Book Review (Spotlight Weekly)]

Nepali Poems In English

The translation of Nepali poems in English language provides them with international audience

By A CORRESPONDENT

Literature is the part of society which records social, political, historical as well as cultural aspects of human life. Nepali literature, too, document these characteristics and are full of creativity and dynamism but it had not had the opportunity to present itself before the international literature community.

Although some initiatives were taken in the past and a few poems by great poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota have already been translated into English, this is the first time that poems of different Nepali poets have been translated and compiled in one book.

Poems of The Twentieth Century brings out many translated version of Nepali poems. From the poem of pioneer poet Bhanu Bhakta Acharya to the recent works of modern Nepali litterateurs, one can in fact read out the highlights of the literary development of Nepal in the book.

Like all poetry, Nepali poetry, too, records historical, intellectual and emotional experiences of the people of different time periods.

Thanks to the organizers of The Global Youth Meet, 104 poems have now been translated into English language. Edited by Dr. Abhi Subedi, the selection will help foreigners to understand the level of Nepalese literature.

Nepal does not lack great literary talents. but due to the language barrier, their talents have been lauded merely within the boundaries of the country. Late poets like Lekha Nath Poudel, Bal Krishna Sama, Laxmi Prasad Devkota, Bhupi Sherchan, M.B.B. Shah, Siddhi Charan Shrestha, Kedar Man Byathit and Gopal Prasad Rimal have come up with masterpieces in their times.

The collection of other poems by Madhav Prasad Ghimire, Bairagi Kainla, Ratna Sumsher Thapa, Krishna Bhakta Shrestha, Bimal Nibha and Bimal Koirala helps understand the pain and sorrow of the modern time through the eyes of litterateurs.

Dr. Subedi's adroit translation, marks the highlight of the book. He has done a remarkable job by bringing out the spirit of the poems even in their translated versions.

The careful selection of the poems and beautiful editing are other plus points of the book.

Poems of the 20th Century
Edited by : Abhi Subedi
Published by : Hari Man Lama
Price : US$ 10, NRS 500
Pages: 189

Karnali Cries

Journalist-turned-writer Ramesh Khadka tries to explain about the socio-economic situation of Karnali zone

By KESHAB POUDEL

Karnali has a long cultural and political history but they have always been kept in shadows. As one of the most backward part of Nepal, the challenges before Karnali are colossal.

Author Khadka in his book on Karnali tries to explain the untold miseries and agonies of the region that is yet to be touched by the rest of Nepal as it is still without a motorable road. The citizens of Karnali are the victim of development disparities, social injustice and other cultural milieu. They are forced to live a middle-age life even in the dawn of the new millennium.

Even after five decades of modernization, Karnali still witnesses ancient practices like polygamy, untouchability and other social evils.

The book explains the difficulties and challenges of different districts of Karnali zone. Khadka ha tried to cover all different aspects of modern development. Although it is just a general presentation based on observation and interviews, it nevertheless brings the agony of Karnali to the forth.

Author Khadka covers livelihood in Humla, Jumla, Kalikot and Dolpa districts. These districts figure way down in the country's human development indices.

Khadka's effort to bring out the weaknesses of the country's development policy is an eye-opener but he seems to be confused about the different aspects that integrates the society.

Book : Karnali
Written by : Ramesh Khadka
Price: Rs.200
Published by : Media Service Nepal
Pages: 271