Janakpur, Aug. 11 -- Rajendra Bimal believed that literature could do what politics often failed to do: bring people divided by language, geography and identity into the same conversation.

For decades, the writer, scholar and linguist made that belief the organising principle of his intellectual life. From Janakpur, where he was based for much of his career, Bimal wrote across Nepali, Maithili, Hindi and English, while arguing for a sense of belonging that was larger than any single region, community or language.

Bimal died on Tuesday morning in Janakpur. He was 80.

His oxygen level and pulse dropped suddenly late Monday night, according to his family. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died while undergoing treatment.

To his ...