Renowned Nepali-language novelist and Padmashree awardee Lil Bahadur Chettri passed away at his residence in Guwahati, India, on Thursday night.

Born in Assam in 1933, Chettri was best known for his novel ‘Basain’, first published by Madan Puraskar Guthi in 1958. A film adaptation was later made. His ‘Brahmaputrako Chheuchhau’ won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1986 and has been translated into Assamese, Hindi, and Bengali. His other works include ‘Atript’, ‘Pratidhwaniharu Bismritiko’, ‘Asamma Nepali Bhasako Sahrogahro’, and ‘Tin Dashak Bis Abhivyakti’.

The President of India honoured Chhetri with the Padmashree, one of India’s highest civilian awards, in 2021.

A prolific writer of novels, short stories, essays, and critiques, Chettri authored around 18 books. In 2016, he received the Jagadamba Shree prize from Madan Puraskar Guthi for his contributions to language and literature.

Chettri is survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli expressed sorrow over Chettri’s passing, calling him a literary icon. In a Facebook post, he paid tribute to the writer and extended condolences to his family, relatives, and admirers.

Oli appreciated ‘Basain’ for its powerful depiction of Nepalis forced to migrate to Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, and Bhutan during World War II. He also praised ‘Brahmaputrako Chheuchhau’, which won India’s prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award, for portraying the struggles of Nepalis in north-eastern India.

Also, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, among other leaders, have paid tribute to Chettri.

“His contribution to Nepali literature is praiseworthy,” Deuba wrote on social media.