Vijaya Chalise comes up with ‘Yugsandhi’

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Oct. 2: A book titled ‘Yugsandhi’ written by Vijaya Chalise was unveiled amid a programme held in Kathmandu on Tuesday. 

The novel deals with the Vedic-era ideological conflict between sages Vasishtha and Vishvamitra.

The novel highlights the tension between Aryan and non-Aryan races and cultures, men and women, and supporters of blood purity versus blood amalgamation. 

Speaking at the programme, critic Gopi Mainali said that ‘Yugsandhi’ breaks the classical notion of writing mythological fiction and relates it to modern social structure. 

The book tells the story not only of victory but also of defeat and reveals the ethnic and class-based discrimination of ancient times.

Prof.Dr. Rishiram Pokharel, the first person to earn a PhD on the Vedas from Nepal, said that, in a time when very few books are written on Vedic topics, writer Chalise has made a valuable contribution to Nepali literature by writing the book.

Likewise, critic Dr. Gyanu Pandey claimed that the book is a powerful work capable of raising serious questions and raising vivid imaginations in readers, going beyond just the themes it addresses.

Author Chalise highlighted that the novel is based on conclusions drawn from his study of Vedic conflicts.

Critics Yubaraj Mainali and Gokarneshwor Municipality Mayor Deepak Risal, among others, extended their best wishes to the author during the book launch ceremony.

The book, published by Parichaya Publications, is priced at Rs. 550 and divided into 38 chapters. 

Writer Chalise is a writer of mass media and journalism along with novels, story collections, children’s literature, and travel essays.

He is the former executive chairman of Gorkhapatra Corporation and former editor-in-chief of Gorkhapatra Daily.