'Karmayogi Ganeshram Lachhi' hits market

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Sept. 18: A book titled 'Karmayogi Ganeshram Lachhi' has hit the book stalls. Published by Akshyar Marga literary magazine, the book recognises Lachhi not only as a culture expert but also as an actor, dance teacher, theatre director, actor, writer and campaigner of Newar identity and Nepal Bhasa.

The book has nine different parts including his cultural essays, interviews and literary creations. In the essay titled Lakhe, Devi Nach Ra Panauti (Lakhe, Deity Dance and Panauti), Lachhi stressed the need to conserve the rich cultural assets of Panauti town, mentioning the contributions made by local artists. 

In another essay, he mentions the present state of Makhundo (mask) dance. "The only intangible culture may identify the Newar civilisation. If we do not conserve it, Newar civilisation will be in a crisis," he writes. "Conservation of culture and tradition is the conservation of our identity and dignity." The book includes two poems in the Nepali language written by Lachhi. 

He has written many books in Nepal Bhasa and Nepali including Hwangankhin, Human Flu (both collections of farce), Halemagu Myen, Kanemagu Bakhan (both collections of one-act plays), Nepal Mandalko Makhundo Naach (collection of cultural essays), Thukathan Palistha Jula Shankhadhar Sirapa (History), Chhanta Luanewan, Bhatkieka Sapanaharu (both collections of poems), Sikkim Ko Yatra, Parikarko Matra (Travelogue), Khwa Paa (novel), Amurta Sanskritik Sampadama Madhyapur (collection of cultural essays) and others.

Many plays in Nepal Bhasa and Nepali written and directed by him were famous during the Panchayat era from 2030 to 2042 BS which include Biswas, Balidan, Sankalpa, Sya Nuga, Aginmatha, Itihas Hichatiya, Chhatrabritti. In addition, he has written and directed a documentary titled 'Nepal Ko Lokbaja Muhali'.

Similarly, he has acted in many feature films in Nepali and Nepal Bhasa such as Rajamati, Munamadan, Papu Madumha Jhanga, Mikha Dumha Kan, Bajyaya Gway, Nhyakan, Dhaubaji, Tuyumati, Maya, Timila, Tempo Chalak, Firke, Lakhe Bhaju and others. 

Of late, he is running 'Aakhachhen', a mini gallery of Newar heritage, in Madhyapur Thimi, Bhaktapur.

Many scholars such as Malla K Sunder, Suresh Kiran, Satyamohan Joshi, Laxman Rajbansi, Ramshekhar Namarmi, Maniklal Shrestha, Mathura Krishna Shrestha, Padmaratna Tuladhar, Tejeswore Babu Gwanga, Tuyukaji Tamrakar, Dhrubakrishna Tamrakar, Krishnamohan Joshi, Shakya Suren and others have written about his contribution in the book. The book is edited by Surya Prasad Lakaju.

A resident of Madhyapur Thimi, Lachhi was born on Kattik 27, 2006 B.S.