Laxmi Prasad Devkota
Encyclopedia
Laxmi Prasad Devkota was a Nepali
poet
.Devkota is considered to be one of the best writers in Nepal. He is best known for the poem "Muna Madan
". There are several tributes to the poem Muna Madan. This is a poem which shows the obligation of people to go far from home to earn money and the realization, in comparison with family and love money is nothing.
, which is a celebration of Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth. His parents considered his birth as a gift [प्रसाद] from the goddess and named him as Laxmi Prasad [लक्ष्मी प्रसाद]. He is well considered as one of the famous icons in the field of Nepalese literature.
Laxmi Prasad Devkota was primarily a humanist who occasionally wrote from an atheistic point of view too. Given this reality, some critics have tried to line him up with Marxism
or other similar politically leftist ideologies. Apparently in on of his last poems to a friend, he said "Aakhir Shree Krishna rahecha eka" (" in the end, Lord Krishna
happens to be the only truth"). However, there has been much intellectual skepticism about this last statement simply for two reasons. First, Nepal is historically conservative and it would come as no surprise if these claims were simply fabricated. There is no substantial proof. Secondly, historical trends suggest that atheistic individuals always "find" God on their death beds when we know of many cases that have been fabricated. In all likelihood, Devkota was probably an atheist because of the underlying theme to most of his poems.
tradition to its apex and by starting modern romantic movement in the country. Devkota was the first to begin writing epics in Nepali literature and his magnum opus
"Muna-Madan
" remains a best seller even fifty years after his death. He is recognized as one of the greatest Nepali writers and his work is in the same level of standard as any of the greats of literature in any language. He also served as Nepal's Education Minister, and was a professor at Tri-Chandra College.
Devkota had the ability to write poems very quickly—he wrote the Shakuntal in three months, the Sulochana epic in ten days and Kunjini in a single night. Nepali poetry soared to new heights with Devkota's groundbreaking poetry. "Muna-Madan," a long narrative poem in popular folk metre, begins the end of the Sanskrit tradition in Nepali literature. "पागल" (translated in English as "The Lunatic") is another of his ground-breaking works.
Devkota's youngest son, Dr Deepak Devkota, lives in Australia
while his oldest son and four daughters still live in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Nepali language
Nepali or Nepalese is a language in the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family.It is the official language and de facto lingua franca of Nepal and is also spoken in Bhutan, parts of India and parts of Myanmar...
poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
.Devkota is considered to be one of the best writers in Nepal. He is best known for the poem "Muna Madan
Muna Madan
Muna madan is a short epic narrative by the poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota and one of the most popular works in Nepali literature. Just before his death in 1959 he made his famous statement, "it would be all right if all my works were burned, except for 'Muna Madan.'" Muna Madan is the most commercially...
". There are several tributes to the poem Muna Madan. This is a poem which shows the obligation of people to go far from home to earn money and the realization, in comparison with family and love money is nothing.
Early life
Devkota was the third son of Pandit Til Madhav and Amar Rajya Laxmi Devi. He was born in Thatunati (now Dhobidhara), Kathmandu on the day of Dipawali, the Festival of LightsDiwali
Diwali or DeepavaliThe name of the festival in various regional languages include:, , , , , , , , , , , , , popularly known as the "festival of lights," is a festival celebrated between mid-October and mid-December for different reasons...
, which is a celebration of Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth. His parents considered his birth as a gift [प्रसाद] from the goddess and named him as Laxmi Prasad [लक्ष्मी प्रसाद]. He is well considered as one of the famous icons in the field of Nepalese literature.
