Sharp Satire To The System

 Tej Bilas Adhikari is known for his crispy presentation of his surroundings—in his literary creations—that pinches, or punches sometimes—the readers and forces them to appreciate the presentation, if not the ideas. Recently, he has tested his mettle with 'Muktak' and come up with a book 'Utprekshan' consisting of 228 contemporary 'Muktaks'. 'Muktak' is one of the smallest forms of poetry, which is quick and sharp and can cause immediate emotions in the audience. If one has better skills to recite it, the impact is more profound. Dr. Devi Nepal, a literary critic from Nepal, said that while being the smallest form of poetry, 'Muktak' has electric power. This is the discipline in poetry that has attracted many, including legendary poets like Bhupi Sherchan and Hari Bhakta Katuwal.

Adhikari's 'Utprekshan' is a package of satire on the existing chaos, dishonesty, and selfishness visible in politics, society, and human relations. While doing so, he exhibits the utmost level of creator's integrity and does not leave any section of society that is not in order. No doubt, politics has become the main punching bag since the sector, which is the nucleus of all policies, development, and socio-economic relations, has degraded to a level from which it no longer can contribute to the prosperity and well-being of people. At times, he lambasts the court and temples as well.

No verdict on time, they call it a court

Murder at the cowshed, they call it 'Dharmashala'

Country has pushed into a chaos, alas! 

No protection of people, they call it republic. (222)

 

Indifference of politicians and the government to the public and their issues, growing corruption, youth exodus, economic hardships of lower-class people and their struggle, and cultural degradation have got centre-stage in the poet's creations that are mostly contemporary and talk about the issues that are either familiar to the readers or express frustration over the issues that are representative. Several 'Muktaks' are focused on the moral degradation of modern politics, where political leaders sprout from the lower class but metamorphose to the higher and elite class after their elevation to the ruling class. They deceive the people, never fulfil their promises, and build their mansions instead of serving the country and providing basic amenities to the masses. Tej Bilas' creations have found their voices in the form of irony and satire. This is the biggest strength of his book, and this is what appeals to and amuses the readers as well. One of his 'Muktak' says that people are troubled from inside and their hearts are burning, but regardless of their pains and plights, the same one returns to the power in different attire.

Likewise, another tells us that there was a master plan before the election, but it turned into a loot plan afterwards as the leaders have focused on raising their election investments through 'behind the curtain' activities. Yet another expresses concerns about the royal lives of leaders and workers living with hungry stomachs. 'Socialism has become a fairy tale," concludes Tej Bilas. It is more worrisome that the political parties that ruled the country in the past several decades have 'socialism' as the core political philosophy. 

However, the author sometimes requests that leaders and people tread on the right path and not refuse cheap speeches to make an impact on society. He has exhibited a good understanding of the economy, environment, and even climate change. While expressing worries over the economic downturn and omnipresent corruption, his creations also touch on the malpractices in cooperatives, education, parliament funding, and the management of public properties. Deterioration in the quality of public services has also found its way into the creation.

Corruption is rampant in the development budget 

Complete personality has turned into rags 

They damaged economy to such an extent

Millions have 'Sarangi' belly, sunken cheeks. (51)

Tej Bilas is also worried about the empty villages in the hills and mountains as a result of migration to the plains and urban areas. By the time roads, electricity, and other facilities reach the villages, the settlement is already deserted. It has caused a huge economic burden on the country while people are not benefiting from the development initiatives. In one of his pieces, he ironically says that even the gods have no chance for amusement since there are no people to serve them. He is vigilant about the country's overdependence on other countries, even for food items. On the contrary, the author has presented the amusements of love and beauty in nature in his four-liners. While he enjoys the beautiful flowers, like marigold, he suggests the gardener let all flowers blossom, as each one of them has its own existence in the world.

Meanwhile, Tej Bilas has also got time to care about media and journalism and suggests they offer valid and right information as it would not only enhance the knowledge of people but also empower them. You can also find a couple of recollections in his creations where he promises to be a good citizen and a good human being. The book is a representative voice of common Nepalis who are frustrated with politics without integrity, nepotism, and corruption.

He says that the social maladies burn his eyes and pierce through his heart. While people are moving with fake smiles, their lives have been spent offering artificial relationships and extending fake feelings. But he has found a way to console him.

Love is relative 

Shadow is relative

Time has been changed

Development is relative. (191)

  Published in The Rising Nepal daily's Friday Supplement on 8 March 2024.        

Eight music talents feted with Chhinnalata Award

Kathmandu, July 17

Chhinnalata Geet Puraskar Guthi has awarded eight talents from the music sector.

At a programme organised in Kathmandu to mark the 102^nd Chhinnalata Day and 42^nd Prize Distribution Ceremony, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Trustee of Guthi, Joyti Rajya Laxmi Shah, felicitated the winners with a cash prize of Rs. 100,000 each and a plaque.

The organisation distributed the prize for the last two years – 2079 BS and 2080 BS.

Lyricist Bhushan Kharel, musician Manu Raja Nakarmi, and singer Shiva Pariyar won the prize in lyrics, music and singing for 2079.

Singer Menuka Poudel won the youth talent award for the same year.

Likewise, lyricist Birendra Pathak, musician Chandi Prasad Kafle, and singer Manila Sotang received the awards for best lyrics, music and singing respectively for 2080. Singer Bhupu Pandey received the youth talent award for the same year. The awards were conferred by PM Oli and Trustee of the Guthi, Pragya Rajeshwori Shah.

Speaking on the occasion, PM Oli said that Nepal was the land that immensely contributed to the development of art, culture, music and song.

This is the land of knowledge and its dissemination had started from here, he said while adding that the Richas of Vedas were written here. "This is the land of Shiva, Kapil Muni, Bramharshi Kaushik, Shushrut and many more. Music and songs originated from this holy land," he stated.

