This weekend, nearly 60 people gathered at The Inn, Patan to celebrate the launch of A Tihar in Patan—”my” newest book. We marked the occasion with thoughtful conversations, traditional food (for the most part!), and plenty of laughter.
But in all honesty, the real celebration wasn’t the book.
A Tihar in Patan is anchored in my family’s childhood experiences. The main character, Sanu, draws on the personalities of my mother and my aunts, presenting herself as bold, curious, and unbelievably strong. Beyond her personality, Sanu’s journey through Tihar—my favourite Nepalese festival—is rooted entirely in stories passed down through my family. From memories infused with fragility and grief to moments of cultural richness, family, and friendships that transcend human connections, these stories of resilience and warmth are the real celebration.
As their daughter, being able to retell those stories through such a strong character is an honour. While I may have been the one to physically write this book, it would feel like a shame to call it mine. Without the storytelling of my family, this book would never have existed.
So, I’d rather think of it as a group project.
