Kathmandu: The International Nepali Literary Society (ANESAS) has recognized outstanding literary works across multiple genres during its annual general meeting and the 212th Bhanu Jayanti celebration, which was held virtually. During this event, several awards were distributed to honour exceptional contributions to Nepali literature.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the highest accolade, the ANESAS Best Book Award, valued at US$2,100, was awarded to Roshan Thapa Nirav for his book “Sixty Days of Terror”. Other notable awards included the ANESAS National Poet Best Poetry Award to Krisu Kshetri for “Canvas of Sweat”, the ANESAS Best Essay Award to Momila Joshi for “Questions Still Remain”, and the ANESAS Best Story Award to Krishna Kusum for the short story collection “Background Sound”.
Further distinctions were awarded in various categories: Dr Durga Bahadur Gharti received the ANESAS Best Criticism, Philosophy, and Culture Award for “Cultural Studies”, and Akhanda Bhandari was honoured with the Best Novel Award for “Bora”. Shashi Ram Karki’s “Folk Tales of Rukum” earned the Best Folk Literature Award, while Laxman Sitaula’s song collection “The Sound of the Earth” won the Best Song Ghazal Award.
Additionally, the Best Children’s Literature Award went to Bimala Dhungana Niraula for “Journey Through the Country”, Jagannath Poudel received the Best Diaspora Poetry Award for “While Flowing”, and Tulsi Acharya’s novel “Dreamland” was bestowed with the Best Diaspora Literature Award. The monetary prizes for these awards ranged between 500 and 1500 US dollars.
Sandhya Pahadi, a member of the award selection committee, mentioned that the committee meticulously selected the winning works from over two hundred submissions received globally, proceeding through a rigorous two-phase selection process. ANESAS continues to play a significant role in advancing Nepali language, literature, and culture on an international scale.