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Dr. Parasmani Pradhan

Introduction Dr. Parasmani Pradhan (1 January, 1898- 2 November 1986) is a gigantic figure in the realm of Indian Nepali language and literature. He is known for his massive contribution in the establishment and recognition of Nepali language in India. He is an essayist, a grammarian, a lexicographer, linguist, poet, playwright, a translator, an editor and an educationist. He is also a keen social reformer and directed all his efforts for progressive changes in the society. His forte lies in prose and is best known for his work Tipan Tapan. Parasmani is known for his simple and understandable form of Nepali, which he thought was essential for the progress of the Nepali language and literature. He detested the obscure form of sanskritized Nepali which was much used during his time. He thought that Nepali language needed to set a standard grammar system for the development of Nepali language and literature, and he worked for his convictions throughout his life. We can attribute much of the progress of the present-day Nepali language system to his relentless efforts and selfless devotion towards the progress of the language. His given name was “Prasman” with which his father lovingly called him; however, he was not satisfied with the name since it had no meaning. ‘Mani’ was his family name; therefore, he changed his name to ‘Parasmani’ which means ‘touchstone’. His changed his name during his Matriculation Examination with the permission of the head master. An alumnus of the Darjeeling Govt. High School, Sri Indra Sundas, a retired magistrate and the winner of the Sahitya Akademi Awards, describes Dr.Parasmani Pradhan in the words: “In 1932 Sri Parasmani Pradhan was our class teacher. Tall, fair, with a befitting black moustache and heavy lensed glasses which he always wore. His dress, too, was always immaculate. A navy-blue double-breasted coat when he wore a warm Nepali national dress and a single-breasted coat when he wore a dress of lighter material, with suitable shoes and a Nepali cap. He would always have three or four fountain pens lined up in a row in his top coat pocket… He taught well and was never angry, never used harsh language and the cane he never touched. He was healthy and active and never was he absent during our days. He used to take part in all the school activities. He never smoked or drank and even till his death he had no such vice that I know of.”

Contents

1. Life

1.2 Early life and education

1.3 Marriage and Death

1.4 Career 2. Contributions

2.2 Struggle for Nepali as a medium of teaching in Darjeeling District

2.3 As an educationist

2.4 Sahitya Akademi

3. Su-Dha-Pa

4. Reception

5. Other endeavors

5.2 Mani Printing House

5.3 Cottage industries

6. Awards and honors granted

7. Literary works

8. Bibliography

Life

Early Life and Education

Dr. Parasmani Pradhan was born as the second eldest son to Bhagyamani Bhikshacharya and Laxmimaya, in Kalimpong, on the 1st of January, 1898. His father Bhagyamani the son of Chintamani, was a venerable man who had carried his love for Nepali literature all the way from his ancestral home in Patan, Nepal. His backpack held a copy of the recently published Bhanubhakta’s Ramayana and other Nepali books on his way to Benaras, India, in 1892. As he entered the Darjeeling District, he advertised and spread awareness of the written form of the Nepali language. The family lived near the crossroads of Kalimpong, where Bhagyamani is said to have sat down outside his house reciting the Ramayana in a melodious voice, with his copy of Ramayana and other Nepali books spread for sale beside him. The family had to later shift to the village of Sindibong three miles east from the heart of Kalimpong, when Bhagyamani’s house was selected as the ideal location to erect the statue of Queen Victoria after her death; Parasmani was four years of age then. It was undoubtedly Bhagyamani’s love for Nepali language and literature that was passed on to and was fostered in the young Parasmani Pradhan, who was called “Prasman” by his father then. As a child Parasmani’s life had been filled with the words and stories from the Ramayana and the Bhaktamala, and he had already memorized the Bhaktamala by heart. His father admitted him to the Pudung Primary School, under the Church of Scottish Mission, which was two miles away from his home. He later transferred to the Waugh Primary School, in Eleventh mile. He completed his primary education in Waugh Primary School and joined the Upper Primary School of the same Mission. There an incident took place when Parasmani could not memorize a certain text for his history lesson, his teacher pulled his ear so hard that the gold earring tore through the ear lobe and he was sent home with a bleeding ear. When his mother saw her son’s bleeding ear and heard about the events that occurred in school, furious with the teacher’s actions she told Parasmani to stay at home and study with his father while taking care of his younger brother and the animals they owned. However, due to his profound desire for knowledge Parasmani soon started urging his father to allow him to go to school. When his mother finally consented, Parasmani joined the night school of his uncle Sri. Harkadhoj Pradhan, and later shifted to the day school that his uncle started. Things changed when his younger cousin passed the Middle School Examination in Kalimpong and was given a government funded scholarship to do his further studies in Darjeeling, since there were no High Schools in Kalimpong at that time. Parasmani was given the role of accompanying his cousin to Darjeeling as the cook and caretaker of his brother. They went to Darjeeling together with a pandit who was appointed for a job as a teacher in the Darjeeling Government High School. When school started in Darjeeling his cousin would not attend the classes without him, the teacher told Parasmani to get admitted along with his cousin. Parasmani was overjoyed, he sat for the examination and was admitted to the 7th standard of the Government High School of Darjeeling. Parasmani writes about the incident in his autobiography and says: “भाग्यले दिए परी परी आउँछ भनेको साँचो रहेछ।“ (It is true that when fortune gives she gives in various ways. )

