Science, Man on the Moon and the TV

Abhinaya Thapa

When were little, apart from Nepali and Hindi everything was ‘English’. We used to think every ‘foreigner or Khare’ was English or American, so everybody who is embodied in this form and color speaks that language. Indeed everything was English, though American in some sense rather than being British, the cars, TVS, airplanes, rockets and even science. This latter part ‘science’ was huge term with mathematics, which used to include in it all above mentioned things and ‘without a god’. At that time, our mother’s language used to incorporate god in almost every relation and meanings. It was reason, cause and end, like in metaphysics, but in the texts of the mathematics and science, there was a vacuum. ‘The sun rises in the east’, ‘1+1=2’ and every subtraction and earth and planet revolution is on the cause of nothing. If any cause or reason was possibly assumable, it was on the value of self, in the outcome of the exam and for ‘to be great person in the future’.

The first attack on the omnipresent, all- everything god occurred after we had heard about the man on the moon. One of our aunties used to worship full moon every month and give us ‘Prasads’. Then she would narrate tales on different gods and demons, but one day my brother told her in the midst of her act, ‘man had already pissed on the moon, why do you worship it even after that?’ I don’t recollect her reaction, but we were confronted with new things- rockets and Neil Armstrong, a fantasy and idol. The limit of sky was suddenly changed like into traveling places and stations, there was beyond after it, maybe planets and gods of heavens and of tales. But after the incursion of the TV the stories of the ‘Sosatni’ remains just tales. The image was to turn everything upside and down, because god was to descend in the image of humans like us.

At late eighties a Hindi serial ‘Ramayana’ and its fights of blazing, dazzling bows was talk of ‘everyone’ (in class and spatial, urban sense). Here god for the first time was personified but he was on the TV. It was on the same plane with ‘Ram god’, maybe almost higher because suddenly the urban homes were segregated on the existence of it. The ‘Ram thing’ just like sayings was in the soul and home of everybody but not the screen, with face of an Indian. It became a thing of rich and poor, a demarcation line of status and class but again ‘an English thing’. Those with the TVs changed their relation and annexed themselves with world ‘English and Europe’ with talks of new gods like ‘Maradona, Jackson and Rambos’. Others were left with chances of glimpses from ‘others’ TVs and with their old gods without a face and glamour’s of the screen. Here god became a ‘rich thing’ adorned in the attires the king, but revealing through the marvels of the science, without which the revelation was impossible.

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Posted in: essay

गुरु र ज्ञान

संविद घिमिरे

जीवन त यो छैन कतै शिक्षा बिना पूर्ण,
शिक्षाले ज्ञान दिन्छ सही बाटो रोज्न।
गुरुले ज्ञान दिन्छन् हर शिष्यलाई,
उपदेश मानी लिन्छन् जीवन पुर्ण गर्नलाई।
जीवनमा गाँसिइन्छन् ज्ञान दिने गुरु,
विद्या अर्थी हामी सबै ज्ञानसँग रमूँ।
गुरु सँधै प्रेरित गर्छन् सत्कर्म नै गर्न।।
हाम्रो लागि शिक्षा दिने मात्र हुन्नन् गुरु,
साथीभाई पनि हुन् ज्ञान साट्‌ने गुरु।
गुरुसँग हाम्रो नाता हुनुपर्छ अटुट,
शिक्षा पनि हामीसँग हुन्छ सँधै मजबुत।
पैसा तिरी किनिदैन ज्ञान जस्तो चीज,
छरिन्छ यो जताततै मानिसको माझ।
चिन्न सके यसको गुण पुगिनेछ माथी,
नचिने त रहनेछ जति थियो त्यत्ति।
बाटो हिड्दा जीवनमा अनगिन्ती मोड,
गुरु ज्ञान पाएर नै जित्न सक्छौ होड।।

