Uttam Kunwar (; 1938–1982) was a Nepalese literary journalist, critic, and writer. He served as an editor for ''

Ruprekha ''Ruprekha'' () was a Nepali literary magazine. It was published monthly. It was one of the longest running literary magazine in Nepal. It was in publication for about two decades before closing down. Many prominent Nepalese writers started their ...

'', one of the most popular literary magazine in Nepal, alongside Bal Mukunda Pandey. He won the Madan Puraskar in 1966 (2023 BS) for his book '' Srasta ra Sahitya'', an anthology of literary interviews.

Biography

He was born on 25 May 1938 (12

Jestha Jyeshtha or Jyēṣṭha ( sa, ज्येष्ठ; ne, जेठ ''jēṭ''; as, জেঠ ''zeth''; or, ଜ୍ୟେଷ୍ଠ ''Jyeṣṭha'') is a month of the Hindu calendar. In India's national civil calendar, Jyestha is the third mon ...

1995 BS) in

Chhetrapati Chhetrapati ( Nepali: क्षेत्रपाटी) is a settlement at the old part of Kathmandu city lying between Thamel, Asan and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Six streets merge at the Chettrapati chowk coming from Thamel, Sorrakhutte, Dhobicho ...

, Kathmandu to father Janga Bahadur Kunwar and mother Bhagwati Kunwar. He obtained an IA degree in veterinary. He then ventured into the world of journalism. He worked as the editor of the Nepali literary magazine,

. During his editorship, the magazine became widely popular. In 1966, he published '' Srasta ra Sahitya'', a book of literary interviews with prominent Nepali writers such as

Bhupi Sherchan Bhupendra Man Sherchan, popularly known as Bhupi Sherchan (1937-1989) was a Nepali poet and academician. He is one of the most beloved and widely read Nepali poets. He was awarded the Sajha Puraskar for his 1969 poetry collection '' Ghumne Mech ...

Parijat (writer) Bishnu Kumari Waiba, popularly known as Parijat ( ne, पारिजात) was a Nepalese writer and poet. She is best known for her novel '' Shiris Ko Phool'' for which she won the Madan Puraskar, becoming the first woman to receive the aw ...

Madhav Prasad Ghimire Madhav Prasad Ghimire ( ne, माधव प्रसाद घिमिरे; 23 September 191918 August 2020) was a Nepali poet and scholar. He was honoured as the ''Rashtrakavi'' (National Poet) by the Government of Nepal in 2003. Some of h ...

,etc. He conducted those interviews form 1961 to 1996. The book earned him the prestigious Madan Puraskar for the same year. He died on 30 July 1982 (15 Shrawan 2039 BS), of a cardiac arrest in his home at the age of 44.

Notable works

* '' Srasta ra Sahitya'' (1966, Literary interview) * ''Anubhav ra Anubhuti'' (Collection of essays) * ''Sir Henry Lawrence ko Jiwani'' (Biography of Sir Henry Lawrence)

Legacy

A literary foundation called Uttam Kunwar Memorial Award Trust was founded in his honor by his wife, Shanti Kunwar. The trust presents a award known as Uttam Shanti Puraskar every year to a non-fiction book in Nepali language. Prominent writers like

Saru Bhakta Saru Bhakta ( ne, सरुभक्त) is the pen name of Bhakta Raj Shrestha, a celebrated Nepalese playwright, novelist, songwriter and poet and a winner of Madan Puraskar, one of the most prestigious literary awards in Nepal. Biography H ...

, Ram Prasad Panta, Sarita Aryal, etc. have been felicitated with the award.

Biography

Notable works

Legacy

See also

References

Further reading