Modanath Prasrit
मोदनाथ प्रश्रित
Modanath Prasrit
Born
Modanath Paudel

(1942-06-20)20 June 1942
Harrabote, Khidim, Arghakhanchi, Kingdom of Nepal
NationalityNepali
EducationMaster's Degree (Nepali), Acharya (Ayurveda)
Occupation(s)writer, poet, politician, political activist, social commentator, cultural commentator, Ayurvedic Practitioner
Parents
  • Ghanashyam Paudel (father)
  • Balikadevi (mother)
AwardsMadan Puraskar, 2023 B.S.
Ujjwal Kirtimaya Rashtradeep (second class)
Writing career
NicknamePrasrit
Notable worksMaanav (Long Poem)
Aamaka Aansu (Collection of poems)
Devasur Sangram (Epic)
Golagharko Sandesh (Long poem)
Member of Parliament[1]
In office
1994–1999
ConstituencyRupandehi Area 3
Minister of Education
In office
2054 BS – 2055 BS
MonarchBirendra
Prime MinisterMan Mohan Adhikari
Personal details
Political partyNepal Communist Party
Other political
affiliations		CPN-UML (until 2018)
Nepali Congress(until 2019 BS)

Modanath Prasrit, also Modnath Prasrit (Nepali: मोदनाथ प्रश्रित; born 20 June 1942)[1] is a Nepali writer, politician and political activist. A long time member of the Nepali communist movement,[1] he became the Minister of Education[1] in 2054 BS (A.D. none). His writings reflect his communist ideology. His book Devasur Sangram (Translation: War between Gods and Demons) is particularly noted for its challenge to Hindu orthodoxy.

Biography

Prasrit was born Modanath Paudel on 20 June 1942, in Khidim, Arghakhanchi, to Ghanashyam Paudel and Balikadevi.[1] He has Master's degree in Nepali language and a title of 'Acharya' in Ayurvedic Medicine.[1] He was awarded the Madan Puraskar for Nepali literature in 2023 B.S. (1966–67 A.D.) for the epic Maanav. He has continued to publish a prolific list of works in literature and socio-political commentary since then. Prasrit was an important intellectual figure in the Nepali struggle for Democracy during the Panchayat rule.

Political views

Modanath Prasrit is generally considered a "progressive" writer, although some within the movement claim he has joined the "reactionary" camp in recent years.[2] He has surprised many with his stance for reinstating Nepal as a Hindu nation, reverting secularism,[3] while also opining that there was no justification for a Hindu state in the first place.[4] He has also shown a soft spot for traditional Hindu poets like Bhanubhakta Acharya[5]

List of works

He has published a total of 2 epic poems, 2 long poems and 235 poems and songs in total. In addition, he regularly contributes his social, cultural and political commentary on newspapers, magazines, talk shows and conferences.[1]

Type Year (BS) Title
Collection of poems 2019 Aamaka Aansu[1]
Long poem 2020 Buba khai?[1]
Long poem 2023 Maanav[1]
Epic 2030 Devasur Sangram[1]
Long poem 2039 Golagharko Sandesh[1]
Collection of poems 2039 Sahidko Ragat[1]
Collection of songs 2049 Jaba chalchha huri[1]
Collection of songs and poems 2058 Sankalit Rachana[1]

Awards

In 2014, he was awarded the Ujjwal Kirtimaya Rashtradeep (second class), a national honour, by a cabinet decision, for his contributions to society.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "मोदनाथ प्रश्रित : कवि–व्यक्तित्व एवम् कृतित्व एक विश्लेषण" [Modanath Prasrit: Poet-Personality and writings, an analysis]. Samakalin Sahitya (in Nepali).. Retrieved 30 March 2019
  2. ^ Chalise, Prastut. "The Career of Bhanubhakta as a History of Nepali National Culture, 1940–1999." Studies in Nepali History and Society (1999): n. pag. Print.
  3. ^ Pramod Mishra Not caste in stone – OpEd, The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 30 March 2019
  4. ^ NEPAL RELIGION: The Death Of Vishnu https://www.nchro.org/index.php/2006/05/28/nepal-religion-the-death-of-vishnu/ Retrieved 30 March 2019
  5. ^ Prasrit, Modnath. 2056 v.s. Bh¯anubhakta: Jant¯ak¯a l¯agi Avis¯ap ya Bard¯an? Uts¯aha 55: 49–56
  6. ^ "Late GP Koirala given highest national honour". The Kathmandu Post. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
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