Narayan Wagle gets Madan Puraskar

KOL Report

KATHMANDU, Aug 31 - The Madan Puraskar Award Trust has decided to present the "Madan Puraskar" for the year 2061 to litterateur and journalist Narayan Wagle for his book entitled ?Palpasa Caf?.?

Palpasa Caf?, the debut novel by Wagle, had created a new "fastest selling" record in the Nepali book publication history. The second edition of the novel has already hit bookstores after 5,000 copies were sold out in the first month of its release in the end of July.

The decision to this effect was taken by a meeting of the trust Wednesday. The award carries a purse of Rs. 200,000.

The 245-page novel has been able to arouse enormous interest and satisfaction among the readers because it highlights contemporary issues facing the country, book critics say.

Wagle is the editor of Kantipur daily.

Likewise, the trust decided to present this year?s ?Jagadamba Shree Award? to litterateur Phanindra Raj Khetala in recognition of his more than half-century long service to the field of Nepali literature. The award also carries a purse of Rs. 200,000. (snn)

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Congratulations to Narayan Wagle!

I can't comment on his book because I have yet to get hold of a copy and read it, though -- thanks to the publisher Kiran of Nepalaya -- I know that a signed-by-the-author copy is waiting for me in Kathmandu.

Narayan is an immensely likable guy. That, plus his being the editor of Kantipur makes him a really powerful figure in Nepal. Besides, all the young journalists adore him. All these combine to make it virtually impossible for his book to get a 'bad' review in Nepal.

Some observations on the prize, and, as a no-nonsense long-time friend of Narayan, I hope he tolerates my raising these issues here.

1. Narayan's book came out just two months ago or so. Now it's already won Nepal's most prestigious literature prize.

I can't help thinking: Isn't the prize for Narayan a little too soon, too early, too fast?
I mean, the book is getting ecstatic reviews and is still in its ''honeymoon' phase,
so to speak . . . surely Narayan's winning it NEXT year perhaps would have been
more appropriate, I'd think.

2. By giving the prize to Narayan this fast this soon, are the prize committee members (who are anonymous) sending a signal to the market that they seriously consider even the very recent books of first-time novelists?

3. I am confused: Madan Purasakar has this image of being really stuffy, dowdy and too mustily Nepali lit. It usually goes to people with three long names such as . . . Krishna Prasad Parajuli. Is the Prize Committee trying to be hip and young and oh-so-relevant in contemporary times by giving the prize to Narayan? Alternatively, is it trying to piggy-back on the poularity of Narayan's novel?

Just some food for thought.

Once again, congrats to Narayan.

oohi
ashu

The issue whether to emphasize on the work or on the literary figure while selecting for awards is continued. Although there are many litterateurs who hold that the works capable to win the hearts of the readers should be judged better, there are many others who are directly or indirectly bargaining for the awards, criticizing others if not offered with any prizes, and laboring to influence the institution authorities to be selected.

Moreover, the political faiths of the author, his/her grouping, affiliation to certain political party, approaches etc have had a greater influence over the judges of the awards.

So, such trends are to be discouraged by forwarding the system of conferring awards based on works rather than the authors, which ultimately will encourage healthy literary exercises. This will be more satisfactory to the people having interest in literature.
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I tried to get a copy on my last visit but it was not made public then but saw Vijay Kumar reading same nobel on the TG flight to BKK on 18th June.

I just heard from Narayan himself, who accepted my congratulations.

I now understand that Nepalaya, the publisher, submitted copies of the novel to
Madan Puraskar Guthi MONTHS before the book's formal launch in Kathmandu in July.

That way, the publisher was able to meet Madan Puraskar's nomination/submission deadline, even though the book was only made publicly available (and then went on
to make news) much later.

Whether "Palpasa Cafe" should have won the award or not is a SEPARATE debate altogether. I have not read the book -- so can't comment.

oohi
ashu

I share Ashu's skepticism about whether 'Palpasa Cafe' bagged Madan Puraskar purely on it's literary value.

I too have yet to read the book to make more definitive remarks. However, even after I get to read it, I will hardly be able to determine it's literary value as I am neither a professional litt?rateur nor a literary critic.

So, it hardly makes any difference if I share my speculations and remarks before reading the book. So here I am.