सेन्ट जेभियर्स स्कूल
कक्षा ८ 'ए'
गोदावरी, ललितपुर।

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Posted in: बाल कविता

गजल

तीर्थ विष्ट

सुनै हौ तिमी खार्नु नपर्ने
मसँगै छ्यौ चहार्नु नपर्ने

यो रुखो मनमा पनि फैलने
दुबो हौ तिमी सार्नु नपर्ने

स्वर्गमा भए, के गर्थे खै ?
धर्तीमै छ्यौ झार्नु नपर्ने

उत्सब हौ मेरो जिन्दगीलाई
सधैँ भए'नि टार्नु नपर्ने

(केही समयको बनबासपछि हामी फेरी उपस्थित भएका छौ, अबको दिनमा कलेजकलमलाई निरन्तरता दिने प्रणका साथमा। कलेज कलम।)

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Posted in: गजल

अनि...

रञ्जु रेग्मि

अनि... कथासंग्रह इल्या भट्टराईको तेस्रो कृति हो। लेखिकाका यसअघि दुई कृतिहरू मन मनै त हो (कथासङ्‍ग्रह) र लफबराको वरिवरि (यात्रा संस्मरण) प्रकाशित भइसकेका छन्। यस कथा सङ्‍ग्रहमा १७ वटा कथाहरू सङ्‍ग्रहित छन् जसले मानवजीवनका भिन्न(भिन्न पक्षलाई उजागर गरेका छन्। अनि... कथा सङ्‍ग्रह मूलत: मनोविश्लेषणात्मक कथाहरूको सङ्‍ग्रह हो जसमा लेखिकाको भुकाव पारिवारिक जीवनका विविध स्वरूप, सम्बन्धतर्फ रहेको भान हुन्छ। यस कृतिमा सङ्‍ग्रहित अधिकाङ्‍श कथाहरू पारिवारिक जीवनकै सेरोफेरोमा रचिएका छन्।

भनिन्छ, यो समग्र सृष्टि नै माया प्रेममा अडेको छ। सृष्टिक्रमलाई निरन्तरता दिन माया नै एउटा आधारको रूपमा रहेको छ जुन समय, परिस्थिति अनि व्यक्तिअनुसार बेग्लाबेग्लै रूपमा प्रस्फुटित हुन्छ। चाहे त्यो पारिवारिक होस्, प्रणयसूत्रको अर्थमा होस्, चाहे हार्दिकता वा मित्रताको सम्बन्ध नै किन नहोस्, हरेक क्षणमा र हरेक सम्बन्धमा मायाको अहम् भूमिका हुन्छ । सृष्टिचक्रको यिनै नियमबाट रचिएका झैं लाग्छन् कथाकार भट्टराईका कथाहरू। यस सङ्‍ग्रहको भूमिकामा लेखिकाले भनेकी छिन् "यस सङ्‍ग्रहमा समेटिएका कथाहरूले अहिलेको नेपालको सामाजिक परिवेशलाई दर्शाउने प्रयास गरेको छ । मूलत: मनहरूबीचको आपसी सम्बन्धलाई यसमा सङ्‍ग्रहित कथाहरूले केलाउने प्रयत्न गरेको छ।"

लेखिका आफ्नो प्रयासमा धेरै हदसम्म सफल लाग्छिन्। उनको आफ्नै बुझाइजस्तै यस सङ्‍ग्रहका कथाहरूले मानिसका मनस्थिति, अन्तरसम्बन्ध नै केलाउन खोजेको देखिन्छ जुन बेग्लाबेग्लै रूपमा प्रस्तुत छन्। कहिले धन कमाउन आफ्नो परिवार छाडेर विदेशिएकी नारीको पर-पुरुषसँगको बाध्यात्मक यौनसम्बन्धबाट उब्जिएको मनस्थितिको रूपमा त कहिले आफ्नो बुवालाई भन्दा बढी महत्व दिएर आदर्शको रूपमा लिएको मान्छेद्वारा उस्की छोरीको सुसारेको रूपमा राखेपछि उत्पन्न बालमानसिकताको रूपमा।

