Lakshmi Raj Sharma
Born	1954 Mirzapur, UP, India
Occupation	Academician, Novelist
Language	English, Hindi
Nationality	Indian
Ethnicity	Asian
Education	MA, DPhil
Alma mater	Boys’ High School University of Allahabad
Genres	Literary Fiction, Short Stories, and Literary Theory
Notable work(s)	The Tailor's Needle
www.lakshmirajsharma.com

Lakshmi Raj Sharma (Hindi: लक्ष्मी राज शर्मा) (born in 1954) is an Indian author, novelist, and academician. He teaches English literature and literary theory. He is currently a Professor at the Department of English and Modern European Languages at the University of Allahabad, Allahabad.^[1] Recently his novel The Tailor’s Needle was published. A few other books are also to his credit. He is also an active blogger.^[2]

Biography[link]

Lakshmi Raj Sharma, was born in 1954 in a land-owning family, well known in the eastern districts of Uttar Pradesh. His grandfather Rai Bahadur Lakshmi Narain Sharma, a barrister, and his father Indra Raj Sharma were among notable people in Mirzapur. His eldest brother Ajay Raj Sharma was the Police Commissioner of Delhi and later the Director General of the Border Security Force.^[3] He is married to Bandana Sharma, a fellow professor in his university department; they have a son, Dhruv, who is an etymologist.

Career and Works[link]

Lakshmi Raj Sharma went to the Boys' High School & College, Allahabad for his early and secondary education. He entered the University of Allahabad in 1973, graduated in 1975 and then completed his masters in 1977. He received the Doctor of Philosophy award from the same university in 1986. He was selected for the Indian Civil Services, but opted for an academic career.^[1] The Tailor's Needle (2009; ISBN: 0956037046, Picnic Publishing Limited, UK) is his first novel, published in 2009. It is set in India in the first half of the twentieth century. The novelist himself says: It is a Raj novel covering the era 1917–1940. The characters are Indians and Brits, including a fictional British Viceroy of India.^[4] A reviewer comments:

In a blend of fictional conventions, Lakshmi Raj Sharma's literary masterpiece The Tailor's Needle uses the past to highlight modern India's fragmentation ... His moral vitality serves as a subliminal lament to India's political class today. In a dignified reproach to those who have failed the country, Sharma's The Tailor's Needle is a final adieu to the great Indian Raj novel – we will not see the like again – as well as an homage to traditions that gave meaning to people's lives.^[5]

Gis Hoyle, a novelist and reviewer, observes that in the novel "The whole is held together by a gently mocking and yet ultimately compassionate narrative voice, which gives the reader a brief and enchanting glimpse into a world now gone, with all its faults – and all that might be loved in it, too."^[6] Ann Northfield in Historical Novels Review writes: This is an unusual novel that carries the flavour of its time and setting. Anyone who enjoys books about India would find this worth a read.^[7]

The novelist believes that his "greatest wealth is the support he has received from his students who have always overflowed into and out of his classrooms. A number of them are in high positions, some very distinguished journalists, who would go out of their way to continue their support to this author."

The Tailor's Needle is also coming from Penguin Books India this year. Professor Lakshmi Raj Sharma is currently working on his second novel, Emancipation, and has recently completed a further collection, The English World and Other Stories.^[8] His works include TS Eliot-Middleton Murry Debate, The Twain Shall Meet, and a short story collection Marriages are Made in India (2001; ISBN: 8175957786, Writers Workshop, Calcutta). Marriages are Made in India has also been published as an e-book by Publerati (USA).^[9] Besides, he has edited Shakespeare's Problem Plays.^[10]

References[link]

Laxmi Prasad Devkota (Nepali: लक्ष्मी प्रसाद देवकोटा )
Born	1909 Kathmandu, Nepal
Died	1959 Nepal
Occupation	Poet and Scholar
Nationality	Nepalese

Laxmi Prasad Devkota (Nepali: लक्ष्मी प्रसाद देवकोटा November 12, 1909 – September 14, 1959), was a Nepali poet. Devkota is considered to be one of the best writers in Nepal. He is best known for the poem "Muna Madan". There are several tributes to the poem Muna Madan. This is a poem which shows the obligation of people to go far from home to earn money and the realization, in comparison with family and love money is nothing.

Early life[link]

Young Laxmi Prasad Devkota

Devkota was the third son of Pandit Til Madhav and Amar Rajya Laxmi Devi. He was born in Thatunati (now Dhobidhara), Kathmandu on the day of Dipawali, the Festival of Lights, which is a celebration of Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth. His parents considered his birth as a gift [प्रसाद] from the goddess and named him as Laxmi Prasad [लक्ष्मी प्रसाद]. He is well considered as one of the famous icons in the field of Nepalese literature.He was a very kind and generous person. He always respected his parents. He was of a poor family. He used to give the money to the poorer if had a little amount of money. He always get connected with the poems before his. He is known as "Maha Kavi". He contributed a lot in the poetry of Nepal.

