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| Biswo | Posted
on 15-Nov-01 01:07 AM
Today is Laxmi Puja. It is also a birth day of Mahakabi Devkota. So let's remember Mahakabi. Here is one poem from Devkota. Probably his last one! Rahechha Sansaar Nishaa Samaana Aayena Jyudai Rahadaa Ni Gyaana Aakhira Srikrishna Rahechha Eka No Bhakti Bho Gyaana Na Bho Bibeka Also, thanks to Kantipur for publishing the one of the unpublished essays of Devkota.[ I know some of their folks visit this site regularly.] It was a nice essay. --- We don't know what he dreamt of, whether he dreamt of anything at all or not, whether he was as great as our other poets/critics/writers seem to point out, but we know we are indebted to his works. We have enjoyed his Muna Madan, his Paagal, His Prabhuji Bhedo Banaau, His Laxmi Essay Collection, his Bhikhari etc. I haven't read Shakuntala, but Let me write down one of assessments of his contemporary writers (Naatakkaar Balakrishna Sama): "Mahaa kabi was born three times, once in Muna Madan, next time in Shaakuntal and third time in Paagal." We can add this sentence, " He was born ,at least, three times, but he never died." |
| diwas k | Posted
on 15-Nov-01 09:48 AM
Biswo ji, (and others ) Could you please list some of Devkota's published works? The only one I have looked at is Savitri Satyawan... I am sure there are more diwas k |
| sunakhari | Posted
on 15-Nov-01 10:09 AM
Totally unrelated: Biswo, what is a karyangkurung? I was fixated on that word when I was growing up - I thought it was some sort of mythical bird and I just read in your article that it is not. :) |
| gokul | Posted
on 15-Nov-01 10:16 AM
Biswo, Thanks for raising this very relevant topic for the days of Tihar. As we all know, Devkota was great not only as a poet but also (and more soever) as a very kind-hearted, passionate human being. There is no doubt about his poetic talent and literary achievement, which is best summarized in the words of another great scholar Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan, "Devekota is Prasad, Pant and Nirala all together." This is not an ordinary statement. Although many stories about Devkota might been exaggerated, there is very little doubt about the genuineness of the image of greatness, that immediately comes in our mind when we think of him. His extraordinariness lies in his ordinariness. One story: Once Devkota was on a tour to Kalimpong. He was wearing crampled Daura, Suruwaal, and dirty-looking Khasto (Shawl) at that time. In the audience, there was one curious lady, who had heard that Devkota, the greatest poet of Nepal was also there. Stragely enough, she asked Devkota who the poet Devkota was. Surprised, Devkota replied that he himself was that Devkota. The lady cound not believe. How can this man, who looks like an illiterate country bumkin, be Devkota?Must be kidding! Seeing the disbelief in her eyes, Devkota asked her if she wanted any poem for herself then. Mockingly she said, why don't you write a poem on Tista in English? Devkota closed his eyes and started,...... The result is one of the best poems of Devkota "On Tista" took birth that day. ================ What Devkota dreamt of? Besides dreaming about the welfare of Nepali people, he also dreamt of being a Hercules in English literature as evidenced by his plan for future writings. He wanted to win Nobel prize and this was reflected in his talk with Tagore in a railway compatment somewhere near Calcutta. He wanted to be Mahakavi Vyas - He had started writing Rakta and Pit Yajurved. Talking about Devkota's interests on Vedas: Bhairav Aryal saw Devkota for the first time in Tundikhel when he was reciting an English poem writing in Vedic rthythm and meter. Aryal's recollection of this incident is worth reading. When Devkota was lying on his deathebed, Dom Mores asked about his feeling. Although he talked of "Cosmic Conflagration", he said "LIFE IS A GREAT FEAST FOR MEN BORN HERE". Devkota - You are one of the reasons when I say I am proud of being a Nepali. |
