Sahitya Akademi delegation pays heartfelt tribute to Late Sanu Lama

GANGTOK, : In a solemn ceremony marked by respect and literary reverence, a high-level delegation from SahityaAkademi, India’s National Academy of Letters, visited Gangtok on Monday to pay tribute to the late eminent Nepali litterateurPadmashreeSanu Lama.

The tribute was offered at his residence in Gangtok, where family members, admirers, and members of the literary community gathered to remember the celebrated author, a press release informs.

The delegation was led by K. ShreenewasRao, secretary of the SahityaAkademi, and included ShankerDeoDhakal, convenor of the Nepali Advisory Board of the Akademi, and Dr.Devendra Kumar Devesh, deputy secretary of the Akademi. The team extended condolences to the bereaved family and shared warm recollections of the life and works of Sanu Lama, who passed away on July 12, the release mentions.

Sanu Lama, born in 1941, was widely regarded as one of the tallest literary figures in contemporary Nepali literature. His works, rich in human emotion and cultural ethos, have profoundly influenced generations of readers and writers not only in Sikkim and the Eastern Himalayan region but across the Nepali-speaking world. His contribution to fiction, essays, and translations remains monumental.

Speaking on the occasion, K. ShreenewasRao reflected on Shri Lama’s enduring legacy: “Sanu Lama was a literary pillar whose contributions enriched Indian literature immensely. His voice resonated far beyond regional boundaries. Today, we are here not just as representatives of SahityaAkademi, but as fellow writers and readers who were moved by his words.”

Convenor ShankerDeoDhakal added: “Sanu Lama was not just a writer; he was an institution in himself. His life was a living example of commitment to language, culture, and identity. The entire Nepali literary fraternity mourns his loss deeply.”

The SahityaAkademi delegation also conveyed that Lama’s legacy will continue to be celebrated through future publications, discussions, and possible archival efforts. His works, which mirror the socio-cultural landscape of Sikkim and the broader Gorkha identity, have been recognized nationally, including by the SahityaAkademi itself, which awarded him its prestigious award in the past, the release mentions.

The visit by SahityaAkademi’s delegation signifies not only national recognition of Sanu Lama’s towering contributions but also a renewed commitment to nurturing and preserving the literary traditions he held so dear, the release mentions.