Dharmendra Vihwal
Dr. Revati Raman Lal, a sharp thinker, strong critic and distinguished scholar of Maithili literature, is no longer physically on this earth. Dr. Lal left this mortal world last night i. e. on September 5, 2026 at the age of 84. The news of Dr. Lal’s death, which was admitted to Ram Janaki Hospital in Janakpur a few days ago, was made public at around 10 pm last night. According to family sources, Dr. Lal had breathed his last before that. He was born on March 2, 1943 as the son of Pitambar Lal Karna in Khurkhuriya, Dewahiha, near Janakpur.
Incredible Contribution, Irreparable Loss
Dr. Lal’s contribution to this field is incomparable, continuously active in the upliftment and research of Maithili language, literature, and culture. Dr. Lal, who has established himself as an excellent editor, Lal is especially known for his Maithili criticism, reviews, and essays. Dr. Lal, who has been continuously active in the promotion of language and literature away from publicity, has caused an irreparable loss to the Maithili society and literature. Young journalist, critic and litterateur Nityanand Mandal, who witnessed his last phase and subsequent cultural work, says that his contribution is incomparable. There is no immediate possibility of compensating the damage caused by his demise. There can be no doubt that irreparable damage has been done.
In the last one month, Nepali Maithili literature has suffered a huge thunderstorm. It has been forced to embrace the continuity of sorrow and grief. In this one month, the Maithil society has lost well-known established writers of Maithili literature, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Bimal, his younger brother and former judge, litterateur Upendra Labh Karna, language activist and litterateur Om Kumar Jha, and now Dr. Revatiraman Lal. Linguistic activist and litterateur Nityananda expresses his grief in an emotional emotion and says, “The cruel claws of time have snatched Dr. Revatiraman Sir from us as well. I think that Dr. Bimal was probably not feeling good alone in heaven. Along with him, his childhood friends, younger brothers and acquaintances have gone to his residence. Isn’t he willing to run a literary circle where Dr. Bimal is?” asks Mandal.
different from traditional writing
In the context of elevating Maithili literature above traditional methods and connecting it with modern and scientific critical methods, Dr. Lal said. Lal’s role is considered incomparable. At a time when Maithili literature was associated with traditional genres like poetry, songs, stories, etc., Dr. Lal chose a different stream in Maithili. He tried to establish criticism, reviews, essays, travel writing, interviews, etc., which are comparatively less written, as his main genre. Another linguistic activist and litterateur Prem Videh Lalan (Janardan) says that he was completely successful in his objective. The genres he nurtured in Maithili literature have now blossomed. He says, “Dr. Lal has published many research materials by analyzing poetry, drama and modern prose. It will be a tribute to him that we and the future generations follow the path shown by him.”
Dr. Lal, who has been the publication and editor of the Maithili literary magazine Naimikanan for a long time, is known for his clear thoughts, neutral perspective, and logical presentation. Those who know him closely believe that he has a special command over the grammatical accuracy and word selection of the Maithili language.
Dr. Lal, who had a professional responsibility for a long time (32 years) in the Nepal Rastra Bank, spontaneously served Maithili throughout his life. For this, he did not have any lust for fame, profit, opportunity, etc. anywhere. According to Jeevanath Chaudhary, chairman of the Maithili Development Fund, Dr. Lal made a lifelong contribution to enrich the Maithili language and to take its historical legacy to the new generation. But he never had any greed. He said, “Dr. Lal, who is considered to be rich in many genres in Maithili literature, helped bring about ideological revolution in the Maithili region through various literary seminars, research papers and magazines.”
Simple Life High Thoughts
He was a follower of Simple Life High Thoughts. He never believed in any kind of pomp in life and the effect of this simplicity of his life can also be felt in his writings. Although his writing style seems ordinary, his writing style is simple, but his thoughts are very profound. Due to his ability to present ideas and philosophies in a simple manner, his writings are equally relevant and readable to the scholarly class as well as the general reader. Dr. Lal, who is often known for conveying very serious emotions in simple words. Lal’s writing style reflects cultural depth and respect for folk elements. In his writings, Dr÷Lal has presented the rural folk life, culture, tourism etc. of Mithila in a lively manner.
