Eminent Nepali Litterateur Padma Shri Lil Bahadur Chhetri Passes Away at 92

Renowned Nepali writer Lil Bahadur Chhetri, known for his significant contributions to Nepali literature, passed away at the age of 92. Lil Bahadur Chhetri, who hailed from Guwahati, Assam, was widely recognized for his powerful depiction of rural struggles and social injustice through his literary works.

Born on March 1, 1933, Lil Bahadur Chhetri gained prominence with his novel Basain (1957), which highlights the plight of poor villagers facing exploitation from the feudal upper class. The novel remains a part of the curriculum at Tribhuvan University, Nepal, underscoring its literary and cultural significance.

Lil Bahadur Chhetri was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1987 for his novel Brahmaputrako Chheu Chhau(1986), which reflects the experiences of the Nepali diaspora in Assam. In 2016, he was honored with the prestigious Jagadamba Shree Puraskar for his outstanding contribution to Nepali literature and language. His work was further acknowledged by the Government of India in 2020 when he received the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth-highest civilian award, for his contributions to literature and education.

Lil Bahadur Chhetri’s works have left a lasting impact on Nepali literature, capturing the essence of social struggles and human resilience. His passing marks the end of an era in Nepali literary history.