Based on what I have read and heard from those who have read the book, I am convinced that there is every reason to applaud this particular work and to recommend it as a must have book for those who want to understand our contemporary life in little depth, that is, beyond, how far newspaper reports go.

However, 'Palpasa Cafe' still appears to be a reportage, only a better one in it's width and style.

'Palpasa Cafe' surely deserves some award, the best will be along the line of some journalistic or semi-journalistic recognition. However, a Nobel prize (Nepali version) for literature ?

I have ample doubts and skepticism.

What little literary oriented reviews I have read so far gives a sense of some fickle reference rather than finesse regarding post-modernism and some ambiguous narrative style.

I doubt if that much qualifies for a noble contribution in Nepali Waangmaya, presumably a criterion for a literary award like Madan Puraskar.

एउटा अत्यन्त 'कुशल गाडी चालक' लाई 'सर्वोत्तम मेकानिक' को पुरस्कार त परेन, भन्ने आशय हो है मेरो, संक्षेपमा ।

Nepe

It seems to me that Ashuji, an excellent, responsible and articulate writer who perceives things with different prospective than most of us do, may have hastily commented this time around with insufficient homework. My use of two terms 'hastily' and 'insufficient homework' is to indicate that

1) He is commenting on a book which he has not read yet (assuming that being a columnist/journalist/social activist and physically present in Nepal, he would have been able to have access to the book).

2) He wrote.. I just heard from Narayan himself, who accepted my congratulations. I now understand that Nepalaya, the publisher, submitted copies of the novel to Madan Puraskar Guthi MONTHS before the book's formal launch in Kathmandu in July...

He could have waited to hear from Wagle! (I am not sure if Ashuji skepticism in Sajha compelled Wagle to respond to Ashuji! if that is the case, i think it brought an important outcome about timing, i.e. answer to his question Number 1).

Having commented on being hasty and presumably insufficiency in homework, his skepticism is not something that is incomprehensible.

Nut

Let me make some corrections (it my be due to lack of my own homework!). My (may be wrong) use of word comment in here is intended to have the same meaning as observations/skepticism pointed out by Ashu and Nepe.

Nut

Nut-ji,

Your puzzlement is justified.

Allow me to post this reply.

My comments were NOT directed at the book per se.
I said I had not read the book, though I have read some (positive) reviews.
My posting therefore was NOT a book review in itself.

Nor were they directed at the author per se.
I congratulated him -- in public here and in private via an email, and he remains a good friend. I am happy about his success.

My comments here on Sajha were primarily to WONDER ALOUD and then propose three hypotheses as to what made the institution of Madan Puraskar Guthi to award the prize to a book that had just been published.

[I am a firm believer in proposing a series of hypotheses as a great way to think further about any issue . . . to reach the truth faster, EVEN IF, over time, better evidence makes most or all of those proposed hypotheses invalid. How else would we know anything, if we don't start by first forming plausible hypotheses and start testing them out and letting the evidence guide us wherever it leads us?]

In this open forum, Houston, above, has already added to our knowledge, saying that this is NOT the first-time that MPG has rewarded debut novels.

Others have remarked that however much they enjoyed reading Palpasa Cafe, they did not think that it merited the prize. Some think that clever marketing helped the book win the prize. But others disagree, and say that the book richly deserved the award on its own merits.

ALL THESE varied opinions, let me say, add up to legitimate and richer discussions about any work of literature -- good or bad. So, these public discussions serve as an outlet for us to care about literature. I request that my posting be seen in that spirit.

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Yes, unlike the prize committe for Pulitzer (US) or Booker (UK), the MPG Prize
judges are inexplicably anonymous in Nepal.

What's more, we do not even know what OTHER books had been short-listed for consideration. Tellingly, there is NO news (as of now), no press releases, no brief citations about this year's prizes on the Web site of Madan Puraskar Pustkalaya.

And the newspaper reports have gushed more about the 5000-plus sales figure of the book than about any statement from the Prize Committte.

Sure, the answers to some of these concerns are probably out there already.

But by sharing these concerns here on Sajha makes it easy to tap into the
knowledge that's in the head of many other visitors, each oif whom might have additional bits of information . . . . all of which, when posted here, can add up to
paint a fuller picture to address some of those concerns.