He appreciated Chhinnalata Geet Puraskar Guthi for finding the talents and awarding them, thus inspiring many talents.

Lyricist and former Secretary of the Government of Nepal, Dinesh Hari Adhikari, said that there was a need for a national level music institution to promote national and indigenous music and songs.

Trustee of the Guthi, Prof. Dr. Bashudev Tripathi, highlighted the contributions of Chhinnalata (Ramola Devi Shah) in lyrics and literature.

Chhinnalata was a renowned song writer of her era. The Guthi has so far awarded 190 talents from seven categories – lyrics, music, singing, youth talent, special felicitation, Chhinnalata felicitation and music composition.

The Guthi started distributing awards since 2039 BS. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 18 July 2024.        

Dissent voices, explosive poems

 Here is a poet who dissents on virtually everything, save for the concept of mother. In an attempt to convey his perspectives on the existence of the self, individuals, and society through various fragments, he articulates fervour in his poems. It is not necessary to have conceptual coherence and chronological presentation in poetic expressions. Since poetry is born through the articulation of the spontaneous overflow of emotions, there is less time to stick to the rules of the craft. 

Since Gopal Prasad Rimal introduced prose poetry in Nepali literature in 1962 through his timeless creation of 'Aamako Sapana' and Bhupi Sherchan elevated it to a new height with his 'Ghumne Mech Mathi Andho Manchhe', numerous poets have taken this form of expression to articulate their emotions and feelings. This trend has been enlivened by multitudes of poets, and Amar Aakash has joined the bandwagon with his maiden anthology of poems, 'Tungna'.

Hunger, sleep, birth, death, music, nature, and mother have found a voice in the 40 poems of the book. It seems that he is trying to explain the fragments of life in the mundane world, where everything has a transitory existence. The very first poem of the book expresses disapproval of the social norms that fix a personal space for the poet. He declares himself a forest flower that undergoes rain, sun, and frost to be stronger, and he challenges those who try to fix him in a vase at the cost of the services with soft hands. 

Readers can find meaningless existence in many of his poems. This meaninglessness is the result of failures to make an impact on society or life. Likewise, separation, tragedy, love, and memory have found centre stage in his poems. The prevalence of death described in 'Nidra (sleep)' could scare the readers.

It's further impossible. 

To meet oneself in disguise as a 

hunter.                                                      (Bisangat)

Meanwhile, he balances this cynicism with the glorification of every birth. In 'Janma Katha (the story of birth),' he said that every life is special and spiritual. In another poem, 'Messiah Puppy', he enlists the reasons for which people commit suicide and tells the story of a life saved by a puppy while committing suicide.

According to him, a poem must carry meaning and establish a relationship with the human conscience and civilization. For him, plain detailing of nature and chatter of personal expressions of anger, dissatisfaction, and murmurings of depression-filled opinions are not poems. Yes, some speech could have the characteristics of a poem. He also maintains that thinking that is harmful to human beings and their conscience, such as worship of death, glamourization of scarcity, Cinderella thought, and aimless expression of anger, are not poems for him. "It took a decade for me to understand the poem. I don't know how long it will take to be a poet," he writes in the preface of the book.

Socrates' tongue

Marx's pen

Guevara's journey

Each is a poem.

Illuminated by cognition.

(Saundaryashastra)

It seems that the poet has a particular detestation for cities, although he was up brought in the cities, mostly in the capital city, Kathmandu. He doesn't like the way people behave or don't behave in private and public. The city in his poem is apathetic and has a routine life that is meaningless and destinationless. There is no faith among the people, so they are unhappy, and they are lonely.

City cries: a sign

City laughs—a doubt                        (Shahar)

 

People like dummies. 

Dummies like people.

Kathmandu is encircled by four passes.

It keeps going up in the lift.

Keeps coming down.

Peeps the mountain through one window

She watches the Himalaya and sighs.

(Portrait Kathmandu)

In another poem on Kathmandu, Amar expresses worries over the loss of culture, especially music, religious processions, traditional houses, open space, and noise. According to him, where there is no noise, there is no god, and where there is no music, there is no god. In another poem, Kathmandu turns into a 'black ghost'. He has the same feelings for other cities, like Narayangadh.

Where is the loud sound of Dhime?

on land without noise 

Gods don’t dwell. 

Kathmandu is the city of gods.

No gods are here.

This is not Kathmandu.                        (Yen)

'Tungna' is critical of the deteriorating humanity that keeps licking each other with tongues full of rust and damaging Buddha's reputation with termite-infested minds. Many of his poems juxtapose life with death and ask many questions about whether a certain situation or activity is life or death. He takes the help of myths to create a link between the thoughts in his mind and social behaviour, which were never in harmony. 'Ratnapark' could be a perfect example of Amar's sharp observation of society and environment, where he presents every object in the park from unique perspectives with powerful metaphors and similes—for example, land like a bald head, life spreads like a cigarette, or a beetle nut spread on a winnowing fan. In summary, it is a showpiece from our ancestors.

Amar's poems are brilliant, and they will surely shake you from deep inside. He takes a toll on his surroundings, challenges your long-cherished notions and perspectives, and leaves you flabbergasted. He sees things from a perspective that couldn't be yours, but ultimately persuades you to think along the lines of the poems. 

He has taken the traditions of Gopal Prasad Rimal, but it seems that he is a true successor of Bhupi Sherchan, although his poem doesn't apply the coherence that is found in the creations of the former two. A respected film critic, his poems are translated and published in English and German. 'Tungana' will not only mesmerise and influence the readers but also establish Amar as a strong voice among contemporary poets and poetry.

Published in the Friday Supplement of The Rising Nepal on 24 November 2023.

