Yen (Kathmandu), Nepal Mandala – The untimely demise of Prof Siefried Lienhard, the Austrian-Swedish scholar of Nepal’s ancient classic literature including Nepal Bhasa, Pali and Sanskrit has saddened the Asian classics lovers. According to a press release (made available only in Khas Bhasa and English) by the Chwasapasa, the leading society of Nepal Bhasa writers organized a condolence meeting in his memory in Kathmandu on 13th this month.
Scholars of Nepalbhasha literature today paid tribute to the Austrian-Swedish scholar of Nepali ancient classic literature Prof Siefried Lienhard (April 13, 2011).
Speakng at the memorial, Satyamohan Joshi, chalceller of Nepalbhasha Academy said that the professor, though was born thousand of mile away from Nepal, not only introduced Nepal’s ancient literature to the western world, but he also opened eyes of the Newars, by telling them how great their ancient literatures were. He urged all to be inspired by the works and commitment of Lienhard and be committed to work for the mother langauge.
Linguist Dr Tej Ratna Kansakar said that Lienhard collected priceless classical Nepal Bhasa mansucripts, translated and brought them to the light in those days to Europens. He added that demise of Lienhard is a unrepearable damage to conservation of Nepal’s ancient literature.
Padma Ratna Tuladhar, the chairman of Chwasapasa, said that hardwork of Lienhard should inspire the present generation of the Newars, who even have started to quit their mother language due to inadverdent circumstances of their own country.
Malla K Sundar and Kashinath Tamot also shed light on various incidents they shared with Lienhard in Nepal.
Lienhard was a doctor of letters form the University of Vienna in 1949 and was a board member of Academia European (London) from 1992. He wrote analytical and critical books and research papers on Nepal Bhasa classical literature and translated them into English, German, Italian and other languages for around 50 years. Around a dozen of his books on Nepal’s ancient literature have been published. His first book “Manicudavadanoddhrta” was published in 1963 and the last book – ‘Swayambhupurana : Myth of Nepal’ was in 2009. He was born in August 29, 1924 and died on March 6, 2011.
Rajendra Manandhar,
for,
Chwasapasa
The Newah extends its heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family of Professor Lienhard and wish the late scholar to attain to eternal happiness of Nirvana.