The Hottest Topic on These days Nepal
The controversial anthem by Byakul Maila has created a wave of talk around the nation. The people are mainly unhappy with the selection procedure and some even with the lyrics. Pradeep Rai (Byakul Maila).
The issue of Maila to be one of the kings nobel man before the JanaAndolan part-2 is actually a funny remark to make upon him.
Did poet Maila make a mistake?
BY SHEKHAR KHAREL
KATHMANDU, Dec 6 - Had the National Anthem Selection Committee headed by Satya Mohan Joshi anticipated such a hue and cry over the outcome of its task, he might have withdrawn his name. Following the announcement of lyrics by Byakul Maila (Pradeep Kumar Rai) as the best among over one thousand entries, the whole nation is divided, with some elated and others baffled over Rai's entry being proposed for the national anthem.
Ironically, the committee headed by Joshi, a towering personality in the domain of culture and literature, and including other eminent personalities such as virtuoso Amber Gurung, poet Bairagi Kainla, Durga Lal Shrestha, Modnath Prashrit, Ramesh Shrestha, Shrawan Mukarung,
Dr Benju Sharma, Amar Giri, Nanda Krishna Joshi, Gopal Thakur, Aahuti and Bund Rana - all arguably non-controversial personalities and held in the highest esteem, - had eventually accomplished a most onerous task.
The Kathmandu Post approached many prominent names in Nepali literature to learn of their views on the selection of the anthem. Many of them only said 'no comment' and modestly distanced themselves from any further controversy.
The controversy over the proposed anthem further deepened with poet Maila's alleged role in editing 'Nepali Geetsangraha- 2059' (Collection of Nepali Songs 2059) coming to light. The preface of the collection reads, "It is our utmost pride to enlist in this anthology the song penned by His Majesty King Gyanendra, who is highly respected in Nepali literature under the name of G Shah."
But what is intriguing now has nothing to do with Maila. It happens to concern the methodology of the commission.
They did not go for a process in which they could ask the writers to produce their full resumes along with a list of their publications. The Committee selected the poems without knowing who the writers were.
"We've recommended this anthem to the cabinet as per the mandate given to the Committee," said selection teams coordinator Joshi. Regarding the substance of the poem and the poet's alleged role in the past, Joshi adds, "we were not given the names of the poets during the screening. The poem was the best among all entries and the Committee selected it unanimously."
"It was a daunting task to select a poem limited to hundred words," Joshi clarified. "How many rivers or mountains can you put in? The nation is secular now, so the question of religions and deities is redundant. Basically we focused on metaphors and Maila's piece is good in that."
However, the committee was also mandated to look into past works as well as form a selection group comprising renowned personalities if the open competition failed to find a suitable poem.
Though the Committee opted for the most democratic process, voices are being raised by many eminent poets that Maila's piece is a banal one.
"This is a childish approach", opines poet Bimal Niva and asks, "What do you expect when you call a tender? Writers of high esteem might not participate in such an awkward situation."
"It would have been wiser to approach capable writers or look into previous songs," Niva suggested, adding, "I think Rato Ra Chandra Surya by Gopal Prasad Rimal is best suited here."
Poet Mohan Koirala also shares a similar view. "This is devoid of sentiment, rhythm and patriotism," he argues, "the poem is too superficial."
"We could have chosen one from previous works, such as Rato Ra Chandra Surya".
Whatever the accolades or criticisms pouring in these days, the thought that looms is once you give people the opportunity to participate with a promise not to select by writers' names you should equally give them assurance that they are not betrayed. Hence, was it a mistake on the part of Maila to participate in this 'tender' for a national song?
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