A Tribute To 'Shatabdi Purush'

 Scholar and linguist, folklorist, historian, journalist, and archaeologist! Late Satya Mohan Joshi has become these all. In his 103-year highly fulfilled life, Joshi contributed so much to Nepali literature, culture, and language that UNESCO termed him a 'living human heritage'. It was surprising for many that he lived an active life, making even the youngsters envious.

He began his professional career as an employee of the Department of Statistics under the government and was mobilised in Lamjung to collect data for the census. Meanwhile, he studied the local folklore, music, and culture of Brahmins and Chhetris in Lamjung. After returning from his field survey, he published a book 'Hamro Loksanskriti' (our folk culture) on the folk cultures of the area. His maiden book became the recipient of the first 'Madan Puraskar' in 1956. Madan Puraskar is the largest prize in the Nepali literary sector. Later, he received two more Madan Puraskars and is the only individual to receive it three times; the third was awarded jointly with Sthir Jung Bahadur Singh, BIhari Krishna Shrestha, Prof. Chudamani Bandhu, and Pradip Rimal for 'Karnali Loksanskriti' (the folk culture of Karnali). The book was published in five volumes and is the only work of such scale on the cultural life of the Karnali region. The project remains the most important project ever undertaken by the Nepal Academy so far.

The person, who had left the government-run National News Agency, later became the chancellor of Nepal Bhasha Academy. When Radio Nepal announced his name as the director of the Department of Archaeology, he couldn't believe his ears and did not contact the government for a week. That was the time! After the country was ushered into the federal system, the late Joshi was on the selection committee for the new national anthem of the country. While he was alive, he could see coins and postal stamps bearing his images. After his death, he donated his body to a teaching hospital in Kathmandu. He lives his life to the fullest and contributes immensely to the country and society.

Recognising this contribution, many articles, features, and books were written about his life. Continuing this tradition, journalist and writer Gopi Krishna Dhungana has collected articles, newspaper opinions, editorials, interviews, newspapers, and other materials and published a huge volume of more than 400 pages. This book will remain the single volume that offers most of the dimensions of the life, works, and contributions of the late Joshi.

The book contains the opinions of 32 prominent personalities, writers, and journalists on Joshi. They include Satya Mohan himself, veteran journalist Bhairab Risal, Prof. Dr. Jagman Gurung, cultural expert Dr. Govinda Tondon, the architect of his 'Shatabdi Purush' title, Narendra Raj Prasain, Dhirendra Premarshi, Dr. Gita Tripathi, CK Lal, and Maya Thakuri. Lal has chronicled his life journey, from his role as an industrial survey officer to being a Nepali language teacher in Beijing and a cultural explorer in various regions of the country. The late Joshi utilised every opportunity to tread into new territory and study cultural as well as historical facets of people and folklore. While in Beijing, China, as a language teacher, he explored Araniko, a national emblem of Nepal, which went to Tibet and then Beijing about 1200 years ago and expanded Nepali architectural beauty to the northern neighbour. He published a book on Araniko, which became the first of its kind. Lal says that his continuous effort to remain simple made him 'exceptional'.

Many label Joshi as a 'polymath', recognising his knowledge and experience in diverse fields of culture, society, and history. Probably a bonus in the book is the article on Joshy by 'National Poet' late Madhav Prasad Ghimire. He wrote the article while he was 93 years old for the magazine 'Shabda Samyojan' which published a huge volume on Joshi about a decade ago. A couple of writers have tried to explore why Joshi always wore the same topi with different colours.

From the book, we learn that the national newspapers published an editorial on Joshi. There is a collection of seven editorials and four interviews. The interviews also include philosophical aspects of Joshi's thought. Although hundreds of news stories were published about Joshi while he was alive and posthumously, only 17 are included in the anthology. It has three poems on 'Shatabdi Purush' by Saru Bhakta, Shandi Deep Rayamajhi, and Narayan Nepal.

Dhungana has put in hard work to collect about 80 write-ups from various media, books, and magazines, as well as online portals. There is a list of all the life works of the late Joshi, and six pages are filled with photos. The book is a good read. However, since many people are writing about the same person, there is a duplication of information, which will certainly not be liked by the readers. 

However, the matter is beyond the control of the editor. Yet, some articles from writers like Sangita Dahal, CK Lal, and Khem Koirala Bandhu have talked about the philosophy of Joshi's life, while Laxmi Lamsal has exclusively written about his activities in Beijing and his relations with Chinese people and institutions. However, many people have talked about Joshi's 'Jureli Darshan' (bulbul philosophy), but no one has presented it in detail or the dimensions of it as conceptualised by Joshi.

 Published in the Friday Supplement of The Rising Nepal on 13 October 2023. 

ऊ राजी छैन

 ऊ घरबाट बाहिर निस्की

गाउँबाट बाहिर निस्की
पहिलोपटक !

सरकार खोज्दै
बलात्कृत छोरीका लागि 
न्यायको गुहार माग्दै,
मिटरब्याजी सुदखोरको 
खुनी नंग्राको घाउ बोकेर
सहायताको भीख माग्दै। 

परार सालको आगलागीमा 
जलेको झुपडीको क्षतिपूर्ति 
माग्दा पनि नपाएपछि
बेवास्ताको जवाफदेहिता माग्दै
खाली पैताला खियाउँदै 
ऊ सरकार खोजिरहेकी छ
यात्रामा अबिरल बगिरहेकी छ ।

पाँचवर्षे छोरीको दिवा खाजा
स्कुलका हेडमास्टर र अध्यक्षले
भट्टीमा लगेर सोमरससँग निलेपछि
त्यसकै हिसाब खोज्दै।

औंला भाँच्दै समयको अन्तरालमा 
भुत्ते भएको स्मृतिको छिनोले
बिर्सिएका नम्बरहरू
दिमागमा खोप्दै
गह्रुँगा पाइला गह्रुँगो मन
धुलो र पसिनाले छोपिएको तन 
चुहिने झुपडी ज्यानमारा धन। 

याद भन्नु के नै रहेछ र ?
आफूले गुमाएका 
आफूले पाउन नसकेका
अरूले पाएको देखेका
आफूले पाउने आस गरेका
सपनाको चिहान त रहेछ। 
ऊ थप सपनाको चिहान बनाउन
राजी छे, न्याय अनि हिसाबबिना
जवाफदेहिताबिना 
अनि जवाफबिना 
घर फर्किन राजी छैन। 
अहँ, ऊ गाउँ फर्किन राजी छैन।

Published in Annapurna Pos daily on 13 Saun 2080. 

