Advisors
Mohan Bdr. Kayastha
Bishnu Bdr. Singh
Dr. Arun Sayami
Yograj Gautam
BishwoBimohan Shrestha
Radheshyam Lekali
Dr. Hari Prasad
Dr. Badri Pokhrel
CRITICISM
Interdisciplinary Diversity in the Contemporary Nepali Female Poetry
Laxman Prasad Gautam
Contemporary Nepali Poetry is said to be the Nepali Poem of 'Now' or 'present'. Drawing the demarcation line, Nepali Poetry written after the 'Street Poetry Movement' in 2036 B.S to the present time can be regarded as the contemporary Nepali Poetry. One contemporariness is replaced by another contemporariness and the pervious contemporariness changes into past, so the poetry written around the period of later one and half and two decades from the turning point should be accepted as the contemporary poetry. A lot of trendy changes have been taken place there in the course of the development of Modern Nepali Poetry. Thus, in contemporary Nepali Poetry, the influence of various events that brought by dynamism of the time, could be seen.
The female writer in contemporary Nepali Poetry, the contemporary thought has been expressed emotionally, specifically and in quite new taste. Feministic sense is expressed in contemporary Nepali Female Poetry, simultaneously they express the contemporary life experience and feelings. A single subject, attitude, ideology, point of view, thought and features do not constitute the form of contemporary Nepali Female Poetry. Especially, in their writings female existence, life experience, agony, feeling, love, and sense of motherhood are expressed effectively and clearly.
The contemporary female poetry writing is also a part of the mainstream of the contemporary Nepali Poetry writing. The effects of the events with in the changes of the age is also a base for contemporary female poetry. so it must be considered as the trend of the contemporary writing. In comparison to the whole contemporary Nepali Poetry, the contemporary Nepali Female Poetry are diverse ad more sensitive from the point of view of trend, serious from the point of view of thought, simple (comprehensive) from the point of view of presentation, condensed from the point of view of existence and realistic from the point of view of experience. They are the main features which differ the contemporary Nepali female poetry from the mainstream of contemporary Nepali Poetry. On the basis the different between the mainstream of contemporary Nepali Poetry and contemporary Nepali Female Poetry can be listed below
Various subjects and themes are expressed more sensationally in the mainstream of contemporary poetry where as in contemporary Nepali female writing certain subject and theme is expressed more sensationally.
In the mainstream of contemporary poetry multiple aspects of thought is dominant so surface thought is secondary aspect, where as in the contemporary female poetry generally single aspect of thought is dominant. so they seem much serious.
Portrait of human existence and valueless life is found in the mainstream of contemporary poetry but in the contemporary female poetry, female existence and their own valueless life and pungent feministic sense is also found.
The experience of life of existing age and agony are expressed impersonally in the mainstream of contemporary poetry, but in the contemporary female poetry the experience of life of existing age and agony are expressed personally.
In the mainstream of contemporary poetry, reality is presented critically and ironically, where as in contemporary female poetry the reality of experience is pungent but are expressed in simple manner.
Contemporary female poetry writing is integrated part of the mainstream of contemporary Nepali Poetry, and from the point of view of trend they seem quite different but not out from the circle of mainstream. The expression of feministic thought, sense and their own existence is found in contemporary Nepali Female Poetry. Feministic thought of contemporary female poetry is almost centered towards the reality of male dominated society where the female are governed and exploited by male.
Simple presentation of content, serious presentation of emotion ideology, subjective diversity, diversity in trend are the main features of the contemporary female poetry. The experience, pain and feelings of contemporary Nepali women are common and they have been expressed through personal voice and collective voice by the contemporary Nepali female writer. The political scenario of Nepal, economic anarchism, social evil and absurdity, disorder, war, violation, trepidation, the agony of cultural deviation, loneliness, mechanism, sexuality, rebel, revolutionary sense are also expressed in contemporary Nepali female writing. Some of their contemporary poetry posses the above mentioned features.
