2007 Nepalese novel
Pretkalpa (Nepali: प्रेतकल्प) is a 2007 Nepali historical fiction novel by Narayan Dhakal.[1][2] It was published in 2007 by Sajha Prakashan and won the Sajha Puraskar, 2065 BS (2008-2009).[3] The novels depicts the life of people of a town in the Kanth (Nepali: काँठ, outskirts of Kathmandu) during the early 20th century.
Synopsis
The novel is set in a fictional place called Dukhapur, located in the northeastern region of Kathmandu. It set during the reign of Chandra Shumsher JBR.[4] The book shows the difficulties of common people under the autocratic Rana rule and the feudalistic society.
It is a story of family, social, cultural and political upheaval and conflict when a young man returns to the village after completing his education and trying to use his knowledge to uplift the societal norms and values. The book not only tells the story of that era but also the various evil practices and customs that exists till date. It also provides information on the ideological battle between the 'Puranavadi' and 'Vedavadi' schools of Hindu philosophy and its social impact.[5]
Reception
The book won the Sajha Puraskar in 2007. The award is presented to best book published within Sajha Publication.
