Front page of Nepal Bhasa Patrika dated 5 November 1960.

Nepal Bhasa Patrika (Nepali: नेपाल भाषा पत्रिका) was the first daily newspaper in the Newar language.[1] It launched on 28 September 1955 from Kathmandu, Nepal.[2] The first editor and publisher was Phatte Bahadur Singh.[3] Nepal Bhasa Patrika (meaning "Nepal Language Periodical") ceased publication in 1983.

Singh (1902-1983) was a Nepal Bhasa writer and suffered persecution for his literary activities. In 1939, he edited and published an anthology of poems by various poets entitled Nepali Bihar. For this act, the Nepalese government sentenced him to life in prison.[4][5] He was in jail from 1941 to 1945, and was released with the other people arrested with him.[6] Nepal Bhasa poets Chittadhar Hridaya and Siddhicharan Shrestha were also in prison with Singh for a similar offence.[7]

Nepal Bhasa Patrika was an effort to develop Nepal Bhasa that was emerging from a century of official persecution.[8] Language activists wanted a publication offering news to diversify from literary publications. The overthrow of the Rana dynasty and establishment of democracy in 1951[9] gave freedom to publish material in Nepal Bhasa. The open environment led to publication of newspapers and magazines. The first magazines in Nepal Bhasa were published from India because the government banned their publication in Nepal.[10]

Nepal Bhasa Patrika was among the few newspapers in the early days of journalism in Nepal and in the area in general.[11] It championed language rights and also reflected the interests of Nepalese business.[12]

In 1962, Singh was elected president of the Federation of Nepali Journalists.[13]

References

  1. ^ "History of Nepali Journalism". Nepal Press Institute. 15 February 2010. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  2. ^ Maharjan, Harsha Man (2014). Linguistic and Cultural Activism of Inap: A Search for Cultural and Linguistic Recognition. In Citizen, Society & State: Crafting an Inclusive Future for Nepal. Deepak Dorje Tamang and Mahesh Raj Maharjan, eds. pp. 49-70. Kathmandu: Mandala Book Point.
  3. ^ Press Foundation of Asia (1978). Asian Press & Media Directory. Press Foundation of Asia. Page 252.
  4. ^ Shrestha, Siddhicharan (1992). Siddhicharanya Nibandha ("Siddhicharan's Essays"). Kathmandu: Phalcha Pithana. Page 73.
  5. ^ Tumbahang, Govinda Bahadur (January 2010). "Marginalization of indigenous languages of Nepal". Contributions to Nepalese Studies. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  6. ^ Tuladhar, Prem Shanti (2000). Nepal Bhasa Sahityaya Itihas: The History of Nepalbhasa Literature. Kathmandu: Nepal Bhasa Academy. ISBN 99933-56-00-X. Page 105.
  7. ^ Lienhard, Siegfried (1992). Songs of Nepal: An Anthology of Nevar Folksongs and Hymns. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidas. ISBN 81-208-0963-7. Page 4.
  8. ^ Hutt, Michael (December 1986). "Diversity and Change in the Languages" (PDF). CNAS Journal. Tribhuvan University. Retrieved 28 February 2012. Page 10.
  9. ^ Brown, T. Louise (1996). The Challenge to Democracy in Nepal: A Political History. Routledge. ISBN 0-415-08576-4, ISBN 978-0-415-08576-2. Page 21.
  10. ^ Lienhard, Siegfried (1992). Songs of Nepal: An Anthology of Nevar Folksongs and Hymns. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidas. ISBN 81-208-0963-7. Page 4.
  11. ^ Angel, Juvenal Londoño (ed.) (1967). The Handbook of International Business and Investment Facts and Information Sources. World Trade Academy Press. Page 282.
  12. ^ Rose, Leo E. (1971). Nepal: Strategy for Survival. University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-01643-2, ISBN 978-0-520-01643-9. Page 211.
  13. ^ "Federation of Nepali Journalists: Past and Present". Federation of Nepali Journalists - UK. Archived from the original on 19 November 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2012.

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