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Colours of Kanchenjunga
Colours of Kanchenjunga an eclectic mix of Nepali short stories. Of various themes, narrative modes and styles, this anthology has a scope to reach to different kinds of readers. Most of the stories in this anthology are from the early decades after Independence, a time where the fragrance of freedom still labored under Indian Nepali community with their inimitable gift of seeing something glorious, beautiful or downright comic even in the worst of situations, was stoic and jovial by temperament. Their partiality towards alcohol and in taking life ‘as it comes’ sees them through economic hardships, political upheavals, superstitions even as Darjeeling is caught between progress and regress, hope and despair.
- GenresShort Stories
288 pages, Paperback
Published January 31, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 17, 2020
Colors of Kanchejunga is a collection of 30 short stories translated from Nepali by Sharda Chetri. An eclectic collection, each of the stories are simple, talking of the simple things in life, the mundane daily activities and the society. The stories cover different aspects from horror to humour. Use of local words always a welcome addition in the translations. Most of the lives of people are centred around the hills with them leading a simple life. As mentioned in the foreword-"The short stories, thirty in all, anthologized here in this book mostly represent the bygone periods of romanticism and social realism'.
My favourites among the collection were 'When God was Trampled in the Darkness' ,'Love Letter' ,'The Witch'. Barring a few , I enjoyed most of them and paved way for me to the life of these people and culture. It’s a great introduction to Nepali literature.
Ending the review with this beautiful excerpt on translation from the book:
"Translation is the language of the world. Without translation the literatures of different languages remain like islands—widely separated from one another, alien and unknown. It is translations that has harmonized the cacophony and confusion of the mythical Babel’s Tower. Notwithstanding that every language has its own distinctive features which may never be translated into other languages, translation is the only means through which we get access to what is alien or foreign."
Rating :3.75/5
My favourites among the collection were 'When God was Trampled in the Darkness' ,'Love Letter' ,'The Witch'. Barring a few , I enjoyed most of them and paved way for me to the life of these people and culture. It’s a great introduction to Nepali literature.
Ending the review with this beautiful excerpt on translation from the book:
"Translation is the language of the world. Without translation the literatures of different languages remain like islands—widely separated from one another, alien and unknown. It is translations that has harmonized the cacophony and confusion of the mythical Babel’s Tower. Notwithstanding that every language has its own distinctive features which may never be translated into other languages, translation is the only means through which we get access to what is alien or foreign."
Rating :3.75/5
March 18, 2023
This book was so refreshing and has so many lovely short stories from the mountains and described the life style there. The authors were all Nepali and the way they wrote the stories are really amazing. Translator Sharda Chhetri has also done a wonderful job keeping the vibe and the feel of the stories as intact as possible. The way I picked up this book was so coincidental. But i loved each every one of the stories. The stories talks about the socio cultural ways of living. There were many stories that i could relate to with vivid specifications. All in all... If you are in a reading rut, this book will definitely be easy read and as you turn the last page of the book, I'm sure you would have a smile on your face.
January 27, 2025
Translated and edited by Sharda Chhetri, Colours of Kanchenjunga delves into a variety of profound themes such as father-son dynamics, class divides, poverty, gender discrimination, unemployment, the female condition, behaviourism, existential dread, mental health and romanticism, all set against a stark socio-economic backdrop.
In curating this indelible blend of timeless literary classics, together with contemporary narratives, Sharda Chhetri has achieved more than a remarkable feat of translation. She has brought the literature from Darjeeling Hills to a broader global audience. Through her sincere and skilful efforts, she has also safeguarded the legacy left behind by our literary giants, ensuring they endure rather than fade quietly into obscurity.
My heartfelt thanks to Sharda for her deft and exact rendering of the subtle nuances and emotions within these stories, some of which are brief yet powerful, and carry the whetted impact of the micro-fiction.
The precise moment when the Indian-Nepalese short story emerged as a distinct literary movement remains a matter of debate. But it’s generally agreed that the broader literary movement emerged in the early to mid-twentieth century (source: Foreword). By then, Western literature had already achieved significant sophistication and influence.
Yet, the stories from Darjeeling Hills reveal a maturity and depth that mark the rise of a vibrant and promising literary tradition within the region’s artistic landscape.
I.B. Rai poignantly explores father-son dynamics, generational poverty, and class shaming in Chaprasi, while Parijat’s subverted Oedipus complex narrative shines. Existential dread deepens in R.N. Sinha’s Past Lives, and Bindiya Rai’s Anna vividly portrays postpartum depression. Shiv Kumar Rai’s Rag Doll captures guilt, fear, and obsession with precision, while Jagat Chhetri’s Padma evokes the quiet ache of unrequited love in my favourite picks. This 284-page anthology, rich with layered stories, is a must-read for all Indian-Nepali readers and short fiction enthusiasts alike.
In curating this indelible blend of timeless literary classics, together with contemporary narratives, Sharda Chhetri has achieved more than a remarkable feat of translation. She has brought the literature from Darjeeling Hills to a broader global audience. Through her sincere and skilful efforts, she has also safeguarded the legacy left behind by our literary giants, ensuring they endure rather than fade quietly into obscurity.
My heartfelt thanks to Sharda for her deft and exact rendering of the subtle nuances and emotions within these stories, some of which are brief yet powerful, and carry the whetted impact of the micro-fiction.
The precise moment when the Indian-Nepalese short story emerged as a distinct literary movement remains a matter of debate. But it’s generally agreed that the broader literary movement emerged in the early to mid-twentieth century (source: Foreword). By then, Western literature had already achieved significant sophistication and influence.
Yet, the stories from Darjeeling Hills reveal a maturity and depth that mark the rise of a vibrant and promising literary tradition within the region’s artistic landscape.
I.B. Rai poignantly explores father-son dynamics, generational poverty, and class shaming in Chaprasi, while Parijat’s subverted Oedipus complex narrative shines. Existential dread deepens in R.N. Sinha’s Past Lives, and Bindiya Rai’s Anna vividly portrays postpartum depression. Shiv Kumar Rai’s Rag Doll captures guilt, fear, and obsession with precision, while Jagat Chhetri’s Padma evokes the quiet ache of unrequited love in my favourite picks. This 284-page anthology, rich with layered stories, is a must-read for all Indian-Nepali readers and short fiction enthusiasts alike.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews