Balkrishna Sama

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Balkrishna Sama (February 8, 1903 – June 20, 1981) was a renowned Nepalese dramatist and writer. He is celebrated as Natya Siromani, the Crest-jewel of playwrights, and is regarded as one of the three great figures of Nepali literature, along with Laxmi Prasad Devkota and Lekhnath Paudyal. He is often called the Shakespeare of Nepal.

Personal life
- Born in Kathmandu to General Samar Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana and Kirti Rajyalaxmi Rana.
- Married Mandakini in 1921.
- Awarded several national honors for his work.

Education and early career
- Attended Durbar High School in Ranipokhari and studied science at Tri-Chandra College.
- In his early years he received army training in Dehradun and became a captain, later serving as a lieutenant colonel under Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher Rana.

Writing career
- Sama spent a lot of time alone, developing his art and writing for Nepal’s literary magazines such as Sarada, Udhyog, and Shahitya Shrot.
- He shortened his surname from Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana to Sama to distance himself from the Rana regime.
- His drama Bhater (1953) reflected his concern for human rights and social justice.

Notable works
- Plays inspired by Shakespeare: Prem Pinda, Swasni Manchhe, Buhartan, Tapobhumi, Atyadhunikta, Bhater.
- Other dramas: Mukunda Indira, Ma, Mutuko Byatha, Amit Basana, Boksi, Talamathi, Andhabeg.
- Historical and religious themes: Amar Singh, Bhimsen Ko Antya, Bhakta Bhanubhakta, Birami Ra Kuruwa, Prahlad, Dhruba.
- Epics and poetry: Aago Ra Paani, Chiso Chulho; Nepal Lilit Kala (art essay); Hamra Rastriya Bhibhutiharu (biography); Mero Kabita Ko Aradhana (autobiography).
- Short story Kaikai (1938); Taltal (posthumously published in 1990).
- Sama is regarded as one of Nepal’s greatest playwrights.

Later work and influence
- Worked as a lecturer in Nepali language and literature at Tri-Chandra College.
- In 1955, became director of Nepal Radio and chief editor of the Gorkhapatra newspaper.
- Joined the Royal Nepal Academy in 1967 and later served as its vice chancellor.
- Retired in 1971 but continued writing, publishing poems in magazines like Madhuparka and Ramjham. Many works remained unpublished or incomplete.

Awards and recognition
- Sajha Puraskar for his literary contributions.

See also
- Laxmi Prasad Devkota
- Lekhnath Paudyal

A statue of Balkrishna Sama stands at the Nepal Academy in Kathmandu.