| joie de vivre | Posted
on 15-Nov-01 10:18 AM
I always thought ‘karyangkurung’ were the birds (not so sure about them being mythical) that migrated south each winter, they look kinda like storks. |
| not important | Posted
on 15-Nov-01 12:10 PM
It is indeed a relevant topic for any day not only around Laxmi Puja. I would like to read this poem 'on Tista.' Could somebody post it? what is Tista? Tista - kangara, or something else? |
| Trailokya Aryal | Posted
on 15-Nov-01 12:21 PM
Dear Sunakhari-ji, KaryangKurung in Nepali means Birds. And this is a poem I read when I was growing up: Ye nishad nahos tero pratistha pachisammako karyang-kurung ko jodi ma, marda bhale ta chillido This verse was translated from Sanksrit (Valmiki Ramayana) by Badarinath Bhattarai in Nepali. The original verse in sanskrit goes like this: Ma nishada pratisthatwam ma:ma: saswata sama:: (rest i forgot). But is is said that when Valmiki was bathing in Ganges, he saw a bird's couple mating. As he was enjoying (??) the scene, a hunter killed the Male bird. Valmiki was so disgusted by this act that the above mentioned verse (which is a curse to that hunter) came out of his mouth. Hearing this, Lord Brahma came flying to him and gave him the responsibility to write Ramayan. I hope this helps. Trailokya |
| Trailokya Aryal | Posted
on 15-Nov-01 12:21 PM
Dear Sunakhari-ji, KaryangKurung in Nepali means Birds. And this is a poem I read when I was growing up: Ye nishad nahos tero pratistha pachisammako karyang-kurung ko jodi ma, marda bhale ta chillido This verse was translated from Sanksrit (Valmiki Ramayana) by Badarinath Bhattarai in Nepali. The original verse in sanskrit goes like this: Ma nishada pratisthatwam ma:ma: saswata sama:: (rest i forgot). But is is said that when Valmiki was bathing in Ganges, he saw a bird's couple mating. As he was enjoying (??) the scene, a hunter killed the Male bird. Valmiki was so disgusted by this act that the above mentioned verse (which is a curse to that hunter) came out of his mouth. Hearing this, Lord Brahma came flying to him and gave him the responsibility to write Ramayan. I hope this helps. Trailokya |
| sunakhari | Posted
on 15-Nov-01 12:49 PM
Thanks a lot trailokya and folks. On another note, I would also love to read "Teesta". |
| Biswo | Posted
on 15-Nov-01 05:43 PM
Sunakhariji: Karyangkurung are birds who migrate to northern tropical areas in the winter. I am not sure about their southward migration, though. I remember that in our childhood, we used to see them migrating especially in Dashain-Tihar season. The following was a part of song children used to sing: Karyangkurung Aayo, Kakra Pharsi Ropa. (Here comes K., plant cocumber and pumpkin!) --------------- Diwasji, Gokulji: Some of the works of Mahakabi Devkota, as given in Samacharpatra of Kamana Publication yesterday, are as follows: Munamadan (1992) - first published book [acc to Nepal Kirtiman, by Ram Kumar Pandey) Ma ta abhagini po bhaye (1976)- First poem written by him. Purnimaa Ko jaladhi - First published poem Bhikhari Chaaru Raajkumaar Prabhakar Prashiddha Prabandha Sangraha Yaatri Putali Sunko bihaan Gaaine Geet Luni Shakuntal Kunjini Laxmi Nibandha Sangraha Raajput Ramani Saadhe Raaban Jataayu Yudhdha Mahaaraanaa Prataap Sulochanaa Bhaabanangeya Aakaash Bolchha Basanti Mainaa Pramithas Nayaa Satya Kali Sambaad Sabitri Satyawaan etc etc. |
| RP | Posted
on 15-Nov-01 08:58 PM
Dedicated to Laxmi Prasad Devkota! http://www.chakrapath.com/kunmandir.ram |
| ashu | Posted
on 15-Nov-01 10:46 PM
Hi al, Great topic! karyang-kurung are migratory birds that fly in chain-like formations. Were common up in the Kathmandu skies in the late 70s , but haven't seen them for a long while here. oohi ashu ktm,nepal |
| Biswo | Posted
on 15-Nov-01 11:06 PM
