SHAMBHU PRASAD DHUNGEL (Ansukavi)

In the pre-modern era of Nepali literature, Shambhu Prasad Dhungel’s contribution is very important. In fact, he is the lone star of that era. After Bhanu Bhakta and Motiram and before Lekhnath Poudyal, Sambhu Prasad Dhungel represented the entire era of the Nepali literature.

Shambhu Prasad Dhungel was born in Bhatbhateni, Kathmandu, in 1946 BS. As his father Devi Raman Dhungel was a government clerk stationed in Hanuman Nagar of Birgunj, he spent his childhood in Birgunj. His family was a better off financially and had good social reputation. Thus, he spent his childhood with comfort and delight. He enjoyed an excellent environment for learning at home. His father hired a host of good tutors both from Nepal and India to teach young Dhungel at home. After learning literacy and numeral, he was taught Sanskrit, Nepali and Hindi literature. This was the period he learnt the art of poetry and became interested in literature and writing. Although he did not have any formal degree, he was well versed in Nepali and Sanskrit from private tutors and through self-study. He also had working a knowledge of Bengali, Urdu, Hindi and Newari. Apart from Nepali literature, he was also interested in music.