Peter J. Karthak
पिटर जे. कार्थक
Peter John Karthak was a renowned Nepalese writer, musician, and journalist known for his significant contributions to Nepali literature and music. He was born on 12 December 1943 in Shillong, Assam Province, British India (present-day Meghalaya, India), and later became a naturalized citizen of Nepal. He began his creative journey in the early 1970s and gained recognition for his debut novel Pratyek Thau: Pratyek Manchhe, which won the Sajha Puraskar in 1978. His notable works include Kathmandruids: Monomyths & Meanymyths and Nepal’s Music Makers: Between the Dales of Darjeeling and the Vales of Kathmandu. Karthak’s literary style often explored themes of identity, culture, and transformation, blending Nepali and English traditions. In addition to his writing, he was a prominent musician, serving as the lead guitarist for The Hillians, the first Western-style band from Darjeeling, and performing with iconic Nepali artists like Narayan Gopal and Tara Devi. As a journalist, Karthak worked with leading newspapers such as The Himalayan Times and The Kathmandu Post. He also taught at universities in Nepal and abroad. An advocate for music and literature, he retired from music in 1990 and focused on writing and journalism until his death on 16 April 2020 in Lalitpur, Nepal. He is remembered as a cultural icon who bridged diverse creative worlds.
