Samiran Chhetri "Priyadarshi"

Name : Som Bahadur Chhetri

Literary Name : Samiran Chhetri "Priyadarshi"

Born : 04 June 1935

Samiran Chhetri "Priyadarshi" at his residence in Kolabari (2019)

Early Life:

Born in a small village called Patlaybas (below Singmari), located in the Lush green hills of Darjeeling, West  Bengal, India. He spent his early days of his childhood in the same place where was born. Born during the Era of Colonial Kingdom, Samiran went to ST. Michael’s School and then to ST. Roberts to finish his schooling in the year 1954.

To Pursue further education, Samiran joined ST. Joseph’s College in the year 1954 as an Arts student. When he was on his 2^nd year of his College, his Father Lt. Bal Bir Chhetri passed away after meeting with an accident. As the days during that time was bit difficult for people in the hills and being the eldest son, Samiran now had the responsibility of his family, which included his mother Lt Karna Maya Chhetri younger brother Bikash Chhetri and 4 sisters, Lt. Bishnu Kala Chhetri, Lt. Chandra Kala Chhetri, Biswa Kala Chhetri and Devi Kala Chhetri, eldest to youngest respectively. He had to quit his studies as he landed a job with the Central Excise/Custom Department, Govt. Of India. in the year 1955. He married Tarun Kumari Chhetri (Kusum) in the year 1959. Later on he completed his studies as B.A. Student from Calcutta University in the year 1961.

"Priyadarshi" with his family in Kolkata.

Writing & Journalism:

    

After working as a Govt employee in Central Excise/Custom Department for 25 years, Samiran’s keen interest on journalism and literature called him to take Voluntary Retirement from his service in the year 1981. Samiran wrote several stories under his birth name “Som Bahadur Chhetri” but one fine day he discovered the sweet name ‘Samiran Priyadarshi’ amongst the characters in a Novel. He liked the name very much & dared to adopt the name as his literary name. It was in the year 1962 and from thereon he started using the adopted name in the literary works. The adopted name “Samiran Chhetri Priyadarshi” was much liked by his readers, mostly by the young generation of that time.

Uncertain of the time, Samiran always strived to contribute towards Nepali Literature.

   When he quit his service in the year 1981, he was married to Tarun Kumari Chhetri (Kusum Chhetri) with two daughters and a son, Indira Chhetri, Roshan Chhetri and Sushma Chhetri, eldest to youngest respectively.

    His contribution towards Nepali Literature and Indian Nepali Journalism has been highly acknowledged with several recognition which included Sahitya Academy Award (2009). His first story “Sanai Baje Ko Bela” was published in Saptahik Paschim Bengal. He started his own newspaper as an editor called Nibedan Pratibedan in the year 1981.

One of his famous story Dhan Bahadurko Lauro has been translated in many Indian languages and the Central Board of Secondary Examination has included his story in the syllabus of the year 2018-2019.

Published Work:

Futeko Murali                                                                  (Collection of Stories)                  1964

Asafal Chitrakar                                                              (Collection of Stories)                  1965

Balibedi                                                                           (War Novel)                                 1970

Pokhiako Zindagi                                                            (Novel)                                         1971

Yamraj Ko Darbar                                                           (Act)                                             1986

Arko Manche                                                                  (Collection of Stories)                   1987

Nilo Jhinga                                                                      (Collection of Stories)                  1993

Sikkim ko Prajatantrik Andolan ko Ithihas                                                                           1996

Nirwan Ko Raat                                                              (Collection of Stories)                   1996

Gairigoan Ki Chameli                                                     (Collection of Stories)                    2007

Newspaper He worked with:

Adhar, Archana, Asha, Bichar, Chhahari Samayik Gangtok (Editor), Darjeeling Times, Darjeeling Times – Nepali Daily, Darpan Chhaya 1988 (Editor), Deepak, Dhuwan, Diyalo, Diyo, Hamro Pahar, Himal Chuli – Nepali Daily, Himali, Himali Abha – First Nepali Daily Nespaper from Siliguri (Editor), Himali Bela, Himgiri, Himshika 1980, Jandoot, Jhilka Sahityik Patrika, Jhilka Samayik 1968-1970, Mandakini, Navjyoti, Nayak 1973, Nibedan Pratibedan Rangpoo 1983, Nirmad, Prakriya, Pratibimb, Purnima, Ratnashri, Sainik Samachar Delhi, Samkalin Sahityik Kathmandu, Saptahik Paschim Bangal, Shrasta, Sunchari, Jhilka Weekly Gangtok (Still Active).

Awards and Recognition:

• All India Competition for Radio Play Wrights: 1987
• Asha Rani Chamling Nirman Puraskar: 1998
• Ganga Prasad Pradhan Smriti Puraskar: 2006
• Purna Rai Smriti Puraskar:  2007
• Sahitya Akademi Award:  2009
• Kanchandzonga Kalam Puraskar:  2015
• Kashiraj Pradhan Lifetime Achievement Award  2018

Other Felicitation:

Samiran Chhetri Priyadarshi has been felicitated by many esteem literary institutions on his contribution both on journalism and Nepali literature.