Memories from the pandemic

Book: Lost Horoscope: And Other New Poems (2023) by Yuyutsu Sharma. Publisher: Nirala Publications, New Delhi. Pages: 72. ISBN: 978-81-957816-3-8 (hardcover).

 

Crises are fertile grounds where literary edifices are built upon, maintained and sustained. After about 18 years since the ending of Maoists armed conflict, books are being written, stories are being told, poems are being created, music is being composed and movies are being made. Writers and communicators continue to create new piece of literature or entertainment with their ideas based on the 2015 earthquake, Indian blockade, Terai floods and even Panchayat era that ended more than three decades ago and Rana regime that ruled the country for 104 years till 1951. Nepali writers also have created literature on international crisis and challenges like the Afghan War, Cold War and Nepali's plight in their work destination.

Continuing that tradition, a new book 'Lost Horoscope: And Other New Poems' by Yuyutsu Sharma brings back the bitter memories from the early days of the coronavirus pandemic when people locked themselves inside the four walls of their houses willingly or by the force of the government. It was difficult time when people felt trapped, immobile and helpless as there was no one to take them out of the crisis, they have to rely on their own instincts in most of the cases.

"Half a century later

caught up in a deadly fever

in the Himalayas

twisting my limbs

in a bed moist from

my sweat, my head

throbbing from the dismal

forecasts and my imminent doom,

the revelations of the horoscope returned. "

 

Sharma gives a vivid detail of the pandemic time and hardships people faced in the quarantines during lockdowns. People were dying due to the virus and every other individual was scared that they would be the next to be taken to the 'ghat' – the cremation point.  They were having hallucinations. There was shortage of foods and medicines, yet the poet finds happiness and satisfaction from what he got.

"Dalda milk rusks dipped

in cups of bland tea and

relished like finest treats from Paradise."

 

The book is divided into three sections: lost horoscope, jasmine jewels and out again. The latter two sections more often talk about love, affection and travel. Sharma's poem feature women from China, USA and other countries. Readers can also find instances of humour in his poems. The one that he tells after meeting his Beijing moderator can be a good example:

"When sixth glass arrived,

her Chinese husband turned into an ex-husband,

and a little later,

an ex-student

now living back home, in Australia."

Another humour is found when he meets a girl from Chengdu, China who had visited Nepal. The poet minutely observes the girl and begins to appreciate her features but the girl addresses him as 'Dai' – an elder brother. The poem ends with the line - "I was wondering how to address you." Likewise, in California, another girl finds him 'sweet' but can't make love because she has stitches in her vagina.

In the long inaugural poem 'Lost horoscope', the poet also talks about religion, spirituality and the things which he relied upon during the difficult time. The book has many instances when the poet talks about spirituality and supernatural powers. Readers can find lots of love stories in the poem which have featured strong emotions. Meanwhile, he talks about the beauty of Pokhara, Annapurna and Himalayas of Nepal as well as his childhood memories connected with his grandmother and birthplace.

Sharma has already published 10 poetry collections before the 'Lost Horoscope' including The Second Buddha Walk, Nepal Trilogy, Quaking Cantos: Nepal Earthquake Poems, and Space Cake.

Published in the Friday Supplement of The Rising Nepal daily on 21 May 2023. 

Subedi’s 'The Colours of Spring' launched

Kathmandu, Apr. 26

 Poet Kuma Raj Subedi has come up with his maiden poetry collection 'The Colours of Spring'.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Indira Rana Magar launched the book at a programme organised by publisher Sahitya Post in the Capital on Wednesday.

 Speaking at the programme, she said that Nepali literature would be enriched with the contribution of Nepali diaspora.

Writer Subedi said that literature has become therapeutic work for him. "I was in stress during the armed conflict and my early career. As the international organisations questioned my ability and skill in English language, I decided to have one degree in English and write a book in the language," he said. Subedi was an English language teacher in a government school in Nepal and obtained an MTESL TESOL degree from Flinders University, Australia.

“But I wanted to downplay pessimism in my creations although there are a few creations on the malpractices in the society,” he said. Readers can find love, romance and humour in his poems.  

Writer Mahesh Poudel appreciated his pomes for being the representation of this time. Likewise, Dr. Komal Phuyal, Lecturer of English at the Department of English, Tribhuvan University, said literature is a powerful medium to create new perspectives. Poet Subedi's poems will leave a mark on Nepali literature, he said.

'The Colours of Spring' has 77 both short and long  poems. Subedi has created two-line poems as well.

He was born in Parbat district in Gandaki province in 1976, grew up in Sauraha Chitwan. He now lives in Adelaide, Australia with his wife and two daughters. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 27 April 2023.

Barhakhari announces ‘Story Competition-2078’

Kathmandu, Aug. 15

Barhakhari Books has announced the third edition of ‘Barhakhari Story Competition-2078’ and urged Nepali story writers around the globe to participate in the programme.

