Remembering Literary Giant Vijay Malla: A Tribute to His Legacy and Narendra Raj Prasai's Biography

‘I had a very close and intimate relationship with Vijay Malla!’ My Guru Dev Narendra told me many times. ‘I am closer to Vijay Dai's achievements than his personality,’ I used to reply to him. 

Indeed, I belong to the generation that entered narrative writing only after becoming a reader of Vijay Malla's timeless play ‘Kohi Kin Barbad Hos’ and the novel ‘Anuradha.’ 

At that time, I resided in the mofasal (outskirts). When I came to the unfamiliar Kathmandu as an outsider, I used to discuss Vijay Malla with literary circles. Even now, this Kathmandu remains unfamiliar to me; after all, whose earth is truly one's own? 

Yes, on a few occasions back then, I had the opportunity to meet Vijay Dai at the Nepal Academy. Meeting the celebrated creator Vijay Dai, who was at his peak, and that too with officials of the grand Academy, made me feel small in stature, yet my chest swelled with pride, as I was then just beginning to establish my literary existence in the mofasal. I had been physically acquainted with Vijay Dai's personality—characterized by soft speech and a simple, gentle demeanor—since 2037 BS (1980/81 AD). 

During our last meeting, I recall finding in my memory chest a meeting with Vijay Dai at the Nepal Academy, with my former classmate Ashesh Malla, who now resides in Kathmandu, as a witness. 

‘Do you write stories? Is a collection published?’ His face, etched with wrinkles, still held a hint of a smile as he asked. ‘No, it is not,’ I replied to Vijay Dai, feeling somewhat diminished and disheartened. My mind was busy sorting through potential questions and preparing answers, wondering if he would offer advice or ask why it hadn't been published. But he maintained the same natural smile on his face and began looking at a file brought by an employee. 

The cycle of time—like brass utensils wearing thin, becoming perforated from careless handling—has left the glory of the former Academy nowhere to be seen! Did that sacred institution flow into the Tukucha stream or merge with the muddy Bagmati? Only the memory of that once-majestic Nepal Academy remains. We can only sigh and stare blankly at the grand building of the Nepal Academy in Kamaldadi, established by His Majesty King Mahendra, where great creators like Balkrishna Sam, Kedarman Byathit, Suryavikram Gyawali, Lain Singh Bangdel, Madhav Prasad Ghimire, Satyamohan Joshi, Vijay Malla, Ishwar Baral, and Basudev Tripathi once resided. Occasionally, we try to vent our frustrations onto paper. That is all that remains now! 

The context was Vijay Malla; yet, this frustrated mind repeatedly seeks to express itself without justification. My heart becomes eager to rebel uncontrollably, what can I do! Because in my eyes, Vijay Malla is smiling from within that massive building. Seeing a creator of such a distinguished, non-political caliber residing in a place stained by politics, which honest creator would not feel detachment? 

Vijay Dai did not have to be constrained by state honors. From the Academy, cinema, drama, book publishing, right up to his cremation at Aryaghat after his life ended, he maintained an air of complete self-respect, and this was the achievement of his life. It is true that he too suffered as a victim of class enemies. Because before being honored with the Bhupal Pragya Award in 2052 BS (1995/96 AD) through significant initiative, creators as timeless as him were deprived of other so-called famous awards in this field. Even afterward, those awards refused to come near him. But in the end, those awards seemed insignificant compared to his timeless works. I believe this is, and should be, the most important achievement for a writer. 

‘A complete biography of Vijay Malla should be written!’ In the middle of 2082 BS (2025/26 AD), one afternoon before the onset of winter, my Guru Dev was reading out names of creators jotted down in his diary, scratching his head. He was going through the pile of personal details of creators he had collected and mentioning some names. It was then confirmed among us that Vijay Malla's birth centenary fell in this very year. 

‘Oh! The centenary year of a giant and versatile creator like Vijay Malla of Nepali literature is about to pass in vain!’ My Guru Dev's sudden exclamation pierced my ears. ‘Oh! Is that so? How do we stop this century now, huh?’ I added my voice then. 

