Kavita comes up with book on her father Bhupi Sherchan

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, Aug. 9: “Bhupi: A Daughter’s Memoir” written by Bhupi Sherchan’s daughter Kavita Sherchan was unveiled amid a programme in Kathmandu on Tuesday. 

Litterateur Professor Abhi Subedi, Botanist Scientist Tirtha Bahadur Shrestha, Bhupi’s wife Kanti Sherchan and author Kavita Sherchan jointly launched the book.

At the event, journalist and writer Devendra Bhattarai had a conversation with author Sherchan.

 During the talks, Sherchan revealed several beliefs and actualities associated with her father Bhupi. She also explained why she wrote the book.

Recalling her childhood, Sherchan confessed that during her early school years, she used to hesitate to reveal her relationship with Bhupi Sherchan due to the criticism she faced for his alcohol consumption. However, as she grew older and learned of her father’s considerable fan base which included teachers and eminent societal figures, she began to take pride in her lineage.

She said she understood the importance of her father when she came to know that those who came to their house were fans of her father. 

 “However, when my father was presented as an alcoholic in society, it pained me a lot,” she added. 

Professor Abhi Subedi also expressed his views on Bhupi in the programme. He said that he did not think that such a book would come out on poet Bhupi Sherchan and he was even more surprised when it was in the English language. 

“I believe that the narrative associating Bhupi with alcohol was excessively highlighted. Who in our society does not drink alcohol? In my opinion, portraying Bhupi negatively associating him as an alcoholic was somewhat unfair,” he said. 

Subedi praised Bhupi’s apt representation of the country’s conditions and the people’s realities through his poetry. 

Botanist Scientist Tirtha Bahadur Shrestha recalled his and Bhupi’s association from 1979 to 1988 while working together at Nepal Academy. 

Shrestha stated that the book depicted various aspects of Bhupi Sherchan’s life, including the societal challenges he faced and the anguish he experienced due to his personal circumstances.

Kanti Sherchan, Bhupi’s wife, said that she used to be the first audience of Bhupi’s poems. 

She expressed pride and joy over her daughter's beautiful tribute to Bhupi, written 35 years after his demise.

Neeraj Bhari of FinePrint, the publisher, expressed their delight in getting an opportunity to print an insightful work about timeless poet Bhupi Sherchan.