Family life[link]

After he received his bachelor's in law, he wrote to a friend while he was in a hospital Santa Bhawan Hospital, "Death stands before me. I search for constellations in the sky but can find none. I cannot give peace to myself. If I could rise, I would kill myself and my future prospects."

Laxmi Prasad Devkota was primarily a humanist who occasionally wrote from an atheistic point of view too. Given this reality, some critics have tried to line him up with Marxism or other similar politically leftist ideologies. Apparently in on of his last poems to a friend, he said "Aakhir Shree Krishna rahecha eka" (" in the end, Lord Krishna happens to be the only truth"). However, there has been much intellectual skepticism about this last statement simply for two reasons. First, Nepal is historically conservative and it would come as no surprise if these claims were simply fabricated. There is no substantial proof. Secondly, historical trends suggest that atheistic individuals always "find" God on their death beds when we know of many cases that have been fabricated. In all likelihood, Devkota was probably an atheist because of the underlying theme to most of his poems.

Career[link]

Devkota has contributed to Nepali literature by bringing the Sanskrit tradition to its apex and by starting modern romantic movement in the country. Devkota was the first to begin writing epics in Nepali literature and his magnum opus "Muna-Madan" remains a best seller even fifty years after his death. He is recognized as one of the greatest Nepali writers and his work is in the same level of standard as any of the greats of literature in any language. He also served as Nepal's Education Minister, and was a professor at Tri-Chandra College.

Devkota had the ability to write poems very quickly—he wrote the Shakuntal in three months, the Sulochana epic in ten days and Kunjini in a single night. Nepali poetry soared to new heights with Devkota's groundbreaking poetry. "Muna-Madan," a long narrative poem in popular folk metre, begins the end of the Sanskrit tradition in Nepali literature. "पागल" (translated in English as "The Lunatic") is another of his ground-breaking works written in free verse.

Devkota's youngest son, Dr Deepak Devkota, lives in Australia while his oldest son and four daughters still live in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Gallery[link]

• 

  Laxmi Prasad Devkota on Nepalese stamp

• 

  Laxmi Prasad Devkota on Nepalese stamp

• 

  Mahakavi Laxmi Prasad Devkota

• 

  In homage to Laxmi Prasad Devkota

Publications[link]

Novels[link]

1. Champa (चम्पा)

Poetry / Short Novels / Essays[link]

1. bal jasto
2. Kunjini (कुञ्जिनि - खण्डकाव्य)
3. Gaine Geet (गाइने गीत)
4. Putali (पुतली)
5. Krishibala (कृषिवाला - गीतिनाटक)
6. Dushyant-Shakantula Bhet (दुष्यन्त-शकुन्तला भेट खण्डकाव्य)
7. Munamadan (मुनामदन - खण्डकाव्य)
8. Ravan-Jatayu Youdha (रावण-जटायु युद्ध)
9. Lakshmi Kavita Sanghrah (लक्ष्मी कविता संग्रह)
10. Luni (लुनि)
11. Sun Ko Bihan (सुनको बिहान- बालकविता)
12. Raj Kumar Prabhakar (राजकुमार प्रभाकर)
13. Sita Haran (सीता हरण)
14. Mahendu (म्हेन्दु)
15. Dhumraketu
16. Laxmi Nibandaha Sangraha (लक्ष्मी निबन्धसङ्‌ग्रह)

Mahākāvya[link]

1. Shakuntal (शाकुन्तल)
2. Sulochana (सुलोचना)
3. Bana Kusum (बनकुसुम)
4. Maharana Pratap (महाराणा प्रताप)
5. Prithvi Raj Chauhan (पृथ्वीराज चौहान)
6. Prometheus (प्रमीथस)

References[link]

• Poems Of Laxmi Prasad Devkota In Nepali (From Laxmi Kavita Sangraha) Compiled By Sanjaal Corps
• Biography of Devkota at SpinyBabbler.org
• Laxmi Prasad Devkota: Nepal's Greatest Poet
• Maha Kabi: Laxmi Prasad Devkota

External links[link]

• Important Works of Devkota at Online Sahitya
• "Muna Mandan"
• Nepalicollections.com - Voice of Mahakabi
• http://www.dsrc.org.np

See also[link]

• Nepali literature

Ram Krishna Dhakal (Nepali: राम कृष्ण ढकाल, born July 23, 1974) is a famous modern, pop and playback singer, actor and reality show judge from Nepal.^[1] He was discovered at an early age by Arjun Pokwal.

Ram Krishna Dakhal started his musical career early in his childhood when he covered popular songs by another prominent singer of Nepal, Narayan Gopal. During his early period, Dakhal struggled singing amongst his group but he soon broke out into national attention and ultimately established himself as one of the most popular Nepalese artist. He rose to fame with his song Orali lageko harin ko chhal bho As a small kid, he used to sing at social functions and events. People were impressed by his singing ability and voice (although not mature then). He modelled his singing style after Narayan Gopal; Dhakal acknowledges that he is a big fan of the late maestro. It would be fair to say that he benefited from the void left by Narayan Gopal's death. People were looking for some one to fill the void. In fact, they were looking for the next Narayan Gopal. And the next Narayan Gopal was Ram Krishna Dhakal. But he was able to make his album and be a popular singer because of his god father Gopal Karmacharya.

