| Username |
Post |
| ashu |
Posted
on 19-Jun-01 03:36 AM
What follows was written by Narayan Manadhar, and published
in yesterday's Sapce Time Daily English newspaper. This apears here with Narayan's permission.
oohi
ashu
***************************************
Tararara Nath Rana Bhatatatata......
NAMA
Being a Nepali, recently, three things really hurt my feelings recently. These three things appeared one after another in a row. First, it was the royal massacre itself. I just thank myself I was not abroad. The way the international media used, misused and abused tragic Nepali misfortune, it seems that we Nepali now have nowhere to hide our head. To add insult to the injury, even some one living next to NTV had to switch on to bideshi channel to keep up with events in Nepal. The government must be thanked for propping up once again our bedesi loving culture. Second is the katto khanne ceremony. Actually, there are many positive virtues of the ceremony. Wish we could have just used it for some other purpose other than sending one or two bhramins away from the valley in the name of driving away the ghosts.
The third one is, as reported by one of the media in the West, the chaotic press conference organized to brief on the media on the findings of the royal massacre investigating committee. Mr. Speaker was so good to the point while presenting the report in Nepali. I do not understand why he had to switch to English when he did not have the confidence regarding what he was reading from the paper. My Eight-grade daughter was wondering at the quality and delivery of English version with her eyes popped. At one point, she even asked me how come the word 'rat' was there in the report? I said that was the onomatopoeic ratatatata, the English version of Nepali bhatatata - the rapid fire coming from the machine gun.
It was from this point on that the entire press conference turned into a joke, a farce. I could the Speaker had missed the point that he was not speaking only to the group of journalists gathered there. He was addressing the media of the whole world. If the speaker was not confident with English, he could have simply handed out the photocopies of the report to the foreign journalists and continued his presentation in Nepali.
As said by the Western media, whole thing was unplanned and chaotic - from the sitting arrangement to presentation to demonstration of the physical materials. At one point I felt as if an auction was on. The way the materials were packed in cheap polythene bags gave the impression it was an unprofessional, poor show. In the age of power point presentation, why could not some one even think of an OHP presentation of the graphic materials. Someone, who can use a laser-guided pointer or notice the press about internet pasting of the material, could have easily thought of using some kind of electronic presentation. Mr. Speaker has, literally, washed so many days of hard work of the commission by his child-like presentation. The whole affair has become a farce. When the whole world was laughing, a deep feeling of shame and humiliation rests on me. I have to hang down my head and wish I was not born a Nepali.
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| Namita Kiran-Thuene |
Posted
on 19-Jun-01 03:14 PM
RE: Tararara Nath Ranan Bhatatatata...
Mr. Manandhar,
Let me get straight to the point. Are you ashamed of being a Nepali because the massacre happened in Nepal (no less in royal palace), or because somebody named Tara Nath could not speak English well?
Hmmm... I did not think Nepal was ever colonized by English Shahib therefore everything white does is better than the natives. Of course, if a brown face does not speak English well then that is a matter of shame. Shame on YOU Mr. Manandhar for harboring such a low esteem of yourself. Nepali is our first language. If a spokesperson cannot express in hi/her native language then THAT is a shame, not when one tries to speak in a foreign language. And by the way Rat rat rat rat IS THE sound of a machine gun even when a native English speaker tries to imitate the sound of a gun. But, that is not the point. You seem to be ashamed of everything Nepal has: is it culture (katto khane) or an attempt to arrange a press conference. How often Nepal has to arrange a press conference for a worldwide audience? I read a lot when it happened and am still reading about it in various newspapers. (Sorry I don't watch TV that much so I don't know what the newscaster said) Not even a single newspaper bothered to mention about so called "bad English" of the spokesperson. Wake up! You are not in British raj. Maybe your psyche is. So try to be open minded. I remember an old joke that I used to hear in Nepal: A Nepali after getting off the airplane in the States commented wow, look at that kuire kid, he speaks English fluently. He must be pretty intelligent. Are you still in your deep inside that Nepali?
When I was reading your piece do you know the feeling I got? You are Nepali babu who is constantly trying to impress a "Foren." Nepal IS one of the poorest country, there is hardly any char kose jhari left, etc etc and this massacre happened. But, I never ever feel ashamed to be a Nepali in this foreign land. I try to hang on to some good part of our culture and my language.
