Khemlal Harikala Lamichhane Academy announced a shortlist of books for this year’s Padmashree Award. The list includes five books from five different genres—non-fiction, essay collection, novel, story collection and poetry.  The books on the shortlist are Kahar by Janakraj Sapkota, Ghatmandu by Kumar Nagarkoti, Chhaughar by Raj Sargam, Rolpa Suyeha by Nabin Bibhas, and Sagarmatha ko Gahirahi by Nawaraj Parajuli.

“The shortlisted books are selected by way of a rigorous discussion with scholars and critics, and the list is what the adjudication panel deemed the best,” said Jiba Lamichhane, conservator of the Academy. “The best book will be honoured with a cash purse of two lakhs.”

Niharika by Neelam Karki had bagged the Padmashree award last year.