A strong aspect of female writing in contemporary Nepali poetry is the feministic writing. The recognition of the position of Nepali female in male dominated society has been expressed effectively:
"Tear is weapon
Smile is weapon
It should be used according to time and place
Should be utilized according to
condition and circumstances
don't be free in ideology
don't laugh freely
hold your tongue you female"
Kunta Sharma
Pothi Basnu Hundaina, Samalalin Nepali Kavita,
Happy and sorrow are the weapons of women which should be used accordingly; which reveals the predicament of Nepali women in male dominated society where women are not allowed to lead happy and free life. The reality of male governed, slave like, and dependent life of Nepali women is expressed in above extract.
The subject matter of contemporary Nepali Female Poetry is centered around the periphery of revolution, change and democracy. A desire for the liberation and freedom have been expressed here in a poetic piece:
"Like the seeds of cucumber and pumpkin
germinates in adjustable earth and season
grow and creep in the from of movement
The desire for freedom
breaking from the so –called strong ties
of the colourful leaves of many trees"
Parijaat
Andolan, Andolan Kavita
The reference of the peoples' movement 2046 B.S have been presented in above poem. The germination of the seeds of cucumber and pumpkin, its growth with the suitability of time, soil and climate have been compared with the development and climax of the mass revolution that aimed at the desire for acquisition of freedom and liberty.
Female writers are also influenced by the contemporary political scenario of our country. A model poem indication towards the political detainee in given here:
"A small pony imprisoned a hill pony
in own stable and satisfied
Poor pony dreamed and illusioned
stoping the speed of a hill pony."
Aruna Upreti
Bandee, Andolan Kavita
In this poem the reference of the political detainees and tyrannical government have been presented symbolically. A pony has been presented as the symbol of tyrannical ruler and hill pony has been presented as the symbol of revolutionary party. It is also a satire to the then existing ruler who are proud, detaining the revolutionary people. It is no more then the illusion.
Another aspect of contemporary female poetry is the sense of love. In some of the female writing the picture of the sublime form of love is found where as in some female writing the sense of dedication is found:
of the gentle touch of first love
'mana' exulted frequently
of the kisses of someone
the emotion runs vein to vein
Indira Prasain
Seer Ajhai Obhaeko Chhaina, Samkaleen Nepali Kavita
In above poem, because of the first touch of love, her heart beat is growing, her soul and body are out of her grip, which shows the eager for love, is the good creation of love image.
Ups and downs of the female life, the predicaments of the female life are expressed in their own writing. An example:
"Like the continuous flow of the stream into the dark jungle
my life is so
Like the off –seasonal strong blow of the wind
my life is so."
Padmavati Singh
Geet, Kavita, Poornanka
The life is like the continuous flow of stream, and life is like left something outside by the hurricane (off –seasonal storm) indicate the plight that brings disorder in life. The solitariness of the stream indicates the chaosness of life, and storm indicates the predicament which reveals the lack of freedom of female life.
The labour pain and period after conception have also been the subject matter of the poem which is the expression of women sorrow and feministic senses.
"I don't give my ovum/for your issue
Now, find the new way for creation
after conceived till the labour pain
I am living as if dying, everytime?"
Kundan Sharma
Garvadroha, Kavita, Poornanka
The sense of reble is expressed, she asked her male counterpart not to conceive her. She realizes the pain after conceived and labour pain, so, she asks the male counterpart to seek the otherways to continue the creation. It shows the sense of reble and pain in one hand and other hand it shows the need of 'test tube' technology.
Female existence doesn't get change because of the relationship with the male and she doesn't become male –like. Here, in a piece of poem shows the sense of feminism:
"You pour water/my charm (colour) doesn't go
you don't pour water/my charm (colour) doesn't dry
My colour is ot gifted colour
My colour is not borrowed colour."
