Samrat Upadhyay on Nepali identity, writing across continents and the stories still left untold
Summary
Samrat Upadhyay reflects on writing across Nepal and the United States, saying his creative roots remain tied to Nepal even after decades abroad. He discusses his latest novel Dark Motherland, the impact of the Gorkha earthquake, and how Nepali stories continue to shape his work.
Key Points
- Samrat Upadhyay says Nepal remains the center of his imagination even after living in the United States for decades.
- He describes Kathmandu’s major transformation, from a more walkable city to one changed by technology and infrastructure.
- Upadhyay says Dark Motherland was reshaped by the Gorkha earthquake and by global political developments including Donald Trump’s rise.
- He argues that the core psychology of Nepali characters remains universal, even when written from abroad.