Just like I don't dismiss the States because so many shooting death occurs here or France or Germany for their xenophobic attitude (believe me I have experienced it), I suggest you examine yourself why you are so harsh on Nepali and Nepal.
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| sparsha |
Posted
on 19-Jun-01 04:42 PM
Way to go, Namitaji. I am with you.
sparsha
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 19-Jun-01 08:35 PM
I was also surprised why Ashu forwarded this article. This article
has nothing special, but vituperation and manifestation of
complex.It doesn't have its own opinion also, as it quotes western
media to say "the whole thing was chaotic and unplanned.."
Of course, it is strange that Mr Tara Nath Ranabhat spoke in both
languages, while one should have suffice. I also don't know why
he brandished those weapons, and laughed so funnily.
But, enough is enough. He is our Sabhamukh, and we are cursing him
so often, and just for speaking in a bad english.He grew up in
Pokhara, how can he speak in Oxbridge accent? In USA also,there
are a lot of foreign professors who teach in top schools, but
whose spoken English is really bad.
Also, Katto Khane ceremony is nothing to be ashamed of.The Pundits
from royal palace had repeatedly told that the food doesn't
include remains of the late king.Now, one paper wrote , "acc to
some people, the katto (used to) include cerebrum of the dead king
etc etc..", and people just believed the worst report!
It is all symbolic. Katto Khane, and as we previously discussed
in this website, Kumari lai Devi manne, Gupha basne, Kanyaadaan
garne etc etc these are all symbolical tradition. For those who
think the Brahmin is banished from KTM for good,did they ever
checked if the brahmin who ate Mahendra's Katto really stayed out
of KTM for good?
We have changed ourselves. Our culture is undergoing stages of
evolution. Those who think otherwise are probably too
ignorant/blind to see that.
Also, in the aftermath of royal massacre, I was watching Indian
Television Aajtak regularly. They interviewd a lot of people,
including raajguru, madhav nepal, keshar janga raayamaji and other
bigshots. All spoke in Hindi,even the Time journalist Dhruva Hari
Adhikari and Himal editor Sudhir Sharma also spoke in their broken
Hindi. Tara Nath Ranabhat was the only person who spoke in English
and the editor of Deshantar was the only person who spoke in
Nepali. A hindi subscript was shown in TV when they spoke!
|
| sally |
Posted
on 19-Jun-01 09:14 PM
I'd just like to point that I've heard NO negative comments at all from Americans about the katto khanne ceremony. I've gotten a lot of questions, and have definitely encountered curiosity about the mythic roots of the rite, but have never heard the kind of negative, embarassed reaction it's sparked among educated Nepalis.
|
| ashu |
Posted
on 19-Jun-01 10:59 PM
Hi all,
I have forwarded all your comments to Narayan.
Thanks you all your viewpoints.
BTW, for future reference, just because I post
someone else's article here doesn't mean that I
also endorse that write-up, though I do want
more people to be aware of such write-ups, read
them and feel free to reach their own conclusions.
In this case, I certainly wanted more people to
read Narayan's piece.
oohi
ashu
|
| namita |
Posted
on 20-Jun-01 11:03 AM
i cannot help wondering. why these people are compeelled to talk in a broken hindi or english? what is it with these people? i get really irratated. cannot they speak in their own language? have an interpreter, for god's sake. leaders of the world have their interpreters when they talk to their counterparts. Nepali and their complex! some try to speak in the language they are not comfortable with. some poking fun because somebody's english does not sound like good english!
and, thanks sparsha.
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| try |
Posted
on 20-Jun-01 11:55 AM
Hey you have to give them credit for 'trying.'