Bhagirathee Shrestha
Pakka Rang, Kavita, Poornanka
The above poem expressed that the women existence never get change. The word 'colour' itself is the symbol of female existence and it never gets change because of the relationship with male. Symbolically, it further strongly disagree the forbidden of vermillion and red coloured dress after they become widow.
The main characteristic of contemporary Nepali Poetry is to express difficult circumstances by war, violence, blood –shed etc. Here is an example:
"Their appeal, mixed with blood, not heard
No drop of water,
No tear rolls down because of wailing
but a heap of sorrow like mountain"
Manju Kanchuli
Bartaman Sthitiko Chehara
Above piece of poem is strong expression of the sense of contemporariness. The people who, wailing and crying entangled by the blood, and unable to shed tears because of unbearable pain and torture are not except than the today's Nepali people. True depiction of the hurt Nepali people and the desire for the relief from war, terror and bloodshed have also been expressed in above poem.
Another trend of contemporary Nepali Female Poetry is the picturization of Nature though it has been expressed in contemporary female writing as a trends of Neo –classicism:
"the cloud roared with thunder
the sky sparkled with lightening
the earth quakes and all scared
What a change! the earth got up"
Prabha Bhattarai
Barsha, Kavita
Above poem depicts the life –like picture of the summer season and through it the action of the nature has been shown. Thundering, lightening, earth shaking are the actions in the season cycle of the nature. The nature has been personified through the action of summer season and the horror from of summer nature has also been shown.
Modern human being suffer from the evils and absurdity, and have been living the same life which is the center subject matter of the contemporary Nepali Female Poetry:
"The seasons falling down from bough
Sisyphus got rid from the curse in dream
I found myself crushed by the huge
stone of curse while awakening
...and absolutely confused
infinite meanings of the shadows
and gazed up at the huge black mountain"
Momila
Chhayama Kalo Nidrako Samavedana,
In above poem, the black mountain symbolizes the journey of life. The reality of struggle for existence and surviving has been made clear referring to the monotonous actions of Sisyphus. Running down by the stone symbolizes the absurdity of life. The aspect of thought is prominent in the above poem.
In some of the contemporary Nepali Female Poetry, anti –male voice and women existence are also being expressed. But in some of the poetry they have the voice that female can easily control over the male as their own wish:
"For your proud/being a dear/addressing you as god
According to own desire/Channel can be changed
you are no more than the T.V. screen
remote controlled; like a puppet"
Benju Sharma
Logne Manisharu
The female are like a puppet in the hands of the male. The maleness nature of male is shown in contradictory way shows the feministic sense.
Sexual trend is also expressed either vaguely or symbolically in contemporary Nepali Female Poetry:
"Let us, you and me, be united
you begin your first blow of PARASU (phallus) to me"
Banira Giri
Chot, Nepali Samasamayik Kavitaharoo
In above poem the word 'PARSU' symbolizes the phallus and through the reference of the blow of phallus (Parrasu) in unravanged vagina, physical sexual action has been shown.
The description of the form of sexual activity has also been found in some of the female writing; such an example is"
"You were swimming
I was sweating
and we, in the same pond
were swimming, knocking, and sweating"
sSta Pande
Lalo Pokhari, Nepali Samasamayik Kavitaharoo.
Swimming, sweating shows the activity of sexual activity of sexual intercourse. Pond has been used as the symbol of vagina and thirst for the sexual desire has been shown. The picturization of sexual activity and the climax of it has been presented effectively.
The symbol of Kalidas, the contemporary female writer showed the foolishness of modern man:
"Kalidas/bough/Kalidas cutting a bough
fell down on the ground
whether Kalidas who wrote epic
before writing 'Muktak'(short poem)"
Bhuwan Dhungana
Kalidas, Samakaleen Nepali Kavita
The reality of the devaluation of humanity is also the subject matter of contemporary female writing. A piece of poem having an expression of the devaluation of life is given here:
"Last day among us
an accident of a boby
Frozen blood on the road/Spitting over there
Passers by going"
Toya Gurung
Hamibich Phastaiaka Aspatataharoo, Deval Ghumepachhi,
By using the symbol of an accident of a body, it has been shown that, the life of human being is less valuable than dogs, It shows the reality of the devaluation of human life.
