Born Balkrishna Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana in Kumaripati, Kathmandu, to General Samar Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana
Balkrishna Sama
Deceasedबालकृष्ण सम
Also known as Balkrishna Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, Natya Siromani, Shakespeare of Nepal
Playwright honoured as Natya Siromani and often called the "Shakespeare of Nepal"; one of the trinity of modern Nepali literature
About
Balkrishna Sama was born into the ruling Rana family. His birth name was Balkrishna Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana. He later shortened his name. He no longer wanted to be linked to his family’s harsh rule. Instead, he spent his life writing, and his work changed Nepali drama.
In 1929, he wrote the play Mutuko Byatha. It is seen as the first tragedy in Nepali literature. Along with writer Laxmi Prasad Devkota, he helped move Nepali writing away from old Sanskrit styles. He brought in Western styles instead. He was given the title Natya Siromani. People often call him the “Shakespeare of Nepal.” He is remembered as one of the three great pillars of modern Nepali literature, along with Devkota and Lekhnath Paudyal.
Quick facts
- Born
- 1903-02-08
- Birthplace
- Kumaripati, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Profession
- Playwright, Poet, Author
- Nationality
- Nepal
- Status
- Deceased
- Died
- 1981-06-20
Previous roles
Vice-Chancellor
Royal Nepal Academy · 1971
Career & life timeline
- 1903-02-08
- 1921
Married Mandakini
- 1929
Published Mutuko Byatha, the first tragedy in Nepali literature
- 1971
Retired as Vice-Chancellor of the Royal Nepal Academy
- 1972
Awarded the Tribhuwan Puraskar
- 1978
Awarded the Prithvi Pragya Puraskar, the Academy's highest honour
- 1981-06-20
Died in Kathmandu at age 78
Achievements
Honoured with the title Natya Siromani (Crest-jewel of playwright)
Considered one of the trinity (trimurti) of modern Nepali literature
Alongside Laxmi Prasad Devkota and Lekhnath Paudyal
Wrote Mutuko Byatha, the first tragedy in Nepali literature
1929
Awards & honours
Tribhuwan Puraskar
Prithvi Pragya Puraskar
Sajha Puraskar
Organizations & affiliations
- Royal Nepal Academy
Related people
Last updated: 2026-09-06