Bijayata Pradhan
Hailing from Timburbung in Soreng district, Sikkim, Prakash Bhattarai (officially known as C.P. Sharma) is a renowned literary figure with a profound passion for literature. His impressive bibliography includes notable works such as:
- Savitri (Epic, 1992)
- Batul-Baatul (General Knowledge, 1998)
- Harishchandra (Epic, 2004)
- Nepali Savyata ko Parichay (Research, 2008)
- Nepali Lok Parampara (Research, 2020)
- Nepali Praramparik Sanskriti ra Savyata ko Dhukuti (2023)
- Mulang (Novel, 2023)
In addition to these publications, his articles, poems, literary reviews, stories, and essays have appeared in various literary journals, newspapers, and other publications.
A recipient of several prestigious awards, Prakash Bhattarai has been honoured with:
- Nirman Puraskar (2008, Gangtok)
- Shova Kanti Smriti Puraskar (2009, Gangtok)
- Shrasta Puraskar (Geizing, West Sikkim)
He has also received felicitations, honours, and letters of appreciation from various associations and institutions.
Life’s unexpected events unfold from time to time, weaving a fascinating narrative that can captivate even the most casual observer, like a stranger on a bus. As such Mulang, a deeply personal and autobiographical novel, draws heavily from the author’s own life experiences, memories, and emotions, weaving a narrative that is both poignant and profound. The term Mulang defies precise definition, but it is colloquially understood to refer to a distinctive phrase, tagline, or remark that becomes synonymous with an individual, group, or community. It can also connote a nickname, signature phrase, or habitual saying that someone is renowned for. In the context of the novel, Mulang (‘thego’ in Nepali) serves as a recurring catchphrase, consciously or unconsciously uttered by the author’s father in his speeches, thereby assuming a profound significance that resonates throughout the narrative. So, to say it is a meaningless word or a phrase in repetition, a signature remark associated with the author’s father.
Prakash Bhattarai’s Mulang is a deeply personal and nostalgic novel, woven from the intricate tapestry of his own life experiences. With meticulous detail, the author recounts his childhood memories, societal influences, and environmental surroundings, transporting readers to the vibrant world of rural Nepali village life. Richly embedded in folk stories, cultural narratives, and societal values, the novel masterfully distils the essence of Nepalese existence, seamlessly blending myth, history, and social commentary to create a captivating and authentic portrayal of Nepali life.
The author’s childhood was marked by humble beginnings, living with his parents and eight siblings in a modest hut fenced with Chitra (woven bamboo fencing). Despite the struggles, the family made do with simple comforts, using pillows made of paddy straw or spade straw, and eating dhido. However, life was not without its challenges, as the family had to relocate their hut seasonally to accommodate the paddy fields, and the author had to brave the rainy season without an umbrella, resorting to covering himself with many leaves. Even the teachers faced similar hardships, using frayed umbrellas that would shed their colours when wet, arriving at school in a colourful, albeit bedraggled, state. This poignant portrayal of poverty, social inequality, and cultural traditions echoes the themes found in prominent author Shivakumar Rai’s acclaimed work, “Chhata”.
The novel masterfully portrays the rustic life of the author’s family, whose economic and social existence is deeply intertwined with farming, livestock, and the unpredictable monsoons. Through vivid descriptions, the narrative captures the daily struggles and triumphs of villagers, their reliance on agriculture, and their symbiotic relationship with nature. The story also follows the poignant journey of a impoverished family, whose survival is solely dependent on farming, as they grapple with the harsh realities of poverty. Furthermore, the novel richly explores Nepali customs and traditions, including shamanism, festive celebrations like Dasain and Tihar, wedding rituals, and the revered worship of cows. Additionally, it delves into the complexities of social affairs, such as the intricate relationships between teachers and students, offering a nuanced and multifaceted glimpse into rural Nepali life.
The novel also evocatively captures the impact of modernization on traditional farming practices, as the tools once integral to the author’s family and other farmers’ lives gradually fade into obscurity. Notably, the narrative highlights various rustic implements, including the Halo (plow), a wooden or iron plow pulled by oxen for tilling the land; the Kodalo (Hoe), a handled tool for digging and turning soil; the Khurpa (sickle), used for harvesting crops and cutting grass; the Doko and Namlo, a bamboo basket and head strap for carrying harvested crops; the Jhaato (grinding stone), a traditional stone grinder for making flour; and the Gundri, mats made of straw used in farms for resting or drying crops, and so on. These vivid descriptions serve as a nostalgic tribute to a bygone era, preserving the memories of a traditional way of life.
As the novel is an autobiographical account of the author Prakash Bhattarai’s life, marked by poverty, hunger, and hardships during his formative years. Despite these challenges, he remained a beacon of honesty and goodness, always lending a helping hand to his parents. Years later, he fulfilled his mother’s cherished wish by marrying and bringing home a daughter-in-law, Pushpa. The bond between his mother and Pushpa blossomed into a beautiful relationship, with Pushpa proving to be a devoted and obedient daughter-in-law. In a poignant turn of events, Pushpa was by her mother-in-law’s side as she took her last breath. The novel concludes with the author’s mother’s passing, leaving readers with a profound question: Is life a reflection of the novel, or is the novel a reflection of life?
The novel serves as a melancholic reflection of the author’s odyssey, tracing his personal evolution and the sweeping cultural and societal changes he has witnessed. Through its narrative, the novel illuminates’ timeless themes of resilience, perseverance, and nostalgia for a fading traditional village way of life.
