Parajuli’s novel Bakhan discussed

By Rammani Dahal,Makawanpur, Dec. 15: A discussion was held in Hetauda on the historical novel Bakhan, written by Gorkhapatra daily journalist Basanta Parajuli.

The Federation of Nepali Journalists, Makawanpur, organised the discussion on Friday, focusing on the subject matter and various aspects of Parajuli’s third work, Bakhan.

Senior writer and journalist Dr. Nimesh Nikhil, while reviewing different aspects of the book, said that it is a historical novel written in simple yet vivid language, based on the biography of the historical figure Bakhan Singh Gurung.

Bakhan Singh was the person who established Nepal’s first cooperative, the Bakhan Credit Cooperative Society, in Chitwan, and also played a key role in the settlement and development of the area.

Bakhan, who was also a warrior in the 1950 (2007 BS) People’s Revolution, left his position as a captain in the Nepali Army to join the anti-Rana movement and lost two of his sons during the revolution.

Nikhil said the novel comes alive through its engaging portrayal of the many struggles in Gurung’s life.

According to him, the novel covers stories related to Chitrasen Baba’s temple, Someshwor Fort, Upperdang Gadi Fort, the antiquity of Devghat, the establishment of Chitwan National Park, and hunting activities carried out by the royal family and foreigners in the name of sport.

Similarly, Nikhil noted that the events of the 1950 anti-Rana People’s Revolution, the subsequent rebellion led by the Nepali Congress, the historical context from Pulimrang to Bandipur, and the early phase of settlement development in Chitwan have been artistically woven into the novel.

At the programme, Chief District Officer of Makawanpur, Basanta Adhikari, said that novelist Parajuli has attempted to introduce significant places and historical contexts of his homeland and the Chitwan district through the novel.