The Heart Speaks

By PNK

Collected Poems; By Laxmi D. Rajbhandari; Published by: Purushottam Rajbhandari (Kathmandu, 2000); No. of Pages: 88; Price: Rs. 80.

Writing poetry is not as easy as it has thought to be by many people. It is a matter of common concern that almost every magazine seems to carry a number of poems whether they fit into the scheme or not. In fact, there is always a tendency among many to think that writing poem is easy. But that is not the case.

A good work of creativity is backed by many factors. A keen sense of perception and the reflective aspect plays a great role in the creation of a poem that makes its impact felt. It is well known that many famous poets in the past had their works rejected just because the publisher concerned could not get to the depth. This lack of delving into the depth to see whether it has something in it.

A cursory glance at a poetry may not bring the reality hidden beneath as is the case with most of the poems published in the countless magazines and weeklies or supplements. It is not merely the command over the language that brings out a good poetry—the ability to see beyond the mundane is what counts. A road as a road alone does not make a poetry worth it. The connotations has to be different.

The market is, in fact, flooded with many collections of poems but going through many one finds a sense of dejection at the way the issues whether love, anger, frustrations, society, etc. is looked into. The rich texture that makes a poetry is missing.

But there are times when poems that strike the right emotions are seen which is a delight to go through. One reading of any particular poem may not be enough to bring out the implications as the poet sees it through his eyes. That is the basic factor that leads to many interpretations. A cage may signify the country or the world itself and the limitations inherent.

A human mind is incomprehensible. The ideas that flow through it are unimaginable. Time is not a constraint. Some may write when the time suggests so. Some may go through a state of trance before a poem that gets to the bottom of the heart is created. Dreams have their own role in bringing out an immortal creation.

"Collected Poems" by Laxmi Rajbhandari has the quality to stir the mind. The creations in a state of leisure does not always bring out the best. It is solitude when the mind concentrates that even a trivial matter gets a grand representation. This is what the poetess has done in the poems that form a part of the collection.

An individual as he/she is does have the longing in this temporal world. Even minor things seem to stimulate the mind of the poetess as they are by nature sensitive. This aspect of the human nature is amply reflected in the poem "A Longing".

There is always a sense of optimism at work that makes the poems a wonderful reading in this world where stereotypes often dominate the whole gamut of life.

Seventy-one poems in one collection does reflect the versatility of the poetess. It is not one subject or issue that dominates all the pages. There is a newness in the approach that must receive commendation. The virtues of life are extolled. And this is what counts. Of course, as a poetess, contentment is never there. there is always a feeling for everything to become better. This is a wish and for this it is not one individual who can do it but the whole society has to contribute. The desire is there but it for all the others to understand and feel it.

Private Sector In Nepali Films

By Bishnu Gautam

ALTHOUGH Juni could not make it at the box office, it held the distinction of becoming the second film from the private sector, inspiring the private sector to make films. In fact, the success of Maitighar 18 years back had greatly influenced some enthusiastic Nepalese entrepreneurs to make films on their own.

Navin K. C., Gopalji Nepali and Surya Kanta Sharma had announced that they would make a film. But none of their dream materialised. Instead, Navin K. C., after failing to make Kanhi Diyo Kanhi Batti, committed suicide. As such making of Juni was really a challenging task.

Besides paving the way to involve the private sector in films, Juni also introduced a new actor who is now a popular senior actor and producer - Bhuwan K. C. His Karodpati and Nepali Babu have become major hits. Sharad Palekar, an Indian, directed Juni.

After Juni, Kanchi, produced under the banner of Om Production and Adarsha Nari under Hem Movies were produced at the same time. Though Adarsha Nari failed to click at the box office, Kanchi became a hit. Directed by B. S. Thapa, Kanchi was a love story which had Sharmila Malla, Shiva Shrestha, Shusma Shahi and Kristi K. C. in the lead roles. It was Sharmila’s first film. Indeed, Kanchi was a film full of pathos and anger. Ralented actress Anshumala Shahi made her debut in Adarsha Nari, although she failed to appear in any film other than25 Basanta thereafter.

After these three films, yet another successful Nepali film from the private sector was made. And it was Basudeva by Nir Shah. It was indeed a powerful presentation which helped establish Nir Shah as the number-one producer of Nepali films. Shah’s Rajamati and Basanti , his latest film, are considered some of the best Nepali ventures. Sakuntala Sharma, Krishna Malla, Sharmila Malla and Nir Shah were the main artistes of Basudeva.

Despite the encouraging involvement of the private sector in film making, Nepal Film Corporation produced two other films —Badalindo Akash and Ke Ghara Ke Dera.. Meanwhile Tulsi Ghimire, who was living in Darjeeling, made Bansuri and Kusume Rumal. Likewise Shambhu Pradhan made Samjhana in Darjeeling. All these three Nepali films produced in India were of a comparatively better make.

