The Half-closed Eyes of the Buddha and the Slowly Sinking Sun

The Half-closed Eyes of the Buddha and the Slowly Sinking Sun

About the Author S hankar Lamichhane (1928–1975) was a celebrated figure in Nepali literature, born in Kathmandu and raised in Banaras. After graduating from Tri-Chandra College, he worked in various governmental and cultural institutions and later managed a handicrafts store. An admirer of modern American fiction, Lamichhane was known for his poetic prose, symbolism, and innovative narrative style. His stories often abandoned conventional plots in favor of reflective, essay-like explorations. His magnum opus, Abstract Chintan Pyaj, won the prestigious Madan Puraskar in 1967. Sadly, he passed away at the young age of 47 in 1975. The Half-closed Eyes of the Buddha and the Slowly Sinking Sun is one of his most acclaimed works, included in Himalayan Voices: An Introduction to Nepali Literature (translated and edited by Michael Hutt). Overview of the Story This story unfolds through the monologues of two characters — a Western tourist and a Nepali tour guide in the Kathmandu Valley. Rather than…