A Review of Taaliko Samajshastra by Bishwa Sigdel

Chandra Bahadur Lama

Bishwa Sigdel is a distinguished figure in Nepali literature, an adept writer of poetry, stories, essays, and scripts for various documentaries and TV serials. His story in the collection named Obsession, published by Tara Press, New Delhi, manifests his narrative dexterity. He served as an editor for Akal Kushum, a literary quarterly magazine, and has therefore been very sharp with his sense about the literary craft. Taaliko Samajshastra (Sociology of Applause) is a collection of poems by Sigdel: immense and powerful, evocative of the dynamics of society, identity, and rebellion. This is not only about poetic compilation; it is also more than that-a picturesque account of modern problems laced with philosophical profundity and revolutionary fervor.

Themes and Style

The revolutionary tone of defiance reverberates in the poems of Sigdel. There are a host of issues in this collection, ranging from political hegemony to cultural erosion. The poem Bharata Sarkar (Indian Government) emboldens the critique of the Indian government’s interference in Nepalese sovereignty, repeating the demand to be respected and self-governed, fierce and loud. This poem is in an unapologetic tone that sets the stage for a broader critique of global power dynamics. In Begar Master (Beggar Master), Sigdel metaphorically dismantles the First World’s exploitation of the Third World:

“You’ve scattered grains at every busy city square, 

Planted beggars there in the name of security, 

And deployed your AK-47 wielding militia in arrogance.”

His criticism of globalization is further extended into poems like Bazaar Ra Teshro Bishwo (Market and the Third World) and Manekin Ra Usko Poshak (Mannequin and His Outfit), as he mourns the disappearance of cultural authenticity under modern consumerism. Satire and irony have whetted his comment, making his poetry an effective means for social critique.

Poetic Vision

Bishwa Sigdel’s poetry is way more than an expression of art-it mirrors society with all its ills. In Nango Sabun (Naked Soap), he has juxtaposed authenticity against superficiality. The naked soap acts like a beacon of dignity among artificiality in modernity. His lines are charged with vivid imagery and an acutely palpable feel of human struggle:

 “The presence of Naked Soap

Is no less than Osama bin Laden for them.”

The title poem, TaalikoSamajshastra, epitomizes the collection—our blind conformity and misplaced adulation. Sigdel critiques this collective servitude that dictates even the simplest acts, as innocuous as applause:

Though these are our hands,

The applause is not ours.”

A Poetic Legacy

The poetry of Sigdel is inbred within the socio-political landscape of Nepal and yet speaks to universal human experiences. His works remind one of the transformative power of words that can challenge the most repressive systems and rekindle long-forgotten identities. In that respect, he presents a perfect balance between lyricism and social commentary, placing him among the ranks of a literary visionary.

While most poetry of this time often succumbs to market pressures, Sigdel does not, in a manner of speaking, make verses that burn with rebellion and integrity. His lines linger on long after the last page is finished, leaving readers reflective and inspired.

Conclusion

Much more than a poem-list, Taaliko Samajshastra is a manifesto of resistance-an expression of celebratory human dignity. Incisive observation amalgamated with his brilliant art performance has made this work an important contribution to Nepali literature. This in turn becomes a clarion call: question, rebel, find your voice in the cacophony of yeses.

Having two books of poetry and essays in the pipeline for publication, Sigdel continues to be an important voice in Nepal’s literary scene. Let me extend my hearty congratulations to Bishwo Sigdel for a work which is both timely and timeless, and to readers, my strongest recommendation to explore this remarkable collection.