सङ्‍ख्यात्मक रूपमा कथा धेरै छैनन् तर गुणात्मक हिसाबले हेर्ने हो भने सबै कथा उत्तिकै महत्वपूर्ण लाग्छन्। देशभित्रका मानिसबीचको सम्बन्ध, परिवारिक प्रेम मात्र नभएर प्रवासी नेपालीहरूको मनस्थिति साथै विदेशीहरूको जीवन अनि पारिवारिक सम्बन्धका विविध आयामहरूतर्फ समेत भट्टराईका नेपाली आँखा परेझैं लाग्छ । एउटा चाखलाग्दो कुरा, यस सङ्‍ग्रहभित्रका कथाहरूमा पुरुष मनस्थिति भावना पनि प्रकट भएका छन्। पुरुष दृष्टिकोणबाट पनि प्रेम, पश्चाताप अनि लज्जाबोध गरिएका भाव व्यक्त भएका छन्। जस्ले पुरुषहरू पनि संवेदनशील, भावुक हुन्छन् भन्ने सन्देश दिएझैं लाग्छ ।

११६ पृष्ठमा सङ्‍ग्रहित कथाहरूले समग्रमा नेपाली समाजका जीवनका विविध स्वरूप, प्रवासी नेपालीको भिन्न-भिन्न परिवेशको जीवन भोगाइको मानसिकता साथै गैर-नेपालीको मनस्थिति उजागर गरेको छ । मानवीय अन्तरसम्बन्धका विविध पक्षहरू बुझ्न, भिन्न परिवेश माझ जकडिएको मानव मस्तिष्क, संवेदनाको अध्ययन र विश्लेषण गर्न यो पुस्तक उपयुक्त। यसको मूल्य रू. १००/- रहेको छ ।

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Posted in: पुस्तक चर्चा

गीत

बिकास तिवारी

पछौरीको कुना समाई तिमी छेउ बस
हाँस्दाखेरी जून जस्ती मुसुमुसु हाँस

तिमी हिड्दा सधैं लाग्छ स्वर्गकी परी
तिम्रो माया राख्छु सँधै मेरो मुटुभरि
आकाश जस्तो मन तिम्रो चन्द्रमाको बास
हाँस्दाखेरी जून जस्ती मुसुमुसु हाँस

तिम्रो स्वागतमा देख्छु फूल फुलेका
तिम्रो माया पाउन संसारभरि डुलेका
तिम्रोलगि जहिले पनि बन्न सक्छु दास
हाँस्दाखेरी जून जस्ती मुसुमुसु हाँस

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Posted in: गीत

आदिम सन्दर्भ

प्रिय संवेदन !

'जीवन' नामको घटनामा आज मेरो आदिवासी मनको आज्ञानुसार एक रोमाञ्चकारी कथा वाचन गरिरहेछु-

एकादेशमा तिमी थियौ, म थिएँ र हाम्रो आदिवासी मन थियो, सप्रसङ्ग-अप्रसङ्ग हाम्रा आदिम प्यासहरू थिए, आदिम सम्बन्धहरू थिए, आदिम स्वप्नहरू थिए र आदिम आँसुहरू थिए । शिरीषका प्रेमिल फूलझैँ निलाम्मे प्रीत फुलेजस्तो त्यस शालीन प्रदेशमा वासन्ती सौन्दर्य ढकमक्क फुल्थे । शुभ सन्देशजस्ता पाहुनाहरू सकुशल आउने-जाने गर्थे । साप्ताहिक हाटबजारमा प्रेम, सद्‍भाव र समर्पणका कवितावाचन गरिन्थे । धर्म, दर्शन, इतिहास, राजनीति, अर्थनीति, शिक्षानीति, कुटनीति, संविधान, कानुन सारा केवल महत्त्वाकाङ्क्षी बादशाहका दुःस्वप्नझैँ बडो हास्यास्पद लाग्थे । आदिम नीला दहहरूमा प्रेमको सम्भ्रान्त पहेलीझैँ गन्धर्वहरू मस्त पौडिन्थे । गुफा र ओढारहरूमा आँखाभरि जूनतारा भित्रयाएर प्रकृति र पुरुष सम्भोग गर्थे, सङ्गीतबद्ध हुन्थे र जन्माउँथे अहङ्कारहीन भविष्य !

