Timisanga hidda hundo rahenachha!
Ma sankochle sangurina chahanna
Ra, jindagilai jastako tyastai bhogna chahanchhu
Parey –
Hadima faparjastai bhutina tayar chhu
Parey –
Beshyako ghagarjastai lutina tayar chhu
Manchheko nidharma
Sadhai kahan surya udauchha ra?
Ma chahanchhu –
Arthok kehi nasakey
Yauta nai sahi –
Itihas banisakeko barjit simana ta paar garun
Tara khai, kina ho timro samipya
Sarpalai binjastai hundo rahechha!
Eklai hiddako ananda
Timisanga hidda hundo rahenacha!
“Eklai Hiddako Ananda” from the book “Atirikta Abhilekh” by Dinesh Adhikari
What really drew me to the poem are the theme and the style in which it has been written. These particular lines talk about personal freedom. Every individual lives his life in his own ways and maintains his own rules and set of standards. Diversity exists in the world because every person has his own taste in everything.[break]
When you are with someone for a long time, you don’t get to practice freedom. The lines quoted here speak exactly what I feel, and I can relate to it, which is why this is one of my personal favorites. I am someone who wants and loves personal freedom and respects the same of others. I always want liberty even from my closed ones as I very much enjoy my own space every now and then. If I had to choose between my family and freedom, I would even be ready to leave everything behind and choose the latter. My life should be how I want it to be, and I think that the one who has the most right on you are you, yourself. There is no greater property in the world that you can own rather than the “yourself.”
Keshab Thoker
If you just depend on someone to walk with you all the time, then you will never be perfect. This is the main concept of this poem.
Being a lawyer, I have dealt with lots of personal cases. But whenever I am at the Court, I forget that I am a poet and whenever I write poems I forget that I am a lawyer. I don’t use personal issues of others in my articles and poems because I believe that we should honor the personal sides of everyone.
The anthology has a variety of meaningful poems and was also a recipient of the Madan Puraskar. The subjects of the poems range from corruption in Nepal, its political issues to the plights of the citizens.
About Subedi
Subedi is a defense lawyer by profession and has been working in the legal field for the past five years. He also teaches Sociology at Yala Institute of Health Science in Kumaripati.
Also a poet, the themes of his poems are usually contemporary issues of the society and which are based in reality. As a child, his grandmother read the Ramayana to him, which is how Subedi got inclined to reading and writing since an early age. He also worked as a presenter for Din Pratidin, a comedy show of Radio Nepal, for eight years.
His poem, “Gaun bhettina gaunma” is about the Maoist insurgency period in the country, for which he got an award at the National Poetry Festival. His poems like “Matri Geet” and “Bhariya” have been published in various poetry anthologies and in Gorkhapatra and in magazines like Madhuparka and Garima.
He has also received the Bhanumati Puraskar, awarded at the National Youth Poetry Festival, to name a few. Also a lyricist, his songs have been recorded. He also received the Motion Picture Award for his song adjudged as the best lyrics. Currently, Subedi is writing a novel.
“In courts, I plead for my clients. In the classroom, I speak the language of the course books. Literature is the only way to express my true self,” says Subedi.
Gauri by Madhav Prasad Ghimire
I think this book is a must-read for those who are planning to marry or are already married. When I was a child I had seen this book for the first time at home and my grandmother recommended me to read it. She even used to cry when I read it aloud to her and this book always reminds me of her. Gauri is the name of the first wife of the poet who passed away early. Ghimire dedicated his work to her and it shows the poignant personal grief of the poet.
Narendra Dai by Bishweshwor Prasad Koirala
This was written when Koirala was behind bars. The novel revolves around Narendra, the central character who has an arranged marriage. His wife is young and he is not attracted to her. Instead, he is inclined more to the house helper girl who is more attractive. He ignores his real wife all his life. But in the end, when he is severely ill, his own wife takes care of him. It shows the devotion of a married Hindu wife.
Rajeshwori by Madhav Prasad Ghimire
The book is about the Sati culture which was prevalent in the past. Rajeshwori was the wife of the Shah King Rana Bahadur Shah and lived in Helambu. Though she wanted to live and not succumb to the Sati culture, she was forced to die along with her dead husband. A person who wanted to live was forced to die. This true story shows the human emotions of Rajeshwori and is based on that.
Ghumne Mechmathi Andho Manchhe by Bhupi Sherchan
The book has a variety of poems. I think Sherchan was a modern poet. He has created a sort of mirror of the society back then through this book. I really like all the poems in this anthology. It is powerful, direct, and simple and he has portrayed the society just as the way it was or is. The politicians, citizens and the state of the country have been presented well.
Karnali Blues by Buddhisagar Chapain
The writer is a close friend of mine and I can relate to him and his writings as well. The language is really simple in the novel. He has not followed the traditional novel writing format and has written in his own style. I appreciate the way the book has been presented and the storyline as well.
(As told to Nistha Rayamajhi)
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