KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 16
Shatabdi Purush (Man of the Century) Satya Mohan Joshi, a culture expert par excellence, writer and historian, passed away on October 16. He was 103.
He breathed his last at the KIST Medical and Teaching Hospital, Imadol, at 7:09am, informed Kanchha Kumar Karmacharya, chancellor of Nepal Academy of Fine Arts.
Joshi had been suffering from pneumonia and heart ailment. He had also tested positive for dengue of late. He was admitted to the hospital on September 23, informed Pabitra Bajracharya, chairperson of Newa De Dabu.
Joshi's mortal remains were taken to Lalitpur Metropolitan City Office of the Municipal Executive and honoured with a salute by Nepal Police before being taken back to KIST Hospital at 4:00pm.
"Joshi's body will be kept by KIST hospital for medical studies to be undertaken by doctors with the purpose of understanding how he survived for such a long period of time, and also perhaps to get to know the reason behind his intellect," Karmacharya stated.
Honouring their father's wish to donate his body to KIST Hospital, Joshi's two sons burned his janam kundali (astrological birth chart) at Bagmati ghat in Sankhamul at 6:14pm, tweeted Girish Giri.
Born on 13 May 1919, to Shankar Raj and Raj Kumari, Joshi is a three-time recipient of the Madan Puraskar for his work on folk studies, Nepali numismatics, and the traditions of the Karnali region.
According to Rastriya Samachar Samiti, his prominent publications include Hamro Lok Sanskriti (won Madan Puraskar in 1956); Nepali Rastriya Mudra (Madan Puraskar of1960); Karnali Lok Sanskriti (a research collection); Charumati, Sunkeshari, Majipha Lakhe, Bagh Bhairab (plays).
He was also bestowed the Order of Gorkha Dakshin Bahu, and Shrestha Sirpa, among others.
Kathmandu University bestowed an honorary Doctor of Literature on him.
Nepal Rastra Bank issued three new coins of denominations Rs 100, Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,500 in September 2019, featuring Joshi's portrait, to commemorate his 100th birthday.
On 17 November 2021, Joshi became the first person to receive Nepal's electronic passport.
This culture expert par excellence was referred to as 'Godfather' by Karmacharya because he had made significant contributions to preserving Nepali history, art, and culture.
"I shall never forget his significant contribution to the global recognition of Araniko.
He conducted studies on Araniko, a Malla dynasty artist who moved to China in the first half of 1260. He used historical Araniko artefacts to create the Araniko White Dagoba Gallery in Kirtipur, Kathmandu.
His efforts to conserve antique cash and historical postage stamps are particularly noteworthy. Now, it's the responsibility of the next generation to value and keep what he left for us. Additionally, the government must play a crucial role in maintaining it," he said.
Dr Pushpa Raj Karnikar, former deputy governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, also a language and culture expert, said, "Joshi was a vidwan (knowledgeable person) with true leadership qualities who was an activist in the field of culture, and an expert, till his last breath.
Joshi was the chancellor of the Nepal Bhasa Academy. He was also the founder of Newa De Dabu, Rastriya Naachghar, the National Theatre, and the Archaeological Garden in Patan, among others. He was a great mentor who loved his juniors and guided them on the right path."
Dr Karnikar added, "Joshi used to have a dictionary of 90 languages.
He had a big role in preserving the culture that was about to go extinct such as the culture of Sinja Valley, which is located in Jumla District in Karnali Province."
Mayor of LMC Chiri Babu Maharjan said, "I became the mayor of Lalitpur when he was 98 years old. He loved me and guided me in each and every decision I made. So, whenever I make decisions, I remember his advice. I fulfilled most of his wishes, but, there was a Charumathi Naach written by him and we wanted to stage it, but unfortunately because of COVID-19 we were not able to fulfil this wish of his."
He added, "Joshi was an extraordinary person with great memory. He had great attachment for the nation, society, and culture. His achievements and contributions to the culture and language of Nepal are extraordinary."
When Joshi turned 100 in 2019, LMC gave him a memorable birthday bash with a grand horse-drawn chariot procession around Lalitpur.
Thousands of people had participated in this once-in-alifetime event.
The participants included locals, LMC officials, school students, volunteers from Lalitpur District Scout Office, among others.
Vice-Chancellor of Nepal Academy Jagaman Gurung had said then: at a time when there was no knowledge about archaeology in the country, Joshi served as the first director of Department of Archaeology and Culture of the government of Nepal in 1959 and educated others about culture.
So, he is the pioneer in the field. Several books such as New Zealand Ma Pahilo Nepali, Arniko Ya Sweta Chaitya, Lalitpur Ra Karthik Naachko Pristhabhumi and Maharshi Yagyawalkya authored by Joshi were released on the occasion.
At his 100th birthday celebrations, Joshi had said, "Health is very important in life, so simple living and the ability to keep oneself free from mental tension is the secret to long life."
Joshi is survived by his wife, four sons and four daughters.
A version of this article appears in the print on October 17, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.