He appeared in the movie Aashirbad in the lead role. It is said that the story of movie was based or inspired by his own personal story of struggle and his rise to fame. It was a successful film, partly aided by good music.

Albums and songs[link]

Ram Krishna Dhakal has released 10 albums of modern songs/ghazals (adhunik geet). Most of his albums' names have started with the letter "A". Among them, Asha is the most popular album. He has sung nearly 1000 songs.

• Aashirbad
• Aashish
• Asha
• Aroha
• Aashraye
• Aagraha
• Aadhar
• Aashraya
• Aagaman
• Mero Saathi
• Shaili

Apart from adhunik geet (modern song), he has also sung bhajans, patriotic songs (rastriya geet) and many film songs. He is one of the most popular singers in Nepal.

Personal life[link]

He came to Kathmandu first time at the age of 12 in 1986. He was brought up by Gopal Karmacharya. He is married to Neelam Rana. They have a daughter named Rani Dhakal.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Ram Krishna Dhakal's new Nepali Swadesh Song
• Ram Krishna Dhakal, Dhaka Topi Nepali Music Collection
• Nepalicollections.com - Ram Krishna Dhakal Songs
• http://www.babbaal.com/musicupdate.php?id=1097
• http://www.wavemag.com.np/issue/article1931.html
• Dhakal on book

Lakshmi Rai
Born	(1981-05-05) May 5, 1981 (age 31)[1] Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Other names	Lachu, Krishna
Occupation	Actress, model, stage performer
Years active	2005–present

Lakshmi Rai (born May 5, 1981)^[1] is an Indian film actress from Bangalore, Karnataka,^[2] predominantly appearing in Malayalam and Tamil films. While most of her Tamil releases performed poorly at the box office with the exception of Mankatha which was whopping success,running for over a 100 days. She rose to fame with the popular Malayalam-language films Annan Thambi (2008), 2 Harihar Nagar (2009), Chattambinadu (2009), Evidam Swargamanu (2009) and Arabiyum, Ottakavum, P. Madhavan Nairum (2011), establishing herself in the Malayalam film industry.

Early life and career[link]

Lakshmi Rai was born in Bangalore and was brought up at Belgaum. She initially worked as a model before entering the film industry. She appeared in several television ads such as Sylcon Footwears, Josco Jewellers and Emmanuel Silks.^{[citation needed]}

She made her acting debut in 2005 in the Tamil film Karka Kasadara. Subsequently she appeared in a number of Tamil films, including the comedy film Kundakka Mandakka (2005) opposite R. Parthiban, Perarasu's action-masala flick Dharmapuri (2006), and the romance film Nenjai Thodu (2007). In 2008, she began working in more serious films such as the drama film Velli Thirai, in which she played herself, and the action thriller Dhaam Dhoom directed by Jeeva. She received positive feedbacks forher portrayal of a lawyer in the latter. A review from Behindwoods wrote: "The latter (Lakshmi Rai) sizzles even as she is supposed to play the curt professional who is caught in the web of smuggling drugs".^[3] She won her first Filmfare Award nomination in the Best Supporting Actress category.

She made her debut in Malayalam in 2007, starring in Rock & Roll opposite Mohanlal. She was noticed by the film field although film was a commercial failure. She followed it up with several successful films such as Annan Thambi, 2 Harihar Nagar (2009),^[4] Evidam Swargamanu (2009) opposite Mohanlal, and Chattambinadu (2009) opposite Mammootty. She appeared in three Tamil films in 2009, Muthirai, Vaamanan and Naan Avanillai 2. In Vaamanan, she played a glamourous supermodel.^[5] In 2010, she was seen in three films. She made special appearances during song sequences in two of them, In Ghost House Inn and Pen Singam and portrayed a cowgirl in the Tamil western adventure film Irumbukkottai Murattu Singam.^[5]

Lakshmi Rai's first 2011 release was Christian Brothers opposite Mohanlal, which was a high commercial success. Her next two films were Tamil projects, the comedy horror Kanchana and the Venkat Prabhu-directed action thriller Mankatha, starring Ajith Kumar. She essayed a negative character in the latter, which was received positively by critics.^[6][7] Both films emerged high financial success.^[6] Following Kanchana's success, she was signed on to reprise the role in its Kannada remake too.^[8] Her latest release Arabiyum, Ottakavum, P. Madhavan Nairum opposite Mohanlal is declared superhit by trade.^{[citation needed]} The year 2012 will see the release of the film Casanovva.^[9]

Lakshmi Rai's performance in an award function

Lakshmi Rai supporting Kerala Strikers at Celebrity Cricket League match, India.

Filmography[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Lakshmi Rai

• Lakshmi Rai at the Internet Movie Database
• Lakshmi rai fansite at weebly