An Impressive Poetic Expression

The talent to compose poems may be dormant or active. But once you have it, it keeps following you. Even dormant talent can regain vitality by composing poems with the help of a supportive mood. One such instance is here. The person who has come up with such poetic vitality is none other than the senior pilot Kamal Prasad Nyaupane himself. The book of poetry entitled "Amrit Bachan", which is under review here, is so sweet that it is an impressive credential for the re-emergence of Nyaupane as a poet.

The Amrit Bachan is not a thick book. But this small size carries a voluminous expression. 

How has it been possible for a retired pilot to catch the spirit of poetry this way? Indeed, the causes are there: One very important reason is that he is in the quest to find true solace in the ailing condition of his own at present, and the other is his bitter feelings, which keep knocking at his conscience after seeing the depletion of social values in his nation.

Has this book provided solace to the poet? He has flown innumerable planes in his long stint as a pilot at the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC). But after retirement, that very important involvement naturally came to an end. And the old age that he is in now, too, is an unavoidable condition to live with for him today. 

But there is one more thing here that must not be forgotten to mention: his disease, which, too, needs to be taken as a challenge of life to fight. So, if we mention senior journalist Kishore Nepal in his preface to this book, his old habit of composing poems has now turned out to be an ‘old is gold’ hobby to provide solace to the ailing pilot.

However, the happy thing to note is that the reemerging poet is in form. That is because he has been enjoying his reemergence as a poet and composer, and he is skilled both in the composition of words and sentiments, which together have given sweetness to his creations in the book.

What does all this show? The poet’s talent might have gone dormant for a long time in the past, but this poetry book is proof that the poet has enormous hidden feelings and the skills to compose poems. His themes are point-to-point: he provides suggestions, he calls all to rise above petty self-interests to raise the image of society and the nation, and he is skillful in composing poems with the sacred aim of fostering universal values in humanity.

What can be the reason for such poetic maturity? No doubt, he is endowed with hidden talent, but the present bitter feelings of physical conditions are even more pressing for Captain Nyaupane to engage in poetry and seek solace from it.

Let us also mention a few examples of rich expressions in the poems in this book:

Digo Sambandha Tyo Hunchha Atmaidekhi Bhayo Bhane  Chhyanabhangura Tyo Hunchha Garjo Tarna Banyo Bhane

Page, 17

(These two lines stress the need to nurture relations of the heart rather than relations to fulfil personal gain and forget them.)

Jasale Saamuma Timro Chukli Launchha Anyako Aruko Samuma Timrai Chukli Launa Janchha Tyo    

Page, 29

(Sycophancy has no values. If corrupt such persons come to talk  bad of others, they backbite you, too, in your absence) 

Now, let us also see two lines from the last page of the book, where the poet sings his prayer with this wish:

Mero Jeevanama Kehi Natoda Aba Ishwora

Todnai Parne Bhaye Mero Ghamanda Toda Ishwora

Page, 71

The poet asks the almighty God to kill his ego instead of destroying so many other things and qualities with this prayer. (This is, in fact, an essence desire that life has taught him at his mature stage today.)

Poet Nyaupane has seen many ups and downs in life. His brother, Yadav Nath Alok, attained martyrdom during the struggles for democracy. 

He had to tolerate the pain of separation from his father at an early age. He has unshakable faith in democracy, but this faith should have been reflected in the quality delivery of goods and services to the people, which is not there because even democratic leaders have failed to strengthen the values of democracy, and sycophancy and malpractice in state dealings have been rising. 

The poet, thus, has plenty of reasons to talk about essence through the medium of poetry in the book Amrit-Bachan.

In conclusion, the quote of well-wishes of the senior poet Dr. Baldev Gaunle from the preface of the book to the senior pilot Kamal Nyaupane for his new desire to compose poetry reads: ‘In fact, this poetry book is like Amrit-Bachan (Insightful Words), and it commands the strength to enrich the mind and soul of readers.’  

(Kafle is a former Deputy Executive Editor of this daily.)