Nepali translation of Shesh Prashna released

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Nov. 6: The Nepali translation of the renowned Bengali novelist Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s masterpiece ‘Shesh Prashna’ has been published. 

The book has been translated by musician and poet Abhas and released by Publication Nepalaya.

Abhas said that he was inspired to translate Shesh Prashna at the request of writer Narayan Wagle, as the novel had left a lasting impression on him since he was a teen, according to a press statement issued by Nepalaya. 

 Speaking at the book launch event held on Tuesday, the translator said, “When we were discussing our favourite novels, Shesh Prashna was the first to come to my mind. Reading it again after so many years made me love it even more.”

Speaking about the newly released book, writer Durga Karki, author of the short story collection ‘Kumari Prashnaharu,’ said, “Even after almost a hundred years since it was written, the main character Kamal feels as alive as a dream.

 The character’s multidimensionality, complexity, delicacy, and revolutionary consciousness are rarely found even in progressive literature, especially in narratives written by male writers.  

Its characterisation, dialogic narrative style, and progressive spirit are beautiful.” She added that the protagonist Kamal was personally inspiring to her.

At the event, translator Abhas said that he has long been influenced by Bengali literature and music.

Publication Nepalaya announced that it has released four translated books in 2025, including ‘Saat Saal Ko Katha’ by Indian author Phanishwar Nath Renu, based on Nepal’s 1950 revolution, a collection of selected short stories and a novella by Nobel laureate Mo Yan, the English translation of Narayan Wagle’s ‘Koreana Coffee Guff’ and now Shesh Prashna by ‘Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay.’

For over two decades, translator Abhas has been curating the monthly musical series Paleti. He is a musician and poet whose poetry collection ‘Bhugol Mathi Ubhiyeko Jaitun’ has been published. He has also written numerous works of children’s literature and songs.