LB THAPA
Every year Bhanubhakta Acharya's birth anniversary is celebrated just for formalities. Various government and other organizations hold programmes to mark his birth anniversary. Looking at this it seems that the whole nation is much indebted to Bhanubhakta Acharya for his invaluable contribution to enrich Nepali literature. The other day, however, I decided to pay my tribute to this great man by visiting his house all alone. This write-up is the outcome of my visit to Chundi Ramgha, the birthplace of legendary Bhanubhakta Acharya.
Bhanubhakta Acharya lived with a purpose and spent all his life serving Nepali literature. He was a poetic genius of his time. He played a crucial role to bring Nepali literature from obscurity to limelight. He was the father figure of Nepali literature who worked hard and uplifted Nepali literature to a respectable platform. His contribution to the genre is of supreme historical importance not only for his pioneering ability to make Nepali a living language but also the craft of prose-poetry writing with a degree of impeccable success. The literature he produced was simply unsurpassable. In brief he is credited to bring Nepali literature from obscurity to limelight.
However, the bitter truth is that the celebration of Bhanubhakta Acharya's birth anniversary has been no more than just a routine formality. The programme is attended by VIPs who deliver floury speeches and eulogize Bhanubhakta and his great works. The audiences greet these VIPs with resounding clapping at the end of each speech. And in the end a flower garland is put on the bust of the poet. This way a job is done until the next anniversary. This is a common sight of Bhanubhakta's birth anniversary celebrated in many parts of the country.
How serious the government is to recognize national figures one like Bhanubhakta Acharya can only be realized after visiting his home in Bhanu VDC ward No 3, Chundi Ramgha, Tanahun. Looking at his home, it is hard to believe that this is really the house where Bhanubhakta Acharya had spent most of his childhood and adolescence. Deserted and neglected the house is in dilapidated condition. The poor house stands in solitude. The windows, doors, and pillars are broken, which provide free access to one and all. Small plants have grown up inside the house. It is really very hard to believe that this is really the house of Bhanubhakta Acharya.
Bhanubhakta Acharya's house lies within the area of Bhanu Community Forest Committee (BCFC). The Bhanu Birthplace Development Committee (BBDC) was set up in order to protect and develop Bhanu's ancestral house. But looking at the poor state of the house, it does not seem that a penny is spent on the renovation or maintenance of the house.
Local residents show their frustration and resentment against the committee for doing nothing to conserve and promote the historic house. They blame the committee for not spending money on the renovation of the house. They spend the money for other purposes instead.
Most unfortunately the government has shown almost no interest in the renovation of Bhanubhakta Acharya's house. Had government been serious in the renovation of the house, today it would not be in such a sorry state.
The government dispatches a little budget to the BBDC and thinks their job over. But the truth is that the BBDC has not done its job honestly, complain locals. And they are not wrong either. Looking at the rickety condition of the house anyone can see the poor state of the house. Every year during Bhanubhakta Acharya's birth anniversary, a little pent up work is done. After then nobody cares about the house until the next birth anniversary, said one of the villagers.
Half of Bhanu's house has already crumbled down. Even the remaining part of the house does not look better. I am afraid if the house could bear the brunt of this year's monsoon.
The community forest is spread in 60 hectare where only Bhanu's house stands. More, day by day the population density of the village is also getting thinner and thinner. Lack of job opportunity, seeking for higher education, and willing to lead more comfortable life has compelled many locals to leave their village to nearby cities. The village does not have that charm today which it held until a few years ago. But still there are many people regularly visiting to Bhanu's house. It is no less than any pilgrimage for them. However, everyone who visits here to see the historic house of Bhanubhakta Acharya receives an unexpected shock as if they have arrived at a wrong place. They come with a different image of the house in their minds, but when they see the present state of the house they become extremely disappointed. The house has almost converted to remains.
Thanks to a motion picture which was made into the life of Bhanubhakta Acharya in 2000. For the shooting purpose the entire house was renovated. But all was not well. A sudden fire broke out in the forest that damaged most part of the house. It was partially renovated but the job was abandoned without completion.
