''Basain'' () is a 1957 Nepali novel written by

Lil Bahadur Chettri Lil Bahadur Chettri () is an Indian writer in the Nepali language from Assam, India. He is a recipient of Sahitya Academy Award for his book ''Brahmaputrako Chheu Chhau''. His other book ''Basain'' is a story of poor villagers who undergo suffe ...

. It was published by

Sajha Prakashan Sajha Publications ( ne, साझा प्रकाशन, lit=Common Publication, translit=Sajha Prakashan) is the oldest publishing house of Nepal. It was established in 1913 and is funded by the Government of Nepal. Headquartered in Lalitpur ...

and is included in the curriculum of

Tribhuvan University Tribhuvan University (TU; ne, त्रिभुवन विश्वविद्यालय) is a public university located in Kirtipur, Kathmandu. Established in 1959, TU is the oldest university in Nepal. In terms of enrollment, it is t ...

. Chettri, an Assamese Nepali writer wrote this book incorporating the experience of different Nepalese immigrants in India. The book depicts life of a poor farmer and his family in a rural village in hilly Nepal and the circumstances under which they are forced to emigrate away from their village.

Synopsis

The book is set in a nameless hilly village in

Eastern Nepal The Eastern Development Region ( Nepali: पुर्वाञ्चल विकास क्षेत्र, ''Purwānchal Bikās Kshetra'') was one of Nepal's five development regions. It is also known as Kirata region. It was located at th ...

. Dhan Bahadur Basnet is a poor farmer living with his wife, sister and a son. The book shows his struggle in the village and how he is deceived by others. The book shows the circumstances under which poor Nepali people have to migrate from their home to places in India for employment. The caste and gender discrimination, poverty, and injustice are the major theme in this book. The book shows how rich people suppress poor people and further push theme towards poverty instead of uplifting them.

Characters

* Dhan Bahadur Basnet 'Dhane', the main protagonist of the book is a poor farmer in rural Nepal * Jhumavati Basnet, Dhane's younger sister * Maina, Dhane's wife * Dhane and Maina's infant child * Budho baidar, a moneylender * Rikute, an Indian Gorkha recruit from the neighbouring village * Thuli, Jhuma's friend * Mukhiya, the village head * Mote Karki, Dhane's helpful friend * Leute Damai, a villager from Dhane's village * Nande Dhakal, a villager * Luintel, a rich landlord * Sane Gharti, Luintel's servant * Budhe Kami, a villager

Adaptation and translation

The novel was adapted into a Nepali movie by

Subash Gajurel Subash Gajurel ( ne, सुवास गजुरेल) is a film director from Nepal. His film '' Basain'' was Nepal's Official Entry in 2006 for the 79th Academy Awards The 79th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Pi ...

in 2003. The movie was Nepal's official entry to the

Academy Award for Best International Feature Film The Academy Award for Best International Feature Film (known as Best Foreign Language Film prior to 2020) is one of the Academy Awards handed out annually by the U.S.-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It is given to a ...

, however the film was not nominated. The novel was translation into English as ''Mountains Painted With Turmeric'' by Michael Hutt.

References

{{Authority control 1957 books 20th-century Nepalese literature 20th-century Nepalese novels Nepalese books Nepalese fiction Nepalese novels Nepali-language novels 1957 Nepalese novels Novels set in Nepal Novels set in the 20th century Nepalese novels adapted into films

Synopsis

Characters

Adaptation and translation

See also

References