''Pagal Basti'' () is a 1991 Nepalese novel written by
Saru Bhakta. It was published in 1991 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 ...
. It won Nepal's foremost literary award,
Madan Puraskar
The Madan Puraskar ( ne, मदन पुरस्कार) is a literary honor in Nepal which Madan Puraskar Guthi confers annually for an outstanding book in the Nepali language published within the calendar year. It is considered the most pre ...
.
The story starts with narrator's journey to
Ghandruk. Martha, the protagonist, is a teacher in
Prithivi Narayan Campus
Prithvi Narayan Campus or P.N. Campus,( ne, पृथ्वीनारायण क्याम्पस) is a public co-educational institution located in the northern part of the Pokhara city and is one of the largest campuses affiliated to t ...
. In her journey along with some other writers, she talks about
Pashchimanchal Campus
Pashchimanchal Campus ( ne, पश्चिमाञ्चल क्याम्पस), formerly known also as Western Region Campus (WRC) is one of the four constituent campuses of Tribhuvan University, Institute of Engineering in Nepal.
The ...
, a popular engineering college. The book is written in a simple language. However, the prose can be difficult to understand.
Synopsis
The main characters in the story are (Adiguru) Prashant and (Adimata) Martha. The major focus of the book is the continuous changes that occur in the mental state of these two characters. Both of the characters are dissatisfied with each other and both feel guilty about their past. They have both started a journey of to end their dissatisfaction and face their guilt. Prashant, who had loved Martha has changed into Adiguru after her refusal. Martha realizes the value of love only after she rejects Prashant and she goes on a quest of finding him in the Adi village. But this time Prashant rejects her proposal and instead changes her into Adimata.He was in love with Sri. She was a beautiful lady.
Reception
The book won the Madan Puraskar for 1991.
See also
* ''
Shirishko Phool
''Shirishko Phool'' ( ne, शिरीषको फूल; translated into English as ''Blue Mimosa''), published in 1964, is a Nepali language novel by Parijat. It was the author's first and most successful novel. It was awarded the Madan Purask ...
''
* ''
Seto Dharti''
*
''Maharani''
References
{{Nepali literature, state=collapsed
Nepalese novels
Nepali-language books
Madan Puraskar-winning works
20th-century Nepalese novels
Nepalese books
1991 Nepalese novels
Nepali-language novels
Novels set in Nepal