Balkrishna Sama

Pawan Chamling is widely known as a politician, but he has also made contributions as a poet and writer. He has received several literary awards, including the Poets’ Foundation Award for lifetime achievement in literature and the Bhanu Puraskar from the Sikkim Sahitya Parishad. Additionally, he has been involved in creative projects such as the films Ma ta Sikkime (2011) and Hajar Juni Samma (2019). Some of his well-known songs include: Manlai Chhoyera Jaaneharu Sansaar Timi Geet Timinai Bhanideo His lyrical compositions often carry deep meaning and resonate with audiences who appreciate Nepali music and literature.

Kali Prasad Rijal is a celebrated Nepali lyricist and poet. His works are deeply admired for their poetic essence and emotional depth. Some of his classic songs, such as Kehi Mitho Baat Gara, Aankha Chopi Narou Bhani, and Jhareko Paat Jhai, were performed and composed by the legendary Narayan Gopal. Recently, Rijal collaborated with musician Aavaas for the Paleti music series, where Aavaas presented compositions and vocals for Rijal's new lyrics. Additionally, Rijal launched his new book, Kehi Mitho Baat Gara, which features 20 poems and 68 songs, along with staff notations for 10 of his songs to assist musicians. Rijal's contributions to Nepali music and literature have earned him numerous accolades, including awards from the Nepal Academy. His work continues to inspire and resonate with audiences across generations.

Saru Bhakta (born 1955), pen name of Bhakta Raj Shrestha, is a celebrated Nepali novelist, playwright, poet, and songwriter, honored with the Madan Puraskar for his landmark novel Pagal Basti, widely regarded as a classic of Nepali literature. A leading figure in post‑1970s Nepali writing, he introduced psychological depth, postmodern narrative techniques, and experimental dramatic forms. He has also contributed significantly to Nepal’s cultural institutions, serving in the Nepal Academy and as Chancellor of the Nepal Music and Drama Academy, while founding multiple literary and theatre organizations in Pokhara.

(कुमार नगरकोटी) is one of Nepal’s most influential contemporary fiction writers, known for his surrealism, magical realism, and highly experimental narrative style. Born on 2 December 1974 (17 Mangsir 2031 BS) in Lalitpur, Nepal, he has established himself as a bold, genre‑bending storyteller whose works challenge traditional Nepali literary forms. He began his literary journey in 1999 with an English poem titled “Sorry Buddha, I Cannot Follow You.” At age 21, he published his first story “Nikash” in Sahakalam Sahitya, a publication that typically featured only established writers—marking his early recognition. Nagarkoti’s debut book “Mokshanta: Kathmandu Fever” (2011) introduced his signature eccentric style. He followed it with “Fossil” (2013), “Aksharganj” (2014), “Mistika” (2015), “Ghatmandu” (2016), “Docha” (2017), “Gya” (2018), and the experimental “Kalpa‑Grantha” (2021), which contains 63 experimental tales including typographs, postcards, and screenplays. His novel Gya was shortlisted for the Madan Puraskar (2075 BS), and Kalpa‑Grantha was shortlisted for Madan Puraskar (2077 BS). He also won the Barsha Pustak Puraskar (2013 AD) for Fossil. Nagarkoti has also written acclaimed plays such as “Coma — A Political Sex” (2015) and “Bath‑Tub” (2019), both staged at Shilpee Theatre under the direction of Yubraj Ghimire. He made a cameo appearance in the Nepali film “Lal Purja” (2018). He describes himself not as a writer, but as a “fiction designer.”