Hari Bhakta Katuwal (Nepali: हरिभक्त कटुवाल) was an Indian-Nepali poet, writer and songwriter.

Hari Bhakta Katuwal
हरिभक्त कटुवाल
Born
Hum Bahadur Katuwal

(1935-07-02)2 July 1935
Bogibeel, Dibrugarh, Assam
Died10 September 1980(1980-09-10) (aged 45)
NationalityIndian
Other namesPrabasi
EducationB.A
Occupation(s)Poet, songwriter
Notable workYo Jindagi Khai ke Jindagi
Parents
  • Bir Bahadur Katuwal (father)
  • Bishnu Maya Katuwal (mother)
AwardsRoyal Nepal Academy Medal

Biography edit

Hari Bhakta Katuwal was born on 2 July 1935 in Dibrugarh, Assam.[1] In India, he used to write poems under the name Prabasi (transl. Non-resident). He moved to Kathmandu to pursue his writing career after being invited by King Mahendra.[1][2]

Noted for his writing style, he published many poems including Bhitri Manche Bolna Khojch, Yo Zindagi Khai Ke Zindagi, and Samjhana.[1][3]

He also wrote lyrics that have been sung by noted and veteran Nepali singers Narayan Gopal, Amber Gurung, and Aruna Lama.[4]

Katuwal died on 10 September 1980 in Assam.[1][5] He was cremated at the banks of the Brahmaputra River in a Hindu ceremony.[6]

In 2015, documentary Ani Hari Bhakta Farkiyenan about Katuwal's life was released.[7] In 2017, a play was staged at the Sarwanam Theatre based on his poems for his 82nd birth anniversary.[8] In 2021, a life-size statue of Katuwal was erected at Jaigaon near the Indo-Bhutan border.[9]

Notable works edit

  • Samjhana (collection of songs)
  • Bhitri Manchhe Bolna Khojchha
  • Sudha (short-epic)
  • Purba Kiran (collection of poems)
  • Yo Jindagi Khai ke Jindagi (collection of poems)
  • Badanam Mera Yi Aankhaharoo (collection of songs and poems)
  • Aitihasik Kathasangraha (in collaboration with other writers)
  • Spastikaran
  • Ma Mareko Chhaina (play)[10]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "स्मृतिमा हरिभक्त कटुवाल" [Hari Bhakta Katuwal in memory]. Shilapatra (in Nepali). Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  2. ^ "हरिभक्त खोज्दै इन्टरनेटमा हराउँदा" [Getting lost on the internet while searching for Haribhakta]. Pahilo Post (in Nepali). Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  3. ^ "Haribhakta Katuval (1935–1980)". Himalayan Voices. Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  4. ^ "एक थिए हरिभक्त". Gorkhapatra (in Nepali). Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  5. ^ Nepālī kavitā (in Nepali). Sājhā Prakāśana. 1989. p. 108. Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  6. ^ "किन पिउँथे कवि हरिभक्त कटुवाल ?" [Why did poet Hari Bhakta Katuwal drink?]. Nagarik (in Nepali). Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Katuwal remembered on 80th birth anniv". The Himalayan Times. 5 July 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  8. ^ "Play in honour of poet Katuwal". The Kathmandu Post. Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  9. ^ "पश्चिम बंगालमा कवि हरिभक्त कटुवालको सालिक" [Statue of poet Haribhakta Katuwal in West Bengal]. Kantipur (in Nepali). Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  10. ^ "Poet and Lyricist Haribhakta Katuwal". The Gorkha Times. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2022.

Further reading edit