During the programme, speakers praised Malla for his pioneering scholarship, saying that he is held in high esteem by his friends, students and readers. They also praised Malla’s deep and broad knowledge about various disciplines ranging from literature, culture and linguistics to arts and archaeology. Malla was also the founding president of the Linguistic Society of Nepal (LSN).

 One of the speakers, retired professor Abhi Subedi, also a student of Malla, said that he had been struck not just by the range and depth of Malla’s scholarship but also by his foresight.

“Even back in the 80s, Malla sir had already predicted the rise of intolerance among people belonging to different castes and ethnicities. We are seeing that now,’’ Subedi said.

Similarly, Kanak Mani Dixit described Malla’s works as prized jewels of Nepali writing that need to be disseminated among the new generation of Nepali intelligentsia. Highlighting Malla’s importance, Dixit further said that Malla was a fine essayist and a scholar who could voice his opinions boldly and had a good command over English.

 Malla is currently living a retired life in the US. The books have been published by Himal Books and Jagadamba Prakashan in association with Social Science Baha.

n Abhi Subedi talks about Kamal P Malla during the book launch at Yala Maya Kendra, Lalitpur, on Tuesday. POST PHOTO: SUDEEP BARAL