"Dhritarastra' wins Madan Puraskar; Batsayan awarded with Jagadamba Shree

KATHMANDU, August 28: Ghanashyam Kandel was awarded with this year's Madan Puraskar for his novel 'Dhritarastra'. The Madan Puraskar Guthi announced the winner in an official statement on Sunday.

'Dhritarastra' was picked for the prize out of nine shortlisted books. The shortlisted books were ‘Guha’, ‘Guhalekh’, ‘Guhachitra Awam Anya Sambada’ by Purushottam Lochan Shrestha, ‘Chhaughar’ by Raj Sargam, 'Tapan’ by Sharada Paudel, ‘Doha ko Sidha Udan’ by Jaya Chhangchha, ‘Pratinayak’ by Hari Adhikari, ‘Ma Stri Arthat Aaimai’ by Sima Abhas, ‘Shukraraj Shastri ko Chasma’ by Rajendra Parajuli, ‘Sagarmatha ko Gahirai’ by Nawaraj Parajuli besides Ghanashyam’s ‘Dhritarastra’.

Similarly, the Madan Puraskar Guthi has decided to give this year's Jagadamba Shree Puraskar to cartoonist Batsayan (Durga Baral), recognizing his contribution to Nepali society and literature through cartoons. The winners will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 200,000 on the second day of Dashain.