After that, many plans and projects regarding Vijay Malla were formulated between us two. Narendra's writing spontaneously began for a complete biography of Vijay Dai. Enthusiasm and excitement were filling us for Vijay Dai's centenary, but then it seemed the centenary year might be ruined by the frost of betrayal and counteraction. But as they say, ‘If something is meant to be, it will happen,’ it turned out that timely rain, suitable for irrigation, fell upon the drought-stricken Vijay Malla centenary year. Or, the saying ‘What a good heart desires is fulfilled’ came true. Just as one kicks the universe, those who attach medals of joy to a weeping chest also arrive. And so, we began to sow crops vigorously in the field of the Vijay Malla Centenary Year through Nai. The ones who brought the rain to the field of the Vijay Malla Centenary Year turned out to be Dr. Kush Narayan Shrestha and Prof. Dr. Uma Shrestha. Uma is Vijay Dai's eternal part! Upon hearing the voices of Kush and Uma, my Guru Dev's disheartened writing was awakened again, and his pen finally wrote ‘Vijay Malla.’ 

There is no point in flattering my Guru Dev Narendra by saying he is a man of his word, true in dedication, firm in resolve, and a visionary who fulfills every dream he sees. After all, what is the meaning of someone saying or not saying something? His works, which have crossed the century mark, are already echoing that very fact. If the words written by acclaimed literary critics in their volumes of criticism, and the words written by Narendra Raj Prasai himself, hold meaning, and if those words are not to decay, then Narendra's works cannot be covered by any earthquake or landslide. 

Yes! Even if the current civilization is buried, like the Indus Valley Civilization or Mohenjo-daro Civilization, after centuries, the surviving creature civilization will excavate those works and attempt to decipher the script. I believe that in such a time, the renaissance of my Guru Dev Narendra will surely occur, because I have a strong faith in the eternity of the written word. 

Vijay Malla was fortunate to be the offspring of the Riddhi Bahadur Malla lineage, the precious tree of Nepali language and literature, bearing the nectar fruit of ‘Sharada.’ To be born with an unattainable literary heritage and to be the younger brother of a timeless creator like Govinda Malla ‘Gothale’—oh! I consider Vijay Malla a fortunate creator because he was born with the ‘literary gene’ in his blood and grew up in a completely literary environment. 

Furthermore, in front of the various mother-tongue groups of our current nation Nepal, who take pleasure in belittling and dragging down the national language Nepali, the work done by the Malla family to preserve and promote the nascent Nepali national language literature, despite being born with Nepali as a rich mother tongue like Nepal Bhasa, is glorious; this act is patriotic. Moreover, the Malla family has also served by writing sufficient works in their mother tongue. For instance, the Malla family fulfilled their duty towards both their mother tongue and the national language by keeping the nation at the forefront and their mother close to their heart. Vijay Malla, the descendant of such an unattainable family of seekers, is not only worthy of reverence but also glorious. Merely mentioning Vijay Malla's name envelops my mind with a wave of excitement and enthusiasm. How and with what words can I worship such a creator? I find myself lost in self-oblivion regarding this matter. 

Seeing my Guru Dev Narendra illuminate the glory of the Riddhi Bahadur Malla lineage with a concise yet vast collection of sentiments in such a short time makes me swell with pride in his writing. I feel that through this book, current readers of Nepali language and literature have benefited, and the Riddhi Bahadur Malla lineage has become further eternal through Narendra's endeavor for future generations. 

Although Vijay Malla is a subject of university study, no one has presented him in such a complete form until today. In this situation, Narendra Raj Prasai has not only fulfilled his duty of biography writing in this book but has also done a great service to the readers of Nepali literature by presenting Vijay Malla's unique personality. 

In the presented work by Narendra, the author presents the details from Malla's ancestors to his father, along with family and literary anecdotes, up to his demise, supported by statistics and evidence. I say that only Narendra Raj Prasai could write about Malla's vast personality with such concise words and in such a short time, but I hesitate, wondering if it is self-praise. But why shouldn't I speak the truth? Within this very work, I found the Vijay Malla who is smiling within the ‘Vijay Malla,’ the Vijay Malla contemplating patriotic political thoughts, the Vijay Malla yearning for world brotherhood and humanism, and the Vijay Malla contemplating a world free from corrupt political influences—all the diverse facets of Vijay Malla. 