The reality of the devastation of the war is another aspect of the contemporary female poetry writing, which shows the contemporary life style and feelings:
"aftermath of the war/in the tender hands
clenched the future of the age into fist
in this crowd tired infants have slept"
Sharada Sharma
Yuddhaparanta, Samakaleen Nepali Kavita
War pushes the future generation into george of disorder, state of confusion and despair, so the world should be kept away from the devastation of the war and we should let the future generation live happily in the world of peace.
The life experience of contemporary age have been expressed by female writer also, an example:
"Thulikanchhi, a seven years girl, came down to city
In capital city Kathmandu
Not to Journey
Not to be a guest
In search of future to shape Fortune
Swept with the rumour of the flood"
Aruna Baidya
Kathmandu Ko Aakash Ra Thulkanchhi, Samudralai Aansu Chahindaina
Above Piece of poem shows the ugly reality of disorder. It has further showed that the school going poor girls from th hilly region come to city or Kathmandu Valley in search of works in order to join hand to mouth. Child labour exploitation has been shown in one hand and on other hand 'Thulikanchhi' has been presented as the representative character of labour –girl.
In most of the contemporary poem human life has been made the central subject matter and the same attitude is also can be seen in the contemporary female writing:
"Why is the life doubtful at present
Why, the lovely blooming flower
full of sharp therne"
Sandhaya Pahadi
Jeevan,Mrigatrishna
The absurdity of the life has been presented in above poem. The life is becoming doubtful. The thorne pinched to the flower and beautiful life which shows the absurd aspect of the life. The effective expression of absurdity and impirical thought is shown in above poem.
The vicissitudes of the life have been expressed by the combination of the emotio,feeling and sensation in some of contemporary female poetry:
"'Mana' is the result of doubt
'Mana' is coward itself
'Mana' is powerful also
and/to felt inside the circle of the
closed clock of the time"
Laxmi Ureti
Mana Bahneko ta Hawa ho, Saya Barshaka Kavita
In the above poem 'Mana' has been studied from the oriental poing of view, and 'Mana' has been regarded as the controller of all actions and reactions. All reaching including, doubts, cowardness, force, time, sensation are guided by the 'Mana', is the main them of above poem.
Female existence, as well as optimistic point of view of life is also major trend of contemporary female poetry. To indicate the trend a piece of poem is here:
"hopelessness is the sign of cowardness
we come here with the
rays of hope
we wait
for our own existence"
Shubha Shrestha
Asmita, Kavita, POornanka
In the piece of above poem, it has been expressed that the women should leave despair and should wait optimistically for women existence. In other word female is symbol of hope not of the despair, is the theme above piece of poem.
Women emancipation is equally important as the human freedom. The contemporary women writing indicates that the ultimate way to get freedom is struggle;
"Lost crutch
Before the dawn 'Basanta'
The independent steps are climbing up the hills
Do you know? It is a journey of fire"
Geeta Karki
Mandirbata Harayeko Shaligram, Bagar, Poornanka
In this poem, fire symbolizes the revolution. It indicates that to climb up the mountain of freedom, the journey of fire(struggle) should be crossed. For the female emancipation and human freedom, the struggle has the great important every time and everywhere.
Subjective variety and rhythmic variety are the main features of the contemporary female poetry. The expression of love in a poem is:
"Keeping you in the corner of the heart
I want to throw an arrow of love"
Padma Aryal
Dui Gajal, Kavita Pooornanka
Neo –romantic expression is in the above poem. Imaginary lover addresed by 'you' and the reference of heart and arrow have become the means of love.
