Today, various programs are being held in Nepal and abroad to celebrate the 116th birth anniversary of the eminent Nepali literary figure, Mahakavi Laxmi Prasad Devkota.
Devkota was born on Kartik Krishna Aunsi, the day of Laxmi Puja, in BS 1966 in Dillibazar, Kathmandu. Beginning his writing journey at the young age of 10, he published numerous epics, lyrical poems, essays, stories, plays, novels, songs, critiques, and miscellaneous poems. His contribution of over 100 works has helped elevate Nepali literature to the international stage.
A pioneer in modern epic writing, Devkota’s lyrical epic Munamadan remains the best-selling book in Nepali literature. His works reflect humanism, love for nature, and revolutionary ideals, blending Eastern and Western philosophical insights.
India's eminent scholar Rahul Sankrityayan once compared Devkota’s literary stature to that of a combination of India’s renowned poets: Sumitranandan Pant, Jaishankar Prasad, and Suryakant Tripathi Nirala. Nepali playwright Bal Krishna Sama famously remarked that Devkota was reborn thrice to write Munamadan, Shakuntala, and Pagal.
Devkota’s contributions include translating Nepali works into foreign languages and representing Nepal at various international conferences, broadening the global reach of Nepali literature. He selected and published a collection of essays by 15 prominent prose writers, including Francis Bacon and Charles Lamb, in Prasiddha Prabandha Sangraha in BS 1997.
As Minister of Education and Self-Governance in BS 2016, Devkota played a crucial role in making Nepali a compulsory subject across Nepal. During his tenure, land was allocated for Tribhuvan University in Kirtipur, an essential milestone for the institution’s infrastructure. He was also actively involved in establishing the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts.
Devkota is celebrated for his remarkable ability to write quickly. He completed Shakuntala in three months, Sulocana in ten days, and Kunjini in one day. His literary genius, reflected in the quality and quantity of his poetry, remains unmatched.
Despite facing financial hardship, personal loss, and political challenges, Devkota dedicated his life to providing high-quality literature to the Nepali people. His residence in Maitidevi, which he bought in BS 2002, was transformed into the Mahakavi Laxmi Prasad Devkota Museum in Ashoj, BS 2079.
Devkota personally translated his renowned poem Pagal into English and adapted many works from Western sources, including the lyrical epics Mayabini, Sundari Proserpina, and Prometheus. His only novel, Champa, remains a unique addition to his literary legacy.
A literary giant, Devkota made an irreplaceable contribution to Nepali literature, leaving a lasting impact until his passing on Bhadra 29, BS 2016. Throughout this week, events have been held in his honor, and today, programs nationwide will commemorate Devkota Jayanti.
Annual Day