Bhupi Sherchan (1936-1989)
Translated by Padma Devkota
Bhupi Sherchan was the first free style poet in Nepali literature. He has analysed humans and human life in different ways but his biggest contribution to Nepalese society is that he has tried to show the way to the new generation through his numerous poems. He was a fierce nationalist and loved his country and countrymen above all else. His down to earth rationalism can be seen in his classic poem "Hami" where he claimed that we Nepalese are brave but foolish and because we are brave we are foolish. His intense love for the nation and the goodwill of the nation can be seen in his odes to the martyrs of Nepal. Bhupi Sherchan was awarded the Sajha Puraskar in 2026 B.S.
Famous works: Ghumne Mech Mathi Andho Manche (A blind man on the revolving chair), Sahid Ko Samjhana (In the memory of martyr), Main Batti Ko Sikha (Flame of a candle), Ghantaghar (Clock-tower), Hami (Us), etc.
The Clock Tower captures the image of pensioned veteran who passes his days without worry and anxiety. The poet is very much successful in providing the realistic image. The poet looks sympathetic towards the clock tower and the senior vet (a person who has served in the armed forces). Both are the victim of time. They are degrading due to ageing. It is paradoxical that though the clock tower tells the time, it is victim of the very time.
The veteran is not happy with his present life. Rather he is passing his long, sad days of his old age, having cast bait (माछा मार्न वा शिकार गर्न बल्छीको टुप्पोमा राखिएको चारा) into Ranipokhari standing forever on its bank. He has spent his entire youth in the service of his cantonment (camp). Now it is time for him to rest. But he does not seem to be happy with his present life. He has grown old. He is passing his long, sad days of old age.The clock tower, on the other hand, is a witness of the vet's passing life. Time has cast bait into the vet's life. The old man has no old souvenirs (स्मृतिका चिन्हहरु) as all the old military attires (Clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion) have been gone, some are torn, some eaten by rats and others are distributed among kith and kin (relatives/आफन्तहरु) one by one.
The time is invincible (unbeatable/Incapable of being overcome or subdued). It is the time that eats everything. Time is very powerful. No one can defeat time. No one can escape from the clutch (grip) of time. The old vet is silently waiting for his death. It is time that has robbed his youths and all his energy. No one can feel the passage of time, it slowly comes and takes away our life. Both the clock tower and senior vet are the victim of time. They both are degrading due to ageing. It is paradoxical that though clock tower tells the time, it is the victim of the very time.
Bhupi Sherchan (1936-1989)
Translated by Padma Devkota
Bhupi Sherchan was the first free style poet in Nepali literature. He has analysed humans and human life in different ways but his biggest contribution to Nepalese society is that he has tried to show the way to the new generation through his numerous poems. He was a fierce nationalist and loved his country and countrymen above all else. His down to earth rationalism can be seen in his classic poem "Hami" where he claimed that we Nepalese are brave but foolish and because we are brave we are foolish. His intense love for the nation and the goodwill of the nation can be seen in his odes to the martyrs of Nepal. Bhupi Sherchan was awarded the Sajha Puraskar in 2026 B.S.
Famous works: Ghumne Mech Mathi Andho Manche (A blind man on the revolving chair), Sahid Ko Samjhana (In the memory of martyr), Main Batti Ko Sikha (Flame of a candle), Ghantaghar (Clock-tower), Hami (Us), etc.
The Clock Tower captures the image of pensioned veteran who passes his days without worry and anxiety. The poet is very much successful in providing the realistic image. The poet looks sympathetic towards the clock tower and the senior vet (a person who has served in the armed forces). Both are the victim of time. They are degrading due to ageing. It is paradoxical that though the clock tower tells the time, it is victim of the very time.
The veteran is not happy with his present life. Rather he is passing his long, sad days of his old age, having cast bait (माछा मार्न वा शिकार गर्न बल्छीको टुप्पोमा राखिएको चारा) into Ranipokhari standing forever on its bank. He has spent his entire youth in the service of his cantonment (camp). Now it is time for him to rest. But he does not seem to be happy with his present life. He has grown old. He is passing his long, sad days of old age.The clock tower, on the other hand, is a witness of the vet's passing life. Time has cast bait into the vet's life. The old man has no old souvenirs (स्मृतिका चिन्हहरु) as all the old military attires (Clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion) have been gone, some are torn, some eaten by rats and others are distributed among kith and kin (relatives/आफन्तहरु) one by one.
The time is invincible (unbeatable/Incapable of being overcome or subdued). It is the time that eats everything. Time is very powerful. No one can defeat time. No one can escape from the clutch (grip) of time. The old vet is silently waiting for his death. It is time that has robbed his youths and all his energy. No one can feel the passage of time, it slowly comes and takes away our life. Both the clock tower and senior vet are the victim of time. They both are degrading due to ageing. It is paradoxical that though clock tower tells the time, it is the victim of the very time.
Bibliography
Serchan, B. (2013). The Clock Tower. In M. Nissani, & S. Lohani, Flax-Golden Tales: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Learning English (p. 211). Kathmandu, Nepal: Ekta Books.
Photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ranipokhari_clock_tower_1930s.jpg
Serchan, B. (2013). The Clock Tower. In M. Nissani, & S. Lohani, Flax-Golden Tales: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Learning English (p. 211). Kathmandu, Nepal: Ekta Books.
Photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ranipokhari_clock_tower_1930s.jpg
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