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Nut writes:

"assuming that [Ashu's] being a columnist/journalist/social activist"


Many people mistakenly assume that I am a full-time journalist and some kind of a
social activist.

I accept the compliments, but the truth remains somewhat different.

Ever since I read management guru Peter Drucker's influential article on why it's important for each so-called 'knowledge-worker' to be ready for two to three different
CAREERS in today's fast-changing world

-where smart people 'peak' in their first career in their 30s and then get bored doing the same thing again and again for the rest of their lives, and
-where people are living longer and longer . . .

I have, following Drucker's prescriptions, consciously set out to have a primary career (things I do from nine to six, five days a week) while steadily developing, as serious hobbies, secondary and somewhat loose careers on the side.

So far, journalism and social activism have remained serious hobbies . . . but it's something else that pays the bills and the loans for now. :-)

Still, my experience is that the goodwill, the energy and the enthusiasm one generates from secondary careers, even if they are serious hobbies, spill over happily to raise the productivity in one's primary career.

I see that Narayan Wagle, in his 30s, has also done something similar, but much more remarkably: He has also been a documentary film-maker and now a novelist too on top of being the editor of Nepal's largest daily. And that's great. I am sure there are
countless other Nepalis doing something similar for themselves, at their own pace.

oohi
ashu

can anybody tell me where i can buy this book in uk?

Ashuji, thank you very much for sharing your real intentions- ?My comments here on Sajha were primarily to WONDER ALOUD and then propose three hypotheses as to what made the institution of Madan Puraskar Guthi to award the prize to a book that had just been published.?- I guess this is sufficient to understand your concern!

I agree with you in proposing and testing hypotheses that would likely answer issues under discussion (Well, I have been perusing similar thing but they are directed towards cardiopulmonary diseases!). I have seen very few Nepali journalist/columnist, who actually make use of this kind of skills in their writings. I greatly appreciate your thoughtful writings specially, the way you have been formulating your hypotheses and bring them into public discussion. I (we) have been grateful to you! Keep it up!

Nut

>Can anybody tell me where i can buy this book in uk?

You might want ot order online,
- http://www.blog.com.np
and support UWB as well.

Hello guys,

I'm reading the book at the moment and finished just over half of it. I'm afraid those people who are really keen to read this book after all the attention it's getting would be bitterely disappointed. It has not been a compelling read so far.

Has any of you read 'Akash Ganga ko Tirai Tir' by Pradip Nepal? I'm finding Palpasa cafe very similar to that book and I've to say the former makes more compelling read. I wonder if Narayan Wagle has read that book.

I'm not in a hurry to go back and read the rest of the book. After all the hype, I asked my relatives to send the book to me from Kathmandu. Those who are doing the same, don't get too excited.

Now having finished the book, my advice is- don't bother. My read was more like finishing it and getting it over with than enjoying it. I think Madan Puraskar Guthi has horribly got it wrong. It was all about media hype. Those books who have won this prestigious prize should be read for years to come, but with 'Palpasa cafe' I think people will forget about it within 1-2 years. It is an example of how powerful the media has become in Nepal.

Well well.. so everywhere favoritism.. ha ha.. even in Madan Puruskar Guthi...

1. Why the hell the Guthi considered Palpasa Cafe for the award before its publication? Is it becasue it's Narayan Wagle's novel? IS it becuase Napalay Publication is involved?

2. Why the hell Papalay Publication is so much interested in submitting the Wagle's novel so soon, before even releasing to the public? Is it because they want to bag the award as soon as it is published so that the sale can saor???

3. Is Narayan Wagle greedy for the award? It's his novel, why the hell he let the the novel be submitted backdoor?

Bottomline is: Until the novel actually comes out in the market, who the F8CKK gonna say that the novel was already final way before releasing.... Cold it be possible that prior to publication there was still time for Wagle to do some change fange if he wanted?

No matter what the F8CKing logics you gus present here : Greed is what I see in this Game!!!

Asshol(e Narayan Wagle.. running Kantipur on indian Payroll.. do not forget this fact guy.

So I see hand of RAW there....

bichma malai ni puwakka bolna man lagyo....

1. May be Madan Puraskar is accepting all the publications before it actually gets published.

2. May be the book is damn good, worthy of these "short cuts", unlike what Kick suggested. There will be always mixed reactions.

