Dharma Ratna Yami had spent seven years of his life in Lhasa as a trader. After returning to Nepal he was imprisoned for raising his voice against the Rana Regime. He then dedicated  the 18 years he spent in prison producing works of literature. One of them was Sandeya Lisah—written originally in Nepalbhasa and published in 1952. The book was recently translated into English by DB Gurung, which was released amid a function held in the Capital on Monday. The book had previously been translated into Nepali, and the English translation is based on the Nepali version—which was translated by Durgalal Shrestha. 

The book, titled Reply from Tibet, was launched jointly by Professor Abhi Subedi, Dr Keshab Man Shakya, Timila Yami Thapa and Supriya Manadhar. After the launch, a few speakers made their remarks on the now defunct tradition of going to Lhasa for trade and returning with a wife or a loverl; the importance of the  Nepabhasa Literature and the need for translating works written in indigenous languages. 

Speaking at the event, journalist Supriya Manadhar said that the translation has helped her connect to Nepalbhasa literary tradition as she is unable to read the language; while Dr Keshab Man Shakya, the torch bearer of Nepalbhasa literature, elaborated on the many important historical ties that has shaped the premise of the book. 

Given the fact that this was a story told in verses, translator DB Gurung in his introductory note lamented that a “translation never succeeds.” Nonetheless, he said he worked on several drafts to bring the translation as close to the original as possible. In his note, Gurung emphasised that one of the “doyens of Nepal’s literary firmament” is finally accessible to a larger reader base in Nepal and elsewhere now. 

The launch was attended by the surviving members of Dharma Ratna Yami’s family. The book is published by Vajra books.