The Sanctum of Art.

Gorkha Imagined: Indra Bahadhur Rai in Translation

Gorkha Imagined: Indra Bahadhur Rai in Translation, edited by Prem Poddar & Anmole Prasad and published by Mukti Prakashan, Kalimpong is a translated book from Nepali to English with short stories and Essays by Indra Bahadhur Rai. The book is unique as the stories contained in it have the supremacy to quench the thirst of every reader for the theme applied is Universal in approach. There are a total of ten collected short stories and Essay collected from his major works. Indra Bahadhur Rai, a successful Darjeeling born Nepali author, a leading Nepali Literati and the one to have forged the “Ayamik Lekhan” (the Dimensionist Movement of which Rai was the forerunner) saw his works at times come under controversy. “From the Introductory section, In short IB’s project is to infect Nepali literature with the intellectual incomprehensibility of his mentors such as Derrida, Lacan and Baudillard and put Nepali Literature out of reach of ordinary readers”. Besides, Literature and writer grow with the critical evaluation by the critics/audience. Rai portrays the identity of Gurkha in most of his work with the usage of theme/subjects like Refugee, Asylum seekers, migrant and many more related subjects. In this book, the readers will find problems of Gurkha Identity its various crossroads of civilization, political affairs and identity.

Furthermore, Prem Poddar in his Introduction provides a synopsis to the readers on the usage of thematic and stylistic characteristics as used by Rai in most of his works. His insightful overture provides a briefing of all the stories and Essays and gives a much insightful view of the book which will add an added dosage to the readers. Some of the short stories and Essay in the book are Jarr: Euta Bhayekai Katha, Ghosh Babu, Ratbhari Huri Chalyo, Kheer, Jaimaya Aphumatra Likhapani Aipugi and Pahar Ra Khola etc.

The first in the book and a very widely renowned story amongst Nepali populace “Jarr” (Adulterer) has a somewhat Shakespearian outlook, the story revolves around three characters Thuli (meaning eldest daughter), Rudraman and Harshajit. Thuli loves Rudraman, a Gurkha lieutenant but she is not able to marry him due to familial pressure and marries her paternal cousin Harshajit. After the marriage is done and half of her marriage life is lived, Rudraman again appears and tires to whip Thuli but he is caught and taken in the Village court. The inborn controversy in the story and the chivalry at the last of the story by Rudraman transforms the ferocious enmity into miteri (Fictive). The other story in the book entitled as “Ghosh Babu” translated equivalently by Michael Hutt portrays shades of Irony by presenting a Bengali drycleaner resident in Darjeeling. Moreover, the story gives a dimensional view of Darjeeling as it unfolds in its narrative. “Kheer” (a Nepali rice pudding) is a story full of allegory emphasizing on the importance and safeguard of Values and Wisdom along with the unique Gurkha Identity, Culture and Tradition that is in the brink of diminishment. “Jaimaya Aphumatra Likhapani Aipugi” (Jaimaya alone arrived at Likhapani) exposes the aftermath problems faced by diasporas Gurkha. The sad story is about the Gurkha family left in Burma ad their pathetic journey towards their once abandoned homeland with equally exigent and challenging situations. At last, Jaimaya alone arrives at Likhapani near Assam leaving back her memoirs in the native land and in the hollow pathways. Moreover the other stories in the book are also full of Gurkha ethos portraying Universal theme and motif.

“Nepali is the major language in Nepal but a minor one in India”. Nepali is one of the 22^nd officially recognized languages included in the Indian Literary language approved by the Sahitya Akademi.  The Essay in the Book deals with India as a sovereign state giving respect to each and every religion and languages. The need to understand the churning issue of ethno nationalism is vividly described with much broader approach. The uneven development of the country and the differentiation among the classes, language is also very well defined in the translated version. 

The translators of the book Lt. Dorjee Tshering Lepcha, Amole Prasad and Michael Hutt are to be commended for their work (translation) as their vocation enthralls each and every corner of the Gurkha society by their equivalent writing skill and henceforth Mukti Prakshan of Kalimpong in making the book available to the global audience. The Book “Gorkha Imagined: Indra Bahadhur Rai in Translation” is available in various book stores all around the world, all you need to do is visit some of it.

My First book entitled "The Sanctum of Art" in collaboration with Pempa Gyatso Lepcha.

LITERARY TASTE FROM THE FOOTHILLS OF HIMALAYA

“THE SANCTUM OF ART”

MADNESS & CREATIVITY

The story content in the various books deals either in the name of “Art for Art’s sake” or “Art for Humanity’s’ sake”. The book “The Sanctum of Art” deals with both types of narrative description and is a compilation of the features displaying Post Modern themes and style in Prose and Poetry. It further portrays the post modern factors like angst, absurdity and existentialism etc. The chapters in the book are all related to realistical issues except for the topic of Tibet which has been taken from the Documentary “Kekexilli,” The Mountain Patrol”.

Furthermore as quoted in the book!

Inside all human lie sublime feelings and only the one who sticks to it can express them freely and this inner tranquil place being called "THE SANCTUM OF ART". So, at this point people, readers maybe curious about what might be the inner core of the Art? There is nothing that can be hidden and there is nothing that cannot be known. Well, the sanctum of Art from the views of the reader may refer to various passionate things. It depends upon the way how they perceive the Sanctum. An Art has no limitation and in the same way Madness and Creativity are infinite and boundless. Art defines what human values and morality fails to define. There is nothing above and beyond art because the way of being Human is also an approach of Art. An art has the capacity to lend hand to the people to hold on to their Dreams, It has the capability of reaching itself to the unseen and further bringing the hidden to life. The passion and their march towards liberation of writers like John Milton, Shree Laxmi Prasad Devkota and Shree Aadi Kavi Bhanu Bhakta etc. Are we to define or term their passion as Madness or Creativity?

The Book as written by Dweep Subba in collaboration with Pempa Gyatso Lepcha has tried to label the definition in the following way –

Madness… Every day we try to learn something new gaddingly. In this march towards liberation which is swayed by passion in every voice, image, talks, gossip, situations becomes an allegory behind every writing and painting.

Creativity ... speaking for those who can't,
lending a hand to hold on to their dreams
and reaching out to the unseen...
bringing them to life,
assuring them that they are remembered,

for they too belong here
and that's why God created colours.

Madness and Creativity belongs to God, It is the Key of His creation.

Furthermore, the book was released on the eve of 198^th Bhanu Jayanti Celebration in Soreng, West Sikkim. The book is now available in various book stores in Gangtok, Namchi, Darjeeling and Siliguri etc. The Book is an epoch and has been looked up as an artifact globalizing the literary taste of the Himalayan state.