Hi all: I am also afraid if Karyangkurung are already extinct. I don't recall seeing them, though in childhood we used to look at the long chain of bird flying northward. Later, in 1995, I went near to one wonderful place : Bird Island (Qinghai, China). It was a wonderful place, where hundreds of thousands of birds from South Asia and Siberia flocked to . I saw long chains of birds there. They were so much close to what I had in my mind about Karyangkurung. Any ornithologist here? Please help us. |
| RP | Posted
on 16-Nov-01 12:11 AM
Hi all! It has been a long time since I contributed something on this site since I have been very busy with my profession and I maintain a website in New York. Biswoji you brought up a subject that is dear to my heart and I could not resist not writing something about it. The poem "yatri", which in English version is "Pilgrim" is one of my favorites. Above is a link if you want to download "yatri" sang by Robin Sharma. "Pilgrim" has a truth that is very similar to modern religion like Fourth Way. Both "Pilgrim" and Fourth Way pretty much say that God is within you, you do not need to look any further. I knew Karyang Kurung back in Nepal. These birds used to fly south in the winter to get away from cold and they travelled in groups of thousands and they made noises that sounded like karyang kurung. Diwasji, down here is the link for LP Devkota's other poems. This is a really interesting site. http://www.spinybabbler.org/publications/the_pilgrim_ii.htm RP |
| sunakhari | Posted
on 16-Nov-01 07:40 AM
All, thanks a lot! So my grandmother's stories about karyangkurung were not so far-fetched after all huh (just the part where they carry dirty little children off to nowhere) :)! Now on that poem "Teesta". Could someone please write it in Roman Nepali. Thanks |
| gokul | Posted
on 16-Nov-01 09:31 AM
Sunakhari, The poem "On Teesta" was written in English and I am not aware of its Nepali version. This poem is available in the book (entitled "Devkota - Vyaktitwa ...") written by Janak Lal Sharma. As that book is not with me right now, I am not able to post this poem here. It a long poem and an interesting one. |
| NK | Posted
on 16-Nov-01 09:31 AM
are they really extinct? how sad. I think i have seen it even here in East coast. are they extinct only there? |
| sunakhari | Posted
on 16-Nov-01 09:35 AM
Oh! I thought it was a nepali poem on "teesta", obviously, I have never read it. |
| gokul | Posted
on 16-Nov-01 09:55 AM
Devkota's schoolmates: Dr Pinaki Prasad Acharya was Devkota's classmate in Durbar high school. He was the first boy while Devkota was second. Dr Phanindra Prasad Lohani was the third in the class. Acharya was a child prodigy. When he was at class 7, he could write beautiful poems both in English, Nepali and Sanskrit. when some asked him of introduction (when he was 20), he immediately composed a poem in Sanskrit: Purvashyo dishi kasthamandapa pura dardhecha kroshasthita Naxala vidhaya prasiddha sumahan gramopi ramyasthala Panchasoti tamo madiya bhavanam tatraiva prothisthate Acharyosmi vayo na bimshati raham sangya Pinaki chame. Meaning: From the east of Kasthamandap about 1.5 kosh (miles?) away, there is a beautiful village called Naxal which has about 50 houses and one of them is mine. I am an Acharya of age 20 years with name Pinaki. In class, when Devkota learnt of his talent, he requested him to teach which Pinaki agreed. After jotting something Devkota used to show to him which Pinaki always corrected and improved. After passing the 10 th class, both Devkota and Acharya joined the science faculty. Acharya pursued the medical line and became a famous doctor of his time. Lohani became famous in chemistry (?). Because of domestic trouble (death of father) and financial problem, Devkota could not focus on his science study and he became more and more interested in literature. Rest we all know. "Ma kahilei udaina, Devokota kahilei na astaune gari udaye" - Pinaki. |
| gokul | Posted
on 16-Nov-01 01:32 PM
Not sure of it's significance but Pinaki is Shailaja Acharya's father. Died around 40s. |