Tara tyo mitho geetle timilai
Afno bansuri banayenachha.
–Lines 16 and 17, “Amako Sapana” by Gopal Prasad Rimal [break]
For every poet, there are instances in life which get embedded in their memories as a source of inspiration.
The poem “Amako Sapana” by the revolutionary prose poet Gopal Prasad Rimal for me is one of the most heart-rendering and inspiring poems I’ve ever read.
The lines that I’ve chosen are from the same poem which is about a rebel and the revolution. The poem talks about the time period of 2007 BS (1949-50) when after the revolt, people who believed that they would get freedom in its true sense and change for better didn’t see it happening.
The revolutionaries who were to bring the change weren’t sincere to the goals of the revolution; so the revolution that they brought wasn’t triumphant. This is why the aftermath of the revolution shattered the people.
The whole poem is about a sentient mother explaining to her son about revolution and about her dream to make her son a rebel who will bring positive changes in the society. The ‘geet’ or ‘song’ in the context of the poem refers to revolution and the ‘bansuri’ or ‘flute’ refers to the rebel. But to the mother’s dismay, the sweet song didn’t make her son its sweet melody.
Being a poet, I can relate myself to these lines, and this poem has been relevant to our country since then to even now.
About the author
Megh Raj Sharma, popularly known as Manjul, likes to be addressed firstly as a poet. Also a writer of non fiction, lyricist and a folk singer, he has sixteen published works to his credit. A jovial man who expresses himself and things in a lighthearted manner, poetry to him is an expression of the realities of life.
“In my poems, I portray how we can and should struggle from sadness to happiness. I also write about admiration of people and nature.”
His first published work was “Saainli Morilaai,” a book of lyrics written in 1967. His recent work is a travelogue called “Yatraa Scotlandko” which was published in 2011. His other published works are a novel named “Chheku Dolma,” anthologies called “Gaayak Yaatri,” Siddhi Charanharu,” and “Mrityu Kavitaa,” among others.
His works have also been translated into Urdu, Japanese, French, and Spanish.
Manjul was Associate Professor at the Campus of International Languages at Tribhuvan University from 1985 to 2010. He has also worked as a Nepali teacher to foreign students and also as a high schoolteacher for Nepali students. Since 1985, he has also been language expert for Nepali translation committees.
Currently, the poet is working on the second part of his memoirs, “Pahadjasto baatojastoma.” The first part has already been published.
“I feel that I was born to write poetry, as it comes to me naturally,” says Manjul.
As told to Nistha Rayamajhi
Ghumne mechmathi andho manchhe
By Bhupi Sherchan
This is a collection of poems by the celebrated poet in contemporary Nepali literature, Bhupi Sherchan. In the poems, he has captured the hardships and happiness of Nepalis. As a conscious and compassionate poet, he has portrayed such themes in sensitive and precise manners. The poems also have subjects related to foreign countries and also about the poet himself. Sherchan is a poet who does justice to what he writes.
Memoirs
By Pablo Neruda
A diplomat and a poet, Neruda’s book “Memoirs” is an autobiography. In this book, he has recollected his experiences. He writes about his birth, the phase when he grows up, how he was initiated into writing poetry. He also writes about his travels and his experiences in poetry as well.
Kinnar Kinnari
By Madhav Prasad Ghimire
The whole book has the fragrance of folksongs. In this collection, Ghimire has been successful in portraying his thoughts and emotions in aesthetic and effortless ways. Through folksongs, he has described Nepali lifestyles and also talked about profound issues.
Phoolko Aankhama
By Ani Chhoying Drolma
This is a book about an ordinary girl who was born in a normal family and on a venture to get salvation from all pains. It’s about how she’s led to the path to become a nun and about her experiences throughout. Since the writer has shared both her good and bad experiences truthfully, I found this book really inspiring.
Dhammapada
a collection of verses
The book is a collection of verses and is about the preaching of the Buddha. It teaches about knowledge, compassion, and how we can make our lives better. After reading this book, I saw a lot of positive changes in me. It talks about how our heart is capable of being both good and bad and how, if we follow the path of goodness, it brings positive changes in us.
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