Gopal Parajuli
Ramesh Vikal is a renowned storywriter, novelist, playwright and children’s writer of Nepal. He has written a number of genres, but his fame especially rests on stories and children’s literature.
Ramesh Vikal was born on 14 November 1928 at Gokarna-Aarubari in Kathmandu. His father’s name was Chandra Sekhar Chalise, and his mother’s name Chhaya Devi Chalise. At birth, he was named Indusekhar, and his name as a jobholder was Rameshwar Sharma. Ramesh Vikal was a name he coined for himself.
Ramesh Vikal didn’t receive his mother’s love, because she died when he was merely one and a half years old. Though he grew in absence of his mother, he was quite pampered by love he received from others. He was raised by his grandmother and his elder aunt. They wanted Ramesh to grow and earn a lot of wealth. His father, however, wanted him to appease the bigwigs and get a good job. But both these wishes remained unfulfilled. He became a renowned writer.
During his childhood days, Ramesh Vikal was the ringleader among his friends. He gathered all of them, and they together played many games. He was quite mischievous by nature. One day, it was quite late in the afternoon. Covering himself with a shawl, he went into the house of a neighbor. The members of that family had gathered around the fireplace. He went there, and started rolling over and over again in the mantelpiece. They started yelling, thinking that a ghost had entered their family. Only then did he say, “I am Rameshwar.” This way, he often took people by utter surprise. He enjoyed doing such pranks since his early days. So, all the neighbors praised him for his jolly nature. They all wondered what kind of a child he would grow to become later.
Ramesh Vikal’s father was a lieutenant in the department of survey. He taught Ramesh the alphabets, and taught him how to read Sanskrit texts such as Rudri and Chandi. Soon, he was admitted to Language School at Devpatan, but his study was often disturbed as he had to follow his father wherever he was transferred. Moreover, he was married in a tender age.
In 1947, he passed civil service examination for a government job, and approached Commander-in-Chief Babar Shamsher for three months, but this all went in vain. He then joined the department of cargo as a nausinda, i.e. peon.
In 1952, he appeared for voice test at Radio Nepal. He was also quite fond of painting and music. For around six months, he learnt painting from Chandraman Maskey. When he came into the company of Shyam Prasad Sharma, he took the membership of a communist party in 1956, and thus he turned towards politics. For some time, he was even confined to Nakkhu Jail. In the meantime, sons of prime minister and education minister were also in the same prison. When they were bailed out, Ramesh Vikal also managed to get out of the jail. Only 25 days were left before his high school examination. As advised by his friends, he appeared high school examination as a private candidate in 1968. He passed the examination. After this, he joined College of Education, from where, he did his I.Ed. and B. Ed. In 1958, he became active in politics again. Later, he abandoned politics and became fully committed to literature.
Initially, Ramesh Vikal wrote materials for school textbooks published by Naya Nepal Prakashan. He also worked as assistant editor of Navin Siksha. For every article he wrote, he received two rupees as his remuneration. Later, he held jobs at the Department of Publicity, Janak Educational Material Centre and Controller of the Examination. While he was working with Janak Educational Material Centre, he travelled to America for training on textbook writing and editing. When movement against the Panchayat was launched in 1979, he quit his job, and started teaching at Sahayogi High School and Arunodaya High School. After some time, he left both these schools, and started teaching at Tribhuvan University.
Ramesh Vikal showed keen interest in literature since an early age. His first work was a story titled ‘Garib’ published in 1949 in Sharada. Since this time, he continued to create literature all through his life. He has enriched the storehouse of Nepali literature by writing stories, poems, novels, plays and travel accounts. His published works are as follows:
Story collections: 1. Birano Deshma, 2. Naya Sadako Geet, 3 Aaj Pheri Arko Tanna Pherinchha, 4. Euta Budho Violin Ashabariko Dhunma, 5. Urmila Bhauju, 6. Shav, Salik ra Sahashra Buddha, 7. Harayeka Kathaharu, 8. Manchhe, Baibhav ra Mrityu
Novels: 1. Sunauli, 10. Abiral Bagdachha Indrawati, 11. Sagar Urlinchha Sagarmatha Chhuna
Plays: 12. Saptaranga, 13. Sardar Bhaktri Thapa, 14. Milkiyeko Mani
Travel accounts: 15. Saat Surya Ek Phanko, 16. Nilgiriko Chhayama
Autobiography: 17. Mero Abiral Jeevangeet
Ramesh Vikal also wrote a lot for children. He wrote stories, plays, songs and novels for young readers, thereby making a huge contribution to Nepali children’s literature. Following are the books he wrote for children.
Original: 1. Agenako Dilma, 2. Panchatantraka Katha, 3. Ekkais Ramaila Katha, 4. Katha Kusum, 5. Tehra Ramaila Katha, 6. Kehi Murkhaharuko Katha, 7. Hiunde Chhutti, 8. Sangat Gunako Buddhi, 9. Saat Thunga, 10. Aba Timi Narou Kiran, 11. Bahra Mahinako Geet, 12. Bikram ra Naulo Graha, 13. Manchhe, Bhainsi ra Muri Chamalko Bhat, 14. Ma ra Mero Ghar, 15. Ma ra Mero Chhimek, 16. Gaunthaliko Ghar
Translated: 17. Indrajali Rukh, 18. Peter ra Bwanso, 19. Vishwprrasiddha Balkatha, 20. Dushta Bhangera ra Gaunthaliharu
Ramesh Vikal also edited magazines like Kopila and Balak. His best-known stories have been translated into English. Such stories have been published in the collection A Leaf in a Wall. If his works published in various paper and magazines are collected and published, more works can be prepared to his credit. The second part of his autobiography also awaits publication. A television serial was also made on his novel Abiral Bagdachha Indrawati.
Ramesh Vikal was given Madan Award for his book Naya Sadakko Geet for the year 1961. In 1981, the then Royal Nepal Academy honoured him with the title ‘Mahendra Pragya Award’. In 2000, he received Noor-Ganga Children’s Literature Award, and in 2001, the Krishna Mani Literature Award. In 2002, he won Sajha Award for Children’s Literature. He also won Dev Kumari Thapa Children’s Literature Award.
Ramesh Vikal also worked as Chairman of Nepal Progressive Writer’s Association and Nepalese Society for Children’s Literature. In 1994, he was nominated a council member of Nepal Academy. He was honored and felicitated by many organizations. Tribhuvan University has permitted its students to conduct research on his life and work. Many writers and critics have written their reflections on hm. To preserve his work and fame, writers have instituted a foundation. He donated all his personal property to the same foundation. His son Vijay Chalise is also a renowned writer.
Ramesh Vikal was a healthy man, as long as he was young. As he gained health, he caught pneumonia. He was admitted to Nepal Medical College, where he died on 17 December 2008 at the age of 80. Though he is physically no more, his works are with us. He is a writer who will be remembered as long as Nepali language and literature remain alive on earth.
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