Winning story will be awarded a purse of Rs. 100,000, second Rs. 60,000 and third Rs. 40,000. The organiser claim that it is the largest prize for any story writing competition in the country.

Famous novelist story writer Narayan Dhakal will be the chief of Jury Committee for the competition. Story writer Bibas Pokharel and critic Kumari Lama are the members of the jury. It will select the best 25 stories from 50 final contestants and select the top three.

Internal Evaluation Committee of the competition will select 50 best stories and submit them to the jury. A book will be published including the best 25 stories. They will also receive Rs. 5000 each. The company said that the ‘Utkrista Katha 2076’ was also published in Hindi as well.

Last year, more than 700 writers had participated in the competition.

Interested writers can submit their stories by 16 September, 2021. The results will be announced on 19 December 2021 and the story book will also be launched on the occasion.

The story should be written between 1500–4000 words in Nepali language and be unpublished.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 16 August 2021. 

Bashistha’s ‘Nepal Bidya’ wins Uttam Kriti Puraskar

Kathmandu, Aug. 13

Kedar Bashistha’s book ‘Nepal Bidya’ has won Sahitya Post Uttam Kriti Puraskar.

Vice-Chancellor of the Nepal Academy Dr. Jagman Gurung handed over the prize including a citation and a purse of Rs. 50,000 to Bashistha at a programme organised on Friday.

Organiser, Sahitya Post, said that the book was conferred the best book of 2077 BS on the basis of the evaluation of a panel of juries. Dr. Gurung stated that the book was the best creation made at a time when Nepalis have failed to know their own country.

“This book deserves the best prize. It has enhanced the pride of the nation,” he said.

Bashistha is Deputy Executive Editor of Gorkhapatra Daily and this is his maiden work.

He said that the prize came with encouragement and responsibilities at the same time. “This prize has motivated me to engage in research. ‘Nepal Bidya’ is not a history but research and theory,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the jury, writer Shree Om Shrestha Rodan said that the book was awarded because it was the best. He appreciated Bashistha for such an in-depth analysis in his maiden work.

Chief Editor of Sahitya Post, Ashwini Koirala, said that 27 books were in the fray for the prize.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 14 August 2021. 

 

 

भाइरस कि भोक ?

 महोदय,

यो निमुखाले मुख लायो नभन्नू
जिन्दगीको जवाफ मात्र खोज्या हुँ।

सबै भन्छन्, 

‘मास्क लगाऊ।’

तर के मास्कले 
भोक पनि छेक्छ ?
छेक्छ भने मलाई हरेक दिन
कम्तिमा पाँचवटा मास्क देऊ।

हैन भने
भाइरस लागेर मर्नु
र, भोकै मर्नु 
आखिर उस्तै भएन र ?

कठै, विचरा !
‘खानै पाएन, भोकै मर्‍यो’
भन्ने किन पार्नु ?
भाइरस लागेरै मर्न देऊ,
दुनियाँले भन्लान्-
‘मान्छे त राम्रै थियो,
महामारीले लगेछ।’

Published in Annapurna Post daily on 20 Bhadra 2077. 

Baarhakhari Books to organise largest story writing event

Kathmandu, Feb. 4:

Baarhakhari Books has announced a nation-wide modern story writing competition with the largest prize amount.

The company has said that the competition is the largest story writing event organised in the country so far which invites writers of all age group and professional height.

Best three writers will get Rs. 100,000, Rs. 60,000 and Rs. 40,000, and the winners will be selected by the two tiers of juries. The first jury will select best 25 stories which will be published in a book form and the second jury will select the best three stories. All selected stories will receive Rs. 5,000 each as the remuneration.

Interested writers can send their stories to Baarhakhari Books by March 4 in a digital form. The winners will be announced on April 19 and the story book will also be launched on the same day, said Lenin Banjade, coordinator of the event.

Story should be written in Nepali language in 1,500 to 4,000 words, however, stories written in other language can be translated and sent to the company.

Editor of Baarhakhari Rajendra Parajuli said that the event was launched to increase the attraction to story writing.

“In the past couple of years, short story writing is losing attraction. Through the programme, we aim to promote story writing in the young generation as well,” he said.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 5 February 2019. 

चोर

‘पवित्र मन्दिरको ढुंगा चोर्ने यस्ता पापीलाई त ज्यूँदो छोड्नु हुँदैन । यो त डम्बरध्वज जस्ता समाजसेवी धर्मात्माको पनि अपमान हो,’ एउटा युवकलाई मुक्का बर्साइरहेको गाउँलेले भन्यो ।

‘हो त मन्त्रीज्यूले यो गाउँका लागि भनेर कत्ति काम गर्नु भएको छ, १५ लाख रुपैयाँ खर्चेर मन्दिर बनाउनु भएको छ, यो कुजातले ढुँगा चोर्ने । हान सालेलाई,’ अर्को अधबैंसे करायो ।

पन्ध्र बीस जना गाउँलेले घेरिएको रत्नेको नाकबाट खुन बगिरहेको थियो । उ त्यसरी भकुराइमा पर्नुको कारण थियो एउटा ढुँगाको छपनी ।

उसको विपन्न बस्तीमा बल्ल बल्ल एउटा एनजीओले धारा निर्माण गरिदिएको थियो । तर, पारि गाउँको ठेकेदारले बजेटमा भ्रष्टाचार गरी धारा बनाउने पैसा खर्लप्पै खायो । उसले प्लाष्टिक पाइप बस्तीको बीचसम्म ल्याएर छाडिदियो । पानी त आयो तर वस्तीबासीले न त राम्रोसँग पानी भर्न पाए न त लुगा धुन र नुहाउन । हरेक कामका लागि पाइप समात्न एक जना मानिस चाहिन्थ्यो ।
लुगा धुन त झनै सास्ती भो । गरीब बस्तीमा लुगा धुनका लागि प्लाष्टिकको एउटा बाटा पनि थिएन । धारो पक्की भएको भए त त्यसैमा लुगा धुन सजिलो हुन्थ्यो तर त्यसको पैसा त ठेकेदारले झ्वाम पारिदियो । गाउँलेहरु सधैं आफ्नो अप्ठ्यारोको चर्चा गरिरहन्थे । सिमेण्ट किन्ने र ढलाइ गर्न सक्ने क्षमता गाउँको थिएन ।

