BISHWA BALLAV
Voice of Repressions
Ballav writes songs that draw inspiration from the woes and difficulties felt by himself and others
By THAKUR AMGAI
About forty years ago, one day, as the students of Tri-Chandra College were busing sitting for their semester exam –some students found that the questions had been leaked. The honest students went to the professor saying that the questions had already leaked. However, their honesty did not pay off. Instead the professor threatened them to either continue with the exams or he will call the police. As the students refused to comply, police instantly cordoned off the college. Warrants were issued against the 'dissidents'. The students comprised many of today's famous musicians, singers, lyricists and litterateurs. One of them was today's senior poet and song writer Bishwa Ballav.
He stayed underground for about three weeks in Kathmandu and fled to Nuwakot, where he his maternal uncles lived. He instantly got the job of a teacher in a local primary school. At a time when the literacy rate of the country was hardly a two digit figure, a SLC passed person was considered highly educated. In about five years he spent in Nuwakot, he gathered a lot of popularity. He used to write and direct plays for students and organize cultural programs in the village.
His friends, who did not know his whereabouts, were surprised to see him emerge safe and sound all of a sudden in Kathmandu after five years. People like Yadav Kharel and Kiran Kharel who were program producers at the Radio Nepal urged him to join Radio Nepal.
Ballav started to assist in Bal Karyakram and after a few years when the anchor of the program left for the UK, he was given the responsibility of the entire program. In course of time, he started producing and conducting other programs like 'Gramin Karyakram' Foolbari, and short Radio plays. He was also involved in Television programs like 'Pratibhako Dabali'and 'Srijanako Adha Ghanta'.
He started writing songs with the name of V. N. Ballav. The first recorded song was 'Kohi Ayera Sodhe Phool Khai Kahan Phooleko, Jharisakeccha Bhandeu, Fooldaina Feri Bhandeu'.
It was sung by Dwarika Lal Joshi and composed by Nati Kazi. Looking at the popularity his songs gained other singers started asking him to write songs. He also used to write songs for special functions such as the birthday of the Royal family members.
However, Ballav had to suffer all his life because he lacked the art of sycophancy. Working for a government owned media was very difficult. To express the agonies that could not be told directly, he wrote "Runa Matra Hune Bhaya Danko Chhodi Roidinthen Bhanna Matra Hune Bhaya Pahad Chadhi Chichyaidinthen."
Before it had hit the ears of the public, the authorities banned the song. They accused the song to be 'revolutionary'. Interestingly, in one of the royal functions, late queen Aishwarya requested to Tara Devi to sing this very song. Ballav used to go to Radio Nepal carrying the texts that his father wrote to be aired from Radio Nepal. Once the people in Radio Nepal asked him to read the article. They liked his voice. In the subsequent days he was asked to read other articles as well and soon he became a regular anchor of the Bal Karyakram.
Later Ballav changed his pen name from V. N. Ballav to Bishwa Ballav. His friends and seniors used to jokingly tell him, "A son of a pundit who writes songs in Nepali but with a name in English shortcuts, that is not appropriate."
Ballav has endured a lot of hardships during his childhood. He was born when his father Purandar Bhattarai – a political activist fighting against the Rana regime was in jail. All their property was confiscated. "My mother (Hari Devi Bhattarai) worked very hard to bring us up," he recalls. After his father was released and sent to exile he traveled to various places with his father.
Ballav writes songs in simple words and expresses the agony, distress and confusion ensued by the suppression prevalent in the society. He has also written a number of songs for feature films. Ballav considers the warmth the audience provide as the greatest wealth he has achieved by writing songs. In recognition to his contribution, Ballav was awarded the 'Chhinnalata Geet Puraskar' a few years ago.
