Obituary: Tribute To Gothale
Yuba Nath Lamsal
An acclaimed fiction writer and playwright Govinda Gothale breathed his last on December 13, 2010. He was suffering from multiple ailments. With Gothale’s demise, an era of Nepali literature has come to an end.
He is the second generation writer of modern era of Nepali literature who has contributed to all genres of literature. Born as the eldest child of Riddhi Bahadur Malla and Ananda Maya Malla at Ombahal, Kathmandu on July 9, 1922, Jaya Bahadur Malla, as was his original name, became a famed writer under the name Govinda Gothale. Born in socially and politically conscious family, Gothale got opportunity of education even when education for the commoners was restricted. He received primary education in Benaras, completed secondary level education from Durbar High School and higher education from Tri Chandra College.
When Gothale was young, the country was under Rana oligarchic rule. Inspired by family members, elders and friends, Gothale was interested in democratic politics and got involved in it. Political activities had been totally restricted at that time and Gothale soon fell victim to Rana rulers’ wrath. It is this reason why he did not use his original name in his writing and wrote under the name of Govinda Gothale to avoid government’s intimidation.
His father Riddhi Bahadur Malla had established a press and also started the publication of Sharada literary magazine. His house was, therefore, a meeting place of writers and intellectuals. The academic and literary environment made Gothale an avid reader and also a writer. When Siddhicharan Shrestha joined Sharada magazine as its editor, Gothale learnt a lot from Siddhicharan about literature and writing. He got inspiration for writing from Siddicharan Shrestha while friendship with Gopal Prasad Rimal and Laxmi Prasad Devkota made Gothale a modern writer.
Gothale began his literary journey as a poet. His first poem ‘Mamta’ (Affection) was published in ‘Sharada’ in 1996. Since then, he continued to write until his late life. Gothale has written poems, fictions and plays that established him as an admired literary icon of Nepal.
Gothale worked as a journalist too. He edited ‘Sharada’ and ‘Awaj’ a daily newspaper, for some years. But his concentration was more on Nepali literature. Although he has contributed to different genres of literature, he is basically a fiction writer and playwright. Gothale began writing with short stories. His first story ‘Tyasko Bhale" (His Rooster) was published in ‘Sharada’. When he wrote another story ‘Maile Sarita Ko Hatya Gare’ ( I Killed Sarita), Gothale instantly became popular as a writer. ‘Katha Sangraha’ (Collection of Stories), ‘Kathai Katha" (Stories),‘Prem Ra Mirtyu’ (Love and Death) and ‘Barha Katha" (Twelve Stories) are Gothale’s popular books containing short stories.
As a story writer, Gothale has mainly dealt with inherent conflict within human beings and in the society. He has examined the inner conflicts and presented them in an artistic manner. Gothale’s stories are basically focused on social and cultural background in which the existing mental faculties and social realities are carefully examined. As a realist and existentialist writer, Gothale’s realism is slightly different from other realist and existentialist writers. Gothale’s realism is based on social values and intellectual consciousness of the characters.
The psycho-analysis based on realism is yet another trait of Gothale’s stories. In the stories, Gothale wants to deal with the problems and finally comes up with the solution. The characters are found engrossed in the thought of getting out of the problem. In dealing with these problems, the characters are often found to be in mental conflict and at times unable to decide. Unlike Bisheswar Prasad Koirala’s overt sexual psychological analysis and Bhavani Vikshu’s analysis of suppressed sexual psychology, Gothale’s psychological analysis is based on social realities. Gothale’s other quality is the analysis of crime psychology of his characters.
In the stories written before 1951, he has focused on child psychology. Laxmi Puja is an example. In this story, he has examined the psychology of a young child – Lal. In story ‘Nidra Ayena’, he has dealt with how even a minor issue creates an impact on the mind of a young child like Gyani.
