Mahananda Poudyal was an Indian writer, a former teacher, social worker and political thinker.
Personal life
Mahananda Poudyal was born in Kalimpong, Darjeeling district, India on 19 January 1931. His father's name was Khadananda Poudyal. He obtained his primary education from St. Michael Roman Catholic School, Kalimpong. Later, he went on to study at the Scottish Universities Mission Institution. He was a very bright student from a young age. So immediately after finishing high school he was hired to work as a teacher in Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School in Gangtok, Sikkim. After working for about 3 years he decided to go to college and completed his bachelor's degree which he received in 1956 from Darjeeling Government College. He then went on to complete his Masters of Arts degree from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu Nepal. Once completing his education, he came back to work as a teacher in the Government of Sikkim for about 11 years quickly rising to the position of Deputy Director for the Department of Education of Sikkim in 1977. In 1988, he retired from his position in the Department of Education to pursue a full-time career in Nepali literature.
Literary work
Known to be inspired by his own family and people surrounding him in his daily life, Mahananda Poudyal found a mentor in his own father Khadananda Poudyal, who was a well-known Sanskrit scholar. The first poem Mahananda Poudyal wrote was titled Mitra Barga. It was published in the school magazine of the Scottish Universities Mission Institution in 1952. He also wrote short stories, essays, travelogues and criticisms. His publications include Jhumra Ko Putali, Hamra Kehi Lok Katha, Shakespheare Ka Kehi Natya Katha, Bichar Afnai Chhitiz Tira, Chanda Ra Alankar, Sanobhai, Shree Katha, Fulharu, Patiharu and Bhasha Sahitya Barha Bakhan. A complete list of his publications are as follows Short stories
Jhumra Ko Putali
Poems
Mitra Barga, first poem published.
Collection
Hamra Kehi Lokkatha
Edited works
Dhrubatara
Sahitya Sankshep
Parijaat
Padya Saurav
Gadya Saurav
Sikkim ka Pratham Kawi Santabir Limboo-Krititwa Katipaya
Kawi Narendra Kumai Krititwa Ewam Mulyankan
Translations
Shakespeare Ka Kehin Natya Katha,
Sanobhai
Mahananda Poudyal has been an active contributor in many literary magazines and journals. In addition he has been the editor of various publications in the region. His association with some of the journals and publications include
1954- Nav Prabhat, Bi monthly with Co editor Miss Sanumati Rai
1994 Basundhara Literary magazine from Siliguri : Akashdeep publication.
2006 onwards – Chief Editor 'Sandhan' A high level literary journal
Given his contributions to the Nepali literature, Mahananda Poudyal himself has been a subject of many dissertation works for scholars of Nepali Literature. Some of them include:
Mahananda Poudyal ko Jiwani Byaktitwa ra Krititwa ko Adhyan by Narayan Bhattarai, Tribhuwan University, Kathmandu 2007
Mahananda Poudyal ani unko Jhumra ko Putali, Katha Sanghra ko Kriti Parak ko Adhyan by Narmaya Dangal, Tribuhan University 2008
Mahananda Poudyal ka Katha Kriti haroo ko Bislesanatkmak Adhyan ra mulyankan by Deepa Sharma, North Bengal University 2009
A research work done by five eminent writers published by Karuna Devi Smarak Dharmartha Guthi, Gangtok 2008
Mahananda Poudyal Abhinandan anka of Pardeshi, A literary magazine, published by Agam Singh Giri Pratisthan Saluwa, West Midnapur, West Bengal.
'Mahananda Poudyal: Unka Wiwid Kriti Haroo' published by Rachana Publications Gangtok.
Special Issue of 'Pardeshi' by Agam Singha Giri Sansthan, Saluwa.
Other works
Apart from literary activities, Manahanda Poudyal was also engaged in various political and social activities in Darjeeling and its adjacent regions. He took active participation in the Gorkha identity and upliftment movement and has written several articles on the Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League. It can be safely assumed that some of his writings have been influenced by the political philosophy of the Gorkhaland movement. These writings drew the attention of the people towards the movement. He was associated with several social and literary organizations such as Gorkha Dukha Niwarak Sammelan, Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League, Bhanu Jayanti Samaroah Samiti, Sikkim Sahitya Academy, Kendriya Sikshya Parishad, Rashtriya Pathya Pustak Parishad, Kendriya Sahitya Academy and Purviya Parishad Sanskrit Kendra. See the list below :
