BOOK REVIEW: A journey through Nepal’s library history

Bholakumar Shrestha's new book, 'Nepalma Pustakalya,' offers a comprehensive look at the history of libraries in Nepal, with a particular focus on Kathmandu. Shrestha, an advisor for the National Library Association, begins by defining knowledge as "everlasting, universal and relative," and books as its byproduct, leading to the birth of the library.

“

Knowledge is everlasting, universal and relative. A book is a byproduct of knowledge and a useful tool for education. The cataloguing of books and education led to the birth of the library.

The book traces Nepal's library history back to the Licchavi age, highlighting 'sapukotha' near Bhaktapur Durbar Square as potentially the first unofficial library. Shrestha suggests it may have been established by King Bhupatindra Malla or King Ranodip Malla and could have housed between 1,190 and 14,000 books. Nepal's first official library, established by King Girvan Yuddha in 1869 BS, is also detailed, including a 'lalmohar' order that appointed Pandit Kedarnath Jha as head librarian with assistants.

“

Sapu means 'book' in Newa, and 'kotha' means 'room' in Nepali.

The Rana years are presented as a period of continued efforts to preserve historic texts, marked by the publication of Sylvain Lévi’s 'Le Népal' and the creation of additional libraries like the 'Ghantaghar' library. However, the book also confronts the "dark reality of Rana rule," quoting historian Satyamohan Joshi on the inaccessibility of libraries like 'Ghantaghar' to students. Shrestha illustrates the 104 years of Rana autocracy, during which public access to education was restricted, and opening schools or libraries was punishable, citing the imprisonment of Krishna Lal Adhikari for his book 'Makai ko Kheti'.

“

His paintings do not preserve tradition as a static inheritance; they restore it as a living, evolving language.