In the presented work ‘Vijay Malla,’ the way Narendra has presented Vijay Malla with concise grandeur—oh! I further realize that presenting Vijay Malla like this in such a short time is the literary achievement of Narendra's writing skill. 

Another thing is that Narendra's public relations skills since his adolescence appear extraordinary. His very way of life is also exceptional. Despite years of association with Narendra, I have not been able to adopt his well-organized lifestyle. He is systematic, refined, and polished in every aspect. I, a student of management, am quite the opposite of his work. Narendra, exasperated by my messy habits, could never straighten me out. Now, there is only a silent agreement between his organized life and my disorganized life. Regarding Narendra's management skills, he kept all of Vijay Dai's documents safe, perhaps thinking they would be needed for an audit someday. ‘Vijay Malla’ has emerged among us as a collection of those old drafts kept in Narendra's trunk and the scattered facts about Vijay Dai. 

While writing the biography, every time my Guru Dev showed me statistics with the signatures of great personalities who had passed away years ago, dusting off files from forty years prior, it was my turn to be astonished. 

Why did I elaborate so much? Why would I praise my Guru Dev in vain? Narendra can still pull out statistics and photographs collected forty or fifty years ago. And it must be by the grace of the Supreme Being that I see the events from when he was three years old still safely stored in his brain's hard disk even at the age of seventy-one or seventy-two. If the state had provided capable assistance to such a dedicated literary worker of the nation, how many works of literary significance could have been accomplished! This is just a wishful thought! Because, regardless of how, who cares about the tireless Nepali literary worker Narendra Raj Prasai and the special action plan he intends to implement in this field, in the face of the sponsored game aimed at destroying Nepali social values, customs, traditions, national heritage, and the national language, thereby annihilating the very existence of the nation of Nepal? Just like the malicious games played by impure gods mentioned in the Puranas when they sense their seats shaking due to the penance of an unknown sage, Narendra's unfortunate class enemies are also vigorously engaged in plotting to prevent Narendra from completing his work. 

I do not think one life is enough for one person to fully know another. And one cannot get another life to know people. Those who know say—just as the universe is incomprehensible and infinite, so is the human brain. They say that within the head of a person, who is seen merely as a head, lies the power to destroy or preserve the entire universe! Therefore, knowing such a person requires more than ordinary capability. And I do not feel ashamed to say that I cannot undertake such a difficult task. Because saying I will do what I cannot do makes me shrink in my own eyes due to inferiority. That is why I have already revealed that my knowledge of Vijay Malla's physical being is minimal, having met him only a few times. 

Some may say, or perhaps there are plenty of fault-finding idlers in our literature. And because of those views, it is not a big deal for me, as Narendra's wife, to praise my husband. It is true; I am Narendra's wife, better half, old woman, spouse, life partner, homemaker, mistress of the house, queen of the heart, and so on. But this description is not the whole truth. A more blazing truth is that I too am a seeker in Nepali language and literature. And just as a creator is free to hold a personal opinion about another creator, I too, holding the status of a creator, present here the commentary based on what I have seen, understood, and felt about another creator, Narendra Raj Prasai. 

Moreover, I might find it hard to bear the blame for only praising Narendra. Even the gods we worship are not without flaws, so Narendra certainly has flaws too. For instance, his mouth, which can be called a snout in pure Nepali village language—that snout creates all his work, and that snout also ruins him. But when one gets close to him, touches his heart, or contemplates him deeply, he harbors no deep enmity towards anyone. It is well-known that Narendra steps forward to help those who have treated him like an enemy in the past, or when he realizes they have been wronged or need assistance. 

Another thing is that Narendra has succeeded in getting difficult tasks done by any person using that weapon of speech he possesses; there are many instances of this. Seeing both his virtues and vices, how can I remain silent? When angered, he does not hesitate to curse like Durvasa. He possesses the nature of Ashutosh (easily pleased) equally. Therefore, as soon as he is pleased, he also exhibits the natural trait of bestowing destructive blessings upon anyone, like Bhasmasura. 

Another main characteristic of Narendra is this: he endures being kicked a hundred times, but only wakes up and starts destroying those who kick him the one hundred and first time. But if the kicker comes to him for refuge and sheds tears before him, his heart immediately clears up, as if nothing had happened before. I have seen, met, and felt this fact up close with Narendra. 

