Kathmandu, Aug. 17 -- Poet and lyricist Durgalal Shrestha, one of the best-known poets of modern Nepal Bhasha literature, died at his home in Budhanilkantha on Sunday night. He was 93.

Kishan Sundar Malla, chancellor of the Nepal Bhasha Academy and a close associate of Shrestha, said the poet's death was a major loss to Nepal Bhasha literature. "He was born to write," said Malla, describing Shrestha as a son of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning.

Born in Nhyakatol in central Kathmandu in Nepal Sambat 1057, Shrestha was the son of Aashamoti and Ganesh Lal. He entered the literary world by writing plays, and in Nepal Sambat 1075, his poem 'Santwana' was published in Dharmodaya magazine. He later became best known as a poet, although...