Journalist, writer Manandhar passes away

BY SUSHMA MAHARJAN,Kathmandu, March 12: Veteran journalist, Nepal Bhasa litterateur and language activist Suresh Kiran Manandhar passed away on Monday. He died due to a heart attack. He was 59.

Manandhar, a member of the Language Commission and former editor of Nepal Bhasa Times, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while attending a function in Kathmandu on Monday. He was rushed to the Man Mohan Cardiac Centre at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital the same day, where doctors declared him dead shortly after his arrival, according to family members.

Manandhar had been active in journalism for more than four decades and was widely respected for his contributions to Nepal Bhasa journalism and literature. He began his journalism career during the Panchayat era with the Nepal Bhasa weekly ‘Inap’. 

Following the publication of the daily ‘Bishwobhumi’, he worked as a full-time journalist and later served as editor of Sandhya Times and Nepal Bhasa Times.

During the People’s Movement in 1990, Manandhar gained prominence for conducting an interview with pro-democracy leader Ganesh Man Singh while he was admitted to Bir Hospital under tight police security. According to colleagues, Manandhar had entered the hospital disguised as a doctor to conduct the interview.

Beyond journalism, Manandhar wrote extensively on Nepal Bhasa language, and Newa culture. His articles and columns were regularly published in national newspapers, including Gorkhapatra, Kantipur, Nepal Samacharpatra, Ratopati, Setopati and Nagarik. He also wrote satirical pieces in several Nepal Bhasa publications.

Manandhar was also known for his contribution to Nepal Bhasa literature. His published works include the poetry collection ‘Thau Ghantagharan Jikee Ihi Nyana Chwan’ and the biography of Padma Ratna Tuladhar based on life of human rights activist Padma Ratna Tuladhar. He also completed a research paper on the role of Bishwobhumi daily during the 1990 People’s Movement and co-authored the cultural book Indra Jatra/Yenya with scholars Ajaykranti Shakya and Sandhya Bajracharya.

In addition, he contributed to publications such as ‘Apsara Film Magazine’ and the poetry quarterly ‘Koshawohan Chinakha Swalapau’, and served on the editorial board of Thaybhu, a journal published by the Nepal Academy.

He is survived by his wife and two sons.

His last rites were performed on Wednesday at Indrayani Ghat in Kathmandu. Prior to the cremation, mortal remains of Manandhar was kept on the premises of Nepal Bhasa Manka Khala for final tribute, where Kathmandu Metropolitan City Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol along with many Nepal Bhasa activists and his admirers, offered garland and tributes to him.