Natya Siromani Balkrishna Sama | |
|---|---|
brisha | |
| Born | Balkrishna Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana (1902-02-08)8 February 1902 |
| Died | 20 June 1981(1981-06-20) (aged 78) |
| Occupation(s) | Author,Playwright |
| Notable work | Chiso Chulho |
| Spouse | Mandakini |
| Children | briga |
| Relatives |
|
| Awards | Sajha Puraskar |
Balkrishna Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana orBala Krishna Sama (Nepali:बालकृष्ण सम; 8 February 1903 – 20 June 1981) was aNepalesedramatist.[1] For his great contributions toNepali literature, he was awarded the titleNatya Siromani (Crest-jewel of playwright). He is considered as one of the trimurti (trinity) of Nepali literature alongsideLaxmi Prasad Devkota andLekhnath Paudyal. He is often called theShakespeare ofNepal.
He was born on February 8, 1903, to General Samar Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana and Kirtirajyalaksmi Rana in Gyaneshwar,Kathmandu.[2] He married Mandakini in 1921. Sama was awarded the Tribhuwan Puraskar from Nepal Rajakiya Pragya Prathistan in 1972. The same year he received the Bishesh Upadhi fromTribhuvan University and in 1978, the Prithvi Pragya Puraskar from Pragya Pratisthan. He died in 1981.
Sama graduated fromDurbar High School inRanipokhari and studied science inTri-Chandra College. During his second academic year, he was sent toDehradoon forarmy training as acaptain. After that, he became alieutenant colonel under the premiership ofChandra Shumsher Rana, who was thePrime Minister of Nepal at the time.
A majority of his time, Sama was alone at home finding peace in solitude, gradually spending more time in art and literary activities. He started publishing his writings in reputed magazines such asSarada,Udhyog, andShahitya Shrot. Afterwards, he shortened his surname "Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana" to "Sama" because he no longer wished to be associated witha ruling regime that had once governed Nepal under a dictatorship. HisdramaBhater, published in Pragati in 1953, reflects his feelings onhuman rights.
Several of his plays have been inspired byShakespeare's works. His dramas such asPrem Pinda,Swasni Manchhe,Buhartan,Tapobhumi,Atyadhunikta, andBhater present the social context of theRana era;Mukunda Indira,Ma andMutuko Byatha show the emotional and romantic sides of Sama's personality.Amit Basana,Boksi,Talamathi, andAndhabeg are based on the topic of humanpsychology.[3] His dramas on historical personalities,Amar Singh,Bhimsen Ko Antya, andBhakta Bhanubhakta.Birami Ra Kuruwa is another drama dealing with philosophy, whilePrahlad andDhruba are based onreligious figures.
During his time, Bal Krishna Sama became known as one of Nepal's greatest playwrights.
Sama also wrote stories,poems,essays, compositions, andbiographies. His contemporariesLaxmi Prasad Devkota andLekhnath Poudyal were involved in writing poetry.Aago Ra Paani andChiso Chulho are his popular epics. He wrote an essayNepal Lalit Kala on Nepalese art, as well as the biographyHamra Rastriya Bhibhutiharu and the two-part autobiographyMero Kabita Ko Aradhana. His best-known short story,Kaikai, was published in 1938. His short story collection book,Taltal, was publishedposthumously in 1990.[citation needed]
He worked as alecturer teachingNepali language andliterature atTri Chandra College. In 1955, he became director of Nepal Radio and chief editor of the newspaperGorkhapatra. In 1967, he became a member of theRoyal Nepal Academy when it was established, and later as thevice chancellor.[4]
Following his retirement in 1971, Sama continued writing, publishing many of his poems in nationally reputedmagazines likeMadhuparka andRamjham. Many of his works remain unpublished or incomplete, many of which he read out duringliterary programmes. His unpublished dramas includeGangalal,Aja,Milinad,Prem,Chinta, andPrandaan.[citation needed]
