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 22nd
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.
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