तर, केही दिन पछि धारामा ढुँगाको गज्जबको छपनी देखियो । रत्नेले ढुंगाको ठूलो छपनी ल्याएर धारोमा लुगा धुन मिल्ने बनाइदिएछ ।

‘आमा दिदीबैनीको कष्ट कति हेर्नु ? अब त सजिलो भो नि,’ उसले भनेको थियो ।

बस्तीबाट करीब २ सय मिटरको दूरीमा एउटा हनुमान मन्दिर थियो । त्यो मन्दिर समाजसेवी तथा पूर्व सहायक मन्त्री डम्बरध्वजले बनाएका थिए । गाउँका लागि मन्दिर गर्वको वस्तु थियो । एक दिन मन्दिरको मूलद्वारमा राखेको ढुंगाको ठूलो छपनी हरायो । गाउँलेहरु रिसाउँदै ढुंगा खोज्न थाले । यत्तिकैमा कसैले सूचना ल्यायो, ठ्याक्कै त्यस्तै ढुंगा विपन्न वस्तीको धारामा देखिएको छ । गाउँलेहरु हूल बाँधेर त्यहाँ पुगे । ढुंगा त्यही थियो । अनि उनीहरुले रत्नेलाई भकुर्न थालेका थिए । वस्तीका गरीब गाउँलेहरु नीरिह पाराले रत्ने कुटिएको हेरिरहनु बाहेक केही गर्न सकेनन् ।

रत्नेले त ज्यानको आशै मार्न लागेको थियो । यत्तिकैमा एउटा युवक परबाट दौडिंदै आयो र करायो – डम्बरध्वजलाई पुलिसले पक्राउ ग¥यो । गाउँको मन्दिर त सरकारी बजेटबाट बनेको रैछ । उनले त्यसको बजेटमै आधा रकम भ्रष्टाचार गरे अरे ।

रत्नेलाई कुटिरहेका गाउँलेहरु जडवत भए ।

उता रत्नेका खुन बगिरहेका ओंठमा मलिन मुस्कान देखियो ।

मधुपर्क मासिकको २०७५ असोज अंक ५, पूर्णांक ५१ मा प्रकाशित । 

BSMC to honour four writers

Kathmandu, 21 Feb: Bashu Shashi Memorial Council has decided to award writers Krishna Joshi and Rama Sharma the Bashu Shashi Literature Facilitation Award 2073, and 2075 respectively.

Joshi and Sharma are active in Nepali literature sector for the last five decades. Joshi has more than 30 publications to his credit including novels Mrityu Dohorinchha Ma Banche Bhane, Asammat Sammat and Kathmandu Woripari, poetry Bisangat Swarharu, Jyami Patniko Ghoshana, Aago Samundra: Pani Samundra, Evening Duty, and Pokhari Bhitrako Shatabdi.

Likewise, Sharma has written books like Mahendra Mala – Part 2, Kehi Chintan, Bhawanaka Thungaharu, and Motiram Parikrama.

Similarly, the Council has decided to give Bashu Shashi Literature Prize 2073 to Govinda Giri Prerana and Literature Prize 2074 to Dr. Shailendu Prakash Nepal, said Pradhumna Joshi, Secretary of the council.

Prerana has written Suteko Samundra, Antaraal, Utkhanan, Swapna Katha, Fero, Antim Khadal, Achanak Ek Din, Matra Ek Raat and many more.

Similarly, Nepal has Prempooja, Namita-Sunita, Kalpana Kusum, Bindeshwari, Kamana, Bedana Bolchha, Junu, Digbodh, Anamika and other books to his credit.

 According to Joshi, all the awards and felicitations include a plaque and a purse of Rs. 15,000.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on February 22, 2018. 

Newa Info Centre established

Kathmandu, July 15: With an aim to conduct the literary programmes of Nepal language, Newa: Information Centre is established here.

According to the coordinator of the Centre RajendraRanjit, the major objective of the organisaton was not to let happen two or more programmes related to Nepal Language at the same time.

"Guests and participants are confused when more than one programme of the same nature is organised at the same time," said SaraswatiTuladhar, a writer, in the programmeorganised to inaugurate the centre.

The Centre is established at the initiatives of 11 members.

Prof. Prem Shanti Tuladhar of Nepal Language Academy, TulsiLal Singh of Folk Literature Council, Prof. Dr. Chandra Man Bajracharya of Central Department of Nepal Language, NareshTamrakar of Newa: Dabuand other personalities had expressed their opinion on the occasion. 

Govt to use 'Nepali' instead of 'Nepalese' in all documents

Kathmandu, June 15:

The Ministry of Information and Communication (MoIC) has issued a circular to all government agencies, media houses, news agencies and journalists’ associations to use the word ‘Nepali’ while indicating the people or any other elements of Nepal.

Both the words ‘Nepali’ and ‘Nepalese’ were used interchangeably until now.

According to the ministry, the government had made the decision in order to bring uniformity in the language in all domestic documents and international treaties.

“This decision has been implemented to create uniformity in the language used in the Acts, rules and regulations, orders, directives and circulars issued by the government, and treaties, agreements, memoranda of understanding and other documents between the government and foreign entities,” reads the circular.

