Bhanubhakta Acharya

Nepali poet who democratized literature through vernacular translation

Bhanubhakta Acharya (1814-1868) transformed Nepali culture by translating the Sanskrit Ramayana into accessible verse. His Bhanubhakta Ramayana broke Brahminical language monopolies, increasing literacy from 2% to 38% within decades. Using jhulne folk meter, he created 1,200 couplets that became Nepal's literary foundation.

The poet's Jayanti (birth anniversary) remains a national holiday. His works inspired the 1951 revolution against Rana oligarchy, with rebels quoting his verses about Ravana's tyranny. Modern linguists credit him for standardizing Nepali grammar through poetic innovations.

Despite being a Brahmin, Acharya wrote Badhu Shiksha advocating women's education. The 2021 UNESCO Memory of the World Register included his manuscripts, recognizing their role in preserving Himalayan cultural identity against colonial influences.