Kathmandu, June 19
Renowned poet Basant Chaudhary’s debut novel Devyani was officially launched on Wednesday in a ceremony held in Lalitpur. Published by Sangri-La Books, the novel was released in digital format. Devyani marks Chaudhary’s 23rd publication, following a prolific literary career that includes poetry, songs, ghazals, and essays according to a press statement released by Sangri-la Books.
The first session of the event featured reflections on the novel by authors Uma Subedi, Amar Nyaupane, Bishwomohan Shrestha, Usha Sherchan, literary critic Kumari Lama, and journalist Babita Basnet. The speakers praised Devyani for highlighting unspoken dimensions of love in Nepali society. Author Amar Nyaupane remarked that the novel powerfully captures the emotional psyche of a man, while critic Kumari Lama said it presents a compelling portrait of a woman’s silent rebellion.
In the second session, actor Divyadev engaged in a conversation with author Chaudhary, delving into the inspiration and themes of Devyani. Chaudhary noted that although countless stories have been written about love, his novel explores a lesser-known and often-avoided facet of romantic expression.
“Love is universal — only the ways we express and receive it differ,” Chaudhary said. “Devyani speaks of a kind of love our society hesitates to acknowledge. That’s precisely why I felt compelled to write it.”
Discussing his creative process, Chaudhary emphasised that his work reflects the raw realities of society.
Anbika Giri, Director of Sangri-La Books, described Devyani as a refreshing and distinct addition to contemporary Nepali fiction, offering readers a subject matter that stands apart from mainstream narratives.
