KATHMANDU: “Balkrishna Sama was more than a dramatist. He was a philosopher who created his own philosophies in the book Niyamit Aakasmikta, and he was a painter, photographer, drama director and actor,” Chancellor of Nepal Academy of Music and Drama (NAMUDA) Bhakta Raj Shrestha (Sarubhakta) said about Natya Siromani Balkrishna Sama at NAMUDA, Bhatbhateni on February 6. The occasion was Sama’s 115th birth anniversary and he was remembered at the event by various personalities from the fields of literature, theatre and music. Sama, whose real name was Balkrishna Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, is dubbed as the ‘Shakespeare’ of Nepal. He has enriched Nepali literature through his works which include plays like Mukunda Indira, Andhabeg, Buhartan, Tapobhumi, Amar Singh, Bhimsen Ko Antya, Bhakta Bhanubhakta, et cetera. Sama also penned biographies, stories, poems and essays. Veteran theatre director Prachanda Malla, who was the chief guest at the event, recalled Sama as “an amazing and multi-talented personality”. He had the opportunity to work with Sama in the play Prahlad as a stage decorator. Recalling those days, Malla shared, “He was very serious about his work.” Malla pointed out, a lot has been discussed and written about Sama’s various works, but people have failed to see his pain in contributing to Nepali art and literature. “Despite being from a Rana family, he led a difficult life — he didn’t have money to publish his first play Mutuko Byatha. He published it with the money he got after his wife Mandakini sold her bangles.” Vice-Chancellor of NAMUDA and veteran musician Sambhujeet Baskota began his theatre journey with Sama. “When I was in school, I got the opportunity to work in Sama’s play Prahlad as Chakramurti. He spoke sweetly and very softly. And he liked to put make-up on his face,” he shared. Baskota later directed music for the famous play Prem Pinda. Veteran actor Saroj Khanal credited Sama for keeping Nepali theatre alive. Meanwhile, Ramesh Ranjan Jha, Council Member of NAMUDA, pointed out, “Kathmandu has become a drama hub, but, we don’t see Natya Siromani Balkrishna Sama’s plays being staged. Rather we find Shakespeare and Henrik Ibsen’s plays. Contemporary dramatists should adapt Sama’s plays and stage them.”