Literary Works During His School Days His desire for Nepali language continued and during his school days he used to subscribe to and read Nepali magazines like the Chandra and the Gorkhali which were published from Benaras. He also submitted his writings to be published in the magazines and two of his essays entitled ‘Adhyawasaya’ (Perseverance) and ‘Bidhya’ (Knowledge) were published in Chandra, in 1915, when he was just 17 years of age. In the years 1915-16 he contributed many more essays and articles to the magazines, which includes the ‘Gorkha Bhasa Prachar’ which was published in Gorkhali, in 1916. Parasmani also translated Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s novel Yugalanguriya, which was printed in the serial form in the Gorkhali magazine, with the title Hiranyamaye Charitra, in 1916. He also took part in “Samasya Purti” competitions (a word or a phrase was given to construct a poem with the given word or phrase in it while keeping in mind the meter and rhythm of the poem). These competitions were participated by famous poets from Nepal like Pundit Lekhnath Paudyal, Sambhu Prasad, Thirthaprasad and others. Parasmani Pradhan was the only one from Darjeeling without a proper background of Nepali literature studies. Parasmani’s first submission of “Samasya Purti” was rejected with critical remarks by the editor of the Gorkhali. However, Parasmani was not disheartened, and he enquired about his mistakes with the editor who advised him to study Shrutabodh and Chhandomanjari in order to learn how to write poetry. His second Samasya Purti was accepted and published in the Gorkhali entitled ‘Ramko-nam’: “हरेक गोर्खाली तिमी नोदमा छौ, अरू जातिभन्दा पछाड़ी तिमी छौ। भयो, नीद आलस्य सबै त्यागिदिई, बिहानै बेलुका रामको नाम लेऊ।।“ (Look Gorkhalese you are still in sleep, Other communities have left you far behind; Enough, Now abandon laziness and sleep, And take the name of Rama morn and eve.” )

Career

In Kurseong after the postponement of the Matriculation Examination of 1917, Parasmani Pradhan accepted his first job as a teacher in the primary school in Dowhill, Kurseong and received a monthly salary of seven rupees eight annas. He was made the Honorary Assistant Secretary of the Gorkha Library in 1917, which was used mainly as a literary club where discussions about education, the upliftment of Nepali language and community and social service programmes were held. He also started a club with some of his friends in Kurseong called The Himalayan Amateur Dramatic Association generally called Gorkha Amateur Club, where he served as the secretary of the club which aimed to spread pure and standardized form of Nepali language through theatre. Many popular ancient Indian stories like “Sundar Kumar”, “Sawitri Satyawan” and “Harishchandra”, were written and dramatized by Parasmani during the years 1917-1919. After his return to Kurseong he stopped performing in theatres but continued to write plays for it. By this time, he was also working in the Hari Printing Press alongside his teaching job in Dowhill. He was also given the managerial post by the Press Board when the manager did not return from leave. Therefore, from September 1917, he practically single-handedly ran the press. He was the writer, editor, compositor, printer, binder and publisher of the Hari Printing Press then. He lived, slept and ate in a small corner of the press room. Much of his knowledge about the workings and advantages of the press was gained during his years of work in the Hari Printing Press. He proposed to the Press Board about starting a literary Nepali magazine which was accepted. He later left his teaching job in Dowhill, and was fully involved with the press. He requested articles and poems from writers and poets to published it in the magazine, due to his efforts the first issue of the Chandrika was published in January, 1918, which was the first literary Nepali magazine from the district of Darjeeling. The Chandrika closed down after about twenty monthly issues due to financial reasons and seven months later the Hari Printing Press was sold in March, 1920. Parasmani Pradhan who had already passed the Matriculation Examination by then was offered a job as a Nepali teacher by Dr. Sutherland the Principal of the Scottish Universities Mission Institution (S.U.M.I.), Kalimpong. He joined the teaching staff of S.U.M.I. on 16th February 1919, as the first ever teacher to teach Nepali language at the Metriculation standard in the Darjeeling district. As a teacher in S.U.M.I. he also continued editing the Chandrika. Parasmani was asked to accompany Mr.W.W.Hornel, the Director of Public Instruction of the Government of West Bengal, on his visit to Kalimpong. Mr. Hornel was so impressed by Parasmani and his deep knowledge about the region that he proposed Parasmani to be made the Sub-Inspector of the Schools of Darjeeling Hills, which Parasmani accepted and was the first Nepali to be appointed on 16th February,1921. Later during his career as the Sub-Inspector of Schools, due to his differences with his immediate superior Sri. Priyanath Hore, Parasmani was transferred to serve as a teacher at Mainaguri. He was later transferred to Jalpaiguri, on the account of his ill health and finally to the Darjeeling Government High School, where he served from 1931 to 1953. As a teacher in the Darjeeling Government High School, he continued to nurture the love of Nepali literature and language in the students and suggested the publishing of a school magazine to help the students further develop their literary abilities. Hence, the Darjeeling Government High School Magazine was started in 1931, for which Parasmani served as the Secretary for 11 years. He was also the Secretary of the School Common Room Committee, the Magazine Committee and Poor Fund Committee, until his retirement in 1953. He was also the secretary of the Himalayan and the Children Amusement Association of Darjeeling, and wrote nine plays to be staged for the public. Though most of the plays written by him were translations, it was infused with his imagination to make the play more appealing to the Nepali public. One of his well-known play Buddha Charitra Natak published in 1925, is a moralistic story of Buddha’s life. In the preface of the play Sri Surya Bikram Gewali writes: “साहित्यको सेवा भने पछि वाहाँलाई अरू थोक केही चाहिंदैन। समय, धन, परिश्रम, शारीरिक सुखको केही फिक्री छैन। वाहाँको एक मात्र उद्देश्य नेपाली भाषाको सेवा छ। यसतो अत्युत्कट मातृभाषा प्रेम वास्तवमा अत्यन्त आदरणीय र स्तुत्य छ। श्रीयुत पारसमणि प्रधानबाट अझ मातृभाषाको धेरै सेवा हुने छ तर वाहाँले यै अल्प समयमा नै यस जिल्लामा मातृभाषाको प्रचार र उन्नति सम्बन्धी जो कार्य्य गर्नु भएको छ तेत्तीले मात्र पनी नेपाली भाषाको विकाशका इतिहासमा वाहाँको नामले सन्मानित स्थान प्राप्त गर्नेछ।“ (“When the question of service to the Nepali language and literature arises, he [Parasmani] thinks of nothing else. Time, wealth, labour, physical comforts do not bother him. His only aim is service to the Nepali language. This sort of love and devotion for the mother-tongue is worthy of respect. Sri Parasmani Pradhan will do much more for the mother-tongue; but even what he has done within this short period of time in the district will earn him a place in the history of the development of the Nepali language”. )

