It is sad to note that Nepal has lost a renowned ageless poet in the passing away of Rastrakavi Madhav Prasad Ghimire. He breathed his last at his residence at Lazimpat in Kathmandu Tuesday evening. He was 101. His last rites were performed with state honour at the Aryaghat of Pashupati on Wednesday. He is an Honorary Brigadier General of Nepali Army. Since Ghimire was facing a difficulty in breathing, he was receiving oxygen support for the last four months. His family sources said that he had been receiving treatment at home as per his wish under the regular observation of doctors. No doubt, he was one of the last of the oldest generation of poets in Nepal. A poet of the romantic tradition, he had been conferred with the title of Rastrakavi (national poet) 17 years back. Meanwhile, President Bidya Devi Bhandari has expressed shock over the demise of Ghimire. She said the contribution made by the late poet to the nation, nationality and Nepali literature would remain immortal.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has expressed the view that Nepal has lost a senior devotee of Nepali literature and language in the demise of Ghimire. The PM said that Nepali denizens would not forget his immense contribution to the nation through literature. As he had made remarkable contribution to Nepali language and literature, his demise has caused an irreparable loss to the nation. He was the most living poet after the late Mahakavi Laxmi Prasad Devkota in the country. Born on September 23, 1919 in Pustung of Lamjung district, he has a number of famous literary works to his credit. Gauri is regarded his most popular work. This is an eponymous tragic epic written in memory of his first wife following her sudden untimely demise. Similarly, in his masterpieces like Malati Mangale, he was able to portray bitter truth of the society. Some of his other works include Manjari, Aswasthama, Sakuntala, Charu Charcha, Himal Pari Himal Wari, Rastra Nirmata and Kinnar-Kinnari. A recipient of the Sajha Award for Himal Pari Himal Wari in 1997/98 and Charu Charcha in 2001/02, he was also awarded Padmashree Sadhana Samman in 2010/11.
The late poet was also one of the pioneer figures in Nepali literature for his patriotic writings. He had written popular songs such as ‘Gauchha Geet Nepali’, ‘Aajai Ra Raati Ke Dekhe Sapana’ and ‘Phool Ko Thunga Bagera Gayo.’ Unlike other litterateurs, the late poet has represented all ages. Nepal had nominated him for the prestigious Nobel Prize in literature for his work 'Aswasthama'. Although he contributed to different genres of literature, he used to focus on poems and other literary works. His contribution in children's literature (poems and stories) was also notable. Having completed his studies from Varanasi of India, he had worked as a writer for Bhashanubad Parishad in 1998 B.S. and as an associate editor of the Gorkhapatra daily in 2001 BS. It may also be recalled here that his first literary creation was published in the Gorkhapatra when he was just 14. In 2007 B.S., he had returned to his home village and worked as a teacher for a brief period. Two years later, he had become a member of Kavya Pratisthan led by Mahakavi Devkota. The whole nation is now bereaved of such a great litterateur and pays heartfelt tributes to him. May his soul rest in peace.