Uttam Kunwar (Nepali: उत्तम कुँवर; 1938–1982) was a Nepalese literary journalist, critic, and writer. He served as an editor for Ruprekha, one of the most popular literary magazine in Nepal, alongside Bal Mukunda Pandey.[1] He won the Madan Puraskar in 1966 (2023 BS) for his book Srasta ra Sahitya, an anthology of literary interviews.[2]

Uttam Kunwar
उत्तम कुँवर
Born
Hari Bahadur Kunwar

( 1938-05-25)25 May 1938
Died30 July 1982(1982-07-30) (aged 44)
NationalityNepalese
Occupation(s)Writer, Editor
Notable workSrasta ra Sahitya
Ruprekha(Editor)
SpouseShanti Kunwar
Parents
  • Janga Bahadur Kunwar (father)
  • Bhagwati Kunwar (mother)
AwardsMadan Puraskar

Biography

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He was born on 25 May 1938 (12 Jestha 1995 BS) in Chhetrapati, Kathmandu to father Janga Bahadur Kunwar and mother Bhagwati Kunwar.[3] He obtained an IA degree in veterinary. He then ventured into the world of journalism. He worked as the editor of the Nepali literary magazine, Ruprekha. During his editorship, the magazine became widely popular.[4] In 1966, he published Srasta ra Sahitya, a book of literary interviews with prominent Nepali writers such as Bhupi Sherchan, Parijat (writer), Madhav Prasad Ghimire,etc. He conducted those interviews form 1961 to 1996. The book earned him the prestigious Madan Puraskar for the same year.[5]

He died on 30 July 1982 (15 Shrawan 2039 BS), of a cardiac arrest in his home at the age of 44.[6]

Notable works

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Legacy

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A literary foundation called Uttam Kunwar Memorial Award Trust was founded in his honor by his wife, Shanti Kunwar. The trust presents a award known as Uttam Shanti Puraskar every year to a non-fiction book in Nepali language.[8] Prominent writers like Saru Bhakta, Ram Prasad Panta, Sarita Aryal, etc. have been felicitated with the award.[9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ @therecord. "A history of magazines in Nepal - The Record". www.recordnepal.com. Retrieved 2022-01-08.
  2. ^ @therecord. "Home - The Record". www.recordnepal.com. Retrieved 2022-01-08.
  3. ^ "उत्तम कुँवर – मदन पुरस्कार गुठी". guthi.madanpuraskar.org. Retrieved 2022-01-08.
  4. ^ "उत्तम कुँवरले सिर्जेको रुपरेखा युग". साहित्यपोस्ट. 2020-05-24. Retrieved 2022-01-08.
  5. ^ "La.Lit: A Literary Magazine | » The house that Uttam Kunwar built". Retrieved 2022-01-08.
  6. ^ "A writer's legacy". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2022-01-08.
  7. ^ @therecord. "A history of magazines in Nepal - The Record". www.recordnepal.com. Retrieved 2022-01-08.
  8. ^ "Bhukampama Malhampatti bags Uttam Shanti Award". Newsabhiyan. Retrieved 2022-01-08.
  9. ^ "सरिता अर्यालको 'मेरो अपहरण'लाई उत्तम–शान्ति पुरस्कार". Naya Patrika. Retrieved 2022-01-08.

Further reading

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