[Sri Parasmani Pradhan with the students of the 7th standard in Darjeeling Government High School in 1932] Parasmani dedicated his entire life in the active service for the establishment of Nepali language and literature and the development of the education system in the Darjeeling district until his death. Marriage and Death He was married twice during his lifetime; the first time was during his return home for Dusshera in 1916 as a young man of 19 years of age. His parents had already arranged his marriage, the bride was much older than him and he had not seen her until he was married in November. After the marriage he immediately returned to Darjeeling to prepare and sit for his Metriculation Examination that was to be held in March, 1917. His wife left home after waiting for him for a month and she was later remarried. Parasmani writes much later: “It was really a marriage of compulsion and so was unsuccessful.” The Matriculation Examination was postponed after two days of its commencement due to a leakage of the question paper in Calcutta after which Parasmani Pradhan went to Kurseong with his hostel friends. While in Kurseong, due to his association with the theatre and drama clubs he was called back to Kalimpong by his father, since theatre was still frowned upon then. Bhagyamani had watched theatre acts before and he detested it. Parasmani’s marriage had already been discussed and he was married for the second time with Kumari Jasmaya the daughter of Gopal Singh Pradhan, who was the father-in-law of Parasmani’s eldest sister.

Jasmaya was very supportive of Parasmani’s endeavors and she understood his concerns. It was Jasmaya’s encouragement, support and a promise to take care of the children herself that emboldened Parasmani to start his arduous struggle as an educationist. Jasmaya, died in 1963 at the age of 63 suddenly due to a heart attack. She did not live to see the honours and awards given to her husband by India and Nepal for his lifelong service and contribution to the progress of Nepali language and literature. Parasmani was a father of twelve children (seven sons and five daughters); he was a strict parent, who commanded respect and discipline from his children and was a doting grandfather who spent more time playing with his grandchildren than he ever did with his own. He pushed his children towards greater heights with his strict, sometimes harsh but necessary reprimands. He was very particular about the importance of time and effort, and these values were inculcated in his children through a very disciplined life. He also inspired in them a sense of humility and a deep respect for labor. Indramani Pradhan recalls some of the life lessons that were taught to him by his father Parasmani Pradhan, in his book Makers of Indian Literature: Parasmani Pradhan. In the book Indramani writes recalling his childhood with his father Parasmani, who appears not just as their father figure but also as a strict teacher who taught them many life lessons, and who was respected not just by his children but others who knew him during his lifetime. Towards the last days of his life Parasmani was healthy, except for his gout problems and occasional coughs. Some days he seemed to be mentally burdened which his children, especially Nagendramani Pradhan tried to unburden his strained thoughts by talking to him about his past and his works. It was on a Sunday evening, when his daughter Bada went to his room to attend to his coughing, he was having problems breathing. Since it was a Sunday, the doctors were unavailable. His sons personally went to get the doctor, when they arrived the doctor pronounced his death at about 8pm, at the age of 88, on the 2nd of November, 1986. His body was taken to Kalimpong, and a huge procession of people who had come from far and near to offer their respects followed his body to Teesta, where his last rites were done on the 4th of February, 1986. An extract of his obituary published in the “Sumite” Centenary Souvenir describes him, remembering him for his works and relentless efforts to the service of the community in the words: “He heralded the dawn of a new social awareness amongst his people by writing innumerable books for schools, colleges and research scholars and his stupendous task in the field remains unexcelled. A legend in his own lifetime, he was the embodiment of the well known maxim “Work is Worship” …A “karmayogi” to the tips of his fingers, life to him was synonymous with duty – the philosophy which he relentlessly preached and practiced with the resolute determination, literally till the very last hour of his life.”

Contributions

Struggle for Nepali as a medium of teaching in Darjeeling district

Hindi was the main teaching medium used in all the schools of the Darjeeling district. This was a concern that frustrated Parasmani since his primary school days, especially since most of the students and teachers spoke Nepali as their mother-tongue. His ardent love for Nepali literature and lack of opportunity to study Nepali in Darjeeling led to his discontentment with the teaching medium. Till 1917 Nepali was not even taught as a vernacular in any of the schools. The Nepali students had to give their examinations either in Hindi or one of the three languages- Bengali, Urdu and Tibetan. Even in the Darjeeling High School, the Annual School functions when one-act plays, songs, poems and dances were held, were all done in English, Bengali, Urdu and Tibetan. Until 1916, nothing was done in Nepali and it remained a neglected language. It was only when the Nepali students led by Parasmani Pradhan appealed to the headmaster for permission to perform something in Nepali. Permission was granted and the poem “Bir Patniko Sahas” (Courage of a Brave Wife) was performed by Parasmani Pradhan dressed as a woman with a khukuri strapped to his waist. This incident was the first Nepali act to be performed in Darjeeling Govt. High School. Parasmani Pradhan was passionate and inspirational in his desire to establish Nepali language in the schools that he was able to bring the Nepali youths together to fight for the acceptance of Nepali language as a medium of instruction in the schools of the Darjeeling district. The second instance was the establishment of the Ghorkha Sahitya Samaj. Darjeeling Government High School had a student run library called the Hindi Sahitya Samaj and Parasmani Pradhan was the Secretary of the library. The literary materials like books and periodicals in the library were all in Hindi, Parasmani felt that there was a need for Nepali books and periodicals in the library for the Nepali students. His suggestion of buying some Nepali books for the library in one of the committee meetings was rejected by its members. After this he withdrew his name from the Hindi Sahitya Samaj and started a library and an association called Gorkha Sahitya Samaj, which was formed with the collection of donations of Nepali books, periodicals and book cases given by well-wishers for the library. This was how the Nepali library of the Darjeeling Government High School established.

