Lok Priya Devi (Nepali: लोकप्रियादेवी; 1898–1960) was a Nepalese poet.[1] In 2014, she was recognised as one of the women who contributed to the arena of Nepali literature, art, and politics.[2][3] She is the sister of Laxmi Prasad Devkota, the nation's most adored poet.[4]
Lok Priya Devi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1898 |
| Died | 1960 (aged 61–62) Nepal |
| Nationality | Nepali |
| Relatives | Laxmi Prasad Devkota (brother) |
Biography
editDevi was born in 1898 in Dilli Bazar, Kathmandu, Nepal to Teel Madhav Devkota, and Amar Rajya Lakshmi Devi.[5] Devi was a sister of Laxmi Prasad Devkota, who is considered to be the greatest literary figure in Nepal.[4][6]
In 1906 at the age of eight years, Devi was married to businessman Lok Nath Joshi.[5] They had five sons and three daughters, however, Joshi was known to be a womaniser and he had many concubines.[5] Devi is never known to have criticised her husband.[5] Devi's name "Lok Priya" was given to her by Joshi which means "darling of Lok Nath".[6]
Works
editHer brother Devkota used to encourage her to write poems.[5] She was a student of Lekhnath Paudyal and Chakrapani Chalise.[5] Devi's works were also praised by various writers including Prem Rajeshwari Devi, Goma, and Devkota.[5]
She mostly published her poems in Sharada magazine, and she also published in Udyog, Sahity Shrot, and the literary supplements to the national newspaper Gorkhapatra.[7] Devi was also an activist, she advocated and encouraged women to get an education.[8][9] In 1953, she organised a literacy event for Bhanubhakta Acharya.[5]
In 1983, her daughter Shashi Rimal, compiled and published Collected Poems of Poetess Lokpriya Devi.[5] Lok Priya Devi Puraskar is named in her honour.[10]
Awards and recognitions
editIn 2014, she was recognised one of the women "who contributed to the arena of Nepali literature, art, and politics. Much of their lives have been excluded [or written very little] from the narratives of official records", alongside Ambalika Devi Chandrakala Devi, Mangala Devi, and Divya Koirala.[2][3]
She died in 1960.[11]
Works
edit- Shoka Bindu
- Tears of Sorrow on Brother’s Demise
- Collected Poems of Poetess Lokpriya Devi
- Reply to Shanta
References
edit- ^ Pokhrel, Shanta (1982). Nepalese Women. Ridhi Charan Pokhrel. p. 145.
- ^ a b Dhungana, Raj (15 March 2014). "Nepali Hindu Women's Thorny Path to Liberation". Journal of Education and Research. 4 (1): 39–57. doi:10.3126/jer.v4i1.10013. ISSN 2091-0118.
- ^ a b Upreti, Bishnu; Upreti, Drishti; Ghale, Yamuna (16 April 2020). "Nepali Women in Politics: Success and Challenges". Journal of International Women's Studies. 21 (2): 76–93. ISSN 1539-8706.
- ^ a b Shrestha, Chandra Bahadur (1981). My Reminiscence of the Great Poet, Laxmi Prasad Devkota. Royal Nepal Academy. p. 5.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Rana, Jagadish (1 January 2011). Women Writers of Nepal Profiles and Perspectiver. Rajesh Rana Publications. p. 45. ISBN 9788184654189.
- ^ a b "उलिनकाठ चढेर पटना पढ्न गएँ, महिनावारी भएपछि फर्किएँ". Kathmandu Press (in Nepali). Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
- ^ Subedi, Abhi (1978). Nepali Literature: Background & History. Sajha Prakashan. p. 61.
- ^ Asian Women. Research Center for Asian Women, the Sookmyung Women's University Press. 1995. p. 186.
- ^ Thapa, Krishna B. (1985). Women and Social Change in Nepal, 1951–1960. Ambika Thapa. p. 91.
- ^ Bhaṭṭarāī, Ghaṭarāja (1994). Nepālī sāhityakāra paricaya kośa: Nepali sahityakar parichaya kosh (in Nepali). Neśanala Risarca Eśosiyaṭsa. p. 482.
- ^ Miśra, Ḍillīrāma (1993). Nepālī pratibhā ra puraskāra (in Nepali). Śarmilā Miśra. p. 250.
Further reading
edit- "लोकप्रियादेवी". Nai Prakashan (in Nepali). Retrieved 30 October 2021.
"नारीचुली - लोकप्रियादेवी". RabinsXP (in Nepali). 28 March 2010. Retrieved 2 November 2021.