The love –sense has been presented through the means of memory image. An example:
"I have in my memory –those days
the moments with you
I am in search of every faces
the days I lost"
Usha Sherchan
Matra Aaruka Botharu! Matra Pipalka Botharu, Samakaleen Nepali Kavita
In the above piece of poem, through the means of memory image, the love sense have been expressed in one hand, and in another hand the theme of 'time doesn't wait' has also been expressed.
Violence, trepidation, terror and horror are the reality of age which have been expressed as the real experience by the contemporary female writer:
"under the unsecured skies
human beings are destroying human beings
I/Stand in the middle line of the life
writing a story about peace"
Bimala Tumkhewa
Maile Bancheko Bartamanma Manchheharoo Udas Chhan
Kavita, poornanka
Showing the insecured and terrifying scene and the reality of the age have been depicted in the above poem.
In some of the contemporary poetry the female writers have made the sense of motherhood as the main subject matter. The sense of motherhood of the poor rural mother have been shown as the social reality. An example:
Mother sows the seeds of hope
but they don't get chance growing
to heal the wounds of her heart
Does her son come back soon!
Susmita Nepal
Aama, Kavita, Poornanka
Cordial Love of mother to the son who has gone to foreign land in search of work, and the reality of the painful experience of the mother who waits her son hopefully for his return, is the theme of the above poem. The cordial love of mother and the pain of economic poverty of the poor Nepali
mother have also been expressed in the poem.
The generalization of nature with human sensation and the exposition of internal form of nature is also the feature of contemporary female poetry:
"A poor bird freely roaming in the jungle
he might not have been affected by these hindrance
on whose decoration the nature is decorated
his world might be innocent"
Sarala Bista
Bitthama Kina Irshya Uthna Khojchha,
Samakaleen Nepali Kavita
On the above poem, by the means of the symbol of the bird the nature is being depicted as a form of beauty, freedom and pious, and showing the effect of the nature on human being, the internal form of nature and human sensation have been expressed.
Above mentioned names and their respective poems clearly show the remarkable precense of female writer in the contemporary Nepali Poetry. In addition to the above mentioned names, many other female have also published books on poetry, but it is not possible to list them here. From the point of view of trend, collective voice and personal voice could be seen in their poems. Most of the female writer have assimilated contemporary sense of age, through their sorrow, experience, feelings and the problems of life are shown vividly. Further more, the expression of the theme of women existence and emancipation are the identity marker of the today's female poetry.
The tradition of contemporary Nepali Female Poetry writing is vary from the point of view of the usage. Contemporary female writer are able and efficient to make the content effective but not efficient to make style effective. In modern poem the main expectation of the reader is ideology. From the point of view of the sense of ideology contemporary Nepali poetry are weak but from the point of view of the presentation of sensation they are efficient and adequate. In contemporary female poetry, sensation, emotion, and feelings are dominant in comparison to the ideology and thought.
The remarkable feature of female poetry in contemporary Nepali poetry is the generalization of experience of female life, feelings, sorrow etc. The experience of female life, feeling, sorrow and problems appear to be the universal in every time and place and such subject matters that is found in a female poetry are common to the others' but they appear different in expression and presentation. Form the point of view of the justification of the sensation female poetry deserve different identification. On the other base, from the point of view of the gender the demarcation line can't be drawn between the female and male poetry. They have the common experience of life, feeling, pain of sense (revelation of truth) that is found in the writing of both male and female.
The major features of contemporary female poetry can be pointed out below:
The realistic presentation of the experience, and feelings of present life.
Real portrait of the society and the absurdity of the present age.
The expression of the sense of nature, sense of love, sense of life and sense of sex.
The realistic presentation of the female experience, feeling, pain and their problems.
The search for the female existence and appeal for its acquisition.
Opposition for the anti –female and unequal trend of the male dominated society.
The expression of the loss and gain, and hope and despair of female life.
The sense of feminism and the sense of motherhood in some poetry.
More emphasis to the sensation than to the ideology.