The third incident was the most prominent one, and is also know the Carmichael Hostel Scandal. When the Vice-Chancellor of the Calcutta University visited the Darjeeling Government High School, Parasmani was one of the Nepali students who had drafted a memorandum which was signed by six or seven of the students. This memorandum was handed directly to the Vice-Chancellor as he came down the road with the headmaster and other personalities. It contained an appeal to be allowed to study and give their examinations in Nepali like the Hindi, Bengali and Tibetan students. A Bengali lawyer who was with the Vice-Chancellor passed some derogatory comments and insultingly remarked, “Is Nepali even a language?” . The matter was not discussed by the Vice-Chancellor any further. This caused a wave of anger and dejection among the Nepali students. When later in the evening the Vice-Chancellor visited the Carmichael Hostel, the Bengali lawyer was also accompanying him. The young school boys had still not forgotten the earlier insult and one of them pretended to walk past the Bengali lawyer and shoved him with his shoulder. The Bengali lawyer found himself sprawled on the floor, confounded he declared that he would have them arrested. Luckily the Hostel Superintendent who was also a Bengali appealed with the Vice-Chancellor and the lawyer for the students. This incident was published in the Gorkhali newspaper, it became a huge scandal and a topic for discussion. This incident was followed by letters which were written to the Vice-Chancellor of the Calcutta University and the Education Department of Bengal for the inclusion of Nepali language in the school of the Darjeeling District. This can be said to be one of the events that later led to the 24th July, 1918, notification which was issued in the Calcutta Gazette announcing the sanctioning of Nepali as a language for composition at the Matriculation, Intermediate and the B.A. Examinations of the Calcutta University, by the authority of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calcutta. Parasmani Pradhan’s fight for the recognition of Nepali language continued as a life long struggle through his writings and through the columns of the Chandrika. As an educationist Parasmani was of the strong opinion that education was the only way to bring progress in a society. His ideas about education went over and beyond the walls of the classrooms, education for him was more than just academic knowledge and it encompassed the development of the individual as a whole. His noble belief in the notion that the progress of the individual would lead to the progress of the community and therefore to the nation, is what pushed him in his relentless efforts to render his services as an educationist in the realm of Nepali language and literature.

The Department of Education had invited Nepali text books written for different subjects to be used in the Primary Schools for evaluation. However, nobody had attempted to write the books, and most of the schools were still being taught in Hindi. The First Primer in Nepali which was being used then was written by Mr. Henderson, under the patronage of the Education of the Eastern Himalayan Mission Literature Committee, however this needed a lot of correction. Parasmani pointed out the mistakes and wrote a Nepali Primer Pahilo Kitab (1921). The manuscript was rejected by the Mission due to the lack of Bible stories in the Primer, Parasmani later included a few Biblical stories and the Mission accepted it and it was printed by Longmans’ Company. After this Parasmani was accused by some of his friends for being a Hindu and shamelessly gratifying the wishes of the Christians. He wrote a second Primer called Nepali Sau Akshar, and submitted the manuscript to the Macmillan Company. The Macmillan Company returned the manuscript regretting their inability to print it, since such books in Nepali would not have a good sale.

It was after Parasmani’s memorable journey around Darjeeling and Sikkim with the manager of Macmillan Company, Mr. Parkhurst, who promised to send word to the Head Office of Macmillan Company in London, that a letter arrived from London with the news that Macmillan Company would print the Nepali textbooks. However, even with this success no writer came forward to write the textbooks. Feeling defeated he returned to Kalimpong to meet his family, it was then with the encouragement and inspiration from his wife Jasmaya that he started writing the books himself. He dedicated himself to the task of writing textbooks of geography, history, arithmetic, essays, stories and poems for various classes. All the books were printed by the Macmillan Company. A Textbook Committee was set up by the Government to examine the Nepali textbooks, and textbooks were approved with a few corrections. The Committee also recommended Nepali to be used as a medium of instruction in the Primary Schools, and the children be allowed to give their Primary School Scholarship Examination in Nepali if they wanted to. The books written by Parasmani for the Primary Schools were used not only in the district of Darjeeling but also in Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Sikkim, Dehradun, Bhakshu, Dharamsala and Benaras in India and Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, Malaysia and Hongkong outside India. One of the greatest contribution of Dr Parasmani Pradhan is his self-published Nepali Vyakran (Nepali Grammar), which was based on the Chandrika Gorkha Bhasa Vyakran of Gururaj Hemraj Pundit of Katmandu and some English grammar books. It was printed at Hari Printing Press in 1920. The Nepali Vyakran was approved by the Director of the Public Instructions, Bengal, and permission was granted for its use in the schools as a textbook. The book was later revised by Parasmani himself to accommodate the growth and development of the Nepali language. The third edition of his Nepali Vyakaran was also published in1938, stressing the need for a standard form of grammar in Nepali language and literature. It was only in 1939, after a long struggle against many obstacles that Nepali was recognized as the medium of instruction in the Middle School level in the Darjeeling district. Parasmani again single-handedly wrote books for the Middle School level, the subjects included Nepali language and literature, Arithmetic, Geography, History, Science, Hygiene, Hastalekh etc. Books were also translated from Bengali by him for the middle school standards. The struggle for Nepali to be recognized as the medium of teaching in the High School started soon after 1939. In the latter half of 1940, Parasmani Pradhan and Sri Damber Singh Gurung met the members of the Calcutta University Syndicate for the second time. The trunk full of Nepali books that was taken then to be shown to the Registrar were mostly rejected because they were not written by Indian Nepalese, and the Syndicate wanted a good Nepali Dictionary and a literary magazine in Nepali. It was in 1947, with the independence of India and the establishment of a democratic government that Nepali was decided to be introduced to the schools as a medium of education whenever possible. Which was followed by meetings and letters sent to the Calcutta University Syndicate with requests to allow Nepali language to become a medium of instruction in the High Schools as well. The requests remained unanswered, and it was only with the issue of the Government circular by the Commissioner, Presidency Division on the 2nd of July ,1949, which stated that, “…the Government of West Bengal have decided that in the Predominantly Nepali speaking areas in the district of Darjeeling, the medium of instruction in all Primary, Middle and High Schools will be Nepali…”.