त्यस देशमा रुसोले गाई चराएका प्रमाणहरू थिए हामीसित । कृष्णले बजाएको बाँसुरीको धुन त्यहाँका पहाड, चरा, पुतली, झरना र नदीहरूलाई कण्ठस्थ थियो । कहिलेकाहीँ बाटो भुलेरै पनि कोलम्बसको आत्माले प्रवेश गरेको तथ्यसमेत हामीसित थियो । फ्रायड मनोविश्‍लेषण गर्नुभन्दा आत्मविश्‍लेषण गर्दै आमा, दिदी, बहिनी र पत्‍नीलाई समेत ससम्मान प्रेम गर्थे र बाबु, दाजु, भाइ सारालाई आलिङ्गन गर्थे । कार्ल माक्स कहिले बारीमा डल्ला फोरिरहेका हुन्थे त कहिले मजदुरको थोत्रो झोला बोकेर जङ्गलतिर पस्थे र झोलाभरिभरि जङ्गली फल र फूलहरू बोकी गोधूलि साँझमा घर फर्कन्थे ।

त्यस देशमा नित्से ईश्‍वरमृत्युको दुखद् समाचार लिएर आउँदैनथे, बरु उनी साहिँलीलाई 'प्रेम गर्छ'को सुखद् समाचार भन्न चौतारीमा पर्खी बस्थे । बुद्ध दङ्गदास भएर काखमा आफ्नो ईश्‍वरजस्ता अबोध नानी खेलाइरहेका हुन्थे । क्राइस्ट, बुद्ध, कृष्ण र मोहम्मदहरू बाइबल, त्रिपिटक, गीता, कुरान एकै ठाउँ राखेर शुभकामना आदान-प्रदान गरिरहेका हुन्थे । आतङ्कवादीहरू बमबारुद नभएर फूल लिई हिँड्थे र प्रिय र प्रियाहरूको निजी स्वप्नमा कोमल आतङ्क फैलाउँथे । सुकरात बाख्रा चराएर फर्कन्थे र साँझपख छिमेकीहरूसित अँगेनाको वरिपरि बसेर तारादेवी, नारायणगोपाल, अरुण र अरूणाहरू मोजार्टले सङ्गीत भरेको लोकगीत सुनाउँथे । बाङ्देलहरू आफ्नै भित्ता र आँगनहरूमा इन्द्रेणीरङ्ग भर्थे । वेदना र आँसुहरू क्षितिज पर-पर घुम्न जान्थे र सपनाहरू बोकी आउँथे । सार्त्र र सिमोन छुट्टी मनाउन कहिलेकाहीँ त्यहाँ झुल्किन्थे । निर्मल वर्मा, अमृता प्रीतम आ-आफ्नो एकान्त झ्यालमा बसेर सधैँ-सधैँ सूर्योदय र सुन्दर सुर्यास्त हेर्थे । हामीसित उपलक्ष्यहीन उत्सवहरू थिए । देश ऐश्‍वर्यशाली थियो र हाम्रो हृदयमा प्रीतिकर ईश्‍वरको जन्मजात ठेगाना थियो । सभ्यता हाम्रै आदिवासी मनजस्तो जीवन्त थियो । पारिजात, देवकोटा र शङ्करहरू हामीलाई यही कथा भनिरहेका हुन्थे ।
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यतिखेर भर्खर हामी स्वप्नसिँढीबाट धरातलमा ओर्लेका छौँ । हाम्रो आदिवासी मन, प्यास, सम्बन्ध, आँसु र स्वयम् सुखद् स्वप्नहरू शिरीषको फूल बारुदले भुइँभरि असरल्ल झरेझैँ काँचका टुक्रासरी अराजक छरिएका छन् । यात्रा रगताम्य छ ।

प्रिय संवेदन ! यतिखेर घाइते म निकै थाकेको छु । अब सम्हाल्ने जिम्मा तिमीलाई नै लगाएर तिमीबाट सुमधुर बिदा चाहन्छु र प्रकृतिको उही आदिम देशतिर फर्कन चाहन्छु !
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Posted in: निबन्ध

Trance

-Rajju Dangol

When I woke up, I realized the blazing sun was already above the soothing mountains and the twittering birds nearby my window were singing the onset of dawn. The soothing breeze, the chilly sensation of the morning, and the knock on my door (by my mother) was the reason why I opened my eyes to embark on yet another day full of incidents that were about to happen!