At home Biswas, Mayalu and Santan were made in 2044 B. S. Biswas produced under the banner of Pragati films was directed by Chetan Karki whereas Mayalu by Shambhu Pradhan. Among them Santan directed by Prakash Thapa became a hit. In a period of a decade Prakash Thapa directed altogether four films — Sindur, Kanchi, Basudeva and Santan — all of which became great hits.

After 25 Basanta which followed Santan was a complete flop, however. Among the four films by Nir Shah 25 Basanta was the only film that flopped. Two other Nepali films Saino by Ugen Chopel and Maya Priti were produced and screened in 2046 B. S. in Nepal. Thus altogether 21 Nepali films were produced in Nepal and 10 in India by the end of 2045 B. S. which was really an achievement of sort.

JOTTINGS: IDLE AND OTHERWISE BY MRJ

EXPERTS meeting recently in Washington for the second annual American Obesity Association conference say that obesity is now also the developing world’s problem.

WEIGHTY PROBLEM: That’s due, in their opinion, to economic advances that create more urbanization and a shift in eating habits. Till now, of course, the developing world was more associated with malnutrition.

While obesity has existed for ages in affluent countries, now there is more or less an "epidemic" of adult obesity in Asia, Latin America and Africa — in the urban areas.

Obesity in Asia is accelerating with 12 per cent men and 16 women in China reported as obese. In Malaysia, three men in 10 are obese and in the Philippines the ratio is one in 10. It is even more common in the Middle East.

In Africa, the problem is confined mainly to the urban areas.

In Latin America, one is informed, the percentage of the population that is overweight is comparable to the 59 per cent in the United States: in Mexico, for example, 58 per cent of the population is considered as overweight while 23 is obese.

But how is obesity defined and what are generally associated with it? Obesity is defined as "body mass index" calculated by a formula using height and weight. An index of 25 is considered overweight, and 30 or greater is considered obese.

According to one exert, there has been a "massive shift in the structure of diet" with an inexplicable explosion in the intake of fats and sugar, specially as people’s income increase.

"Edible oils have become very cheap, and as their income goes up, people increase the fat content of their diet very rapidly" he explained, also pointing to the glut of processed foods and sugar-saturated sodas flooding the markets.

At the same time sedentary lifestyles are gaining ground and the modern economy becomes increasingly based on goods and services. To control the "epidemic" it is suggested that small food portions, fewer fats and sugars, and more exercise be tried out.

Although obesity may not be a serious problem here, one wonders what the position really is. In view of the global obesity, don’t you think it would be a good idea for our public health authorities to take a look into the question — while it can be controlled?

What the concerned authorities here ought to look into with a sense of urgency, too, is why Nepal’s teenage pregnancy rate is the highest in the Central South Asian region, with the exception of Afghanistan.

(Incidentally, the Central South Asia region, as per UNFPA’s definition comprises: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.)

ALARMING: According to the just-released, The State of World Population 2000, each year 1,000 girls aged 19 and below in Nepal give birth to 120 babies — way above the region’s average rate of 103.

Apparently, the alarming trend is largely attributed to poor health awareness and inadequate family planning devices, the report said, with only 26 per cent of married women in Nepal using modern contraceptives.

Not surprisingly the report says that gender inequality, discrimination and violence are till a predominant custom in also all developing countries.

Although the following does not apply in Nepal’s case, it is pretty disconcerting to learn that two million girls are at risk of genital mutilation and more than 5,000 women and girls are the victims of so-called "honour killings". Phew!

Far more pleasant was to read a news item reporting that Iranian girls will be allowed to take off their obligatory head scarves at school and wear coats in colours besides black when class start later this month.

What’s more, even their teachers will be allowed to go minus their scarf during classes. However, the girls must still wear coats that cover their bodies past their knees. Flashy colours are still a no-no but other colours are permitted.

Too good to be true? Well, there are some further caveats. One: that students from the same school must all wear the same colour. Two: that high walls must be built around school grounds to protect the "uncovered" little girls from prying eyes.

Not a sweeping revolution, you might say. But, still a giant leap forward — for Iran.

While still on the subject of women’s rights/advancement, it was interesting to learn that US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright — born as Marie Korbelova in Prague in 1937 — said she discovered that being a woman didn’t matter when it came to representing the United States. Why so?

Well, as she explained to an audience of American ladies working towards placing a woman in the White House as soon as possible: "They respect the United States, and the gender issue does not come up." That figures.

Pleasant too was her quip: "To be honest. I find American men more difficult to deal with than the foreign men." That apparently doesn’t apply to her boss: Bill Clinton.