A Call For Patriotism

Noted poet Yubraj Adhikari has come with an anthology of poems entitled Yuddha, Yuddha Nai Huncha (War is War). It contains 33 poems that mostly reflect the poet's patriotic feelings and his love for his mother. Though the title is about war, the book, in essence, is not about it. On the contrary, it is against war. Abundant in it are fathomless love for the motherland, political conflicts and their implications, the plight of the nation, youth exodus, the pain of ageing parents left behind by children settled abroad, dominance of the powerful over the weak, and other contemporary issues. 

Encapsulated in the stanzas are the ups and downs of life, love for nature, compassion for the suffering souls, and the desire for the welfare of humanity. Packed with doses of truth, the book calls for its reader to think about things that matter in life. An enjoyable read indeed, it never lets them down. Those who love, respect and do something for the betterment of the place they were born and raised also develop the capacity to love the world and humanity in a true sense. They are also the ones who can successfully position themselves as propagators of global peace and unity.

The generous expression of this affection is the common thread of the poems. The poet has poured out his heartfelt tributes for his mother as well as a mother in general worldwide, for making untold sacrifices for her children's well-being, from even before their birth to serving as a beacon of hope in every turn they take while navigating the challenges life throws at them throughout the journey. The poems profusely describe Mother as a source of inextinguishable light that keeps family, and, to a large extent, the national tradition, civilisational values, customs and identity alive. Having gone through them, the readers find themselves reflecting on the role of women in society, as well as a feeling of respect for them pervading the consciousness. 

In the poem Manyata (Recognition), the poet conveys the message of hope and optimism: 

Seeing the setting sun,

Many close the door

But, countless mothers,

Offer their evening prayers

Perhaps the mothers know 

Tomorrow again the sun will rise!

Tomorrow again the sun will rise!!

The poet’s concerns about the erosion of Nepal’s original traditions, culture and history in the name of modernisation are evident in the poems. He is even more worried about our indifference to this erosion, and warns that, should this trend continue unabated, there will come a time when we will be left with nothing we can be proud of. Almost every poem carries emotional depth, with a strong philosophical dimension. 

The book is much more than an anthology; it’s a mirror of life’s struggle and the hope for a better future. 

Through the poems, litterateur Adhikari highlights the importance of peace, goodwill, and global fraternity and unity in the face of growing divisive forces, attempting to disseminate the urgency of developing the nation without sacrificing its native traditions. This concern is legitimate because it takes centuries for a culture to take shape, and its loss translates to the loss of centuries’ work.

In the poem Maanche Ra Satya (Man and Truth), the poet underscores humans' immense potential for transformation:

When a man keeps on sleeping,

He will be Kumbhakarna

But if he wakes up and dreams

He will be the Sagarmatha of possibilities

The sky of trust

The current of Amazon A source of light.

With these verses, poet Adhikari suggests unleashing hidden possibilities for the profound change to happen. Inspiring, indeed!

It also dwells on the consequences of war. The war waged with the minds and hearts is more destructive than the one fought with guns and tanks. So, we mustn’t drive our youth towards rebellion. Instead, we, especially those in positions of power, should work decisively to prevent the feeling of violent revolt from arising in today’s youth. Rather, they should be inspired to love the motherland, to be the agents of global peace and unity. 

The expressions of these profound feelings pulsate through the poems. Though simple in language, their articulation is powerful. The poems flow smoothly, touching the hearts and minds of the reader and leaving them impressed. With a few words, they say a lot. Therein lies the beauty. 

Poetry is the language of the soul. It’s a rhythm forged with the sweet blend of truth, emotion and imagination. The poems resonate with the readers, sympathise with them in their struggles, and instill a feeling of optimism that the future, after an arduous journey, is beautiful. With their sweetness, they have the power to move the readers and get the readers on the emotional wave the author is riding. The poems in the collection are invitations to immerse oneself in this soulful sweetness and feel firsthand the power of poetry. My best wishes of immense success for this anthology as well as poet Adhikari’s literary career!

(Basyal is a journalist at  The Rising Nepal.)