Remembering Bhanubhakta
POET Bhanubhakta Acharya’s contributions
to Nepali literature is immense. For a person who provided the impetus to the Nepali
language the Nepalese people must be indebted. In fact, it can be asserted that the real
development of the Nepali language started only after the emergence of Bhanubhakta and his
Ramayana. There exists ample reasons why he is referred as the pioneer poet. Binding the
Nepalese with a common cord of the language was achieved by the respected poet. And in
celebrating the 187th birth anniversary of the poet, the realisation must dawn among all
that literature is a medium that not only gives shape to the poet’s feelings but also
contributes to strengthening of the feeling of belonging to the same nation. Though the
tale of the grascutter who built the well for the benefit of the thirsty people passing by
has attracted much attention. But, whatever that may be, the fact remains that Bhanubhakta
contributed his mite in the arena of literature which was adding an important brick in
Nepal’s unique identity. The literary creations of pioneer poet Bhanubhakta opened
the doors of even illiterate folks to understand and follow the ideals as contained in the
famous epic Ramayana. In his poem on seeing Kathmandu evokes the feeling of the lost past
even in today’s literature lovers. Though he wrote much, the Nepali version of
Ramayana is itself sufficient to acknowledge his vision.
The celebration of Bhanubhakta’s birth
anniversary is a yearly event but it arouses in the people the sense of belonging to one
nation. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, while addressing the morning procession and
tribute paying function on the occasion of the 187th birth anniversary the other day
underlined the fact that Bhanubhakta had made great contributions for the development of
Nepali literature and thereby binding together various linguistic and cultural communities
into a single entity. This was a major role that the poet played and it also was a plank
for generating a feeling of unity among the people. The life of Bhanubhakta itself is
testimony to the struggles that he had to go through. Seeing Kathmandu through his eyes
even today reflects the poetic gift that he had. For all that he gave, he maintained a
simple living style and it must be a worthy example to be emulated even in modern times.
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