Again, I must reveal another truth about Narendra in this context. That is: Narendra Raj Prasai's biography writing is like a bee making honey. Just as a bee collects pollen from beautiful, blooming flowers across gardens and finally constructs a sweet honeycomb, Narendra meticulously and artistically combines collected statistics and narratives into his creations in exactly the same way. That is why readers are captivated by the taste of his biographies. The words and sentences presented in his magical style, and the artistic arrangement of sentences, sharp as brick-cutting, satisfy the reader's heart. Such writing requires long-term dedication and commitment. These are the truths I have found by observing Narendra's lifestyle closely for years. 

Biography writing is about saving others. It is not unnatural that there is a drought of biographical literature in a society that only wants to save itself. Therefore, Nepali literature did not have much biographical literature. The biography of Bhanubhakta Acharya written by Motiram Bhatta served as the book to fulfill the need for biographical literature in our Nepali literature for a long time. That is why the national poet Ishwar Ballabh wrote—‘People say that the deeds one does do not die, but if there are no Motiram Bhattas like Narendra Raj Prasai to write and speak about those deeds, even the greatest Bhanubhaktas can fade away unknown in society. A person is needed to make known the importance of another person; otherwise, even the greatest importance can vanish into nothingness!’ 

It is surprising that the Acharya lineage kept the Adhikavi Bhanubhakta Acharya as a deity confined to their private chambers. They abandoned the invaluable biography of the Adhikavi written by the young poet Motiram Bhatta and put forward the biography of the Adhikavi written by their own Acharya lineage as the authenticated biography. A Bhanu biography decorated with false and misleading statistics had cast a dark curtain over the truth. With a crooked certification, they presented what they claimed to be the truth, misleading the literary sphere for ages. On the occasion of the bicentenary of Adhikavi Bhanubhakta Acharya, the research-based biography ‘Bhanubhakta Acharya ko Jivanvritta’ by the writing ascetic Narendra Raj Prasai has made a significant contribution to the world Nepali literary sphere by correcting the mistakes made in the Bhanu biography prevalent until that time. 

I feel not only happy but occasionally distressed by Narendra's singular dedication to literary pursuit—‘What kind of person is this Narendra? Perhaps I am under the illusion that he is my beloved. He never tires of working for others. It is very difficult for me to get time with him. And how can he have time? One person, Narendra, runs an institution that awards Nepal's great figures, and he is also writing continuously. In such a situation, it is not unnatural for a seeker's personal life to be overshadowed! Even I, a literature-devoted loving wife, find it hard to understand him; how can others understand! That is all; Vijay Malla knew him as a generous person with an open heart. Vijay Dai used to say thirty years ago—‘How much can Narendra manage!’ 

I must also write about another, more serious matter, a major objection I have regarding Narendra. When I have the chance, I should write it. If my life without Narendra is like a fish without water, it is also clear that without literary specialists and dedicated activists like Narendra, many things in the Nepali language and literary world would be in disarray. On the other hand, after completing a decade past his sixty-three years, my beloved Narendra should understand the example that a seeker should also give importance to the material world, keeping in mind that Satyamohan Joshi and Madhav Prasad Ghimire received the highest literary honor from the nation after reaching the age granted by the Supreme Being to humans. Although lifespan is not in our hands, I urge him to take care of his own well-being just as he is dedicated to the preservation and nurturing of literature, but he has not followed my request.  

‘When you were in your mother's womb, you were covered by a mound of earth, dug out with a thorn, and when your mother Bhagiratha Prasai was unconscious for two months, your safe birth meant that the grace of the Supreme Being was present then to make the biography genre of Nepali language and literature, which was empty, dense.’ These were the words I used to say to my Guru Dev Narendra. I am now experiencing the joy that my words have been proven true in the biography writing of Vijay Malla. 

As a narrative artist striving to be an ardent admirer and follower of Malla, inspired by the astonishing narratives of Vijay Malla, an unparalleled seeker, a highly distinguished creator in multiple genres, and a timeless, great creator of Nepali language and literature, and also as the life partner of Narendra, I am currently being thoroughly bathed in a stream of joy and ecstasy. 

(The serialized biography of the eminent Nepali litterateur Vijay Malla, written by Narendra Raj Prasai, will be presented sequentially. This is the first part.)