Getting done all my morning routine I walked from home to head my workplace at around 9:30.

A place not so far from where I live is a place where the Tuk-Tuk stop is. I walk to get there each day to become a part of a busy crowd waiting for a vehicle’s (Tuk-tuk) arrival. And when it finally does, it looks as if the swarm of killer bees darting at one prey. They jump, bash, and some even bruise themselves just to get their buttock placed in an uncomfortable rigid seat, and reach to their separate destinations. The cause of the rush: few medium, more passengers. Everyday it’s the same!

Being witty, I waited a little ahead than the place where the vehicle really stops, luckily the driver stopped for me when I gave him a signal to stop. Quickly I hurried to secure my seat and then took a fine sigh of relief, deeper and longer than usual one. When we reached the stop, the same swarm of hungry for vehicle humans charged to get their seat. Finally after the settlement of the instability and everybody getting their place, driver started the ride and we were soon on our way.

With a slow and noisy sound it started and soon began to swing from one side to the other. It was just like the lullaby and sway of the crib, I started daydreaming with the rhythm of to and fro.


Together a brother and a sister were walking on their way to reach home. They were walking side-by-side, step-by-step matching their legs left after right, amused of what they were doing as one. They didn’t see anything except their face and their smile in midst of huge crowd with whom along side they were gaiting.

They had to pass through the sacred relics filled with ancient temples, and holy shrines to reach their home. They both were fond of the religious surrounding and the architectural masterpieces carved in the temples. Soon breaking the pleasurable moment with his thought, he told his sister:

“Sister, look at those wooden panels and the beautiful sculptures carved on it, I’m really astounded by the fact that these marvelous carvings were accomplished 500 yrs ago.”

“Yes, I agree!”

Counting some of her own views on the same topic she added,

“Look brother the wind chimes lined up in the edge of the roof, the ‘tundals’ placed to hold the roof; the brackets used just above the doors and window, and the windows carvings. They all insert incredibility in the assembly of these temples.”

He agreed silently shaking his head, and gazed in peace taking pleasure in the spectacular view of remaining examples. He then took hold of his sister’s one of the finger and soon they began to swing their hands back and forth. And back again the same laughter filled the surrounding.

But the Dream didn’t last long…

Soon I roused from the daydream with another one of the swing of the Tuk-Tuk and the bang on my head on the roof. I looked around holding my head with an expression of pain; I found couples of passengers on the vehicle were staring at me feeling me,

One of them even asked, “are you okay brother?” and I replied, “I’m ok. Thanks.”

Shortly after that, I forgot what happened and others drowned in their own thoughts. Then I began wondering that those, the same hungry-for-vehicle humans, whom I considered the killer bees, were with me silently waiting their turn for their stops. They looked peaceful and still. Everyone was nicer rarely having any sign of conversation.

Looking outside the window, I thought about the day-dream I just had, I couldn’t believe I half slept. However when I gave it a second thought I found, it was a pleasant dream after all. The boy character somehow resembled my character and the girl my sister.

I memorized my sister and me walking as identical as what I saw in the dream.

I began thinking about the day when one interesting incident followed us to our place. Way back to our home, sis and I were having conversation regarding the breed of dogs. I remember myself saying,

“You know these street dogs have a very strong immunity power, because they survive with greater challenges in life rather than domestic dogs. Anyway I really don’t prefer these dogs as my pet! Hey sis, do you happen to know about ‘Airedale terrier’? It’s one among the most active dog breed, in the world! I’d some day, like to have an Airedale as my pet; I really love these dogs!”

