Loo (novel)

{{Infobox book

| name = Loo

| media_type = Print (Paperback)

| pub_date = 2012

| caption = Cover page of the 1st edition

| set_in = Banke district, Nepal

| orig_lang_code = ne

| title_orig = लू

| followed_by = Ghamkiri

| image = Loo Nayan Raj Pandey.jpg

| isbn = 9789937853828

| publisher = Sangri~La Books

| genre = Fiction

| country = Nepal

| language = Nepali

| author = Nayan Raj Pandey

| publisher2 = FinePrint Publication

| website = {{Url|https://fineprint.com.np/product/loo/|Official Publisher's site}}

}}

Loo ({{Langx|ne|लू|lit=fast moving hot westerly wind}}) is a 2012 Nepali novel by Nayan Raj Pandey.{{Cite news|last=Shah|first=Jit Bahadur|date=August 18, 2012|title='लू' उपन्यास र सीमा क्षेत्रको पीडा|work=Nagarik News}}{{Cite news|last=Shrestha|first=Laxman|date=July 7, 2012|title=दैनिक १२–१५ घण्टासम्म लगातार लेखिरहेँ|work=Dainik Lumbini}} It is the fifth novel of the writer and was published in 2012 by Sangri~La Publication. The book was critically acclaimed and became a bestseller.{{Cite web|date=2021-06-15|title=Nayan Raj Pandey's new collection of stories, Jiyara, hits the shelves|url=https://www.nepallivetoday.com/2021/06/15/nayan-raj-pandeys-new-collection-of-stories-jiyara-hits-the-shelves/|access-date=2021-11-11|website=Nepal Live Today|language=en}}

The book is set in a village near Indo-Nepalese border in western Nepal.{{Cite news|last=Pranjali|first=Suresh|date=April 20, 2012|title=Snapshots of the subaltern|work=Kathmandu Post}} The book includes the writer's own experience growing up in Nepalgunj. According to writer, the main character Elaiya is a combination of people, he knew growing up.{{Cite web|last=Setopati|first=सबिना श्रेष्ठ |title=लेखक नयनराज पाण्डे भन्छन्- मेरा पात्रहरू मैले देखिरहेकै मान्छे हुन् (भिडिओ)|url=https://www.setopati.com/art/book/245152/|access-date=2021-11-11|website=Setopati|language=hi}} The book was reprinted by FinePrint Publication in 2015.

Synopsis

The book is set in a fictional village called Pattharpuruwa in Banke district of Nepal near the Indian border. The book shows the strange and everyday events of the village. Since, the village is located near Indian border, far from the capital city, the village is neglected by the central Nepalese government and troubled by the Sashastra Seema Bal, the Indian border guarding force. The village is shown being continuously being encroached by the Indian side.{{Cite web|date=2020-09-24|title=Top 5 Nepali Books That Require Translation For International Appeal|url=https://wordinvent.com/top-5-nepali-books-that-require-translation-for-international-appeal/|access-date=2021-11-11|website=Wordinvent|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|last=Bartaman|first=Govinda|date=April 14, 2012|title=एउटा अग्लो उपन्यास|work=Kantipur}} The major theme of this book is social realism. The book shows the socio-economic conditions of people in Madesh region of Nepal. The book shows how the people living in the region are neglected by Nepalese government.

Character

Elaiya, the main protagonist
Elaiya's father
Elaiya's mother
Elaiya's step mother
Tutte Pandit, a priest
Radiolal, a friend of Elaiya
Bajrangi, a friend of Elaiya
Karim,Nushrat's love interest
Maheshar Kaka
Chameli, Radiolal's wife
Nushrat, Elaiya's love interest
Munni
Kabita
Brijalala

Translation and adaptations

The English translation of the book is to be released soon.{{Cite web|last=Swechcha|first=Sangita|date=2019-11-24|title='Our writing quality will be rightly tested only when it reaches the global market': An interview with writer Nayan Raj Pandey|url=https://glli-us.org/2019/11/24/our-writing-quality-will-be-rightly-tested-only-when-it-reaches-the-global-market-an-interview-with-writer-nayan-raj-pandey/|access-date=2021-11-11|website=Global Literature in Libraries Initiative|language=en}}

The book was adapted into a play by Sarita Shah in 2017. The play was presented by Tandav theatre and was staged in Mandala theatre.{{Cite web|title=Ground zero: Pattharpuruwa|url=https://kathmandupost.com/miscellaneous/2017/03/25/ground-zero-pattharpuruwa|access-date=2021-11-11|website=kathmandupost.com|language=English}}{{Cite web|title=Kantipur-'लू' ले सम्झाउँछ कञ्चनपुर - कान्तिपुर समाचार|url=https://ekantipur.com/ampnews/2017-03-17/20170317072422.html?fb_comment_id=1455524427901362_1455548114565660|access-date=2021-11-11|website=ekantipur.com}}