A father of contemporary Nepali Language and Culture

1920 Patan, Bakhutole. Shankar Raj Joshi and Rajkumari Joshi gave birth to their first son. Working at Mohan Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana’s palace, Shankar Raj brought up his son
Satya Mohan Joshi with care. Due to long travelling distance from Patan, Lalitpur to Maharajgunj he thought it would be best if he rented a house in Maharajgunj and raise his son there while back home his wife would be expecting another baby soon. His childhood was colorful. One of his friend called  Jhalak Ram the son of the landlord at tender age of 13-14 were playing outside when all of sudden a tree infront of them swayed wildly. The whole world was rocking to and fro and at tender age it was his landlord who informed him a huge earthquake had hit Nepal. Many buildings had collapsed and remaining ones were fragile. His father came from office in a hurry and left for home. They cleared the rented house and while they were returning back heavy destruction had tolled the life of surrounding environment. The year was 16th January 1934A.D.

His education began right from the home. He learned alphabets at home and later enrolled to Durbar High School In Kathmandu. As a bright person, he completed Bachelors degree from Trichandra College. 1944, Satya Mohan joined the government sector.He was the first Director of Archeological and Cultural Department in 1959. He established Rastriya Naach Ghar –National theatre in Kathmandu. Archeological Garden in Patan and Archeological Museum in Taulihawa. National Painting Museum in Bhaktapur was also initiated by him.In 1960, when King Mahendra seized the power at his hands and he fled to China.He taught Nepali at Peking Broadcasting institute. He researched Arniko the great sculptor of Malla dynasty who migrated China in early 1260 A.D.He set up Arniko White Dagoba Gallery in Kirtipur ,Kathmandu. He is not only regarded as a successful administrator but also the foremost preserver of folk culture and its diversity. He is a successful dramatist, playwright, poet, research analyst. His folk tales, folk riddles, folk lifestyle and its development is the result of his devotion and hardwork.

Eastern Nepal those days didn’t have any recreational work. The local life and the environment played big role in his life.Western and Eastern literature was his interest area. In the process of printing his articles in the monthly paper Antarang  he was introduced to editor Gopal Prasad Risal who played key role for his development. Their work in publication Hamro Lok Sanskriti got him his first Madan Puraskar in 1956. He states due to our changing habits, outside interventions we are losing hold of our natural habits , forgetting our nationality , identity and fundamental nature. Our multilingual, multicultural society and conglomeration makes Nepal the hub of cultural station. Cultural philosophy is present in his books.His research on Arniko and  Coinage of Nepal is a benchmark for aspiring scholars. He received 2nd Madan Puraskar for his publication Nepali Rastriya Mudra. The Ministry of Culture , Tourist and Civil aviation honored him for making immense contribution to Nepali language, literature and culture with “Litterateur of the Century”.

He has more than 60 publications in various fields.December 2014, he was admitted to Vayodha Hospital at Balkhu in the Capital after he complained breathing and chest problems, he was treated for gastritis and urinary tract infection but stable health. He is the Chancellor of Nepal Bhasa Academy. It works for the preservation and promotion of the Nepal Bhasa and cultural heritage of the Newars. He won third Madan Puraskar in 1971 for his work in Karnali Lok Sanskriti. He is an example of multifaceted, multi talented personality. We regard him father of contemporary Nepali language and culture.