3. Nepalaya being business house and Kiran Shrestha a good business man knew all the tricks for quick sell of the book. He would consider about the profit only and seek avenues to find more which is totally reasonable. Mr. Wagle must be under contract with the business house and he has nothing to say with the publicity and other events. After all its not Mr. Wagles fault.

4. The Dixits (some of them being fellow Journalists) of the MPP Guthi may be close (perosonal and professional) to N. Wagle. The committee is secret but not that secret.
After all they are humans too. Why blame or criticize Mr. Wagle?
He did not award himself !

5. MPP Guthi saw this as a good oppurtunity to take advantage of the escalating popularity of the book and sale of the book. They thought, why not to take a leap??
He he !

6. May be within MPP Guthi and the judges, there were differences who to award? The voting might have gone to Mr. Wagle's work.

7. May be there were no other authors this year who are NOT as good as Mr. Wagle.

8. May be some day some one will say, "Palpasa cafe is awasketa bhanda badta charcha payeko pustak" in their interview.

8. what ever the reason whether the prize was given to the best driver where as it should be given to the best mechanic, we should commend Mr. Wagle's effort to report/write/ analyze the current situation of Nepal and bring it out to the readers of the world.

Prem_dai wrote:
sshol(e Narayan Wagle.. running Kantipur on indian Payroll.. do not forget this fact guy.

So I see hand of RAW there....

Shirish asks:

Hmm...any evidences ?
Bhanna payo bhandai ma je payo tyo bhandine?

The media and publication house's strategy have worked efficiently and like I said before, Narayan Wagle, has nothing to do with the hidden agenda of Madan Puraskar Guthi if it had one !

So the critics should be able to tell, if Plapasa Cafe is not the right choice for MP, then who/what is ?

I do read here and there that Palpasa Cafe does have the depth of illustrating the scenario but not the marvel of literature.

Khawas, you are talking too much simply putting "May be"... shiit

He didn't award himself re, khawas he begged for the award by applying!!!

Prem_dai wrote:
sshol(e Narayan Wagle.. running Kantipur on indian Payroll.. do not forget this fact guy.

So I see hand of RAW there....

where is the answer of my question.
may be I will not get the answer. because he (prem dai) himself does not know.

No body knows for fact what happened so its "may be".

But in your case you are freakin' confident of Narayan Wagle being RAW agent.
may be you should seek some help for the fact finding and not accuse someone so fast. May be there is no difference between you and MPP for making hasty decisions.

What the F*cck you want now???
that novel got award in 2 months.. that's already enough evidence to reveal the clandestine things that happened to decide this award.

Everybody knows that fu*Cjing 2 months is good evidence to prove that that's a fuc*king award.. hello????
Now you want evidence? Go to Supreme Court..

we do not want to go there.. we simply accept that things went wrong... the way it went.. what else we need? nope.. we are people of principle.... not just the people believe in brown nosing, and fact twisting.

We don't want to dwell in "May be"

We say "that's wrong". That's it.

Prem_dai wrote:
sshol(e Narayan Wagle.. running Kantipur on indian Payroll.. do not forget this fact guy.

So I see hand of RAW there....


well Prem-dai, your swearing does not answer my question that too from a graduate of IOE.

You still failed to answer my question of Narayan Wagle as a RAW employee and in the Indian payroll. I do not anticipate such hasty comments from a educated guy and one who can say that the MP Guthi is wrong in awarding its prize for "Palpasa cafe"

May be, two month is enough to decide who gets the prize. Rather the book was presented to the committee before it was published so they had more time to review.
Well, you being a science student, that too a engineering would not believe on assumed things or without proofs. But your baseless accusation to Mr. Wagle, now a leaurate, novelist is disgraceful. And you dont want to answer that. Plus you failed to provide any names as an alternative.

Madan Puraskar Guthi, being an independent org has right to do what its committee and board members decide, whether right or wrong. They are responsible for their own deeds but you do have the right to respect or disrespect their decision and credibility.

The novel may not carry the literary component, but the reporting part seems to be done in a very efficient way. (not read the book yet) and may be, there were no publications comparable to Wagle's work so it was awarded.

Plus Madan Puraskar not necessarily be a literary work only. They can award for other things too and they have done.