| Biswo |
Posted
on 09-Apr-02 09:58 PM
In his article in Nepali Times, Kanak Dixit urges the government to upbraid Israel
for its action in Palestine territory. Of course, Mr Dixit is entitled to his views. But
should we really do that?
It is no secret that Israel is our best friend in Arab region. Although our labor ties
with Arabs are significant,we receive no direct aids from Moslem countries.Israel is,
however, a testimony of our bold political diplomatic decision initiated by our first
democratically elected government. We were the first nation in our region to
recognize Israel, and that's why Israelis consider us their friend. They have
helped us in agriculture sectors, and are very willing to help us in other areas too.
To appease our moslem population and moslem nation friends, we have always
rubber-stamped all anti-Israeli resolution brought in UN. Isn't that enough? Now,
since Arafat and his goons are unhesitatingly promoting suicide bombing culture,
should we be so clearly critical of Israel? I don't support Israeli occupation, but
I don't think Arafat and his cohorts are looking for peace with Israelis. They just
don't want Israel there. Most moslem countries issue passport, which says, "Valid
for all countries except Israel."(from Pakistani Passport) Because, their logic is,
they don't consider Israel to be a country at all.
We shouldn't assume a role that we don't have to assume at all. Why in the earth
should we jump to that unending cycle of violence and align ourselves with a party?
That is not in our national interest.
--------------
Now that new year is coming, a succession of programs are announced to
celebrate it." 'Performers' are needed" is the usual worry of organizers. In USA,
we have film actors, singers and a lot of talented people from Nepal, yet we
don't have sufficient people to stage a good 'sumadhur saajh' of new year.
In this perspective, getting into detail of what is being organized sounds
superfluous, but I keep on remembering one fine article published in Samachar
Bichar's last issue. Writer Sangita Shresthova reports how film scores have
superseded our folk songs. And the writer also writes about the relation of
Indian dances with Nepali culture. I feel that 'film culture' is a really powerful
culture in Nepal. Some years ago, we used to hear 'pure' folk songs collected by
likes of Dharma Raj Thapa, Basudev Munal, Jhalak Bdr Gandarbha, and those
songs were performed in stages in culture programs. Films imitated folk songs,but
it is important to notice that the filmy folk songs are not collected from villages, but
are written in Kathmandu. Dances are also not necessarily true representative of
our rural culture. So, it is important to descriminate between Filmy folk songs
and dances, and 'pure' folk songs and dances. It is also necessary to recognize
the effort of Jhalak Man etc who painstakingly collect the songs, and preserve
them for posterity. I don't oppose staging of filmy songs in our cultural shows, but
I want people to remember that folk songs are generally better representative
of our cultural heritage. If we love our heritage, we better focus on them too.
------
And Narayan Gopal. Last week was my spring break, and I set out in a road trip
to neighboring states. Narayan Gopal ,as usual, accompanied me. Most of the
Nepalese share my experience.
The fact that Narayan Gopal was a phenomenon is undeniable. There
was no another nonpolitical person whose requiem was so massive. People
thronged to road, and cried uncontrollably the day he died. Announcers in Radio
Nepal cried and the nation witnessed groundswell of melancholy.Narayan Gopal
was untainted by corruption scandles, nor was he affiliated to any party. Some
publications , esp Kamana, tried to defame him by citing his one time refusal to
sing national song, and his firing of staffs in Saskritik Sansthan, yet the same
publications rushed to publish special issue commemorating him the next day he
was cremated.His innocence was ,thus, vindicated the next day he died even
in his detractors eyes!
Nepal's music industry, film industry, sports industry leaders now fail to inspire us
the way Narayan Gopal did. It is natural. Narayan Gopal was a talent who really
created other music. I mean, who could have sung the song like 'Ma Laai Nasodha
Kaha Dukhchha Ghaau?" that way and yet made it such hit? Mero Behoshi Aaja,
Duita Phoola Deurali maa etc were poems and yet they were big hits. The music
is so original, it still sounds fresh even after decades of their recording.
May peace be upon the great singer.
|
| NK |
Posted
on 18-Apr-02 08:04 AM
Narayan Gopal it is for me! Maybe I am stuck in the past but I don't listen to any other Nepali singer except on nor do I have any interest (I listened to Bacchu Kailash that was posted here, and I liked it). I cannot have enough of Narayan Gopal's songs. The voice, melody, poetry - everything about his songs.
Well, Israel and the Arab world. History has done wrong to the Palestinians and the world is suffering now. Fifty years ago when the superpowers wanted to make it right, burdened with their guilty conscience, they completely disregarded the inhanbitants of the land, the Palestinians, and countiunued to do so. Look where we are now. Divide the "Holy" land and give one half to the palestinians and another Israeles. Make the biggest fence around. Since they cannot live with each other. Or bring all the Palestininans to the US or give a piece of land to Israeles either in Europe, Austria, Germany or Switzerland. They profited from Jews, make them pay! As you can see I am mad. Just plain mad. The arrogance of "Superpowers" and muteness of others when the great injustice was being done some fifty years ago.
|
