In memory Documented October 2021
Rajendra Prasad Bimal
Prof. Dr Rajendra Prasad Bimal (1947–2026) was a Janakpurdham-based writer, linguist, educator and cultural activist whose work made important contributions to both Maithili and Nepali literary life. A long-time Tribhuvan University educator, he worked across fiction, poetry, drama, criticism, children's literature, translation and linguistics. He was also active in the preservation and promotion of Maithili language and culture and received major honours including the Jagadamba Shree and the BP Koirala Memorial Literary Award.
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Rajendra Prasad Bimal was born on 26 March 1947 and became one of Janakpurdham's prominent literary, linguistic and cultural figures. His life and work crossed linguistic boundaries, particularly Maithili and Nepali, while his education and literary work also involved Hindi and English.
He completed master's degrees in Hindi, Nepali and Maithili and earned a PhD in linguistics, with a detailed biographical account identifying Banaras Hindu University as the institution where he completed his doctorate. Before and alongside his academic career, he was involved in journalism and editorial work. He became associated with Tribhuvan University in the early 1970s and later taught Nepali at Ramswarup Ramsagar Multiple Campus in Janakpurdham.
Bimal's literary work encompassed short stories, poetry, ghazal, drama, criticism, children's literature, translation, research and linguistics. Published accounts identify works including Ie Hamare Katha Thik, Itihasak Ghao, Bimalka Kathaharu, Sarbariya Gaunko Katha and Fisti Maharani. His work also entered school and university curricula.
His contribution extended beyond his own writing. He mentored younger writers, worked for the promotion of Maithili language and literature, and served in cultural and literary organisations in Janakpur. He was founding chairman of the Maithili Development Trust, and in 2023 was identified as President of Madhes Pragya Foundation. Research on Mithila art also records his work with Claire Burkert documenting Janakpur's Mithila murals and helping establish the Women's Development Center in 1992.
For his contribution to Nepali language and literature he received the Jagadamba Shree 2066. Among his later honours was the BP Koirala Memorial Literary Award, presented by President Ramchandra Paudel in September 2023. Rajendra Bimal died in Janakpurdham on 11 August 2026 at the age of 79.
Katha Hijo Ko recorded an oral-history interview with Rajendra Bimal in 2021. The original recording should remain the primary Katha Hijo Ko source for his personal memories and testimony; details and quotations from that interview should be added only after the original recording is reviewed and verified.