The Khem-Lal Harikala Lamichhane Foundation has announced that the Padmashree Literary Award 2082 will be awarded to celebrated poet and lyricist Shrawan Mukarung for his novel Salah.
Mukarung’s work was selected from 192 books submitted to the foundation. The evaluation process narrowed the entries down to an extended shortlist of 15 titles before finalizing a top-five list, from which Salah emerged as the recipient.
Themes and Literary Merit
According to the foundation, the novel brings marginalized voices in Nepali society to the forefront. Through symbolic expression, poetic phrasing, vivid nature imagery, and an evocative storytelling technique, Salah explores deeply poignant issues including gender discrimination, violence, displacement, and personal identity.
Additional Honorees Announced
In addition to the literary award, the foundation has chosen veteran author Krishna Dharabasi for the Padmashree Sadhana Samman, recognizing his continuous contributions to Nepali literature over five decades. Additionally, Prof. Dr. Jayaraj Acharya has been selected for the Padmashree Gaurav Award in honor of his distinguished achievements in literature, linguistics, diplomacy, and international relations.
As confirmed by Foundation Chairperson Jeeva Lamichhane, each of the three award categories carries a cash prize of NPR 300,000 along with a formal certificate of honor.
