Imprint brings out three classic Nepali fictions

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, Feb. 20: Imprint Publishers has brought out some of the most famous classic Nepali fictions. The books are namely 'Bipana Katipaya,' and 'Kathastha' two outsanding anthology of stories by the Darjeeling-based veteran writer late Indra Bahadur Rai, and 'Baikuntha Express,' a play book by the late Mohan Raj Sharma.

All three books had long been out of print, leaving bibliophiles eagerly searching for copies.

"These books were loved very much by the readers in the past," Ramesh Ghorsaine, properieter of the newly established publication house, said, "However, the must-read books were not available in the market. That is why we decided to republish them."

'Bipana Katipaya' features some of Rai’s most popular, lucid, and accessible short stories. Timeless pieces such as 'Jayamaya Eklai Likhapan Aaipugi,' 'Meri Didi,' 'Jaar: Bhaekai Euta Katha,' 'Chaparasi,' and 'Jagat Ra Sabitriko Dukhanta Katha' poignantly portray the struggles and sorrows of ordinary people. Notably, Sikkim-based filmmaker Phurba Tshering Lama adapted Rai’s story 'Jaar' into a feature film of the same title. 'Kaptan Raghubir Barma,' 'Ichchha Bachirahanchha', 'Andhyara Drishtiharuko Chorus' and others are also worth reading. The book comprises 23 short stories.

Similarly, 'Kathastha' contains 13 experimental stories grounded in the literary theory of Tesro Aayam (The Third Dimension). Tesro Aayam was a significant literary movement led by Rai, the late poet Ishwar Ballav, and poet and Mundhum expert Bairagi Kaila. Stories such as 'Khir,' 'Euta Dinko Samanyata,' and 'Blackout, Kaju Badam, Chhora' stand out as some of the most acclaimed works in this collection.

'Baikuntha Express,' first published in 2042 BS, is an experimental play and remains the only drama to have won the prestigious Madan Prize in that year. "This is one of the finest works by writer Sharma," notes writer Avinash Shrestha in the book’s blurb. "Although it is regarded as one of the best Nepali plays ever written, theatre directors in Nepal have rarely dared to stage it."

The former two were previously published by Darjeeling-based Shyam Brothers, while the third was earlier brought out by Sajha Prakashan.

In addition, the Imprint Publishers has brought out new anthology of long stories by Govinda Giri Prerana. With the slogan of 'Turning pages, changing minds,' the publishing house is planning to bring out all the noted classic Nepali books as well as new and promising ones.

"We do not want the gems of Nepali literature to fade into oblivion," proprietor Ghorsaine said. "At the same time, we aim to offer readers a fresh and distinctive literary taste by bringing out new ones."