While she was listening silently and agreeing positively shaking her head, I saw her anxious face wanting more of what I said, so I continued, “and do you know that these dogs really are smarter than the dog we have at our home.”

Suddenly she interrupted, and pointed her hands towards a dog. And asked if I knew what breed that dog was of, as it appeared a little different than normal street dogs. When I turned toward where she was pointing I was amazed and shockingly surprised!

“My goodness! What’s this? It’s a terrier!” was something that I reacted. I was happy to see the dog that time; actually it looked much like an Airedale but was little smaller. He was absolutely delightful cuddly specimen I’ve ever seen amongst the street dogs. His magnetic eyes and long furry hair with dark black spots in its body attracted my sister and me.

I analyzed and said, “may be he has ran out of his place or may be his owners got rid of it as it grew old.” I could say that because I always was interested in dog research. I always watch dog programs in ‘National Geographic’ and ‘Animal Planet’ and more than that I have experience of breeding dogs. I was startled by the fact that a dog so lovely could be thrown out just because he is in his old age.

However, before he could get out of sight, I quickly called that dog and gave him a piece of biscuit I was about to eat; I realized he was really hungry, probably since a day or two. So, we decided to give him a whole packet of biscuit.

Even my sister was happy at least to imagine how an Airedale terrier looked like and she said, “hey I think with the characteristic resemblance I think a dog in my office must be a terrier as well.”

“It so much looks like him you know” she added.

After feeding him, we were absolutely satisfied of what we did and shortly after we started walking back again. Sis agreed on what I previously said about the active and stuffs. But no matter what, I couldn’t keep myself from thinking about the dog and I was pretty sure that my sis was thinking about him too. If it were possible we would have adopted him. But as we had already couple of pets we knew that we couldn’t afford it to.

Nonetheless, it was an incredible experience. In no time, a bark of a dog took our attention towards it. We turned around and it was none other than the dog fed some fifteen minutes earlier or so. That was a second element of surprise for us! When we turned around we could see happiness in his eyes. He wagged his tail and licked my hand whenever I stopped patting his head. We tried ignoring him, but it wasn’t of use. He didn’t stop following us. Huge crowd, and other street dogs were creating some difficulties yet he managed finding us any way. We did all we could to scare other dogs away from biting him and stopping for him, we didn’t want to lose him and it was some interesting thing that my sister and I did. The wagging tail and the licking kind if hypnotized us. We discussed and finally decided to adopt him anyway. But to do that; we had to persuade our dad, we knew it was a difficult job!

Finally, we reached home and we were really happy that he followed us to our home. We ran to dad and started pleading. At first he didn’t grant our wish but soon after telling him all about what has happened and what are the advantages of owning a terrier he reluctantly had to agree. We were happy really happy! I rushed out to get him but found that he was nowhere to be in sight! I ran here and there to search for him but my entire struggle to find him was nothing except the absolute failure.

I returned sad and told my sis that he went missing. With that I started thinking the marvelous time we had with him. Sure it was a good time! It was an experience of a lifetime…

After few days, I found that dog was there at the same place where we first saw it. I was dumbfounded again! I at least was happy to see him doing okay. I called that dog and gave him some food but this time he didn’t follow me. I thought he felt we were like the other humans after all.

To my astonishment, I saw him again the next day. For a moment I waited him to get up for me. It was lying sadly in a corner of a street…the other surprise for me was that it was dead already!

It was one of the most painful experiences I had. It was terrible to see him that way. Some drops of tear came out of my eyes. I was watching him from a good distance because some municipality guys were about to take his dead body.

Finally, he was out of my sight. All I was left with was a emotional moment we had with him. After returning home I told all about my experience. She was sad as well, she was really sad!


These memories about that day, was interrupted by the driver of that vehicle saying, “brother! We’ve reached the last stop where are you getting off?”

To my surprise, I was lost in thoughts yet again! I rushed for my job with a heavy heart. In fact, I also was late for my office.

At office now, with no works, today, I’m writing about that unforgettable experience.

It’s now 5:12 hrs already and I think I will return home now…

My God…days are getting shorter, aren’t they!

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