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Mohan Koirala

モハン・コイララ

Mohan Koirala

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1926-11-26 （Kathmandu, Nepal）
Died
2007-02-22 age 80
Nationality
Nepali
Languages
Nepali
Residence History
Kathmandu → Hetauda

Career

Occupations
Poet
Active Years
1953-2007
Affiliations
Royal Nepal Academy (Nepal Academy)
Memberships
Royal Nepal Academy
Influenced By
Bhupi Sherchan, Bairagi Kainla, Laxmi Prasad Devkota

Awards

Madan Puraskar
1981
Work: Nadi Kinarko Majhi
Organization: Madan Puraskar (awarding body)
Result: 受賞
Sajha Puraskar
1973
Work: Mohan Koiralaka Kabita
Organization: Sajha Prize (Sajha Puraskar)
Result: 受賞
Sajha Puraskar
1983
Work: Ritu Nimantrana
Organization: Sajha Prize (Sajha Puraskar)
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Lek

1968 Poetry

An early collection of poems in which Koirala established a personal and experimental voice.

personal experienceexperimentation with language

Mohan Koiralaka Kabita

1973 Poetry (Collected poems)

One of his notable collections; awarded the Sajha Puraskar. Shows strong modernist sensibilities.

modernismnaturesocial themes

Sarangi Bokeko Samundar

1975 Poetry

A collection that intertwines musical metaphors with portrayals of nature.

musicalitynaturenostalgia

Nilo Maha

1975 Poetry

One of his 1970s collections, notable for symbolic imagery.

symbolismnature

Himchuli Raktim Cha

1978 Poetry

Depicts mountains and nature while weaving in social and political perspectives.

naturepolitical motifs

Kabitabare Kehi Charcha

1978 Poetry criticism / Essays

A collection of essays on poetry, including Koirala's own poetics and reflections on modern poetry.

poeticsmodern poetry

Nadi Kinarko Majhi

1981 Poetry

One of his landmark works; recipient of the Madan Puraskar. Uses river imagery to examine humans and society.

river/water motifssocial critiqueindividual and community

Ritu Nimantrana

1983 Poetry

A collection connecting seasons with human emotions; awarded the Sajha Puraskar.

seasonsemotioninner landscapes

Auta Pipalrko Paat

1990 Poetry

A later work that depicts daily life and memory from a more mature perspective.

memoryeveryday life

Gajpath

2002 Poetry

An early-2000s collection continuing his insights into society and human nature.

social observationhuman nature

Bibliography

  • Sarangi Bokeko Samundar
  • Nilo Maha
  • Himchuli Raktim Cha
  • Ritu Nimantrana
  • Mohan Koiralaka Kabita
  • Nadi Kinarko Majhi
  • Auta Pipalrko Paat
  • Kabitabare Kehi Charcha
  • Lek
  • Gajpath
  • Aja Kasailai Bida Garnu Cha
  • Simsarka Rajdoot

Translations of Works

  • Some poems have been translated into English (appearing in academic journals and anthologies).

Style & Themes

Literary Style
modernistelements of prose poetrysymbolic expression
Recurring Motifs
nature (especially rivers)loneliness and interioritysocial and political questioning

Legacy

Mohan Koirala is considered one of Nepal's leading modern poets, noted for his prose-poetic works and poems addressing political themes. He received the Madan Puraskar and Sajha Puraskar and served as vice-chancellor of the Royal Nepal Academy from 1999 to 2004. Some of his poetry has been translated into English and he remains an important figure in literary scholarship and criticism.

Academic Societies

  • Royal Nepal Academy

Archives

  • Library of Congress (South Asian Literary Recordings Project)
  • Nepal Academy archives (likely holds related materials)

In Popular Culture

  • Repeatedly mentioned in Nepali modern poetry anthologies and literary criticism

Trivia

  • He had to leave college early due to his father's financial situation.
  • Worked in various jobs including as a schoolmaster in Hetauda and as an officer in a transport corporation in Kathmandu.
  • Served as vice-chancellor of the Royal Nepal Academy from 1999 to 2004.
  • Married to Sabitri Koirala and reportedly had five children.
  • Some of his poems have been translated into English.