Right to royalty a cause for concern in Nepali literature as only a few get their share

Arguably, Laxmi Prasad Devkota’s Muna Madan is the most sold book in Nepal. Since its first publication in 1936, the ballad has been republished around 50 more times. His other books were republished quite a few times as well. Consequently, he and his family regularly received a royalty for every book sold.

“Until 2009, we regularly received it, but since then Sajha Publication hasn’t contacted us,” says Padma Prasad Devkota, his son. “I want to ask them why, but there is no point during these times because I know they are in a mess themselves.”