Foreword
Despite the fact that sincere attempt was made much earlier to bring out the collection of Nepali short stories Satta Grahan (In a literal sense. The Acceptance of Life in Reality), the constraint of time due to one reason or another did not allow me to fulfil my promise. My first collection of stories, entitled Oonmukti (Freedom) was published in 1972 by a well-known publisher in Darjeeling, Jivan Jyoti. I think it is a mockery of time, for it took almost 36 years to bring out these stories for my readers since I started writing around that time. So to speak, my story "Sir Raghulal" in this collection was written by me 42 years ago, and this story, "Satta Grahan" itself could have been included in the first collection, but somehow that was left out mainly because of my carelessness. Now it came to my mind that, to be given the most appropriate title to my present collection, perhaps the story was then left out in such a way. The story is short with recurrence of some interesting event or incident that happened in the past, where we find the involvement of particular characters. The above two elements expose a single aspect among those numerous diversities of life, and make one feel the true essence of life. Primarily due to such aim and purpose of a story, the same characteristic quality may have been defined in its form. I cannot ascertain as to what extent this definition must have been justified in all these stories on practical grounds, because the story is not only a pure recurrence of an event or incident but is also a recreation and perhaps that does not have any defined boundary or limitation. So to speak, some day in future, the creative work will selectively disapprove the traditional practices and try to establish some new values and recognitions. This is a creative essence or a natural feature. Especially, the story in such a case can also be identical to an essay though not in its entirety. There must be a refined element in the story, and the narrative grammar to this effect must be followed. One of such story named "Akatha" (Not a Story) written by me was published in a magazine. But alas! I could not find it in the hour of need; luckily I found it to be already translated into Hindi under the title "Kahani Nahi" by an eminent literary figure Sri Subhash Dipak from Sikkim; and that also has been included in this collection. He had briefly translated my another story "Euta Purano Coat" (An Old Coat) also into Hindi and which had been sent for publication in the 'World Stories' issue of an illustrious magazine Sarika. Today, I am also fortunate enough to express my heartfelt gratitude to him through this collection. In the same way, my another story "Bhitta" (The Wall) was included in the Contemporary Indian Stories published by Shyam Brothers, Darjeeling under the editorship of Sri B. Yonzon, and the story "The Story of Uma" was included in the book of Nepali Akademi, The Stories of Darjeeling and The Story Writers under the editorship of Sri Rajnarayan Pradhan. Similarly, the story-"Let's See What Amber Is Going to Do?" was included in the special issue of 'Indian Nepali Stories' under the joint editorship of Sri Kedar Gurung and Upaman Basnet in the literary magazine Shrasta. Apart from this, the other stories are all published at different times in various literary journals and magazines. To conclude, 1 must convey my sincere regards to the eminent critic, Dr Jiwan Namdung who has helped me a lot by providing me with some rare old books.
About The Book
Satta Grahan is an English translation of Nanda Hangkhim's Sahitya Akademi award-winning collection of Nepali short stories. The stories in this collection written over a long period of time are of varied themes and subjects carrying messages ranging from the question of individual morality to the issue of social justice and collective responsibility, and from the role and impact of psychological factors to the essence of fundamental values in human nature. The title story "Satta Grahan" itself is a manifestation of human psychology that speaks volumes considering the fact that we cannot run away or remain untouched from the grim reality of human life and world. At times, the world is what we find and experience contrary to our established notion and conception. We are not the master of our will and destiny, rather we are always under the absolute influence of time and circumstances. Some of the stories typical in nature but conveying profound messages are worth-interpreting which are self-evident in themselves, whereas some others are riddled with sensitivity, ecstasy, emotion, and even perplexity in concept, design, form and nature. To conclude, this remarkable collection of multifarious stories offers a wide range of choice and scope for every kind of readers.
About The Author
Nanda Hangkhim is a versatile man of literature who is equally proficient in the genre of novel, story, poem, narrative poem, couplet, lyrics, cinema arts, drama, one-act play, editing and so on. He is the recipient of numerous awards including Sahitya Akademi Award for this splendid collection of stories, Satta Grahan. An intellectual and multi-faceted personality, he has chaired high profile literary, cultural and social programmes and events and has delivered lectures in various symposia, seminars and workshops. He has been widely felicitated on many occasions for his invaluable contribution to the upliftment and enrichment of local film and drama
A prolific writer and translator, Bhaktaraj Sunuwar (Mukhia) has contributed numerous articles, essays, critical notes, reviews, poems and translations in various dailies, periodicals and literary magazines. He has six books to his credit including Aastha - Anaastha (Poems in Nepali). The Faces of Truth and Obsession (Poems in English), Lokpriya Angrezi Kavitaharu (Nepali translation of poems by English poets), Bharatiya Angrezi Kavitaharuko Sangalo (Nepali translation of poems by Indian poets). Ekmustha Bharatiya Laghukatha (Nepali translation of stories by Indian writers) and Indu and Other Stories (English translation of stories by Indian-Nepali writers).
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