Like my wife, Jahanavi-appa too comes from Pokhara. She is a wonderful mind, exquisite in every thought and gesture. She comes down harsh on stupid males because she cannot tolerate mediocrity of thought. She makes me stay on my guard so that I don’t fall prey to my stupidity.
Let me get back to why I like Gayatri Spivak. I have never met her but have read many of her books and articles. I consider her one of the few good intellectuals South Asia has had in the recent times. She is fearless in thought: she can propose ideas and analyze her propositions.
Suppose you generate an idea that Nepali politics undermines economic development. Or I have an idea about not killing animals during Durgapuja. I treat those ideas in a methodological way so I might change my view, if need be. Ideas are methods for an intellectual like Spivak; hence she is open to possibilities and can change her mind. This is one of the reasons why I am so fascinated by people like Spivak and Jahanavi-appa.
Most of the politicians cannot leave, modify, and change their ideas because they do not examine their ideas in a methodological manner. Take the way leftist politicians understand the Marxist discourse. They tend to be orthodox to the extent of sticking to essential Marxism. But among many of the twentieth century ideas Marxism has been one of the more adaptive. Chinese Marxist thinking is the best example of adaptation and negotiation. Nepali Marxism is not and the consequences are evident.
The other reason for my fascination with Spivak and Appa is that I can disagree with them and they are still ready to listen. A Few years ago I had a hard time convincing a student to read Marxist scholars.
I gave him a list of writers like Gayatri Spivak, Terry Eagleton, Fredric Jameson and Aijaz Ahmad. He shunned them all; for him they were all spoilt Marxist (bigreko Marxist). I had a tough time providing him some serious books on philosophy. But he finally started reading them.
A tale of how two critically-thinking women inspire me.
He changed his mind so much so that he fell in love with a beautiful girl. He changed because he adapted to the university modes of debates and discussions.
Nepali politics of the leftist kind—mostly the party-oriented political thinking—has hit an ideological impasse. Nepali politics of the other variety have greater problems with democratic ideals which I would like to analyze on some other occasion.
Methodological signification, strategic thinking, adaptability, and the ability to negotiate have made the two women wonderful in mind and body. I remember a similar person.
Many years ago, there was a mechanic at Kamaladi. He fixed motorbikes and read Kafka. A wonderful worker-intellectual, whom many of my gurus and friends know. He read science magazines and he used to tell me that he had the best time when he was in a library.
What has onions to do with books or pistons with libraries? He used to eat snacks with tempting onion smells and discuss Nepali politics. Sir, while riding on a bike, you need to negotiate with the other riders. Accidents do not happen only because you drive fast, it also happens when you are slow. So adapt, while you drive, to multiple ‘hulias’ (tough-dandies?). That is why our leaders do not drive their vehicles; they do not know how to adapt.
I was thinking about writing about our Prime Minister. I used his write-ups while teaching the M. Phil. students during the Panchayat days. I discussed his ideas in relation to nation and ideology. I have postponed critiquing him so as to read into his adaptability to Nepali politics, to see how Marxism has methodological significance for him. A scholar he is!
And two of my wonderful ladies! I learn a lot from their books and ideas. I am going to Pokhara again to meet them, one in person and the other through books. You cannot imagine what a wonderful time I will have while visiting the English Department of PN campus in Pokhara and drinking coffee with Appa and talking about Spivak.
hy am I so fascinated by Prof. Gayatri Spivak? To be fascinated is my habit, especially with my friends, gurus, and in particular with my students (and also those who live in a beautiful city like Pokhara). The list is not long, says my daughter.
Like my wife, Jahanavi-appa too comes from Pokhara. She is a wonderful mind, exquisite in every thought and gesture. She comes down harsh on stupid males because she cannot tolerate mediocrity of thought. She makes me stay on my guard so that I don’t fall prey to my stupidity.
Let me get back to why I like Gayatri Spivak. I have never met her but have read many of her books and articles. I consider her one of the few good intellectuals South Asia has had in the recent times. She is fearless in thought: she can propose ideas and analyze her propositions.
Suppose you generate an idea that Nepali politics undermines economic development. Or I have an idea about not killing animals during Durgapuja. I treat those ideas in a methodological way so I might change my view, if need be. Ideas are methods for an intellectual like Spivak; hence she is open to possibilities and can change her mind. This is one of the reasons why I am so fascinated by people like Spivak and Jahanavi-appa.
Most of the politicians cannot leave, modify, and change their ideas because they do not examine their ideas in a methodological manner. Take the way leftist politicians understand the Marxist discourse. They tend to be orthodox to the extent of sticking to essential Marxism. But among many of the twentieth century ideas Marxism has been one of the more adaptive. Chinese Marxist thinking is the best example of adaptation and negotiation. Nepali Marxism is not and the consequences are evident.
The other reason for my fascination with Spivak and Appa is that I can disagree with them and they are still ready to listen. A Few years ago I had a hard time convincing a student to read Marxist scholars. I gave him a list of writers like Gayatri Spivak, Terry Eagleton, Fredric Jameson and Aijaz Ahmad. He shunned them all; for him they were all spoilt Marxist (bigreko Marxist). I had a tough time providing him some serious books on philosophy. But he finally started reading them.
He changed his mind so much so that he fell in love with a beautiful girl. He changed because he adapted to the university modes of debates and discussions.
Nepali politics of the leftist kind—mostly the party-oriented political thinking—has hit an ideological impasse. Nepali politics of the other variety have greater problems with democratic ideals which I would like to analyze on some other occasion.
Methodological signification, strategic thinking, adaptability, and the ability to negotiate have made the two women wonderful in mind and body. I remember a similar person. Many years ago, there was a mechanic at Kamaladi. He fixed motorbikes and read Kafka. A wonderful worker-intellectual, whom many of my gurus and friends know. He read science magazines and he used to tell me that he had the best time when he was in a library.
What has onions to do with books or pistons with libraries? He used to eat snacks with tempting onion smells and discuss Nepali politics. Sir, while riding on a bike, you need to negotiate with the other riders. Accidents do not happen only because you drive fast, it also happens when you are slow. So adapt, while you drive, to multiple ‘hulias’ (tough-dandies?). That is why our leaders do not drive their vehicles; they do not know how to adapt.
I was thinking about writing about our Prime Minister. I used his write-ups while teaching the M. Phil. students during the Panchayat days. I discussed his ideas in relation to nation and ideology. I have postponed critiquing him so as to read into his adaptability to Nepali politics, to see how Marxism has methodological significance for him. A scholar he is!
And two of my wonderful ladies! I learn a lot from their books and ideas. I am going to Pokhara again to meet them, one in person and the other through books. You cannot imagine what a wonderful time I will have while visiting the English Department of PN campus in Pokhara and drinking coffee with Appa and talking about Spivak.
orungupto@gmail.com
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