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BHANUBHAKTA ACHARYA |
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BHANUBHAKTA ACHARYA |
Enduring Eminence Some of the writings of
Nepal's pioneer poet are equally relevant today By THAKUR AMGAI (He made some money by cutting grass
throughout his life/ And dug a water-spout so that people would remember his name and
cherish his good work/ The grass cutter - abjectly poor - but what a conscience/why am I
like this being Bhanubhakta) These were the first lines of pioneer poet
Bhanubhakta Acharya. It is said he encountered a grass cutter while he was wandering
around his village. Surprised to see his hard work, Bhanubhakta asked the poor man what he
was toiling for. The answer not only sparked literary creativity in Bhanubhakta but also
inspired in him to do something noble, which eventually resulted in his translation of the
Ramayan from Sanskrit into Nepali.
Almost 150 years after the poem was
penned, some critics continue to dispute the legend. There was no system of selling
grasses in Tanahun district, Bhanubhakta's native land, at the time. So the poem may not
even be Bhanubhakta's, opines critic Dr. Taranath Sharma. Whatever the truth may be, there is no
doubt that Bhanubhakta has done a great favor to Nepali literature. "By translating
the popular Hindu epic Ramayana into Nepali from Sanskrit, he has done justice to Nepalis,
particularly those without knowledge of Sanskrit," said Prime Minister Sher Bahadur
Deuba in an address to a function organized to mark the 189th birthday of the poet. "The social environment and the polity
of Nepalese society have been depicted by the works of Bhanubhakta," the prime
minister said. He expressed hope that the anniversary would inspire Nepalese writers and
poets to create works that would touch humanity and provide a beacon for the future. Like King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who united
the country politically, Bhanubhakta brought Nepalis together linguistically and
culturally. Never before did Nepalis have the chance to read religious epics in their
mother tongue. Moreover, the writings of Bhanubhakta show how Nepalis used to speak, think
and act at that time. A procession that started from Rani Pokhari
in front of Durbar High School went around the city before it turned into a mass meeting.
Senior litterateurs took part in the early-morning procession. "Nepalese literature
would not have come this far had it not been for Bhanubhakta," Deuba said. "The
translation of the Ramayan into Nepali is an example of the poet's outstanding talent and
perseverance. He presented the sorrows and joys of life in a heart-touching yet witty
manner." Books like Badhu Sikshya and Bhakta Mala
show the social practices and conventions of Bhanubhakta's time. Badhu Sikshya lists dos
and don'ts for daughters in law, which shows the discrimination prevalent then. One line
says: Hansnya ta besya hunchhan (Those who laugh will become prostitutes) His other memorable work is Prasnottar
Mala, which answers may moral questions. Many of his poems spread in an oral form. Born in
1814 in Chundi Ramgha village of Tanahun, Bhanubhakta died in 1868 and was honored with
the title "Adi Kabi." Poet Madhav Prasad Ghimire described
Bhanubhakta as a national figure who braided the people of the country in a national
string. Bhanubhakta laid the foundation for Nepalese literature - and an example for
succeeding generations of littÈrateurs to follow. |
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editor: spotligh@mos.com.np |
