Padma Shri awardee and Nepali writer Sanu Lama has passed away. He died on Saturday morning while undergoing treatment in Siliguri. He was 85 years old. A few days before his death, he had fallen ill after getting wet in the rain and was admitted to a hospital.

Lama was born on June 15, 1939, in Sikkim. His birth name was Gadulsingh Lama, but he was popularly known in literary circles as Sanu Lama. Though he worked as an engineer by profession, he made a mark in Nepali literature as a short story writer, poet, and translator.

He published three collections of short stories: ‘Sampad’ (1971), ‘Jogika’ (1981), and ‘Mrigatrishna’ (1993). His stories were translated into several languages, including English, Hindi, Urdu, and Assamese.

Apart from stories, he wrote an autobiography titled ‘Himalchuli Muntira’, a travelogue ‘Aangan Paritira’, and a poetry collection ‘Jahan Bagchha Tista ra Rangeet’.

Throughout his life, Lama received several awards for his literary work, including the Sikkim Bhanu Puraskar, Dr Shovakanti Thegim Memorial Award, Madan Byakhanmala Award, and the Padma Shri—the fourth-highest civilian honour in India—which he was awarded in 2005 for his contribution to literature.