Moti Laxmi Upasika (Nepali: मोतिलक्ष्मी उपासिका) (30 June 1909 – 1997) was Nepal's first woman poet and short story writer of modern times. Her first work, a short story, was published in 1935.[1]
Moti Laxmi Upasika | |
|---|---|
मोतिलक्ष्मी उपासिका | |
 Moti Laxmi Upasika was the first woman short story writer of Nepal. | |
| Born | Moti Laxmi Tuladhar 13 June 1909 |
| Died | 1997 (aged 87–88) |
| Nationality | Nepali |
| Other names | M. Laxmi |
| Notable work | Chakhunchiya Sarbay |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Chittadhar Hridaya (brother) |
Early life
Moti Laxmi Upasika (also spelled Motilakshmī Upāsikā) was born in Kathmandu to father Drabya Dhar and mother Gyan Laxmi Tuladhar. Her father was a merchant who owned a business house in Lhasa, Tibet. Her brother was poet Chittadhar Hridaya.[2][3] She received informal education in Sanskrit, Pali and English.[4]
Writing career
Upasika, who also wrote under the pen name M. Laxmi, published her first work in 1935, a story in the Nepali language entitled Rodan. It appeared in Sharada magazine published from Kathmandu.
She started writing in Nepal Bhasa with a poem entitled Chitta Panchhi (meaning "Heart bird") and a story Lan ("Road") which were published in Dharmadoot in 1944.[5] Dharmadoot was a Buddhist magazine published in Hindi by the Maha Bodhi Society from Sarnath, India. It also published contributions in Nepal Bhasa at the request of its subscribers in Nepal.[6][7]
Though most of her essays deal with religious subjects, her writings have been described as a bridge between religious and free prose.[8] Her essays are characterized by simple language and a powerful way of expressing her opinions.[9]
Published works
- Motima ("Garland of Pearls"), a collection of essays, 1958
- Chakhunchiya Sarbay ("Sparrow's Property"), a collection of poems, 1993[10]
- Moti Bakhan Puchah ("Moti Collection of Stories"), a collection of short stories, 1994[11]
- Utpalvarna, a collection of Buddhist stories, 1995[12]
- Dhaubaji ("Yogurt and Rice Flakes"), a collection of essays, 1998
References
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