Gothale is equally successful as a playwright. His plays are: ‘Bhus Ko Ago’ (Fire in Husk), ‘Chyattieko Parda’ (Torn Curtain) and ‘Dos Kasaiko Chaina’ (Nobody’s Fault). ‘Bhus Ko Ago’ and ‘Chyateyeko Parda’ are complete dramas whereas ‘Dos Kasaiko Chaina’ is a collection of his several one-act plays. Some of his popular one-act plays include ‘Bhoko Ghar’ (Hungry House), ‘Atma Darshan’ (Self-enlightenment), ‘Yugko Shikar’ (Victim of Time), ‘Prajatantra Achar Talim Kendra’ (Democratic Conduct Training Center), ‘ Phuteko Bandh’ (Broken Dam) and ‘ Kranti Ko Pristabhumi’ (Background to Revolution).
Having already been established as a successful story writer and dramatist, Gothale entered into the genre of novel writing only after 1951. ‘Palloghar Ko Jhyal’ (Window of the Next House) and ‘Aparna’ are his two acclaimed novels.
Gothale’s novels have social themes and present psychological analysis of the characters and contradictions of the society. Gothale’s novelistic quality is to elaborate analytically and artistically ordinary issues that exist in the society. ‘Pallo Ghar Ko Jhyal’ is one of the popular novels written in Nepali language. The plot of the novel moves around a traditional middle class family that is suffering from traditions and social and cultural contradictions.
Gothale’s other novel is Aparna, which also has a social theme based on a women’s psycho-mental analysis. Gothale’s novels are successful and popular. However, ‘Pallo Ghar Ko Jhyal’ is better and more qualitative.
His stories and novels have proved Gothale’s high degree of psycho-analytical skill as a writer. Apart from his reputation as a psycho-analytical writer, he is also a human, social, realist and experimental author. In his stories and novels, he has experimented different themes in a realist manner.
Gothale is not guided solely by the old notion of idealism but he wants to bring about change in thinking and action. He tries to dig out the hidden problems in the society and analyze and examine minutely in his stories, novels and dramas. As a fiction writer, he is dealing with human life, human psychology and social outlook. His works are thus the mirror of his time. In recognition of his literary contribution, Gothale was honoured with different awards and medals.
The icon of Nepali literature in general and Nepali fiction writing in particular, Govinda Gothale no more with us. But his contribution to Nepali literature has made him immortal. Nepali literature would always remain indebted to Gothale. It would be unfair if we fail to pay tribute to this accomplished Nepali writer.
An acclaimed fiction writer and playwright Govinda Gothale breathed his last on December 13, 2010. He was suffering from multiple ailments. With Gothale’s demise, an era of Nepali literature has come to an end.
He is the second generation writer of modern era of Nepali literature who has contributed to all genres of literature. Born as the eldest child of Riddhi Bahadur Malla and Ananda Maya Malla at Ombahal, Kathmandu on July 9, 1922, Jaya Bahadur Malla, as was his original name, became a famed writer under the name Govinda Gothale. Born in socially and politically conscious family, Gothale got opportunity of education even when education for the commoners was restricted. He received primary education in Benaras, completed secondary level education from Durbar High School and higher education from Tri Chandra College.
When Gothale was young, the country was under Rana oligarchic rule. Inspired by family members, elders and friends, Gothale was interested in democratic politics and got involved in it. Political activities had been totally restricted at that time and Gothale soon fell victim to Rana rulers’ wrath. It is this reason why he did not use his original name in his writing and wrote under the name of Govinda Gothale to avoid government’s intimidation.
His father Riddhi Bahadur Malla had established a press and also started the publication of Sharada literary magazine. His house was, therefore, a meeting place of writers and intellectuals. The academic and literary environment made Gothale an avid reader and also a writer. When Siddhicharan Shrestha joined Sharada magazine as its editor, Gothale learnt a lot from Siddhicharan about literature and writing. He got inspiration for writing from Siddicharan Shrestha while friendship with Gopal Prasad Rimal and Laxmi Prasad Devkota made Gothale a modern writer.
Gothale began his literary journey as a poet. His first poem ‘Mamta’ (Affection) was published in ‘Sharada’ in 1996. Since then, he continued to write until his late life. Gothale has written poems, fictions and plays that established him as an admired literary icon of Nepal.