Family life
After he received his bachelor's in law, he wrote to a friend while he was in a hospitalSanta Bhawan Hospital, "Death stands before me. I search for constellations in the sky but can find none. I cannot give peace to myself. If I could rise, I would kill myself and my future prospects."Laxmi Prasad Devkota was primarily a humanist who occasionally wrote from an atheistic point of view too. Given this reality, some critics have tried to line him up with Marxism
Marxism
Marxism is an economic and sociopolitical worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid 19th...
or other similar politically leftist ideologies. Apparently in on of his last poems to a friend, he said "Aakhir Shree Krishna rahecha eka" (" in the end, Lord Krishna
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
happens to be the only truth"). However, there has been much intellectual skepticism about this last statement simply for two reasons. First, Nepal is historically conservative and it would come as no surprise if these claims were simply fabricated. There is no substantial proof. Secondly, historical trends suggest that atheistic individuals always "find" God on their death beds when we know of many cases that have been fabricated. In all likelihood, Devkota was probably an atheist because of the underlying theme to most of his poems.
Career
Devkota has contributed to Nepali literature by bringing the SanskritSanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
tradition to its apex and by starting modern romantic movement in the country. Devkota was the first to begin writing epics in Nepali literature and his magnum opus
Masterpiece
Masterpiece in modern usage refers to a creation that has been given much critical praise, especially one that is considered the greatest work of a person's career or to a work of outstanding creativity, skill or workmanship....
"Muna-Madan
Muna Madan
Muna madan is a short epic narrative by the poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota and one of the most popular works in Nepali literature. Just before his death in 1959 he made his famous statement, "it would be all right if all my works were burned, except for 'Muna Madan.'" Muna Madan is the most commercially...
" remains a best seller even fifty years after his death. He is recognized as one of the greatest Nepali writers and his work is in the same level of standard as any of the greats of literature in any language. He also served as Nepal's Education Minister, and was a professor at Tri-Chandra College.
Devkota had the ability to write poems very quickly—he wrote the Shakuntal in three months, the Sulochana epic in ten days and Kunjini in a single night. Nepali poetry soared to new heights with Devkota's groundbreaking poetry. "Muna-Madan," a long narrative poem in popular folk metre, begins the end of the Sanskrit tradition in Nepali literature. "पागल" (translated in English as "The Lunatic") is another of his ground-breaking works.
Devkota's youngest son, Dr Deepak Devkota, lives in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
while his oldest son and four daughters still live in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Poetry / Short Novels / Essays
- bal jasto
- Kunjini (कुञ्जिनि - खण्डकाव्य)
- Gaine Geet (गाइने गीत)
- Putali (पुतली)
- Krishibala (कृषिवाला - गीतिनाटक)
- Dushyant-Shakantula Bhet (दुष्यन्त-शकुन्तला भेट खण्डकाव्य)
- Munamadan (मुनामदन - खण्डकाव्य)
- Ravan-Jatayu Youdha (रावण-जटायु युद्ध)
- Lakshmi Kavita Sanghrah (लक्ष्मी कविता संग्रह)
- Luni (लुनि)
- Sun Ko Bihan (सुनको बिहान- बालकविता)
- Raj Kumar Prabhakar (राजकुमार प्रभाकर)
- Sita Haran (सीता हरण)
- Mahendu (म्हेन्दु)
- Dhumraketu
- Laxmi Nibandaha Sangraha (लक्ष्मी निबन्धसङ्ग्रह)
Mahākāvya
- Shakuntal (शाकुन्तल)
- Sulochana (सुलोचना)
- Bana Kusum (बनकुसुम)
- Maharana Pratap (महाराणा प्रताप)
- Prithvi Raj Chauhan (पृथ्वीराज चौहान)
- PrometheusPrometheusIn Greek mythology, Prometheus is a Titan, the son of Iapetus and Themis, and brother to Atlas, Epimetheus and Menoetius. He was a champion of mankind, known for his wily intelligence, who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to mortals...
(प्रमीथस)
External links
- Important Works of Devkota at Online Sahitya
- "Muna Mandan"
- Nepalicollections.com - Voice of Mahakabi
- http://www.dsrc.org.np
See also
- Nepali literatureNepali literatureNepali Literature refers to the literature written in the Nepali language and should not be confused with Nepalese literature; a work that is classified as Nepali literature does not necessarily have to be written by a Nepalese/ written in Nepal. Much of today's Nepali literature is widely written...