary figure who represents all generations.
Till the age of 101, late Ghimire had lived an active and enthusiastic life. For a few years, he had stopped attending public events.
However, many literary events used to be organised at his Lazimpat-based home.
Many individuals have twitted that the demise of Ghimire is an irreparable loss to the world of Nepali literature.
Ghimire is survived by his wife, two sons and six daughters.