He received his master’s degree in Maithili from Tribhuvan University and a PhD degree in 1992. The great Maithili litterateur and visionary Dr. Under the direction of Dhirendra, Dr. Lal conducted research on the topic ‘Study of the Content Depicted in Maithili Fiction’. This research work has also been published in the form of a book.
Dr. Dhirendra’s ideological ‘school’ in Maithili study and writing, a strong signature of Dr. Dhirendra’s ideological ‘school’. Dr. Lal himself admitted in a conversation with this columnist that Dr. Dhirendra had a great influence on his literary life. He had said – I am also a student of Dr. Dhirendra’s school. Dr. Dhirendra is a great inspiration for my language campaign.
Dr. Lal also had a very close relationship with me. He loved me very much. I was very much influenced by his life and writings. I have had the opportunity to learn a lot from him regarding the writing of Maithili literature. I have many memories of him remaining. It is neither possible nor appropriate to discuss them here. He complained that the state did not give proper evaluation and proper respect. But he had it. Dr. Lal, who was pleased with the respect and recognition received by his juniors, never had any desire for himself. He did not express it. When I was the president of the Federation of Journalists, he once inquired about the classification of the literary magazine Naimikan. I could not give him a satisfactory answer.
Later, I remember that there was a general discussion about this in the Academy. But he continued to continue Naimikanan despite facing many obstacles and problems. Shyam Shashi, a professor of Maithili at Tribhuvan University, says, “What will be the future of this standard Maithili newspaper? After his demise, a question has arisen.
According to litterateur Nityananda, Dr. Lal’s first poem ‘Saraswati Vandana’ was published in Janakeshwari Dharmaraj Thapa’s book ‘Mero Nepal Tour’ (1960 AD) and his first story ‘Mamatak Dori’ was published in Baidehi (1964 AD).
As discussed above, he had expanded himself in some other different genres along with the traditional Maithili literature. In the Maithili prose collection published by Pragya-Pratishthan, it is said that Dr. Lal is a high-quality storyteller and can be said to be the best in the field of interview. Litterateur Nityananda says that his language, style is very clear and interesting and the topics touched on in the essay are very effective.
His published works include Bhetvarta Sahitya—Interview (interview collection), Madhav Nahi Aelah Madhupurse (story collection), Khita Pihani (folk story collection), Hamaar Videsh Yatra (poetry collection), Kal Pravah (poetry collection), Nepathya (play), cultural tradition of Mithila, the form of Maithili folk literature, and the study of the content depicted in Maithili fiction (research÷criticism). Dr. Lal, who was active as the publisher and chief editor of the magazine Naimikanan (literary quarterly) from 2059 B. S. to the present, also edited Asmita, Akshar Kalash, and Bhumija (a shared collection). Similarly, Dr. Lal also translated the immortal work Khattar Kakkak Tarang of the famous satirical writer of Maithili, Prof. Harimohan Jha, into Nepali. Apart from this, he also wrote the story÷screenplay of a seven-volume telefilm centered on the life of Mahakavi Vidyapati. He was the recipient of Mahendra Vidyabhushan, Parvati Memorial Award, Vaidehi Pratibha Puraskar, Rastriya Pratibha Puraskar, and Nepal Vidyapati Bhasha Sahitya Puraskar, as well as being honored by the International Maithili Council (India), Janaki Kala Parishad (Janakpur), Aakriti (Janakpur) and Vidyapati Seva Sansthan, Darbhanga, India. Dr. Lal was awarded the title of ‘Mithila Ratna’ by the International Maithili Conference, Mumbai 2006.
Journalist Birendra Raman of Janakpur portrays Dr. Lal as a selfless, greedy, but dedicated literary Maithili activist. He says that it is difficult to express the pain of his absence in words.
Dr. Revatiraman Lal is not only a writer but also a guiding heritage of Maithili literature, whose original creations and contributions will always illuminate Maithili literature. Remembering his contribution and moving forward on the path shown by him, it will be a tribute to him. Respectful greetings, Revati Sir.
प्रतिक्रिया दिनुहोस्
