Prof. Dr. Tejrathna Kansakar was born to father Sanurathna Kansakar and mother Ashamaya Kansakar in Damwochuk, Kilagal, Kathmandu. Prof. Kansakar, a person of simple and easy-going nature, is a renowned linguist not only in Nepalbhasa but also in national and international fields. Prof. Kansakar, who earned a Ph.D. in Newari Phonology (1980 AD), has taught at Tribhuvan University and has also served as a Senior Visiting Fellow at the International Institute for Asian Studies, Leiden, the Netherlands (1996), and as a Visiting Professor at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, JapanProfessor, Research Institute for Languages & Cultures of Asia & Africa, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Tokyo, Japan, April 2001–March 2002, and as a researcher, has participated in national and international linguistics conferences and workshops, presenting papers on Nepalbhasa and other languages of Nepal. Additionally, he has had the opportunity to participate in national language surveys and language policy formulation processes at various times.
Thus, Prof. Kasaakar has presented papers at various national and international conferences and seminars, published research articles in various journals, and authored various research and survey reports, totaling over 200 impactful writings related to language. Among these, more than 50 focus specifically on the linguistic aspects of Nepalbhasa, although almost all of them are in English. He has only one book published in Nepalbhasa, and some articles have appeared in magazines like 'Kasaa Khwaapau' and 'Matina' in Nepalbhasa. His book published in Nepalbhasa is — Nepalbhasa and Linguistics (N.S. 1102),Although small in size, it is an important book that scientifically studies and analyzes the history of linguistic studies of the Newar language, as well as the linguistic characteristics, nature, sounds, letters, forms, etc., of Nepalbhasa. Similarly, he has also published a foundational conversational book for the Newar language titled 'A Basic Course in Classical Newari - 1984'. Some of his writings presented in various national and international journals and workshops that shed light on the linguistic nature of Nepalbhasa are —
– Newari Language and Linguistics: A Conspectus. -1981 AD
-Syllable Structure in Newari – 1983 AD
-A Phonological Representation of Newari Segments–1983
-A Treatment of Glides in Newari Phonology. – 1980 AD
-A Sociolinguistic Study of Newar / Nepal Bhasa Cluster -2009 AD
-Newar – Nepal Bhasa Writing Systems 2008 AD, 1129 NS
-Taboo words and expressions in the Newar Language. – November, 2005AD
Dr. Kansakar is not only a linguist who has introduced Nepal Bhasa to national and international forums through linguistic studies and research on various aspects of Nepal Bhasa, but also by translating many books of prominent Nepal Bhasa literary figures into English.
He is also an expert translator who has promoted Nepal Bhasa literature. He has not only translated many books for Nepal Bhasa but also written articles on translation and provided training on translation methods. Some of the Nepal Bhasa books he has translated into English are—
Motilaxmi Upasika's essay collection Motima: - A Garland of Pearls, Laxman Rajbansi's story collection Jhasuka - The Fallen Kite and Other Stories, Shashikala's novel Matinaya Sagarmatha (A Love of Mt. Everest - Sagarmatha), Dhuswan Sayami's novel Ganki - The Eclipse, Mathura Krishna Manandhar's novella The Blue Doll, Nepal Bhasa's New Story Group - Nepal Bhasa Short Stories (1977), Shrilaxmi's story collection A Cry in the Wilderness and Other Stories. – 2011 etc.
Dr. Tejratna has done significant work in the field of editing by editing dictionaries, journals, grammar books, etc. His most notable contribution in the field of editing for Nepal Bhasa is the creation of the old Nepal Bhasa dictionary - A Classical Newari Dictionary Project, Chwasa Pasa, Kathmandu, (1990-93). For this, he worked as an Executive Editor. Similarly, Mr. Kansakar has been a member of various linguistic and literary institutions of Nepal, such as the National Language Commission, former president and lifelong member of the Linguistic Society of Nepal, honorary member of Nepal Academy,member, former president of Sahitya Guthi, member of Nepal Bhasa Academy, etc., he has also done a lot of important work.
Thus, in appreciation of his various works and educational qualifications, he has also received numerous awards and medals such as — Lakoul Award (N.S. 1133), Happa Guthi Award (N.S. 1132), Mahendra Vidya Bhushan Ka (N.S. 1104), Suprabal Gorkha Dakshinabahu III (N.S. 1108), Long Service Medal (N.S. 1116) etc.
