Khagendra Giri has spent over ten years in Nepali journalism, giving him a close look at the everyday lives and struggles of ordinary people. In his debut book ‘Bhagna Premshala’, he uses this experience to tell stories about human behaviour, broken relationships, and the ways society shapes personal choices.

This newly launched book reads less like a conventional narrative and more like a meticulous observation of love and loss. Giri writes with the sensibility of someone who has spent years listening closely—to individuals, to silences, and to the subtleties that often escape public record—allowing the text to move between personal emotion and social reflection with disarming ease.

While reading ‘Bhagna Premshala’, you sometimes feel lost in its layers of emotion and social insight; other times, you strongly connect with the characters’ struggles. The first story introduces Kalpana, whom the author calls ‘Nirmukta Stri’. Through her eyes, we follow the story of Aimai, a woman desperately looking for her husband after the police arrest him and take him away. Her search reveals the unstable political climate of Nepal—governments keep changing, but the problems faced by ordinary people stay the same.

She repeatedly approaches officials, pleads with those in power, and refuses to give up, eventually securing her husband’s release. Yet when he returns, he shows neither gratitude nor emotional connection, leaving her shattered. The chapter also touches on motherhood and the irreplaceable nature of a mother’s love—far deeper than what one might receive from other family members, such as a paternal aunt. There is a moving portrayal of a young girl who, after her mother’s death, is forced into emotional rigidity, becoming the anchor for her father and brother while silently carrying heavy responsibilities. When her dreams and desires begin to surface—especially in the form of love—she faces internal conflict.

The story explores themes of love, betrayal, emotional resilience, romantic idealism, confusion, and the unsettling tendency of individuals to move from one relationship to another without fully healing.

While Giri touches on various aspects of societal change and the everyday struggles of ordinary people, he also explores the life of a young journalist in ‘Khukuri’ who has transitioned from working in television to creating a YouTube channel. Unlike reporters who interview the living, Sambit focuses on the dead—those who have passed away young, including individuals who lost their lives during political upheavals in Nepal.

The story opens with him framing these encounters in the language of local superstition, referencing dhami, jhakri, and tantrik practices, though no definitive proof of the supernatural is offered. Through these encounters, the story reflects on the fleeting nature of life, the unfulfilled desires of those who have died, and the enduring silence of history until people are remembered posthumously. It highlights the contrast between the power one wields while alive and the helplessness after death. The chapter also examines the personal sacrifices of journalists, the emotional toll of confronting stories of death and loss, and the intense reality of societal and political struggles.

‘Khukuri’ is a meditation on mortality, legacy, and the human need to witness and be witnessed, making it one of the collection’s more intense and thought-provoking stories.

Another story in the collection portrays a young woman who seems perpetually sad, contrasted with a cheerful, carefree character whose presence draws admiration. Through this, Giri reflects on the pressures of contemporary Nepali society, including economic instability, limited opportunities, and societal expectations that shape the lives of educated youth. The story touches on everyday struggles, uncertainty about the future, and social norms such as prioritising marriage abroad or professional status.

Brief moments, such as overhearing discussions about global issues in a hospital, show how larger societal concerns intersect with personal lives. Like other stories in ‘Bhagna Premshala’, it blends individual emotion with cultural observation, offering a glimpse into the challenges of modern life in Nepal.

The book also carries a few noticeable limitations. Several stories contain rough, colloquial Nepali expressions—words usually considered inappropriate for younger readers—which may feel jarring to those who prefer gentler language, though they certainly add authenticity to the characters’ voices. There are also minor spelling errors scattered across the text, and at times the narrative flow feels uneven.

In some stories, ideas appear suddenly or shift too quickly, making it slightly challenging for the reader to follow the movement of the plot or the emotional transitions of the characters. A few character arcs progress faster than expected, and some scenes feel compressed, as if the story jumps ahead without letting the reader properly settle into the moment.

Despite these issues, the collection remains heavy and layered, offering nine distinct stories with their own characters and conflicts. None of the stories feel biased ‘for or against’ anyone; instead, each one reflects a different aspect of Nepali society—its beliefs, family norms, generational clashes, and the silent struggles that shape daily life. Some chapters explore romantic longing, heartbreak, and the new generation’s dating practices.

In contrast, others dive into issues such as patriarchy, social inequality, and the frustration created by an inactive or indifferent government. The book will appeal especially to readers who enjoy socially rooted narratives and stories that examine norms, values, and the emotional weight of ordinary lives. Although ‘Bhagna Premshala’ is not an academic text, it becomes an engaging read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of Nepali society.

The title itself—‘Bhagna Premshala’—combines the ideas of ‘brokenness’, ‘love’, and a ‘place or institution’, creating a metaphorical space where emotional, social, or moral fractures become visible. While the title may not directly summarise each story, it sets a tone for the book, hinting at the underlying themes of vulnerability, conflict, and the pressures that shape human relationships in Nepali society.

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Bhagna Premshala

Author: Khagendra Giri

Publisher: Indigo Ink

Year: 2025