Vishnu Raj Atreya

Vishnu Raj Atreya (; 10 November 1944 – July 18, 2020) was a Nepali writer and poet, who wrote in Nepali language, Sanskrit language and Awadhi language. He used the title Latosaathi (meaning: mute friend) in his poetry works since 1963 A.D. He is considered to be the first person to start writing Haiku in Sanskrit language.

Life

Early life Atreya was born on 10 November 1944 as the first son of Dev Raj Upadhayaya and Sharada Devi in Rashminilaya, Kapilvastu, Nepal. His father Dev Raj and grandfather Rashmi Raj both were Sanskrit scholars. He was intelligent since his childhood. He attained his basic education under the custodianship of his father (who was a teacher in Tauleshwor Sanskrit Pathshala) and his grandfather Rashmi Raj. He started his education from Harihar Sanskrit Vidhyapeeth, Khidim (now affiliated to Nepal Sanskrit University). He then went to India for further education, where he completed undergraduate in Sankhya-Yog-Puran-History from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. He finished his master's degree in Navya Vyakarana from Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Varanasi. He further completed master's degree in Nepali and Political Science from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. He then completed his PhD in Navya Vyakarana from Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Varanasi, India. He was visiting professor at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Varanasi, India and professor at Nepal Sanskrit University, Valmiki Vidyapeeth, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Latosaathi title Dr. Atreya was awarded Pradesh Ratna on 2019 for his contribution on Language and Literature. Although his name is Vishnu Raj Atreya, he introduced himself as 'Latosaathi' since 1963 A.D. He believed that literature itself is mute and a person adds life and sense to it.

Works

Social works Atreya has been involved in various social works throughout his life. After starting his studies in Varanasi, he became a member of Nepal Student Organisation (1957 A.D.). In the year 1966 A.D. he then became Literature and Culture Minister of same organisation. He was editor of 'छात्रदूत' published by Nepal Sanskrit Student Council. Similarly, he was founding member of Baneras Sahitya Samparka Samiti in 1968 A.D. and organised various cultural and religious programmes to encourage Nepali students studying abroad.

He also became vice president of Kapilvastu Samaj, secretary of Panini Award Committee (1991 A.D.), member of Noorganga Pratibha Puraskar Guthi (1992 A.D.), executive member of Dadhiram Marasani Smriti Pratisthan (1994 A.D.), member of Nepal Pragya Pratisthan, vice-chairman of Gaukalyan Sangh, advisor of Kapilvastu Samaj, convenor of Rupak Smriti Pratisthan, member of Madan Puraskar Guthi etc. He had also played important role in erecting statue of Bhawani Bhikshu in Kapilvastu, Nepal. until he became physically weak (July 2020). He was a national member of Vishwa Hindu Mahasangh and travelled around Nepal and abroad to attend and present papers in Hindu conferences.

Educational works He has served as a professor of Navya Vyakaran in Nepal Sanskrit University for seventeen years (1996–2013). Before joining Nepal Sanskrit University he worked as a reader in Tribhuvan University (1988–1996), visiting professor in Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Banaras Hindu University (1980–1988) and lecturer and reader in Tribhuvan University (1970–1980). Since 2004, he has been member of Pragya Sabha, and contributing to scholar areas.

Atreya has also played in various Nepali movies. He started his movie appearance as a role of professor in a black and white movie titled 'मनको बाँध' (Manko baandh), which is a first film produced by Royal Nepal Film Corporation, directed by Prakash Thapa. He also acted as a friend of the main actor in the movie 'सिन्दुर' (Sindur). In the year 1999, he also acted as Gajadhar Soti in a historical movie titled Bhanubhakta Acharya directed by Yadav Kharel. He has also directed and led Sanskrit plays in Kalidash Janmajayanti program organised in Ujjain, India.

Publications +SanskritTitleYear of first publicationFirst edition publisherNotesRef.Kimupaharami (किमुपहरामी)Sarala (सरला)Vyathavida (व्यथाविधा)ElegiacsShree Shankaracharya (श्री शंकराचार्य)Dhanyo Himawad Desha (धन्यो हिमवत देश)Hanumadayanam (हनुमदयानम्)Shree Satyanarayan Kathamritam (श्रीसत्यनारायणकथामृतम्)2005Himalaya Books Stall, KathmanduMythologyAtha Durga Kavacham (अथ दुर्गाकवचम्) +AwadhiTitleYear of first publicationFirst edition publisherNotes Ref.Singighat (सिङ्घिघाट)2009Avadhi Cultural Development Committee, NepalEpic Atreya has edited books and has published articles and poems on various topics in national and international journals/newspapers.

Awards

Mahendra Vidhyabhushana "Kha", Narayanhiti Royal Palace, Kathmandu, Nepal - 1973 Kavi Bharati Samabhinandanam - Kavi Bharati Parishad, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India - 1982 Mahendra Vidhyabhushana "Ka", Narayanhiti Royal Palace, Kathmandu, Nepal - 1992 Samman -Mahakavi Devakota Jayanti, Lalitpur, Nepal - 1996 Gaddi Aarohan Rajat Mahotshav Padak - Narayanhiti Royal Palace, Kathmandu, Nepal - 1996 Sadaramabhinandanam - Devaghatta Vaidikadhyatmika Sewa Parishad, Kathmandu, Nepal - Sanskritvarsham 1999 - 2000 Dhirgha Sewa Padak - Mahendra Sanskrit University, Dang, Nepal - 1999 Avinandan - Kapilavastu Samaj Kathmandu, Kathmandu, Nepal -2000 Bhawani Bhikshu Puraskar - Kapilavastu Sahitiyika Samaj, Kapilavastu, Nepal - 2000 Virendra Aishwarya Seva Padak - Narayanhiti Royal Palace, Kathmandu, Nepal Rastriya Sanskrit Gaurav Samman - Kavi Ratna Krishna Prashad Ghimire Smriti Pratisthan, Kathmandu, Nepal - 2000 Sanskrita Shree Samman - Vishwa Hindu Ekata Parishad, Kathmandu, Nepal - 2000 Mahakavi Kalidash Award - Twenty Fourth International Astrological Conference, Kolkata, India - 2001 Banga Janani Award - Twenty Fourth International Astrological Conference, Kolkata, India - 2001 Jagatacharya Chandra Swami Award - Viswa Jyotish Vidhyapith, 2001 Prabachan Praveen Samman - Pivata Bhagwatam Rasmalayam, Kathmandu, Nepal -2002 Bharati Kharel Smaraka Vyakhyan Samman Ewam Puraskar - Bharati Kharel Pratisthan, Kathmandu, Nepal - 2003 Avhinandan - Aryal Sewa Samaj, Kathmandu, Nepal - 2003 Samman - Lumbini Society of Music, Arts and Literature, Kathmandu, Nepal - 2004 Pratibha Samman Puraskar - Shree Dadhiram Marasini Memorial Academy, Kathmandu, Nepal - 2008 Rudra Prashad Rijal Sanskrit Vidwat Puraskar - Rudra Prashad Rijal Smriti Puraskar Kosh, Hetauda, Nepal - 2010 Sanskrit Bani Bhusan Samman - 2012 Jyotish Hari Prashad Ghimire 'Hari Abhinav Puraskar' - 2013 Nepal Sanskritik Sangh 'Dilliraj Upetri Smriti Puraskar' - 2014 The Jayatu Sankritam Award - 2017 Pradesh Ratna - 2019