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| sparsha |
Posted
on 20-Jun-01 12:12 PM
Exactly, what is the matter with these so called "leaders" or "thute netas" (thute ..broken...broken from the core nepalis whom these so called netas claim to represent)? what stops them from speaking in Nepali? if foreign press wants/cares to know what these netas are saying then get some interpreters. I donot dispute Biswo's claim that speaking in Hindi is more effective in drawing attention of hindi speaking community be it india or anywhere but what would they do if they have to address a spanish/german or any other foreign press (except india)? would they speak in the languages of foreign press? Quit speaking in other languages. Speak in Nepali (and be proud) or the international language 'english' if you feel comfortable.
sparsha
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| Hari |
Posted
on 20-Jun-01 06:10 PM
Narayan is definitely right. To an extent. Where have the leaders hidden their leadership skills? I'm not so much offended by Mr. Speaker Bhatatata here TRYING to speak in English than his demeanor, his attitude, his UN-officialness even while speaking in Nepali. Sure, I too am offended by that.
If the Speaker of our House cannot maintain a steady, serious, official press conference on a serious issue, then why should we NOT be offended? Why should we NOT feel like he's putting all of us down? Why should we NOT feel like he's tarnishing the "Nepali" image?
He should be made to feel like he screwed up, just so he learns from his mistakes, and hopefully makes his next press conference better!
Dui Paise Musings,
Hari
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| Gulmi |
Posted
on 20-Jun-01 06:39 PM
Tararara Nath Rana Bhatatatata. Reminds me of Rosana Rosanadana.
Some people kids!
|
| Biswo |
Posted
on 20-Jun-01 06:42 PM
Hariji:
I think the article is also as demeaning as the conference. Let's
see some sentences from the article:
" I have to hang down my head and wish I was not born a Nepali. "
But why? why doesn't he wish like Ranabhat wasn't his speaker,
rather than wishing himself wasn't born in Nepal!
"The way the international media used, misused and abused tragic
Nepali misfortune, it seems that we Nepali now have nowhere to
hide our head."
We really should feel that way? Isn't it extreme?
"Wish we could have just used it for some other purpose other than
sending one or two bhramins away from the valley in the name of
driving away the ghosts."
Were they driven out of valleys? How much hallaihalla can be
source of one article?
"My Eight-grade daughter was wondering at the quality and delivery
of English version with her eyes popped.."
English accent of an individual is not a big deal. We see Yasser
Arafat and a lot of others trying to speak broken English in
international media.Of course, the point is , which I support, he
didn't have to repeat himself in two languages at all.
"Mr. Speaker was so good to the point while presenting the report
in Nepali."
Unlike Hariji, the writer thinks he was ok in presenting in
Nepali.
"At one point, she even asked me how come the word 'rat' was there
in the report?"
There is the word rat-a-tat, rat-a-tat-tat for rapid succession of
knocking/taping/cracking sound.(see Mariam Webster Dictionary)
" As said by the Western media, whole thing was unplanned and
chaotic - from the sitting arrangement to presentation to
demonstration of the physical materials."
He frequently quotes international media, but doesn't give name.
And the writer quotes international media just to say that the
'whole thing' was unplanned and chaotic..
" When the whole world was laughing, a deep feeling of shame and
humiliation rests on me. I have to hang down my head and wish I
was not born a Nepali."
I didn't read in any foreign media that the press conference was
shameful. Can you give me any address so that I can read that?
At least, the writer could quote a specific paper, rather than
repeatedly writing his vague 'international media' and 'the whole
international media'..
-------------
We know he didn't have to speak in two languages. But extreme
comments like the one above are also unwarranted.
Jiang Zemin ,when he went to Russia, tried to speak a few words
in Russian. He sang a few songs in English with Bill Clinton.
Often leaders do that to impress and draw attention of the hosts.
I think that's fine.
It is a bit unreasonable when you use 'broken language' to tell
what you think about a situation of grave importance.
Btw, for those who are so eager to criticize Tara Bhat to teach
lesson to other leaders, I request to imagine the scenario if
Krishna Prasad Bhattarai or Madhav Nepal were holding the
conference. They would be having either only one conference in
(broken) Hindi, or two conferences in Nepali and Hindi, or three
conferences in Nepali, English and Hindi.What we are doing is
probably like 'khasilaai pitera haati tarsaaune..'
|
| Hari |
Posted
on 20-Jun-01 11:20 PM
I think you are right Biswo, and I think you put it right when you asked why Narayan in that article wasn't ashamed of Mr. Bhatatata being our speaker (rather than Narayan himself being a Nepali?). I think that's absolutely correct, and I don't want to condone what Narayan has written.
