Ambalika Devi Upadhyaya,[a] (20 May 1894 – 15 December 1936), affectionately known as Putali (Butterfly), was a Nepalese novelist, poet, and writer.[1][2] She is regarded as the first female novelist of Nepal and is considered one of the pioneering figures of women's literature in Nepal.[3]
First female novelist of Nepal Ambalika Devi | |
|---|---|
अम्बालिकादेवी | |
 Formal portrait, c. early 20th century | |
| Born | 20 May 1894 Kathmandu, Nepal |
| Died | 15 December 1936 (aged 42) Patna, British Raj |
| Other name | Putali (Butterfly) |
| Occupations |
|
| Notable work | Rajput Ramani |
| Spouse | |
| Parents |
|
Through her literary works, she contributed to the development of early modern Nepalese literature at a time when women had very limited participation in the literary field.
Her novel Rajput Ramani, published in 1932, is recognized as one of the earliest novels written by a Nepalese woman and remains an important work in the history of Nepalese literature.
Biography
editShe was born on 20 May 1894 (8 Jestha 1951 BS) in Makhan Tole, Kathmandu, Nepal to father Ekkrishna Nepal and mother Ratna Kumari. She came from an affluent family. Her father was a Subba (officer) in Rana government. Her maternal grandmother, Dev Kumari Koirala was the wet-nurse to King Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah. She was called Putali (transl. butterfly) in her childhood.
After she married Ambika Prasad Upadhyaya at the age of 7, her name was changed to Ambalika Devi, according to the prevalent custom. She moved to her in-law's in Patna. She was educated in home by tutors. She received education in English-medium.[4]
In 1932, she published Rajput Ramani.[5] The book was completed on 1 May 1932 (19 Baisakh 1989 BS) and published in September 1932 by General Trading Company, Varanasi. It is the first novel written in Nepali language by a woman writer.
Personal life and death
editIn 1901, at the age of 7, she married historian Ambika Prasad Upadhyaya.[1] They had no children of their own, so they decided to adopt Rajeshwor Prasad, the son of Sharada Prasad Upadhyaya, the younger brother of Ambika Prasad Upadhyaya as dharmaputra (a spiritual son). The adoption was performed according to Hindu rituals. Devi died on 15 December 1936 (1 Poush 1993 BS) in Patna.[1]
Works
edit- Rajput Ramani (1932)
Notes
editReferences
edit- 1 2 3 Rāṇā, Jagadīśa Śamaśera (2011). Women Writers of Nepal: Profiles and Perspective. Rajesh Rana Publications. p. 3. ISBN 978-81-8465-418-9. Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
- ↑ "यी हुन् अम्बिकाप्रसाद उपाध्याय, जसले पहिलोपटक नेपालको इतिहास लेखे". Himal Khabar (in Nepali). Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
- ↑ "नेपालीमा महिला उपन्यासकारको अवस्थिति". Samakalin Sahitya (in Nepali). Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
- ↑ "अम्बालिकादेवी Ambalika Devi". Nai Prakashan (in Nepali). Retrieved 27 March 2022.
- ↑ Śarmā, Nagendra (1992). Secrets of Shangri-La: An Enquiry Into the Lore, Legend and Culture of Nepal. Nirala Publications. p. 295. ISBN 978-0-7855-0215-9. Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
Further reading
edit- "Ambalika Devi". Nai Prakashan (in Nepali). Archived from the original on 9 November 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2021.