The Dictionary was only completed in 1947, compiled by Parasmani and his son Nagendra Mani Pradhan, and was published by Sanyal and Company of Calcutta, in 1948. Later a literary magazine was started from the Darjeeling Mani Printing Press which was established in December, 1947 by Parasmani and his sons. The first issue of the monthly magazine Bharati was published in June, 1949, edited by Parasmani and published by his son Nagendra Mani. In 1950, Parasmani went back to meet the Calcutta University Syndicate, taking along with him the 12 published volumes of the Bharati, the English-Nepali Dictionary and other literary books written by Indian Nepalese. Following this incident, on the 20th of April, 1953, the Calcutta University Syndicate circulated a notice through the Calcutta Gazette, stating that the School Matricualtion Examination under the Calcutta University, could also be written in Nepali language. It was only after the West Bengal Official Language Bill of 1961, that Nepali was officially recognized as the medium of teaching in High School, and gradually for higher studies and research. The implementation of Nepali Language in the Administrative sectors was also aided by Parasmani through the second edition of his Nepali Dictionary, where Parasmani had added an appendix of technical terminologies of Nepali words that would be used in Government Administration, when the Dictionary was in the press to be published.

Sahitya Akademi

Parasmani has also contributed much in the recognition of Indian Nepali language as one of the major Indian languages by the Government of India and its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. For this to be achieved the language had to be approved first by the Sahitya Academy. Parasmani wrote books about Nepali language and literature raising awareness about his concerns, like: A Short History of Nepali Language and Literature; Nepali Bhasha ra Sahitya ko Vivan; Nepali Bhashako Utpati ra Bikas (second edition); Atau Anusuchi ma Nepali Bhasha; Composition of the Nepali Language in India. Parasmani was nominated by the Sahitya Akademi to represent the Nepali language in a meeting where an expert committee of the Sahitya Akademi met in Bombay to judge a few of the Indian languages- Bhojpuri, Konkani, Khasi, and Nepali on the 20th of December, 1973. The intention of seeking recognition of Nepali was questioned and was accused to have political roots however Parasmani firmly said that it was solely for the development of the Nepali literature and language and claimed that those suspicions were unfounded. The Akademi recognized Nepali as one of the major languages of India. However, it was only in 1992 that Nepali was recognized by the Eighth Schedule and was added to the list with other languages in 2004. Parasmani Pradhan became a member of the General Council of the Sahitya Akademi and the first Convenor of the Advisory Board for the Nepali language. He was also selected by the Executive Board of the Sahitya Akademi as one of the twenty representatives of the Indian Universities from 1978 till his death in 1986.

Su-Dha-Pa

“Su-Dha-Pa” is a popular term in the Nepali literary world and is an abbreviation containing the first syllable of the names Sri Surya Bikram Gewali, Sri Dharnidhar Sharma and Dr Parasmani Pradhan (Surya Bikram-Dharnidhar-Parasmani). Su-Dha-Pa are known for their significant contribution to the Nepali literary world. Parasmani was good friends with both Surya Bikram Gewali and Dharnidhar Sharma who had joined the Darjeeling Govt. High School as teachers in 1919 and 1923 respectively. Together they used to have long discussions about the development and growth of Nepali language and literature and wanted to form a forum to express their views. They also had discussions about the need for a standard form of Nepali grammar to which Sri Surya Bikram Gewali opposed and said that people should be free to write in the way they want. Also, with their combined efforts, the Nepali Sahitya Sammelan was established after a meeting was that was held which was attended by many literary figures and lovers of literature, in the Hindu Public Hall on 25th May, 1924. Parasmani composed his well-known poem Matribhasa for his opening speech, calling upon the Indian Nepali community to “turn their attention seriously to the acquisition of knowledge” for the progress of the community itself. Parasmani Pradhan was made the first Secretary of the Sammelan, and he held his post for a tenure of seven years. The Nepali Sahitya Sammelan is responsible for printing and publishing many books and the Sammelan had life members among whom were some eminent men like Dr. J. A. Graham, founder of the Dr. Graham’s Homes at Kalimpong, Brigadier General Bruce and Professor Ralph L. Turner, a great scholar of the Nepali language and author of A Comparative and Etimological Dictionary of the Nepali Language.

Reception

Parasmani Pradhan’s efforts towards the establishment of Nepali as a major vernacular and as a medium of instruction in the schools of the Darjeeling district was not supported by eveyone. “He had to fight against the malicious attacks of Dr. George Ogg, the Principal of S.U.M.I. Kalimpong and Sri Priyanath Hore who practically instigated other communities of the district, the Bengalees, Biharis, Tibetans and Lepchas against his brain-child [his endeavor towards the progress of Nepali language].” His qualifications as a writer for the school textbooks was questioned. Some Nepali indigenous communities were also reluctant in accepting Nepali as the vernacular, in the fear of having the progress of their own languages hindered.

Other Endeavors Mani Printing House The Mani Printing Press (later called Mani Printing House) was established by Parasmani Pradhan and his sons, in Darjeeling, in December, 1947. Even with the existing financial problems, the press was started on a small scale with a loan, in Shyam Cottage, Darjeeling. It was situated in half a mile from the main motorable road, towards the lower part of the valley. Therefore, there were transportation problems, the printing machines and press materials had to be carried by porters or pushed on wooden beams down the narrow steep path. Even with the difficulties the press persisted and the first issue of Bharati was published in June, 1949. In the next 30 years the press printed and published over more than 800 books and magazines in standardized form of Nepali. The Mani Printing House in Darjeeling is still in operation and is run by the third generation of the Mani family. The House today exists in an easily approachable location and is modernized with the addition of a D.T.P. computer unit and offset machine. Two other printing presses were also later established, the Mani Printing Works in Kalimpong and the Mani Printing Service in Siliguri under Indramani Pradhan. These three presses continue on Parasmani Pradhan’s mission of spreading the standardized form of Nepali language, and at the same time also publishing books and articles of other indigenous languages of the Darjeeling district. Parasmani also helped in the development of the modern Lepcha type script and in the development of the Jonkha script. Many Lepcha script books, Jonkha script books and Tibetan books were also printed from Mani Printing works in Kalimpong. Bharati

[Cover page of the 3rd issue of Bharati] [Sri Nagendramani Pradhan; publisher of the Bharati]