The use of ‘Nepali’ was proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and endorsed by the Cabinet a couple of weeks ago. 

‘A Quite Desire’ showcases Tagore’s life

Kathmandu, May 28: Ruchika Theatre Group of India staged ‘A Quite Desire’, a theatrical performance depicting glimpses from the life of Nobel Prize winner Bengali poet Rabindra Nath Tagore, at the Army Officer’s Club on Sunday.

The play depicts the psychological ups and downs in Kadambari Devi, sister-in-law of Tagore, who jealously loves her brother-in-law who was of the same age. When Kadambari Devi was married to Jyotirindranath Tagore, elder brother of Rabindra, she was 9 years old.

As Jyoti is busy in various works along with his business, Rabindra and Kadambari become playmates and companions, and affection between them keeps growing.

The drama comes to an end with the suicide from an overdose of sleeping tablets taken by Kadambari after the marriage of Rabindra with Mrinalini Devi.

Written and directed by Feisal Alkazi, the play beautifully portrays the companionship between Rabindra and his sister-in-law, Kadambari, and the social impact of the events.

She was the first and only reader of Rabindra’s creations till they got published. And, when his books were published, he earned wide accolades from around the Indian subcontinent.

Jealousy is clearly visible in the eyes of Kadambari when Rabindra receives various gifts and gold from the king of a neighbouring state as an appreciation of his beautiful poems, and while reciting the letters sent to him with admiration of his creations.

In his initial days, most of the poems by Rabindra were written on Kadambari.

Alkazi is successful in presenting the paradox of relationship between the two on stage.

“The marriage of Rabindra’s elder brother Jyoti to nine-year-old Kadambari, two years older than himself, brought a whole new dimension to his experience of the world. For the longest tie, she was his only reader, friend, confidante and, above all, his muse,” said Alkazi.

He said that the play tried to explore the relationship through the medium of Tagore’s own words.

The fact that Kadambari committed suicide four months after Tagore’s marriage indicates the depth of their bond.

The play has used many pieces of prose, poetry and music of Tagore. The major three characters of the play Jyoti, Kadambari and Rabindra were performed by Jaipreet Singh, Smita Mazumdar Rajaram and Armaan M Alkazi respectively.

The drama was presented by the BP Koirala India-Nepal Foundation, Embassy of India, and Kathmandu.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Jitendra Dev facilitated the artistes and said that such events would help in deepening the cultural and people-to-people relations between the two neighbours.

(Published in The Rising Nepal Daily, May 29, 2017)

Nepal’s Pioneer Journalist

‘My job is to sniff the stinking asses and expose them.’

A journalist said so when the country was under the 'Panchayat Regime' which was oppressive and notoriously against 'free press'.

When offered the post of a minister by the then king Mahendra, the same journalist replied, "Your majesty, forgive me for I am a guy who is being sold at the price of 10 paisa so I have neither capacity nor interest to be a minister."

By quoting the price of 10 paisa, he was actually indicating the price of his newspaper.

He was Chandra Lal Jha, Editor of Nepal Times daily, who continuously denied offers of holding lucrative administrative posts and relentlessly fought for the freedom of press and right to expression and opinion.

He was among a few journalists who suffered imprisonment for several times for writing against the Panchayat Regime and raising the issues of the people.

Sunil Chandra Jha has come up with a book – Chandra Lal Jha: Kalamko Swabhimani Sipahi – an anthology of write-ups on the veteran journalist and articles and editorials penned by the journalist himself.

Sunil is son of Chandra Lal and a professor of medicine at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital who also worked as a special correspondent for the Nepal Times for about two years some four decades back – before the referendum of 1980.

Chandra Lal was continuously harassed and threatened by the government.

Public interest was the major motivation for him which continuously inspired him to stand against the Panchayat dictatorship.

Journalist Purushottam Dahal writes, "One day Chandra Lal said that a journalist should have a smell power like a horse which can sense danger from a distance and take the rider to a safer destination as soon as possible."

He was jailed for seven and a half years during his 37-year long journalism career from 1958 to 1995.

He was sent to jail for 17 times from six days to one-and-a-half years. The government also seized 31 ropanis of land from his family.

Jha who rode a motorbike with a number plate 2007, symbolic to the dawn of democracy in the country, was very unhappy when the political leaders were indifferent to the issues of people and development and the whole political system was marred by corruption, nepotism and impunity.

He died a silent death on 27 July, 2012.

The passionate fighter of press freedom was critical of the political parties and leadership that went haywire in regard to democratic values after the restoration of democracy.

Nepal Times was a school for the famed journalists like Kishor Nepal, Purushottam Dahal, Achyut Raman Adhikari, Rajeshwar Nepali, Sukeshwar Pathak and Ramchandra Poudel.

Jha was decorated with 'Press Freedom Fighter' medal by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ).

The book includes articles from personalities like S. Chandrasekaran, Madan Mani Dixit, Kishor Nepal, Dr. Nil Prasad Pant, Durga Nath Sharma, Puroshattam Dahal, Jhalak Bahadur Sapkota, and Gobinda Pradhan, among others.

It has a separate section that includes various articles, editorials and news written on Nepal Times and Chandra Lal. Some pages of photographs have added value to the book.

'Chandra Lal Jha: Kalamko Swabhimani Sipahi' is not only a good read but also a good collection. It’s particularly useful for the students of Journalism and Mass Communication at different levels at university and anyone who has interest in the field of journalism.

(Published in The Rising Nepal, Friday Supplement, May 11, 2017) 

RK Mainali comes up with his memoirs

Kathmandu, Feb. 11: Senior communist leader Radha Krishna Mainali has come up with a book of his memoirs – ‘Nalekhiyako Itihas’, an unwritten history.

Senior journalist Bhairav Risal unveiled the book amidst a ceremony on Saturday.

