Windsor: In a significant achievement for Bhutanese literature, young author J.N. Dahal has been selected for the 2024 Himtika Fiction Award for his novel ‘Prahelika’.
The award, established by the Lamitrare family in 2018, is presented triennially to an outstanding novel penned by a Bhutanese writer.
The announcement was made after a thorough selection process by a distinguished panel of judges who evaluated novels submitted up to 2024. ‘Prahelika’ stood out among the entries for its compelling portrayal of post-resettlement challenges, the evolving dynamics of interracial love and sexuality, and various contemporary social issues.
In a statement, the jury praised the novel for its insightful exploration of social psychology and its potential to inspire new energy and creativity in Bhutanese literature. “The publication of ‘Prahelika’ not only enriches our literary heritage but also motivates the younger generation of writers to pursue excellence,” the panel noted.
Khhem Rizal, security of the Literature Council of Bhutan, emphasized the importance of such recognition in fostering literary talent. “Awards like the Himtika Fiction Award play a crucial role in encouraging our writers to explore and express the myriad facets of our society through their creative works,” Rizal said.
The award ceremony will take place on October 17, 2024, in Windsor, Canada. J.N. Dahal will be presented with a certificate and a cash prize in recognition of his outstanding contribution to literature.
The Himtika Fiction Award is one of several accolades established to honor and encourage contributions to Nepali literature.
Similarly, the Himtara Talent Award is given every two years to an outstanding literary work written by Bhutanese poets either inside Bhutan or abroad. The award carries a prize money of 1,001 Australian dollars. This award was established by the Australian Bhutanese Society, former Vice President of the Literature Council of Bhutan Prakash Dhamala, and his family. The award was first given in 2021 to writer Tilarupa Acharya for her collection of poems titled ‘Ghali Ghalika Geetharu’.”
Likewise, the Surak Song Creation Award is a biennial award of USD 1503, recognizing excellence in music, singing, and the performing arts. It was established by the family of former cultural advisor Manoj Rai.
Muna Memorial Short Story Award; A quinquennial award of USD 1501, established by former president Bhakta Ghimire, recognizing the best short story in Nepali literature.
These awards are funded by financial contributions from sponsors, which are provided to the Bhutanese Literary Forum, Bhutan, six months in advance. The forum is responsible for organizing and managing the award distribution.
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