The Bharati was a Nepali literary magazine which was edited by Parasmani Pradhan and published by his son Sri Nagendramani Pradhan. Sri Rup Narayan Sinha was the chief editor and he wrote 22 thought provoking editorials for the magazine. The publication of Bharati was aimed to help improve and bring progress in the literary realm of Nepali literature by publishing stories, poems, essays and other articles in grammatically correct and simple Nepali for the reading of the public. Parasmani wanted the magazine to inspire the Nepali community and induce personal development, he wanted the magazine to become a vehicle of learning. Also, the Bharati was named after the nation since Parasmani himself had deeply patriotic ideals about a united India, and this was expressed through the magazine in many ways. The cover of the magazine had the map of India with a coiled rope around it that read Bharati(in nepali). Many of the articles published were also focused on instilling nationalistic fervor onto the readers. The opening lines of the Bharati further expresses his love and devotion for “Bharat”:

[A page from the 3rd issue of the Bharati with the following words] “We are Indian Nepalese. Let us follow Bharat. Let us worship her and die as her loyal devotees”.

Gradually the contributions for the magazine from the writers of India and Nepal grew, they eagerly sent their literary writings to be printed in the Bharati.  Parasmani, to encourage the writers, added an incentive of having their photograph printed free of charge alongside their articles. Parasmani would often write to the authors or invite them to Shyam Cottage to discuss about their works and about the errors in their writings, and gave guidance accordingly. He had long discussions about Nepali language and literature and its development with them. According to Sri L. Kanta, Parasmani , through the medium of Bharati, was able to cultivate and bring out the best in Nepali writers and poets like M. M. Gurung, G. Tshering, Bhaichand Pradhan, Tulsi Bhadur Chettri, Kazimon Kondongwa, Birendra Subba, Pasang Goparma, Sanumati Rai, Deokumari Sinha, Hari Prasad ‘Gorkha’ Rai, Parsuram Roka, Agam Singh Giri, Harkajung Singh Chettri and others. Sri L. Kanta goes on to say that this period of Bharati could justly be called the “Age of Parasmani”, and this age holds an important place in the history of Nepali literature. The 108 published issues of the Bharati was an encouraging platform for all Nepali writers, it was able to strengthen the relationship between Nepali writers and Indian Nepali writers. The publishing of Bharati stopped after the 108th issue of the magazine due to various problems, mostly financial since the magazine was running at a loss. Since this was not a business venture with a low subscription rate of only Rs. 6 annually. Although Bharati had subscribers from India, Nepal, Hongkong and Malaya, and a total print of 1000 copies were printed every month; twenty percent of the prints were complimentary for free distribution to those who could not afford to buy the magazine, and the other twenty percent or so remained unsold. The number 108 always held significance to Parasmani and he also writes about it in the Preface to Japmala, (a poetry collection of 108 poems written by Parasmani) where he writes of the number 108 as an auspicious number that brings us closer to the creator, Brahma and to salvation.  Even today, Bharati still remains as one of the greatest literary magazines of Nepali language.

Cottage Industries His efforts towards the upliftment of the community did not end with his contributions towards the development of Nepali language and literature. He understood that solely the progress of language and literature would not be able to bring significant change in the upliftment of the community. He knew that both good finance and effort was necessary for any progress to take place. Therefore, inspired from cottage industries of Japan, (where the family members form the nucleus of these small but effective industries) he preached the necessity for experiments and endeavors towards new enterprises for self-sufficiency. He did agricultural experiments in his farm in Kalimpong. The Mani Printing Presses in Darjeeling offered Parasmani the chance to put into practice his ideas about the workings of the cottage industry. The printing presses in Darjeeling and Kalimpong were run by him and his children and is presently being run by his grandchildren efficiently. He experimented with many projects in a search for an income system that would be lucrative for the people of the hills, if the projects were successful, he would write about the experiments and encourage others to take on these projects as well. Some of the projects taken by the family in the field of agriculture were: vegetable gardening, growing mushroom, seed production, cultivation of wheat (which was a new winter crop for Kalimpong), agriculture with better yielding variety of seeds and more scientific methods and use of modern machinery for rice husking and crushing oil seeds. Experiments with the making food articles included making noodle, fruit juice, jam, tomato sauce, atta chakhi and dairy. Projects in animal rearing included rabbits, goats, beekeeping, poultry, pisciculture and sericulture. He also experimented with piggery, though it was and still is a taboo for Newars to rear or eat pigs. Parasmani did not care about the social inhibitions and caste systems that brought about estrangement within the Nepali community. Other projects included making dolls, handmade paper, cement flower pots and hollow blocks for low-cost housing, knitting centre, bamboo work, printing press and book binding, printing and publishing, type casting and the building of gobar gas plants, which successfully provided electricity to the house. An article called “The Pradhans of Kalimpong” was published from Delhi in a paper Yojna, in August, 1967, about the enterprising house of Parasmani Pradhan and describes it in the words: “The five storied house was a veritable beehive of human activity.” Parasmani wanted to inspire people to start independent enterprises to become self-reliant which he thought was important to bring about social progress.

Awards and Honors granted He was honoured with the much-coveted prestigious award of the “Tribhuwan Puruskar” by the Royal Nepal Academy, Katmandu in 1968. In 1969, he was awarded with the “Madan Puruskar” for his book Tipan Tapan by the Madan Puruskar Guthi, Kathmandu, Nepal. In June 1975, the Degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) was conferred to him by the Tribhuwan University, Kathmandu, Nepal, followed by the Degree of Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) in April, 1981 by the University of North Bengal. In 1983, he was awarded with the “Ratna Shree Subarna Padak” by the Ratna Shree Patrika, Kathmandu, Nepal, for his article “Maile Chineko Samji”. Parasmani devoted most of his life in an uninhibited service to the establishment of Nepali language and literature in the district of Darjeeling, his selfless efforts and his valuable contributions were finally recognized towards the end of his life. He was also honoured and taken on a Sova Yatra along with other eminent personalities along the streets of Kathmandu by the Sahitik Patrakar Sangha of Kathmandu on its eleventh ceremony. Parasmani was honoured with another Sova Yatra along with Sri Tenzing Norgay around the streets of Darjeeling in a grand procession, organized by the Ne-Bho-La Sanskritik Parishad, Darjeeling. A third Sova Yatra was organized to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Nepali Sahitya Sammelan, Darjeeling on the 18th of October, 1974. Parasmani along with his two literary friends Sri Surya Bikram Gewali and Pundit Dharnidhar Sharma, the three who had initiated the foundation of the Nepali Sahitya Sammelan of Darjeeling, in 1924, were taken on a colourful procession in a flower-bedecked vehicle along the main streets of Darjeeling town. The vehicle was preceeded by Nepali musicians and dancers exhibiting cultural tradition and followed by a huge cosmopolitan crowd cheering “SU-DHA-PA may they live forever”.

