'Agyat' digs lives of common people

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, May 6: Fiction writer Keshav Raj Gyawali's latest novel, 'Agyat', was launched in the capital on Monday. 

The book was jointly unveiled by senior journalist Mohan Mainali and the author himself during an event organised by Fine Print amid the presence of a distinguished literary figure.

The novel delves into the lives of the common people who bled for the expansion of the Gorkha state but remained unrecognised by the very nation they helped build. These anonymous soldiers and civilians have historically been sidelined, existing only in the shadows of mainstream history.

The story follows Manya, a slave who escapes to find his long-lost father. His journey leads him to Haridwar, India, where a reunion with his father provides him with clues about his mother's whereabouts. As Manya continues his search, he witnesses the harrowing realities of war, rampant looting, death, and the profound agony of war-affected people. 

His path eventually leads him to the historic battleground of Nalapani, where Nepali forces led by Balabhadra Kunwar stood alert against British aggression. 

Despite Manya's deep-seated rejection of the war, he finds himself involved in it. In a pivotal moment, he fires the shot that kills the British General Gillespie, forcing the enemy troops to go back. The novel poignantly explores whether Manya finds his destination amidst the surrounding chaos.

"The novel weaves a love story and signals the meaninglessness of war," states the publisher’s blurb. "Written from the perspective of a 'war pawn,' it is a work that balances aesthetic beauty with a firm ideological stance."

Gyawali said that he picked the historical facts and tried to find the truth. "I left no stone unturned to lead the way of truth based on the historical facts," he said in an answer to a query by moderator Mohan Mainali.

According to Gyawali, he wanted to tell the story of laymen who fought for the expansion of Gorkha state. However, no one remembered nor mentioned them. "I wanted to tell their story through my novel," he disclosed, mentioning that he wanted readers to realise and feel the general people's fight during Gorkha state's expansion. Gyawali has devoted the novel to the very persons.

Published by Fine Print, the 440-page novel provides even reference and indexes. The book is priced at Rs. 898.

The America-based writer's debut book Arko Bhor, a collection of short stories published by Shikha Books, was a receipent of the prestigious Padma Shree Literature Award in 2078 BS.