Novel on LGBT released

BY A STAFF REPORTER,Kathmandu, July 18: Antar (Difference), a novel on the problems of the LGBT by Ramesh Sayan, was recently released in the capital.

TV journalist Rupesh Shrestha, the author himself and a member of LGBT Lex Limbu made the book public at a programme organised by Bookhill in Mandala Theatre.

This was Sayan's first novel. His prose is famous for the soft, rhetorical and easily communicable Nepali language. Before this, he had published Bhagera Bhugolbhari, an anthology of poems, and Chhuteka Anuhar, a non-fiction book. The latter was honoured with the prestigious Padmashree Literary Award in 2018.

At the programme, Shrestha and Limbu discussed the contents of the book. Limbu said that his sufferings as a member of the LGBT community were the same as the protagonist of the novel Shabda suffered. “I was able to disclose myself as an LGBT before my family when I was 25. I am happy that Nepali society is being conscious. They must accept the naturality of sexually minor communities,” Limbu said while responding to a query of Shrestha.

Author Sayan expressed happiness that he clicked the virgin content in the novel. “I wrote this as I am serious about this problem,” Sayan added.

Chief of Bookhill Bhupendra Khadka claimed that the novel would be a great achievement in Nepali literature. “You will get a unique taste. Not only the content but also the style of writing gives you a unique taste,” he said.

Meanwhile, actor Anup Neupane staged a chapter of the novel as a short drama.

Published by Bookhill, the novel consists of 252 pages and costs Rs. 555.