Sayami: A writer par Excellence

Like many other Nepali writers brought up in boardering areas, Dhuswa Sayami als began his writing in Hindi despite being Newar. Influenced by writing in Hindi, Sayami, as others, wrote his first article in Hindi that was published in Balak. However, eventually circumstances made him a more Nepal Bhasa (Newari) writer than Nepali albeit, he seems to be more prolific in Hindi than any other languages.
Inspired by Prem Bahadur and Puspa Lal Shrestha, he wrote poem in Nepal bhasa and sent it to Calcutta to Prem Bahadur for publication. The poem had only first few lines in Nepal Bhasa, rest in Hindi. They translated and published it. “ I started my writing career through prose. Poetry is my second creation,” says Sayami.
Gangki, meaning eclipse is his masterpiece novel in Nepal Bhasa which has been translated into Nepali, Hindi and Englished. It’s a story about a Manandhar girl and her armours and sexual adventure and exploitations. “There is a very interesting story behind my creation of Gangki. Once Vijay Malla told me he was writing a novel about a Manandhar girl living in Jochhe. Since I am too a Manandhar, I told him that I would write on her in Nepal Bhasa as I had already written two novels in Nepal Bhasa-Misha and Pasa and I belong to the same community. It was 1956 and I was 26 years old. I took up the challenge but I was not too well acquainted with the Manandhar society. My wife helped me a great to understand Manandhar society and encouraged me by saying that it’s not a sexually dominated novel,” he explains. Sometimes I feel the only novel I have written so far is Gangki as everybody talks about it through I have written many good novels after that. But nobody is ready to accept that.”
Retired professor of Nepalese History and Culture, Dhuswa Sayami wrote many novels in Nepali Bhasa like Ji Bhaty Je sa tat, Nibha, and Deepa, Kharani ko Bhastee, Manga in Nepali. Maidase Mai Sarahaya, Reet ki Darrar and jaljala are his three novels in Hindi.
“My Hindi Novels are quote popular in Delhi, as I was a culture Attaché there. They sold out very well but never saw a second edition. In Delhi, in a meeting Amrita Pritam told me why did’nt I write my name as translator instead of original writer because it would give me the status of an International writer” he says.
In his sojourn to Delhi as cultural Attaché in the early seventies. Sayami made many friends which helped him promote himself in the arena of Hindi literature. “I read many western writers like Lawrence. But later gave up reading after people accused my novels as a replica of western novels.”
Sayami’s novels are more poetic than others. They have a poetic feeling in the reality of life. He used to read whatever he got to know about language and its structure to polish his own language, handicapped by the influence of Hindi.

Sayami represented Nepal in many International literary conferences. He was a member of the delegation to Moscow. He went to Rome to learn about the western culture and United States of America to teach Nepali history and culture. To Bangladesh for the SAARC conference on history and culture.
“Nepali literature is not exposed in the western world. No substantial progress has been made in translation. We are more in the devotion of our own language. Even writers like me could muster media attention, it would be more rewarding if works of Dekota, Rimal, Sama or even youngerwriters can be translated in English,” he says. “In the last book fair in Delhi, many people asked about Bhupi, Lekhnath and so on. But they have not got a chance to read their poems in either Hindi or in English.”
He says the government should encourage English translation by establishing a separate department. “Our writers are not exposed to western readers. Readers would recognize Nepali writing if they were translated into English. I received many letters after my English edition of Gangki was published. Unfortunately, I have not received any letter regarding Nepali and Nepal Bhasa edition.”
He has established an award in the memory of his wife Bhansusara along with his novel. But now he feels the need of publishing house which can encourage new writers in publishing their works.” I have four novels unpublished in Nepal Bhasa. Sometimes I feel, to write many novels can be a curse as they will not find a publisher on time.”
Sayami’s article on culture has been compiled and published, its name being “Lotus” and “The flame” which were earlier published in The Rising Nepal. Currently, he is a member of The Royal Nepal Academy.