The Changing Dynamics of Nationalism: A Reading of Select Fiction from Nepal

The monarchy, Nepali language, and Hinduism have been instrumental in the development of nationalism, issues related to ethnicity, race, region systematically ignored formation state. Likewise, national literature Nepal until 1990s was dominated by writers from Hindu upper caste who spoke primarily for ruling class, often undermining diversity an otherwise heterogeneous nation. However, political upheavals witnessed 21st century led upsurge groups searching ‘national identities’ on ethnic regional grounds. This has also brought key changes literary landscape Nepal, contemporary increasingly drawn emerging new voices identity movements aimed at questioning prevalent notion ‘inclusive nationalism’ with its central axis monarchical base Parbatiya supremacy. Against backdrop a renewed debate nationalism structure state this paper seeks examine changing dynamics as encapsulated fiction Nepal. examines rising ethnocultural two novels, Karnali Blues (2010) Wayward Daughter (2018), prominent writers, Buddhisagar Chapain Shradha Ghale, respectively. hailed pioneering work introducing ‘new regionalism’ context literature. It narrates story mid- far-western aptly captures lives belonging margins. Shradhe Ghale’s focuses Janajati family portrays rich cross-section society influenced lived realities class caste. explores life, region, population depicted both thereby validating necessity understand terms religion, ethnicity. is reflective narrative nationalism.