[Tribhuwan Puraskar awarded to Sri Parasmani Pradhan in, 1968]

[Ratna Shree Subarna Padak, awarded to Sri Parasmani Pradhan by the Ratna Shree Patrika, Kathmandu, for his article “Maile Chineko Samji”, in 1983]
 

[Degree of Doctor of Letter conferred to Dr Parasmani Pradhan by Tribhuwan University in June 1975]

[Madan Puraskar awarded to Sri Parasmani Pradhan, by Madan Puraskar Guthi for his book Tipan Tapan, in 1969. Parasmani Pradhan was also honoured with eulogies from various Associations and Societies like the Nepali Sahitya Sammelan, Darjeeling; Ne-Bho-La Sanskritik Parishad, Darjeeling; Bhanu Sanskritik Samiti, Kurseong, congratulating him on his grand achievements and praising his works. On 7th May, 1928, Parasmani Pradhan was made a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of London (F.R.G.S.), and later on the 28th of February, 1929, a Member of the Royal Asiatic Society of London (M.R.A.S.). He was the first Nepali to be honoured with these titles. Parasamani’s contributions in the field of language and education stands as a colossal monument and a foundation to the growth of the present-day education and the development of Nepali literature. Even after his death Dr. Parasmani Pradhan, lives on through his writings and his contributions and is able to infuse passion in the minds of the younger generations of the Darjeeling Hills.

Literary Works Grammar and Language proficiency:  Nepali Vyakran, 1920.  Sajilo Nepali Vyakran, 1935.  Nepali Vyakran- Bharati, 1955.  Prathmik Nepali Vyakran, 1955.  Praveshika Vyakran ra Rachana, 1955, co-written by Sri. Tikaram Sharma.  Nepali Vyakran (first part), 1974.  Bhasa-Pravesh Nepali Vyakran, 1960.  Nepali Rachana Bharati, 1954.  Madhyamik Nepali Vyakran, 1969.  Madhyamik Nepali Rachana, 1982.  Nepali Hamro Matribhasa, 1953.  Nepali Bhasako Utpati ra Bikas, 1961.  Nepali Bhasa ra Sahityako Vivaran, 1970.  Attou Anusuchi ma Nepali Bhasa, 1972.  Nepali Sahityako Sau-Akshar, 1969.  A Short History of Nepali Language and Literature, 1970.  Nepali chalti Ukhan, 1954.  Nepali Muhawara, 1954.

Literature:  Nepali Pahilo Kitab, 1921.  Nepali Sau Akshar, 1922.  Nepali Sahitya (first part- 1923, second part-1923, third part-1924, fourth part-1925, fifth part-1935, sixth part-1935). Literature (chronologically):  Naya Sau-Akshar, 1931.  Nepali Sajilo Sahitya (Bhag 1-1933, Bhag 2-1933, Bhag 3- 1935, Bhag 4- 1935).  Mero Pahilo Kitab, 1949.  Pahilo Siksha, 1966.  Doshro Siksha, 1967.  Tesro Siksha, 1969.  Chautho Siksha, 1971.  Pachau Siksha. 1971.  Nepali Sahitya Bharati (Bhag 1-1954, Bhag 2-1954).  Nepali Sahitya Parichai (Bhag1-1941, Bhag 2- 1955).  Nepali Sahitya Siksha (Bhag 1-1974).

Short story collection:  Nepali Sahitya Kathamala, 1925.  Nepali Sahitya Katha (Bhag 1-1935, Bhag 2-1935, Bhag 3-1936).  Sadhe Saath Katha, 1974.

Poetry:  Nepali Kavita Paat (Bhag 1- 1957, Bhag 2- 1957).  Kavi ra Kavita, 1957.  Batul Baatul (poetry collection) 1957.  Biru Driver, 1957.  Japmala (108 poems), 1972.

Biography and Monographs:  Afnobare, 1971.  Pach Paurakhi Purush-Ratna, 1969.  108 Amar Jivani (segment 1-1964, segment 2-1964, segment 3-1965).  Samrat Panchma Jarja, 1935.  Samrat Chaitau Jarja, 1937.  Laxmi Prasad Devkota, 1978.  Lekhnath Paudyal, 1979.  Bhanubhakta Acharya, 1979.  Balkrishna Sama, 1980.

Dictionary:  Students’ Standard Dictionary (English-Nepali), co-written by Sri. Nagendra Mani Pradhan, 1948.  Students’ Pocket Dictionary (English -Nepali), co-written by Sri. Nagendra Mani Pradhan, 1951.  The Standard Dictionary (English -Nepali), 1961.  The New Standard Pocket Dictionvary (English-Nepali), co-written by Sri. Nagendra Mani Pradhan, 1969.  The New Standard Dictionary (English-Nepali), co-collected by Sri. Nagendra Mani Pradhan, 1970.  Students’ Pocket Dictionary (Nepali-Nepali-English), co-written by Sri. Nagendra Mani Pradhan, 1971.  Thulo Nepali-Nepali-Angrezi Kosh, 1983.  Sano Nepali Kosh, 1983.  Nepali Paribhashik Shabdakosh, 1982.

Science and Geography:  Nepali Prarthamik Vigyan, 1936.  Prathamik Vigyan ra Bhugol, 1936.  Nepali Prathamik Bhugol (Part 1-1927, Part 2- 1933).  Nepali Bhugol (second part), 1955.

