Comedian and actor Madan Krishna Shrestha’s memoir, MaHa ko Ma, was launched amid a function held at Hotel Yak and Yeti, in Durbargmarg, on Tuesday. The book was unveiled by Shrestha’s longstanding collaborator Hari Bansha Acharya.

Shrestha has, over his long-spanning career of more than half a century, worked as an actor, director and writer, and along with Acharya, he has also been engaged in social activism.

Actor/author Acharya, speaking at the launch programme, said, “Long time ago, I had read a narrative of a tree about its own life. After reading it, I realised that there are stories within every object. So, it’s no surprise to have an autobiography of an influential figure like Madan Krishna Shrestha. I am confident that anyone putting their hands on the book will reap rewards aplenty.”

Meanwhile, author Rabindra Samir said, “MaHa ko Ma, an autobiography by popular actor Madan Krishna Shrestha is a classic memoir. This book which is free from self-praise is an important addition to Nepali literature. This book stands on its own unique ground in the market full of memoirs.” He added, “Another highlight of this book is that it does not repeat stories and incidents mentioned in Cheena Harayeko Manche—Hari Bansha Acharya’s memoir—even though their lives are intertwined. While reading MaHa ko Ma, you feel a wide array of emotions from pain, suffering, laughter and jealousy to sympathy towards the writer. The stories of love, inter-caste marriage, the writer’s own struggle with Parkinson’s disease, among others, make this book particularly touching.”

At the event, Shrestha’s two children Yaman and Sarana Shrestha also performed some of his original songs.

MaHa ko Ma traces Shrestha’s life from childhood to his partnership with Acharya and his personal reflections. Shrestha has been writing the book for the past six years but the production was delayed when the actor was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Published by Fineprint, the book is available in both paperback and hardcover editions.