Mainali has inscribed the story of Jhapa revolt, family and struggles in his life.

“This is neither the memoirs of my life nor it’s the chronology of Jhapa revolt. It has the background of the revolt and later developments, struggles in my political and family life, but I have remembered only the major events, trends and characters, so details might me missing in many occasions,” he said.

He said that he jotted down what he saw and never intended to hurt anyone.

Mainali was one of the leaders of the Jhapa revolt, 1971-72, which is considered as the first attempt of people’s war in the country.

He was jailed for 14 years during the Panchayat regime and played a crucial role in the people’s movement in 1990.

But, he was appointed as the minister during king Gyanendra’s direct rule which drew lots of criticism.

Later one he joined CPN-Maoist and recently connected with the CPN-UML.

The book is edited by journalists duo Madhav Basnet and Man Bahadur Basnet.

Professors Dr. Surendra KC and Krishna Pokharel presented their critics on the book.

“Jhapa revolt was wrong but the book has missed to do justice with this fact,” said Prof. Pokharel.

The book is published is Alchemy Publication and priced at Rs. 500. 

Revolt against time

Ek Udas Saanjh by Pramod Pradhan, 

Published by Bibek Sirjansheel Prakashan Pvt. Ldt., Price NPR 175

There are very few people who live by writing and never tired of it. They write many sorts of things, edit volumes and document history of literature. Pramod Pradhan is among those few writers who need no introduction. With about 30 titles having his name as writer and editor, Pradhan is one of the most active writers of our age. What makes him different than others is his efforts to document the history of literature – he has documented the development of Nepalese essays and encyclopedia of Nepali Child Literature. A former board member of the Rastriya Samachar Samiti and News Editor of Aarthik Abhiyan Daily, Pradhan is also famous for his literature for children. He has authored about a dozen storybooks, poem collections for children.

Recently Pradhan has come up with the anthology of poems, Ek Udas Saanjh which includes 55 poems he penned down in different periods from Panchayat regime to democracy and republic. The poet himself has said that the poems were the voice of those periods. In his poems he express his revolt against the time, restriction and suppression which is well expressed in his poem 'Prashnaharuko Kahataroma' (In a bowl of questions) where a prisoner demands either freedom or death.

Kebal ujyaalo bihan deo

Saktainau bhane –

Andhyaaro chihan deo .

(Give me just a bright morning

If you can't –

Give me dark grave.)

In another poem titled 'Ek Kanti Salaiko Khojma' (In search of a matchstick), he says:

Malai ek kanti salai deo

Maile aankha tirmiraune gadha rangharu jalaunu chha .

Maile ragatamya aksharharu jalaunu chha.

(Give me a matchstick

For I need to burn those letters that dazzle eyes

I need to burn down the bloody letters.)

The Panchayat era was the age of oppression and suppression where the voice against the regime or monarchy would be suppressed brutally. Same rebellion can be found in the creations during 1960s and 70s when there was no freedom of expression and the youth were fighting against the tyrannical Panchayat regime. Pradhan entered into the foray of writing in the same period.

Pradhan has criticised the history through his poems as it has just become the chronology of rulers and the elites. His poems are full of metaphor and imagery. In a poem he compares a cock in a cage with an imprisoned youth who is jailed just because he wanted an egalitarian society. In another poem, he presents the rebellion in the minds of people as fire which might gut the oppressors some day. He urges the people to write their own history from their sweat and blood.

But, Pradhan's poems are not just limited to the boundary of Nepal, they fly as far as Luvre museum in France where he praises 'Monalisa'. The book has some poems on nature, love, humanity and loneliness. The title poem portrays a heart of a defeated youth who says he is alone and sad like the candle in the evening.

'Ek udas saanjh' is Pradhan's fourth poetry collection after 'Raatbharika Suskeraharu', 'Bibhajit Manchhe' and 'Ekantageet', and includes some poems from all the three books.

Book on Fatteman launched

Kathmandu, June 5: An anthology of articles and memoirs on late singer and musician Fatteman Rajbhandari, Samjhanama Fatteman, was launched Sunday.

The book is edited by Pradhumna Joshi and published by Basu Shashi Smriti Parishad, and contains 71 articles by various personalities from literature, music industry, media and other walks of life.

Fatteman had given his voice and music to more than 400 songs – ranging from hymns to modern, folk and patriotic songs.

“Fatteman was a foundation pillar of the modern Nepalese music. He could sing for hours without showing any fatigue even during the last days of his life. Along with other singers like Ratnadas, Natikaji, Aruna Lama, Ambar Gurung and Shiba Shankar played an instrumental role to popularize Nepalese music and songs among the common folks,” writes veteran songwriter Kali Prasad Rijal.

His playback voice in ‘Prempinda’, ‘Banai Khayo Dadhelole…’ was a great hit. He was awarded with more than a dozen of national awards for his superb voice and contribution he made for the development of Nepalese music and singing.

‘Rato ra Chandra surya…’, ‘Yesto pani hudo raichha…’, ‘Marna baru garo hunna…’, ‘Sannani ko galaima…’ and ‘Kasto maya laiyachha…’ are his greatest hits which are still popular among various age group of Nepalese audiences.

Memoirs of three generations of Nepalese music industry in terms of Fatteman has been organized in a single book which has made the publication worthy for collection.

It will be a good resource for the researchers and Fatteman’s fans.

Fatteman died of cancer at the age of 77 in 2013. He started his career at Radio Nepal at the age of 25.

Launching the book amidst a ceremony in the capital, chancellor of Nepal Academy of Music and Drama Bhakta Shrestha praised the efforts of Basu Sashi Smriti Parishad to bring out the book and said that such initiatives helped to document the history and preserved important events for the future generations.

The book is priced at Rs. 400.