OFF THE RECORD (Spotlight Weekly)

‘The Humor Programs Are Losing Witty Contents’

— Rajaram Poudel

RAJARAM POUDEL is one of the renowned humorists of Nepal. Poudel -who last year organized a rally against leaders who call Nepal Bandhs - has already performed various comic roles in more than a dozen of Nepalese films. Poudel spoke to SPOTLIGHT on the occasion of Gaijatra festival. Excerpts:

Is Gaijatra festival still popular among the Nepalese?

It is still one of the greatest fun festivals of Nepal. The audiences do like to see performances of different comedians and actors during this festival.

It is felt that the number of audiences thronging at humor programs organized during the festival is receding. Why is that so?

The programs are no more witty in terms of literature, content and action. Most of them are bland comics. So, people are losing interest.

Why is Gaijatara losing its charm?

I don't think that Gaijatara festival itself is losing charm. At a time when there is Gaijatra everyday in the country, nobody thinks it to be funny anymore. During the Panchayat days, people had to wait for one whole year to enjoy incisive verbal and written satires/comment about the wrongdoings of political leaders. So, Gaijatra was more popular then.

What do you suggest to make Gaijatra more attractive and popular?

We need to develop professional approach and perform dramas according to the interest of the audiences. People always want to watch witty programs.

Is the trend changing?

Yes, it is changing gradually. Different actors are beginning to produce programs according to the demand of the audiences. We must continue producing programs according to the demand of the market.

Gleeful Bhattarai

Former Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai is deriving sadistic pleasure by watching his colleague-cum-rival Prime Minister Koirala fighting for survival. Bhattarai, who was pulled down by Koirala from power some five months ago, had warned Koirala of dire consequence when he left Baluwatar. Less than six months later, Bhattarai is enjoying the same episode but with change in principal actors. This time Bhattarai is busy pulling rug from under hapless Koirala. Bhattarai expressed his feelings when he recently went to Prime Minister's residence at Baluwatar to meet Koirala. "Koirala now has understood how painful it must have been to me to quit Baluwatar in such circumstances," Bhattarai confided to his associate.

Hail Nepotism

If you are a relative of some top brass leaders of Congress, you don't need to have other qualifications. When Girija Prasad Koirala took oath of office six months back, he declared that no individual will be appointed as Chairman or General Manager of corporations on the basis of political connection or blood relations. Koirala even dismissed more than a dozen of Bhattarai loyalists from the offices including the editors of vernacular weeklies — Mathabar Singh Basnet, Dev Prakash Tripathy, Purendra Ghimire and Ballav Joshi from the government-owned media. Just one week later Joshi was re-appointed. Now another man Purendra Ghimire, brother-in-law of Minister for Sports and Education Amod Prasad Upadhyaya - was appointed Chairman. Being a relative is enough to qualify for any post. Even influential young individuals like Minister for Information and Communication Jaya Prakash Ananda Gupta has to compromise with his principles.

Deuba Concerned

Although he is one of the key architects of the present political drama in ruling Nepali Congress, former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba remained silent over what political course he wants to take. Deuba's silence was understandable as his rival Khum Bahadur Khadka is leading another political game. Deuba is aware that the rise of Khadka will diminish his role in the party.

Nepal's Knee-Jerk Reaction

CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal was very angry last week when Prime Minister Koirala declared that there are many smugglers in the Parliament. Koirala's statement had significant meaning as he issued it at a time when his government was in the midst of trouble. Like a proverbial analogy where a real thief withdraws his feet when somebody says "cut the thief's feet", the knee-jerk response of Nepal is a matter for investigation.