Adikabi’s house in ruins, Ghasi Kuwa in danger of vanishing

By Amar Raj Naharki Tanahun, July 13: The house that the Adikabi (Pioneer Poet) of the Nepali language Bhanubhakta Acharya was born is located in Chundi Ramgha, Bhanu Municipality–4, Tanahun. But you would not know it if you visited the area today. 

Acharya’s house was devastated by a fire 19 years ago and since then, it has been existing as ruins despite repeated promises by successive administrations to develop it as a site for literary pilgrimage and linguistic advancement. Tourists from all across the country and abroad come to see the birthplace of the gifted poet but end up disappointed when they see a few collapsed walls and overgrown bushes. If ever there was any trace of Acharya here, none remains today.

Adikabi Acharya is an institution in Nepali literature who has made significant contributions to the development of the language. But the state has not recognised him and has not paid any attention to rebuilding his home, complained Aakash Adhikari, chairman of the Gital Pratisthan Nepal and Natak Manch, Tanahun. “Our heart cries when we see the condition of this sacred place,” he said.

He shared that many local and foreign writers came to Chundi Ramgha to participate in an international poetry conference some time ago and they were overwhelmed to see the state of the building. 

“This is an insult to Bhanu and the very foundation of the Nepali language,” Adhikari criticised. “The government should allocate the necessary budget and begin reconstruction immediately.” Dilli Adhikari, president of the Intra-National Welfare and Support Foundation of America, a US-based organisation claiming to work for the preservation of Nepal’s culture and language, said he was sad to see Acharya’s house in ruins. Giving example of the reverence paid to the Adikabi in Darjeeling and Sikkim, he called it a shame for him to be neglected in his homeland Nepal.

Ananda Raj Tripathi, mayor of Bhanu Municipality, also lamented the federal government’s inaction on the matter and informed that the 

local government would now take the initiative to build the house and establish the area as the Bhanu Dham. 

It must be noted though that the local level as well as provincial and federal authorities have been promising this for the past few years. However, very little has been done so far.

The then Chief Secretary Dr. Som Lal Subedi, former Chief Secretary Leelamani Poudel and Chairman of the Pashchimanchal Bikas Manch Ram Kaji Kone had even laid the foundation  for the house six years ago. At the time, the rebuilding was expected to cost Rs. 6.5 million. However, Shankar Ranabhat, executive director of the Adikabi Bhanubhakta Birthplace Development Committee, said that the project could not move forward due to a lack of budget. 

The Committee is the successor to the former Bhanu Birthplace Development Committee formed in 1995. This previous committee had reconstructed the house in 1998 to shoot the film ‘Bhanubhakta.’ Producer Yadav Kharel told The Rising Nepal that the house was rebuilt at a cost of Rs. 100,000 for the film. 

The quaint thatched house, located in the middle of a forest, was destroyed by a fire in 2003. Since the building lies inside the jungle, it needs to be protected from forest fires.

 “That is why the local level alone may not be able to carry out the reconstruction,” said Rishi Ram Panta, president of the Adikabi Bhanubhakta Committee. “Using straw on the roof again will make the structure flammable. Concrete can be used in the rebuilt building and it can be made to look like thatch,” he suggested.

Panta said that the area would attract scores of tourists if tended to properly.

According to the Committee, the house is believed to have been built by Adikabi Acharya’s great-grandfather Shree Krishna Acharya and inherited by his eldest son Ramanath Acharya.

Meanwhile, just like his house, the well that inspired Bhanubhakta to compose the epic Ramayan in Nepali – Ghasi Kuwa – also lies neglected. In fact, it may very well be eradicated if the Muglin-Pokhara section of the Prithvi Highway is expanded in its current design. This has the locals worried.