Nepa~laya brings out ‘Sat Sal ko Katha’ on eve of Nepal’s 75th Democracy Day

By Bidikshan Soni,Kathmandu Feb. 16: Nepa~laya launched the book ‘Sat Sal ko Katha’ on Saturday, February 15 on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the advent of democracy in Nepal. 

The book, a historical reportage by one of the most influential writers of post-Premchand Hindi Literature, Phanishwar Nath Renu, was originally published in Hindi in 1977 under the title: ‘Nepali Kranti-Katha’ (The Story of Nepal’s Revolution), reflecting the historical context of that time. It was translated into Nepali by Tulasi Bhattarai under the title: ‘Sat Sal ko Katha’. 

Phanishwar Nath Renu, who was born in Bihar, India, 104 years ago, actively participated in the Nepali revolution against the Rana regime, and his first-hand account of that experience is now available as a report-style narrative. 

Bhaskar Gautam, a political scientist from Biratnagar and a scholar on Renu, launched the book. He remarked that Renu was a humanitarian writer who never differentiated between “this country” and “that country.”

“Renu’s works always bring forth humanity and the essence of free existence,” Gautam said. “He viewed the lives, nature, and culture from the upper reaches of the Chure to the banks of the Ganges through a lens that transcended any partisan or nationalistic mindset.” Gautam further emphasized that the book would contribute to making Nepali democracy even more alive.

Translator Tulasi Bhattarai also spoke about Renu’s universal appeal, stating that understanding his work went beyond just the knowledge of a language or culture. “Nepali Kranti-Katha vividly depicts the struggle for freedom, and I had translated it and published it 25 years ago. Both Renu and B.P. Koirala were writers who had an open-minded approach to writing,” Bhattarai said. “This book enhances the importance of democracy and freedom.”

Renu, who spent much of his life in Biratnagar, had a close bond with B.P. Koirala, who considered him a brother. After Renu’s untimely death, B.P. Koirala wrote, “Renu was deeply involved in the 1951 revolution. His revolutionary spirit and his strong opposition to injustice and oppression were similar to mine. He was like a younger brother to me—truly, he was mine.”

The book launch took place with the handover of the first copy by Indira Koirala, a family member of Tarini Prasad Koirala, a close friend and contemporary of Renu. The book also highlights the important role played by Renu and Tarini in the establishment of the first Democratic Radio in Biratnagar, which predated Radio Nepal.

Although the book had been previously published, its relevance has only increased over time, yet it was hard to find in the market. Bimal Acharya, editor of Nepa-laya, explained that the publication of the translated book was essential. “When we feel a book is no longer available but is still necessary to read, we bring it out under our ‘Nepa-laya Classic’ series,” he said. “It’s a privilege for us to publish a book that focuses on the history of Biratnagar, the epicenter of the democratic movement, especially on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of democracy’s arrival.”

Phanishwar Nath Renu, an iconic figure in Indian literature and a lifelong advocate for freedom, is regarded as one of the most prominent writers in the country.

The 120-page book is now available in the market at a price of Rs. 345 and can be purchased at major bookstores across Nepal, as well as online via Thuprai.com. International readers can also order the book directly from Amazon.