Every year Bhanubhakta Acharya's birth anniversary is celebrated just for formalities. Various government and other organizations hold programmes to mark his birth anniversary. Looking at this it seems that the whole nation is much indebted to Bhanubhakta Acharya for his invaluable contribution to enrich Nepali literature. The other day, however, I decided to pay my tribute to this great man by visiting his house all alone. This write-up is the outcome of my visit to Chundi Ramgha, the birthplace of legendary Bhanubhakta Acharya.
Bhanubhakta Acharya lived with a purpose and spent all his life serving Nepali literature. He was a poetic genius of his time. He played a crucial role to bring Nepali literature from obscurity to limelight. He was the father figure of Nepali literature who worked hard and uplifted Nepali literature to a respectable platform. His contribution to the genre is of supreme historical importance not only for his pioneering ability to make Nepali a living language but also the craft of prose-poetry writing with a degree of impeccable success. The literature he produced was simply unsurpassable. In brief he is credited to bring Nepali literature from obscurity to limelight.
However, the bitter truth is that the celebration of Bhanubhakta Acharya's birth anniversary has been no more than just a routine formality. The programme is attended by VIPs who deliver floury speeches and eulogize Bhanubhakta and his great works. The audiences greet these VIPs with resounding clapping at the end of each speech. And in the end a flower garland is put on the bust of the poet. This way a job is done until the next anniversary. This is a common sight of Bhanubhakta's birth anniversary celebrated in many parts of the country.
How serious the government is to recognize national figures one like Bhanubhakta Acharya can only be realized after visiting his home in Bhanu VDC ward No 3, Chundi Ramgha, Tanahun. Looking at his home, it is hard to believe that this is really the house where Bhanubhakta Acharya had spent most of his childhood and adolescence. Deserted and neglected the house is in dilapidated condition. The poor house stands in solitude. The windows, doors, and pillars are broken, which provide free access to one and all. Small plants have grown up inside the house. It is really very hard to believe that this is really the house of Bhanubhakta Acharya.
Bhanubhakta Acharya's house lies within the area of Bhanu Community Forest Committee (BCFC). The Bhanu Birthplace Development Committee (BBDC) was set up in order to protect and develop Bhanu's ancestral house. But looking at the poor state of the house, it does not seem that a penny is spent on the renovation or maintenance of the house.
Local residents show their frustration and resentment against the committee for doing nothing to conserve and promote the historic house. They blame the committee for not spending money on the renovation of the house. They spend the money for other purposes instead.
Most unfortunately the government has shown almost no interest in the renovation of Bhanubhakta Acharya's house. Had government been serious in the renovation of the house, today it would not be in such a sorry state.
The government dispatches a little budget to the BBDC and thinks their job over. But the truth is that the BBDC has not done its job honestly, complain locals. And they are not wrong either. Looking at the rickety condition of the house anyone can see the poor state of the house. Every year during Bhanubhakta Acharya's birth anniversary, a little pent up work is done. After then nobody cares about the house until the next birth anniversary, said one of the villagers.
Half of Bhanu's house has already crumbled down. Even the remaining part of the house does not look better. I am afraid if the house could bear the brunt of this year's monsoon.
The community forest is spread in 60 hectare where only Bhanu's house stands. More, day by day the population density of the village is also getting thinner and thinner. Lack of job opportunity, seeking for higher education, and willing to lead more comfortable life has compelled many locals to leave their village to nearby cities. The village does not have that charm today which it held until a few years ago. But still there are many people regularly visiting to Bhanu's house. It is no less than any pilgrimage for them. However, everyone who visits here to see the historic house of Bhanubhakta Acharya receives an unexpected shock as if they have arrived at a wrong place. They come with a different image of the house in their minds, but when they see the present state of the house they become extremely disappointed. The house has almost converted to remains.
Thanks to a motion picture which was made into the life of Bhanubhakta Acharya in 2000. For the shooting purpose the entire house was renovated. But all was not well. A sudden fire broke out in the forest that damaged most part of the house. It was partially renovated but the job was abandoned without completion.
(This article was published in People's Review Weekly, Kathmandu, Nepal)
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