As a part of KIMFF’s regular alternative book exhibition, “Sotala”, a fictional work by Dor Bahadur Bista, also dubbed as the father of anthropology in Nepal, was jointly-launched by Bairagi Kaila, chancellor of Nepal Academy, culture expert and historian Satya Mohan Joshi and Hikmat Bahadur Bista, elder son of the writer. The author has been missing for the past 15 years.[break]
The book was first published 34 years ago and has been re-published by Jagadamba Press under the brand name of “Himal Kitab”, as its second edition.
Shedding light on the fascinating author’s life, his younger son Kesar Bahadur Bista remembered him as a charismatic person with a thirst for knowledge. “This book will expose the literary side of Dor Bahadur Bista and his personal experiences as a traveler,” said Kesar.
Bista has penned several books among which two non-fictions viz. “Fatalism and Development” and “People of Nepal” are widely read. He also wrote fiction and contributed regularly to literary magazines like “Sharada”, “Madhuparka” and “Ruprekha” published in his time.
Basanta Thapa, chairman of KIMFF praised the writer, “We would love to publish his unpublished creations as well.”
Historian Joshi mentioned him as a close acquaintance and critiqued the novel, “Sotala is a realist novel. It’s not a fictional description of a fictional place but showcases the true picture of Lhasa and Kathmandu during those times. One realizes by reading the novel how hard it was to make the journey from Kathmandu to Lhasa.”
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