And right now, it seems that people writing in this thread have begun to support/criticize Mr. Bhatatata's (sorry, I couldn't resist) linguistic abilities. That, in my opinion, is arguable. More of a problem is the speaker's inability to resist himself from "limelighting". Have our public leaders (including of course, Bhattarai, who came on NPR to announce that "whoever did this must be caught" just so he could speak to foreign press) gone mad? Have they no sense of decency or self-esteem? It is very disheartening to see our public leaders make a mockery out of themselves and their country.
I do echo your sentiment that none of our current leaders would have handled that conference well and with dignity. Maybe they'll get better if we all hound on them with criticisms of their "press conferences". Then again, maybe it's just wishful thinking!
Dui Paise Musings,
Hari
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| ashu |
Posted
on 21-Jun-01 12:55 AM
Narayan's article was amusing on many levels.
Or so I thought.
Now, one can agree/disagree with Narayan's personal
observations and his own feelings, and that
would be one thing.
But I didn't know what to make of Namita's apparent
ability to characterize a fellow Nepali as "a Nepali babu
who is constantly trying to impress a "Foren." -- all on
account of an article where he laid out, by his
own admission, his own "hurt feelings."
Since Namita also wrote that "[she] tr[ies] to hang on to
some good part of our culture and [her] language . . . [even in
foreign land]," the only way I can understand her judgment of Narayan is that she by characterizing him as such she is
INDEED keeping up with [a] part our culture.
Similarly, I am impressed with Biswo's ability to dig into
deeper meanings where there are none to begin with.
Narayan started his piece personalizing these experiences as instances that "hurt [his] feelings."
Now, when someone talks about his/her feelings (as opposed
to his/her IDEAS), there isn't much you can do, except either empathize with or ignore them. Feelings, especially others'
hurt feelings, are too subjective and personal to make a
general judgment out of.
But Biswo's telling Narayan that he should have wished THIS
and NOT that (as in, to cite one example, "why doesn't [Narayan]
wish like Ranabhat wasn't his speaker, rather than
wishing himself wasn't born in Nepal!") shows his remarkable
ability to enter into the domain of OTHER people's personal feelings, telling them, in essence, what they should have felt
like. I guess, thanks to Biswo's alertness, Narayan is now tuaght that he should have wished that Ranabhat wasn't his
speaker . . . instead of what he wrote.
Then again, hey, FREE SPEECH is what keeps this site
alive and kicking.
oohi
ashu
|
| Biswo |
Posted
on 21-Jun-01 01:10 AM
>Now, when someone talks about his/her feelings (as opposed
>to his/her IDEAS), there isn't much you can do, except either >empathize with or ignore them. Feelings, especially others'
>hurt feelings, are too subjective and personal to make a
>general judgment out of.
No,Ashu. If somebody publishes his 'personal hurt feeling' in
this public site, he should be equally broadminded to listen
to what others also think about his feelings.
I don't understand how can you give the readers only two choices
of 'empathizing' or 'ignoring', while simultaneously asking
for not trying to 'shape other's idea'!
>But Biswo's telling Narayan that he should have wished THIS
>and NOT that (as in, to cite one example, "why doesn't [Narayan]
>wish like Ranabhat wasn't his speaker, rather than
>wishing himself wasn't born in Nepal!") shows his remarkable
>ability to enter into the domain of OTHER people's personal >feelings, telling them, in essence, what they should have felt
>like. I guess, thanks to Biswo's alertness, Narayan is now >tuaght that he should have wished that Ranabhat wasn't his
>speaker . . . instead of what he wrote.
As a Nepali reader, I just wondered why the writer felt that way.
I didn't tell him to wish this, and not that. Actually, I have
no problem if the writer is ashamed of being Nepali now (as a
result of the acrobatics of the speaker that day)! I was just
trying to show [him] how extreme I felt his comment was!
|
| ashu |
Posted
on 21-Jun-01 02:47 AM
Biswo,
You are entitled to your opinions, of course.
I see no need to defend either Narayan or my
earlier comments about your comments.
They stand, as they are. I am happy to
let readers reach their own conclusions
re: what's what.
Narayan, by the way, is broad-minded enough
to take this all in good strides.
oohi
ashu
|
| mogambo |
Posted
on 21-Jun-01 09:18 AM
|
