Balkrishna Sama | |
---|---|
Born |
Gyaneshwar, Kathmandu, Nepal |
February 8, 1903
Died | June 20, 1981 Kathmandu |
(aged 78)
Occupation | playwright, poet |
Nationality | Nepali |
Genre | Play, Poetry |
Notable works | Chiso Chulho |
Spouse | Mandakini |
Bala Krishna Sama (Nepali: ; 8 February 1903 - 20 June 1981) was a Nepalese dramatist. He is also regarded as the "Shakespeare" of Nepal. In Nepali language, he is known as “Natya Siromani”. As a dramatist("natak-kar") he was a literature great of Nepal. His contribution to Nepali literature can never be forgotten. He was the son of General Samar Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana and Kirtirajyalaksmi Rana.
He got married to Mandakini in 1921. Sama was awarded with the Tribhuwan Puraskar from Nepal Rajakiya Pragya Prathistan in 1972. The same year he received the Bishesh Upadhi from Tribhuvan University and in 1978, the Prithvi Pragya Puraskar from Pragya Pratisthan. He died in 1981.
Sama completed his high school from Durbar High School in Rani Pokhari and took up science in Tri Chandra College. During his second year of academic studies, he was sent to Dehradoon for army training as an army captain, afterwards he became a Lieutenant Colonel, by the then prime minister Chandra Shumsher Rana.
In his own home, the environment was strained. Sama spent a lot of time alone at home finding peace in solitude and gradually he spent more time in art and literary activities. He started publishing his writings in reputed magazines such as Sarada, Udhyog, Shahitya Shrot, etc. Afterwards, he shortened his surname "Shumshere Jung Bahadur Rana" to "Sama" because he no longer wished to be associated with a ruling regime that had once governed Nepal with autocracy. His drama "Bhater" which was published in Pragati in 1953 clearly shows his feelings on the issue of human rights.
Several of his dramas have been inspired by Shakespeare's works. His dramas such as "Prem Pinda", "Buhartan", "Tapobhumi", "Atyadhunikta", and "Bhater" present the social context of the Rana era; "Mukunda Indira" and "Mutuko Byatha" show the emotional and romantic side of Sama's personality. "Amit Basana", "Boksi", "Talamathi", and "Andhabeg" are based on the human psychology. And his dramas on historical personalities are "Amar Singh", "Bhimsen Ko Antya", and "Bhakta Bhanubhakta". "Birami Ra Kuruwa" deals with philosophy while "Prahlad" and "Dhruba" are based on religious figures. Bal Krishna Sama is known as one of Nepal's greatest dramatists. During his time, he was also considered as the "Shakespeare" of Nepal.