Narayan Wagle gets Madan Puraskar

KOL Report

KATHMANDU, Aug 31 - The Madan Puraskar Award Trust has decided to present the "Madan Puraskar" for the year 2061 to litterateur and journalist Narayan Wagle for his book entitled ?Palpasa Caf?.?

Palpasa Caf?, the debut novel by Wagle, had created a new "fastest selling" record in the Nepali book publication history. The second edition of the novel has already hit bookstores after 5,000 copies were sold out in the first month of its release in the end of July.

The decision to this effect was taken by a meeting of the trust Wednesday. The award carries a purse of Rs. 200,000.

The 245-page novel has been able to arouse enormous interest and satisfaction among the readers because it highlights contemporary issues facing the country, book critics say.

Wagle is the editor of Kantipur daily.

Likewise, the trust decided to present this year?s ?Jagadamba Shree Award? to litterateur Phanindra Raj Khetala in recognition of his more than half-century long service to the field of Nepali literature. The award also carries a purse of Rs. 200,000. (snn)

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Congratulations to Narayan Wagle!

I can't comment on his book because I have yet to get hold of a copy and read it, though -- thanks to the publisher Kiran of Nepalaya -- I know that a signed-by-the-author copy is waiting for me in Kathmandu.

Narayan is an immensely likable guy. That, plus his being the editor of Kantipur makes him a really powerful figure in Nepal. Besides, all the young journalists adore him. All these combine to make it virtually impossible for his book to get a 'bad' review in Nepal.

Some observations on the prize, and, as a no-nonsense long-time friend of Narayan, I hope he tolerates my raising these issues here.

1. Narayan's book came out just two months ago or so. Now it's already won Nepal's most prestigious literature prize.

I can't help thinking: Isn't the prize for Narayan a little too soon, too early, too fast?
I mean, the book is getting ecstatic reviews and is still in its ''honeymoon' phase,
so to speak . . . surely Narayan's winning it NEXT year perhaps would have been
more appropriate, I'd think.

2. By giving the prize to Narayan this fast this soon, are the prize committee members (who are anonymous) sending a signal to the market that they seriously consider even the very recent books of first-time novelists?

3. I am confused: Madan Purasakar has this image of being really stuffy, dowdy and too mustily Nepali lit. It usually goes to people with three long names such as . . . Krishna Prasad Parajuli. Is the Prize Committee trying to be hip and young and oh-so-relevant in contemporary times by giving the prize to Narayan? Alternatively, is it trying to piggy-back on the poularity of Narayan's novel?

Just some food for thought.

Once again, congrats to Narayan.

oohi
ashu

Ashu ji

To me, it looks like the last sentences of your points 1 and 3 are more correct.

Keep rolling...

I also think it is too soon to Narayan and very much confident that it is given to him because this book is talk of the town now and to credit Madan Puraskar Guthi it is awarded to him. Otherwise there are plenty of other noble which are no less better than this. But by saying that I am not intending to under estimate this book. But it is too early and seems very immature decision of the Prize guthi.

Yeh, pretty much like Gorkha Dakshin Bahu. Just because one is more vocal and louder about his achievements does not necessarily mean that he is the best one out there. I havent read the novel but based on what I have read on the reviews- neither the story of a Maoist nor that of a vacation in a famous tourist spot are new. Goto Maoist website and u find lotta more interesting epics there. They are the sorta stories that have been heard a thousand times before. So, wonder if there is anything genuinely-creative in the novel. However, for sure, it should have a journalistic style of story-telling and the folks out there in Nepal, so much baani-parekaa at reading and believing newspapers, think that Narayan Wagle is lot better than W. Somerset Maugham. This is called the too-much-newspaper-induced-virtual-reality-syndrome. Some folks here in Sajha also seem to be affected by a cyber-variant of this syndrome. Dont get surprised if the same group of people will later declare kishore nepal (the 'kantipur gaatha' wala paataki vulgar budho) better than narayan wagle and award next year's prize.

