Mahananda Poudyal

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 (SUMI). He was a very bright student from a young age and completed his bachelor's degree from Darjeeling Government College. He worked as a government teacher in Sikkim for about 11 years, after which he left his job to pursue a full-time career in Nepali literature. He is married to Bishnu Sharma and has nine children. He now resides in Pakyong, Sikkim.

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 (which means My Friends). 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 (1988), Hamra Kehi Lok Katha (1988), Shakespheare Ka Kehi Natya Katha (1996), Bichar Afnai Chhitiz Tira (1996), Chanda Ra Alankar (1988), Sanobhai, Shree Katha, Fulharu, Patiharu (2002) and Bhasha Sahitya Barha Bakhan.

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

1. 1954- Nav Prabhat, Bi monthly with Co editor Miss Sanumati Rai 2. 1955 – 56 Gorkha Weekly : Member of the editorial board 3. 1957 – Bulletin of the ‘All Sikkim Student Association’ Darjeeling 4. 1958 – ‘Pole Star’, a Tri lingual literary Bulletin of the ‘All Sikkim Student Association’ Darjeeling 5. 1956 – Co editor, Sahitya Sanket, Kalimpong (One of his works in his college days) 6. 1956 – Co editor ‘Kanaka’ 7. 1982 – ‘Akashdeep’ literary magazine of his own publication ‘Akashdeep publication’. Chief Editor 8. 1984 – 86 – ‘Bhanu Smarkia’ Gangtok, Chief Editor 9. 1988 – 94 – ‘Jan Pukar’ {24 issues } News fort nightly. 10. 1994 Basundhara Literary magazine from Siliguri : Akashdeep publication. 11. 2006 onwards – Chief Editor ‘Sandhan’ A high level literary journal

Critical Appreciation of Mahananda Poudyal’s Works can be found in 1. ‘Mahananda Poudyal: Unka Wiwid Kriti Haroo’ published by Rachana Publications Gangtok. 2. 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 Gorkha 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.