Arithmetic:  Nepali Saral Ganit (Part 1- 1926, Part 2 – 1926, Part 3-1939, Part 4-1948).

Miscellaneous works:  Nepali Gyanmala (Part 1-1938, Part 2- 1960).  Book of Anglo Nepali Composition.  A Primer of Nepali Translation and Composition (Anglo Nepali).  Macmillan’s English Primer (Anglo-Nepali-Tibetan-Lepcha), co-written by T. T. Samdup Passan Targen.  Beginner’s Work Book, co-written by S. Mishra.  Beginner’s Grammar, co-written by S. Mishra.  Beginner’s Translation, co-written by S. Mishra.  Elementary Translation, co-written by S. Mishra.  Junior Translation, co-written by S. Mishra.  Matriculation Translation, co-written by S. Mishra.  A Book of Translation and Composition, co-written by C. C. Nandi.  Tibetan Self-Taught (Part 1 and Part 2).  Tibetan English Teacher, co-written with Phurba Wangdi, 1960.  Tibetan-Hindi-Shikchak, 1960.  Hindi-Bhutia-Shikchak, co-written with Passang Dorje, 1962.  Bal Dharma- Shikcha (Part 1), 1939.  Sarkari Kamkaj Gane Vidhi, 1973.  Nepali Hastalekh (Part 1-1924, Part 2-1924).

Drama:  Sundar Kumar, 1919.  Buddha Charitra, 1925.  Mahabharat, 1925.  Chandra Gupta, 1923.

Essay and Memoir:  Sampadakko Vichar, 1954.  Tipan-Tapan, 1969.

Essay and Memoir (chronologically):  Rochak Sansmaran, 1969.  Kwati, 1972.  Kathe Jhakri, 1974.  Ramailo Samjhan, 1974.  Kathmandau ma Das Din, 1975.  Meri Kathmandau Yatra, 1975.  Ramailo Samjhana Kharsangko, 1978.

Publications Translated, Collected and Edited by Parasmani Pradhan Novels:  Hiranyamaye Charitra , 1916 (Nepali translation of the Bengali novel Yugalanguriya by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee).  Bilayat Yatra, 1919 ( Nepali translation of a Hindi novel Bilayat Yatra by Sri Gajadhar Singh).  Sita Banbas.

Arithmetic:  Praveshika Anganit, 1947.  Praveshika Bijganit, 1943.  Praveshika Rekhaganit, (Part 5), 1943.  Primary Anganit (Part 3), 1942.  The Modern Arithmatic, 1940.  School Jyamiti (Part 1), 1949.  Prayogit ra Vyawaharik Rekhaganit, 1940.

Geography:  Bhugol Pat (Part1-1938, Part 2-1938, Part 3-1956).  Shikcha- Vidhi (rule of education).  Prathmik Shikcha- Vidhi.

Science:  Prakriti Parichai (Part 1-1933, Part 2-1933, Part 3-1951).  Saral Vigyan Sikcha, 1941.

History:  Bharatvarsha ko Itihas (Part 1), 1927.  Naya Itihas, (Part 1-1933, Part 2-1933, Part 4-1941, Part 5-1951).  Saral Itihas (Part1- 1952, Part 2-1953).

History (chronologically):  Prithiviko Itihas, (Part 1-1955, Part 2-1955, Part 3-1955).  Angrezi Jatiko Itihas, 1939.  Bharatko Itihas, 1961.

Religious Texts:  Gita Praveshika, 1950.  Shrimad Bhagvad Gita, 1934.  Shrimad Bhagvad Gita, Part 1- Karmakanda, 1935.  Shrimad Bhagvad Gita, Part 2- Upashnakanda, 1935.  Shrimad Bhagvad Gita, Part 3-Gyankanda, 1935.  Yatriko Pragati, 1956.  Islam Darshan, 1974.

Biography:  Atmakatha or Mero Satyako Prayog, 1961.

Miscellaneous Works:  Bhanubhakta ko Bhaktamala, 1949.  Bhanubhakta ko Bhaktamala Prashnauttari, 1949.  Bhanubhakta ko Bhaktamala Ramayan Sundarkanda, 1950.  Bhanubhakta- Granthawali, (Poet Bhanubhakta’s entire work), 1952.  Jang-Rakti ra Jusha, 1951.  Lokgeet, 1953.

Miscellaneous Works (chronologically):  Katha Bharati (Part 1-1953, Part 2-1954, Part 3-1955, Part 4-1956).  Nepali Bhasha (essay composition), 1954.  Ghichuwa Aago (children’s stories), 1948.  Hussu Kukhura (children’s stories), 1948.  Mayako Chiya, 1948.  Chepagadhi (Children’s stories), 1948.  King Primer (English-Nepali), 1926.  King Reader (English-Nepali), 1927.  Nesfield’s Digllot Grammar (Part 1-1927, Part 2-1927).  Macmillan Primary English Course Reader 1, (Anglo-Nepali-Hindi-Urdu), 1949.  The Lotus Primer (English-Nepali), 1941.  Child’s Word Book (English-Nepali).  Child’s Easy Grammar (English-Nepali), 1938.

Newspaper and Magazines:  Chandrika (1918-1919).  Bharati (1949-1958).  Himalchuli (daily newspaper), 1982.

Bibliography Primary Text:  Pradhan, Indramani, Makers of Indian Literature: Parasmani Pradhan (New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi,1997). Secondary texts:  Pradhan, Nagendramani, Dr. Parasmaniko Jiwanyatra, (Darjeeling: Mani Printing House, 1991).  Chandrika: Satvarshiki Visheshank, ed. Kavita Lama, (Kurseong: Gorkha Jan Pustakalaya, 2020).  Chandrika: Masik Patrika, ed. Parasmani Pradhan, (Kurseong: Hari Printing Press, 1918).  Bharati: Nepali Sachitra Masik Patrika, ed. Rup Narayan Sinha and Parasmani Pradhan, (Darjeeling: Mani Printing Press, 1949).