Keep rolling...

I am very much eager to read that book and its coming my way soon.

Still I was surprised to hear that it was awarded Madan Puraskar just after two months of publication. Happens rarely abroad.

Anyway, congratulations to the author.

Why has there been so much publicity about this book? I think it is more marketing than the depth of its literary contents. Has anyone read read the book here?

yea, everything has to 'pass' under the nose of Ashu- if he likes it, its all good. if he doesn't like some things, why did that get approval, or why the heck did it even get any attention! someone who hasn't even read the book..

"Narayan is an immensely likable guy. That, plus his being the editor of Kantipur makes him a really powerful figure in Nepal. Besides, all the young journalists adore him. All these combine to make it virtually impossible for his book to get a 'bad' review in Nepal"

Your version of the story. you speak with such authority for all others that it actually sounds funny.

Point no 1 and 2- does it matter? IF the committee thinks the quality of the book is good, why does it matter when it was published. If they take out a book from the grave and decided to award it, you'll probably have questions too- the book was published 10 yrs ago and the author is long dead, bla bla. Very well, they must have a reason, go ask them, but don't doubt every other institution's credentials. It's like this- gas prices in Nepal rose, we saw our national property being vandalized by student leaders half of whom probably don't even own a vehicle. Gas price in the US rose, people whine for a while, but they pay. I don't think anyone here will entertain the idea of getting down to streets- there are some things that you abide by as it comes, some things you don't.

Point 3 - brewing assumptions and let it spill. I doubt the committee members would sit there saying - oh, we'd been playing classical music all this while, lets have hip-hop for a change :S height of assumption is what it is...

I've read the book. It's an extended version of 'coffee guff', which for me, is an entertaining read but lacks substance. I don't know if the book deserves or doesn't deserve a place in Madan Puraskar, but hey, not every single prized book has to please my taste. Some Pulitzer Prized books were 'trash' in my read- does it matter? it suited the taste of million other readers, and most important of all, the committee members.

I m going to Nepal pretty soon and getting this book and reading it was in my priority-list. However, after dc_girl's comment, bhaigo bho.

Awarding their prize is just their business, i dont care. But regarding the quality of his writings, if that is some eXtended Coffee Guff (XCG), then I think I already know the story. It should revolve around a woman's body; but kinda metaphorically with mountains and peaks and other items from a tourist-place. After all, any kind of porn is just porn, how nicely you pack it and for me, the coffee-guff by Narayan Wagle always looked like some kind of indirectly-narrated porn.

For enthusiasts, if you want a good contemporary read, check Narayan Dhakal (he is a leftist politician) out. I am not aware abt his novels but his short stories are really intense. They are excellent.

Keep rolling...

DC-girl wrote:

"Everything has to 'pass' under the nose of Ashu- if he likes it, its all good. if he doesn't like some things, why did that get approval, or why the heck did it even get any attention! someone who hasn't even read the book.."

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DC-girl,

Your previous other postings against me and this above indicate to me that, for some reason, you appear to have a problem with me.

That's fine.

For your future reference, my address is: ashu@sajha.com, and please make use of that address to spew your curveballs there so that the attention here remains on Narayan and his prize and NOT on me.

Other than that, I am -- like most sensible Sajha folks -- a very opinionated guy (and
I make absolutely no excuses for that).

Those who know me well know that they are ALWAYS free to read my postings and agree or disagree with my views in this free-and-frank exchange.

To me, a big part of the fun on Sajha is to post stuff always in my own name, and take risks with fully-developed/half-baked/unbaked Nepal-related ideas in public here so that others can add their own thoughts and ideas and disagreements, without getting nastily personal.

Narayan Wagle is a PUBLIC figure in Nepal.
Madan Puraskar Guthi is a PUBLIC institution in Nepal.

When things hapen to either of them -- good or bad -- people are goiing to talk about
it, without making things narrowly personal . . . to share information, to share perceptions, to wonder aloud, to ask questions, to share puzzles and so forth . . .

