Nayan Raj Pandey ( ne, नयनराज पाण्डे) is a Nepali writer and screenwriter. He writes stories and novels, as well as screenplays for

Nepali cinema Nepali or Nepalese may refer to : Concerning Nepal * Anything of, from, or related to Nepal * Nepali people, citizens of Nepal * Nepali language, an Indo-Aryan language found in Nepal, the current official national language and a language spoken ...

. He is known for his representation of contemporary Nepalese society in his novels, presented in a figurative style. He received the ''Padmashree Sahitya Puraskar'' for his autobiographical book

Yaar Yaar? or Yaar may refer to: * Yaar? (film), a 1985 Indian Tamil-language film * Yaar? (TV series), a 2017 Singaporean Tamil-language TV series * Yaar (book) ''Yaar'' () is an autobiographical book by Nepali writer Nayan Raj Pandey. It is the fi ...

in 2017. ''Ulaar'', ''Loo'', ''Ghamkiri'', and ''Sallipir'' are Pandey’s popular novels.

Early life and education

He was born on June ,1966 in Pyukha Tole, Kathmandu to Dilli Raj Pandey a civil servant in Department of Information and Bhagbati Devi Pandey, a housewife. After his father was appointed Headmaster at a school in

Nepalgunj Nepalgunj (), also spelled Nepalganj, is a Sub-Metropolitan City in Banke District, Nepal. It lies on the Terai plains near the southern border with Bahraich district in Uttar Pradesh, India. Nepalgunj is 153 kilometers south-west of Ghorahi a ...

, the family moved there where the writer spend most of his childhood. He also obtained his

School Leaving Certificate A secondary school leaving qualification is a document signifying that the holder has fulfilled any secondary education requirements of their locality, often including the passage of a final qualification examination. For each leaving certifica ...

and higher secondary education in Nepalgunj. His father's collection of books and interest in literature piqued his interest towards reading.

Professional life

He moved to Kathmandu in 1987 to pursue

Bachelor of Law Bachelor of Laws ( la, Legum Baccalaureus; LL.B.) is an undergraduate law degree in the United Kingdom and most common law jurisdictions. Bachelor of Laws is also the name of the law degree awarded by universities in the People's Republic of Chi ...

degree. He earned his degree from

Nepal Law Campus Nepal Law Campus ( Nepali: नेपाल ल क्याम्पस), originally called Nepal Law College, is the oldest college under the Faculty of Law of Tribhuvan University - the oldest and largest university of Nepal. ''Nepal Law Camp ...

in 1991. After earning his degree, he chose to make his mark through writing. Majority of his works are centered around the socio-economic situation of Nepalgunj and southern plains of Mid-Western region of Nepal.

Notable works

Novels

*''Nango Manchheko Diary'' (1987) *''Bikramaditya Euta Suun Kath'' (1987) *''Atirikta'' (1993) *'' Ular'' (1998) * '' Loo'' (2011) *''Ghamkiri'' (2013) * ''

Sallipir ''Sallipir'' () is a 2016 Nepali novel by Nayan Raj Pandey. It was published on 30 April 2016 by FinePrint Publication. It is the author's seventh novel. The writer's previous works, '' Loo'' and '' Ular'' had been widely successful. Unlike, the ...

'' (2016)

Short stories collection

* ''Nidaye Jagadamba'' (2008) * ''Khor Bhitra ko Joker'' * ''Chocolate'' (2013) * '' Jiyara'' (2021)

Autobiography

* ''

'' (2017)

Screenplay

* ''Afno Ghar Afno Manchhe'' (2001) * ''Basain'' (2005) * ''Maina'' (2008) * Dancing on the Fire: ''Khali Khaney'' (Video documentary short) (2011)

Awards

Pandey has received multiple awards for his contribution to film and literature fields. Some of the awards are: * Best Drama Writing Prize 1988 by Nepal Pragya Pratisthan * National Talent Award 1996 (2053 BS) * Lokendra Literary Award 2001 * Motion Picture Award for Best Screenplay 2001 * Garima Prize 2005, awarded 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 ...

* National Prize for Best Screenplay- ''Maina'' (Nepali film) * The Diamond Shamsher Memorial Literary Award 2011 * ''Padmashree Sahitya Puraskar'', 2018 (2074 BS) for ''Yaar'' * Karnali Sahitya Samaj Kriti Puraskar, 2020 (2077 BS) for ''Jiyara'' His autobiographical work, Yaar was shortlisted for Madan Puraskar (2074 BS).

Personal life

He is married to Sanu Pandey and has two sons.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pandey, Nayan Raj Living people 1966 births Nepali-language writers 20th-century Nepalese male writers Padmashree Sahitya Puraskar winners 21st-century Nepalese male writers People from Kathmandu Nepalese screenwriters Nepal Law Campus alumni Nepalese columnists