Gothale worked as a journalist too. He edited ‘Sharada’ and ‘Awaj’ a daily newspaper, for some years. But his concentration was more on Nepali literature. Although he has contributed to different genres of literature, he is basically a fiction writer and playwright. Gothale began writing with short stories. His first story ‘Tyasko Bhale" (His Rooster) was published in ‘Sharada’. When he wrote another story ‘Maile Sarita Ko Hatya Gare’ ( I Killed Sarita), Gothale instantly became popular as a writer. ‘Katha Sangraha’ (Collection of Stories), ‘Kathai Katha" (Stories),‘Prem Ra Mirtyu’ (Love and Death) and ‘Barha Katha" (Twelve Stories) are Gothale’s popular books containing short stories.
As a story writer, Gothale has mainly dealt with inherent conflict within human beings and in the society. He has examined the inner conflicts and presented them in an artistic manner. Gothale’s stories are basically focused on social and cultural background in which the existing mental faculties and social realities are carefully examined. As a realist and existentialist writer, Gothale’s realism is slightly different from other realist and existentialist writers. Gothale’s realism is based on social values and intellectual consciousness of the characters.
The psycho-analysis based on realism is yet another trait of Gothale’s stories. In the stories, Gothale wants to deal with the problems and finally comes up with the solution. The characters are found engrossed in the thought of getting out of the problem. In dealing with these problems, the characters are often found to be in mental conflict and at times unable to decide. Unlike Bisheswar Prasad Koirala’s overt sexual psychological analysis and Bhavani Vikshu’s analysis of suppressed sexual psychology, Gothale’s psychological analysis is based on social realities. Gothale’s other quality is the analysis of crime psychology of his characters.
In the stories written before 1951, he has focused on child psychology. Laxmi Puja is an example. In this story, he has examined the psychology of a young child – Lal. In story ‘Nidra Ayena’, he has dealt with how even a minor issue creates an impact on the mind of a young child like Gyani.
Gothale is equally successful as a playwright. His plays are: ‘Bhus Ko Ago’ (Fire in Husk), ‘Chyattieko Parda’ (Torn Curtain) and ‘Dos Kasaiko Chaina’ (Nobody’s Fault). ‘Bhus Ko Ago’ and ‘Chyateyeko Parda’ are complete dramas whereas ‘Dos Kasaiko Chaina’ is a collection of his several one-act plays. Some of his popular one-act plays include ‘Bhoko Ghar’ (Hungry House), ‘Atma Darshan’ (Self-enlightenment), ‘Yugko Shikar’ (Victim of Time), ‘Prajatantra Achar Talim Kendra’ (Democratic Conduct Training Center), ‘ Phuteko Bandh’ (Broken Dam) and ‘ Kranti Ko Pristabhumi’ (Background to Revolution).
Having already been established as a successful story writer and dramatist, Gothale entered into the genre of novel writing only after 1951. ‘Palloghar Ko Jhyal’ (Window of the Next House) and ‘Aparna’ are his two acclaimed novels.
Gothale’s novels have social themes and present psychological analysis of the characters and contradictions of the society. Gothale’s novelistic quality is to elaborate analytically and artistically ordinary issues that exist in the society. ‘Pallo Ghar Ko Jhyal’ is one of the popular novels written in Nepali language. The plot of the novel moves around a traditional middle class family that is suffering from traditions and social and cultural contradictions.
Gothale’s other novel is Aparna, which also has a social theme based on a women’s psycho-mental analysis. Gothale’s novels are successful and popular. However, ‘Pallo Ghar Ko Jhyal’ is better and more qualitative.
His stories and novels have proved Gothale’s high degree of psycho-analytical skill as a writer. Apart from his reputation as a psycho-analytical writer, he is also a human, social, realist and experimental author. In his stories and novels, he has experimented different themes in a realist manner.
Gothale is not guided solely by the old notion of idealism but he wants to bring about change in thinking and action. He tries to dig out the hidden problems in the society and analyze and examine minutely in his stories, novels and dramas. As a fiction writer, he is dealing with human life, human psychology and social outlook. His works are thus the mirror of his time. In recognition of his literary contribution, Gothale was honoured with different awards and medals.
The icon of Nepali literature in general and Nepali fiction writing in particular, Govinda Gothale no more with us. But his contribution to Nepali literature has made him immortal. Nepali literature would always remain indebted to Gothale. It would be unfair if we fail to pay tribute to this accomplished Nepali writer.
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