And those were some of the things I was doing -- in my capacity as a mere Sajha
citizen -- in my posting above.

Ironically, you'd be respecting me way too much if you really believed that "everything
has to 'pass' under the nose of Ashu".

Let the kurakani on Narayan's book, Madan Puraskar and the state of Nepali lit go
on here -- with sharp opinions, illuminating thoughts and interesting information spilling forth in this forum.

oohi
ashu

DC-girl wrote:

"you [Ashu] speak with such authority for all others that it actually sounds funny."


Yes, I do speak with authority.
And I make no excuses for that, either.

And everything I post here can be verified by anyone who's interested.

That's because I do know what I am talking about, and I stand behind all my postings for the verifiable truth of what I post. That's what I -- as a visitor -- consistently strive to offer to others here.

True, I am aware that my speaking 'authoritatively' on some of Nepali matters can
be irksome to some people living in America . . . but I am sorry, just because some
of you are bothered is NO reason for me to STOP sharing information, thoughts
and asking questions in this forum.

That said, my experience is that it's quite possible to have credibility in the online world of Sajha and in the real world of Nepal.

oohi
ashu

>> sending a signal to the market that they seriously consider even the very recent >>books of first-time novelists?

Parijat was awarded Madan Puraskar when she was 34 for her debut Sirish Ko Phool. Krishna Prashad Pokharel was awarded for his debut epic Ama when he was 26. Dhruba Chandra Gautam awarded his debut Alakhit, I think so was Rajesh Gautam.

Shree5,

How about Manu Brazaki? Is there anyone who could be compared to him in contemporary short fiction?

Waihiyat... all those are human-mind created....!!!

I think 2 month time period in not sufficient to critically examine this novel.
I suspect that they might be impressed with the record sales of it.

Cheers to Narayan

He along with another reporter at Kantipur publication helped me publish my article in 2001.

thanks houston
will check him (her ?) out now.

keep rolling...

Here is a link.

http://www.suskera.com/aug2001/weatherwillbe.html

I haven't read the book yet but i liked him from his documentary work on "Bhedako Oon Jasto", they had show in london as well.
Yes, 2 months is too soon to be awarded prestigious award. But hey, the professionals know better than us, right....:-)
Congratulations Mr. Editor!!!

Congratulations to Narayan Wagle,

But I have read the books and in my view It does not compete for Madan Puraskar (the so called prestigious prize till now). What is in the book? The sequence of presentation is off track and contracting.

It is again being proved that here in our country publicity and connection works in each every sector. First of all Who is Narayan Wagle? How many books has he published? What is the quality of stuff being presented in this book?

The selection committe has gone for the hot name being made by media i.e. KANTIPUR. or has Madan Purskar Guthi has done a hidden contract with the editor in chief of kantipur for hidden cause.

Is this a media power?

This has wasted all the history of MADAN PURSKAR since 2013 and and all its formal receivers like Satya Mohan Joshi, Krishna Prasad Parajuli, Ramesh Bikal, Parijat and many more.

A book is eligible for a prize after a long process of critical comments and review process.

Can anyone name me a single piece of academic review published beside in Kantipur.

This is a pure ELITES MAFIA working in Nepal booming their self names by different processes causing illusion to public.

Was is the criteria for being nominated for the MADAN PURSKAR.

The best literature of the year or the best (most) selling literaure.

If it is the second one then NEPALAYA and KANTIPUR should also share the prize.

Then why YUDHIR THAPA is being missed. After all he has hit the records of most selling novel in general public without any publicity.

>A book is eligible for a prize after a (long) process of critical comments and review process.
agree with ulter440.

कृतीको पोस्टमार्टम नै नगरिकन पुरस्कार दियो जस्तो चैँ लाग्या छ मलाई पनि।
यसले त कृतीको बिक्री हुने क्रममा +ve catalyst को काम मात्र ग-या छ।

freinds where do I get this novel in the USA. Launa.