Book Review (Spotlight Weekly)

Master Of History

The book highlights the contribution made by prominent scholar and historian late Naya Raj Panta

By A CORRESSPONDENT

Although he passed away a year ago, historian Naya Raj Panta is still alive in his many books. His contribution to Nepalese history is immense since he was the first historian to explain about the Lichhavi Period.

In his life, Panta spent almost all his time researching Nepalese history. Despite his immense contribution to Nepalese history, academician Panta hardly made any effort to win acclaim for himself. He remained shy and aloof from publicity.

After his death, many books and articles have been published to highlighting the contribution of late Panta. Shivakoti is one of the persons who has devoted much of his time in the last two years to bring out different articles written by various people who were close to late Panta in order to portray the various aspects of his life.

Shivakoti has come up with a new book consisting of 46 different articles relating to the life of historian Panta and his contribution. From Dr. Tirtha Mishra to Dr. Tirtha Bahadur Shrestha and Dr. Jagdish Chandra Regmi, many other scholars have written articles revealing various angles and aspects of life of late Panta.

As a member of History Amendment Board, Panta did a lot of things. At a time when Nepal’s important period like the rule of Lichhavi was under shadow and very little things were known about it, late Panta engaged in comprehensive research and came up with huge pool of information that made it easier for people to understand that period.

Unlike other Nepalese historians, he never wrote anything without verifying their truth by proven facts. Panta was also very articulate in Sanskrit language. And his penchant for historic facts was incomparable.

Edited by Shesh Raj Shivakoti, one can study about the experiences of a historian and articles written by various scholars including the historians about the contributions of Panta in the book.

This is not the first book of its kinds. Shivakoti has already published similar book two years ago, which also included articles highlighting the contribution of late Panta.

Along with publishing literary books, Shivakoti has edited a number of books on law, contemporary literature and other issues. As an employee of the Supreme Court, Shivakoti also edited various articles and books.

Shivakoti has also published a book on the first chief justice of Supreme Court Hari Prasad Pradhan and senior advocate late Sambhu Prasad Gyawali.

Interestingly, most of the writers, whose articles are included in the book, are also students of Panta. In his article, scholar Dr. Jagdish Chandra Regmi discusses the personality and contributions of Nayaraj Panta. Dr. Regmi states that Panta is one of the successful rebels in the Nepalese history.

Another historian Dr. Surendra K.C. and scholar Rewati Raman Khanal also discuss the personality of late Panta. Through this book Shivakoti helps new generation of people to understand the historian like Nayaraj Panta

Pragya Manishi: Nayaraj Panta
Edited by: Shesh Raj Shivakoti
Published by: Gyangun Sahitya Pratisthan
Price: Rs.100
Pages: 188