Entitle: Natya Shiromani

Balkrishna Sama

Balkrishna Sama (बालकृष्ण सम), also known as Balkrishna Shamsher Jung Bahadur Rana, was a Nepalese dramatist who was regarded as the Shakespeare of Nepal for his great contributions to Nepali literature. He was much inspired by Shakespeare's works. Even during his own lifetime, he used to be known as one of the Nepal's greatest dramatists. He was given the title ‘Natya Shiromani' which literally means ‘the drama jewel’ for his outstanding body of works, unparalleled talent and contribution in the field of drama and literature in Nepali language.

Quick Information

Date of Birth:	1959 B.S. (1903 A.D.)
Date of Departure:	2038 B.S. (1981 A.D.)
Birth Location:	Gyaneshwar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Father’s Name:	Samar Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana
Mother’s Name:	Kirtirajyalaksmi Rana
Popular Compositions:	Chiso Chulho, Ago Ra Pani, Mutuko Byatha, Dhruba, Mukunda Indira, Pralahad
Awards:	Tribhuvan Puraskar, Prithvi Pragya Puraskar
Occupation:	Playwright, Poet

Balkrishna Sama was born on 26th Magh 1959 B.S. in Gyaneshwar, Kathmandu. He was born as the second son to General Samar Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana and Kirtirajyalaksmi Rana.

Education

As the son of a Rana, the then ruling regime in Nepal at the time, Bal Krishna Sama was able to receive the best education available in the country. He graduated from Durbar High School in Ranipokhari and studied Science in Tri-Chandra College. During his second academic year, he was sent to Dehradoon for army training as a captain. After that, he became a lieutenant colonel by Chandra Shumsher Rana, who was the Prime Minister of Nepal at the time.

Contributions

In his own home, the environment was strained. A majority of his time, Sama was alone at home finding peace in solitude, gradually spending more time in art and literary activities. He started publishing his writings in reputed magazines such as Sarada, Udhyog, and Shahitya Shrot. Afterwards, he shortened his surname "Shumshere Jung Bahadur Rana" to "Sama" because he no longer wished to be associated with a ruling regime that had once governed Nepal with autocracy. His drama Bhater, published in Pragati in 1953, reflects his feelings on human rights.

Several of his dramas have been inspired by Shakespeare's works. His dramas such as Prem Pinda, Swasni Manchhe, Buhartan, Tapobhumi, Atyadhunikta, and Bhater present the social context of the Rana era; Mukunda Indira, Ma and Mutuko Byatha show the emotional and romantic sides of Sama's personality. Amit Basana, Boksi, Talamathi, and Andhabeg are based on the topic of human psychology. His dramas on historical personalities, Amar Singh, Bhimsen Ko Antya, and Bhakta Bhanubhakta. Birami Ra Kuruwa is another drama dealing with philosophy, while Prahlad and Dhruba are based on religious figures.

Sama also wrote stories, poems, essays, compositions, and biographies. Aago Ra Paani and Chiso Chulho are his popular epics. He wrote an essay Nepal Lalit Kala on Nepalese art, as well as the biography Hamra Rastriya Bhibhutiharu and the two-part autobiography Mero Kabita Ko Aradhana.

He worked as a lecturer teaching Nepali language and literature in Tri Chandra College. In 1955, he became director of Nepal Radio and chief editor of the newspaper Gorkhapatra. In 1967, he became a member of the Royal Nepal Academy when it was established, and later as the vice chancellor.

Following his retirement in 1971, Sama continued writing, publishing many of his poems in nationally reputed magazines like Madhuparka and Ramjham. In fact, many of his works remain unpublished or incomplete, many of which he read out during literary programmes.

Notable Awards

Balkrishna Sama was awarded with the Tribhuvan Puraskar from Nepal Rajakiya Pragya Prathistan in 1972. The same year he received the Bishesh Upadhi from Tribhuvan University and in 1978, the Prithvi Pragya Puraskar from Pragya Pratisthan.

Balkrishna Sama was born in an elite member of the ruling Royal family and did not undergo financial hardship like the middle class. His contribution to Nepali literature is highly praised.

NOTES:
All dates except date of birth (and those which are immediately followed by B.S.), are in A.D.