There was a significant presence of young readers at the program organized at Pragya Pratishthan in Kathmandu.
What you should know
A book discussion and author-reader meeting program on the best-selling novel 'Blue Love' has been completed.
Writer and journalist Deepak Sapkota spoke to author Purushottam Bajgain about this novel, which has sold more than 30,000 copies in just 8 months of publication.
There was a significant presence of young readers at the program organized at Pragya Pratishthan in Kathmandu. Journalist Sapkota asked questions and discussed the meaning of ‘Blue Love’, love relationships among the young generation, their perspective on society, the Gen-G generation’s attraction to books, thematic interest in love stories, family relationships, difficult moments in life, and other topics. Sapkota was especially interested in the love relationships between teenagers and the ups and downs of life with author Purushottam.
In response, author Bajgain said that he tried to include the psychology of youth in the book. Love, friendship, family, self-identity and society are very sensitive topics of adolescence, so he tried to cover them in the book. ‘The theme of the story is of eternal ideal love that is as vast as the blue sky and as deep as the ocean.’ Hence, the title of the book is also relevant. The blue color of the books symbolically carries this conflict, depth and loneliness,’ the author said. ‘While writing the novel, I tried to understand this psychology of youth closely.’
The author said that he does not blame the feelings of today’s youth for the confusion and prejudice they have in society regarding their love relationships, but is on the side of understanding them. ‘Love is a special means of understanding the world, sometimes harshly, sometimes tenderly,’ Bajgain said.
When asked by journalist Sapkota, ‘After the book has become very popular, can it now be seen on stage?’, author Bajgain said, ‘That is not a possibility.’ The author said that he wanted to limit ‘Neelo Prem’ to a book rather than making a film or adapting it into a play. Discussing the context of the story ending with an ‘open ending’, author Bajgain said, ‘That is not a possibility.’ When asked by Sapkota, ‘Is there a possibility of a sequel to the book?’, author Bajgain said, ‘That is not a possibility.’
According to the reviewer, although it is based on a love story, the novel ‘Neelo Prem’ has also subtly depicted the social, cultural and economic dimensions. Indigo Inc. Chairman Bishnukumar Poudel said that this book, which brings the aspect of ideal love to life, is suitable for readers of all age groups.
‘Neelo Prem’ is Bajgain’s first book. This novel, which has set a new record in sales since its first book, is especially popular among the youth.
Videos of readers dancing, laughing, crying and becoming emotional after reading emotional parts of the book are going viral on social media including TikTok.
‘Neelo Prem’, published by Indigo Inc Pvt. Ltd., is priced at Rs 799.
