'Rato Nadi' depicts women's sentiment

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July,1: On the sunny afternoon of National Paddy Day in Kathmandu on Saturday, it was the unprecedented occasion for Hong Kong-based Nepali poet Junu Rana. Not only did she make her debut poetry book 'Rato Nadi' public but also received many surprises on the day. 

Firstly, four of her poems from the book were presented with live music which was directed by veteran musician Jhuma Limbu. Rana did not know about it at all. That was a surprise gift from the side of her intimate poet friend Sita Tumkhewa. Famous singer Yas Kumar, actor Ankit Khadka and Sita herself performed the poems titled Anupasthiti, Jatko Brahmanda and Rato Nadi, respectively. Similarly, they jointly presented another Ma Ek Berang Rang. The performance was accompanied by Mayaju Acharya, Adishree Dhungana and Aruna Gandharva on the musical instruments.

Secondly, she received many unexpected appreciations for her poetry from the veterans of Nepali poetry. Veteran poet and former Chancellor of Nepal Academy Bairagi Kaila hailed the book as a masterpiece. "Critics do not see the precise works but this book is a masterpiece,” he announced. 

He opined that the poems consist of rich content and art simultaneously. "These poems can be called complete poetry. I have realised that I must learn from such type of use of word-economy,” he confessed.

Poet Shrawan Mukarung said that she presented the common thing in her poetry in a unique way. "It will bring a new wave among poetry lovers in Nepal," he asserted. 

The audiences were astonished to listen to Chairperson of Sancharika Samuha Bimala Tumkhewa who announced her as a long racehorse in Nepali poetry. "I do not need to extend you the best wishes, you have been a long racehorse," she said.

In contrast to the former, critic Bindu Sharma and short story author Bina Thing reviewed the book in a balanced way. 

Earlier, the book was jointly released by poet Kaila, Mukarung, Biplav Dakal, Bindu Sharma, Bimala Tumkhewa, Bina Thing and Shashi Lumumbu. Published by Ratna Pustak Bhandar, the book consists of 68 short poems of miscellaneous flavours. Rato Nadi depicts the sentiment of women while Siru Jhar raises the voice of resistance. 

Nun (salt), Bansa Yuddha, Jatko Brahmanda, Ma Berang Rang, Dhunga Devata Banepachhi, Matri Astitwa among others are some of the significant poems of the book. The 136-page book is priced at Rs. 399.