About Critics' Society's First Program

By Renu Rai
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As we entered into the Finance Centre, the commencement of the program had already indicated. Around eight gentlemen were seated and listening attentively to Mr. Hem Lawati, the co-coordinator of the event Critics' Society. Veteran journalist Mr. JB Pun was comfortably seated next to the coordinator, frequently glancing at his laptop and then making his eye contacts with the audience. Mr. Pun was to criticize recently published 'करङको हिरासत(Custody of Ribs)', a collection of poems by Mr. Hangyug Agyat.
Mr. Bajra Kumar Thulung who is actively engaged in Kirat Rai Yayokkha Hong Kong and a reporter of online website Bagicha.com was to review on 'आधी रोकिएपछि (After the Storm)' by poet T.B Rai (Yakkha).


Mr. Thulung read from his previously published manuscript, i.e. 25th March 2014. He talked about Yakkha's life, experiences, attitudes, etc. At the end he recited the poem titled 'बोक्सी (Witch).' Critique Thulung was positive about poet Yakkha's poem book. What I personally believe about criticism is, a critique should be honest and weed out if any weaknesses of a writer. On the other hand, a writer whether that be a poet, a novelist or a script writer, should be able to accept a constructive criticism. But we still live in the society where we are still not habituated to tolerate unpleasing criticisms. Like Mr. Pun said, "Once you start praising a poet, he will get stunted. He will not be able to further.' And in some instances many in the room agreed to Mr. Pun's statement.

Poet Yakkha's work is based on Nepal's society, mainly of villages where outdated, unscientific practices are still prevalent.

Mr. Lawati standing tall emphasized the need for learning and reading. His motive was to become logical, to have a rational way of thinking, to live in harmony and to spread the knowledge of wisdom. He also mentioned that everyone should come together and work for betterment of ourselves and for our future generation. In the course of his talk he also conveyed, "Today for funeral ceremony, I needed helping hands and I asked youths to help us. By allocating youths to participate in our community's activities, they will learn to follow elders, and carry out obligations when we are gone."

Mr. Rabin Rai another critique was to assess his findings on 'tuesdays with Morrie', a genre (biographical, philosophical novel, memoir) authored by Mitch Albom. Mr. Rai read from his hand out note, "This book was first published in 1997. Soon the book earned fame and it remained in New York's Times as Best Seller for two years. Additionally, this book was also talked about in Oprah Winfrey's television." Further Mr. Rai informed that this particular book has been published into 41 different languages. The audience of writers, poets, musician, reporters, photographers, etc were able to get a copy of hand out translated in Nepali where Mr. Rai has summarized the key points from the book. This showed that he has nicely done his homework. The room was in sheer silence except the voice of the critique. While Mr. Rai was reading from his note, audience were listening and flipping their pages in curiosity.

When Mr. Rai's review was over, one audience asked, 'Why does a writer need an urge to write on his death bed?' Mr. Rai answered, "It is perhaps that only some fortunate people know about their approaching death. We forget that we die ultimately, we behave rudely, we take relationships for granted and happenings lightly.' Poet Ashok Rai read a few lines from the hand out note and applauded, "I am not sure whether these lines were extracted from the book or it is critique's own opinion, I found them touching." Mr. Rai replied that they were his own philosophical thinking. Well said I mentally noted. According to Morrie "The truth is, once you learn how to die, you learn how to live."

Mr. Kindar Rai who has already published two books namely: Basic Cantonese and Nepali Cantonese Dictionary also spoke out what he thought about 'tuesdays with Morrie'

"Hangyug Agyat's poem collection 'करङको हिरासत /Custody of Ribs' is about politics." stated journalist JB Pun. "This book is very light and contains merely 14 poems. However, the words are so heavy that it requires some time to absorb the gist out of it. Although some lines consist only two words, these words carry a history about some incidents. If a reader has no idea about that particular word, then he or she cannot comprehend. And in order to understand that word, the reader needs to find out what exactly happened in Chintang or who is Ram Prasad Rai or public bus or Raj Kumar Angdengbey, etc. In order to understand, one needs to read between the lines.

In Greek mythology, Jocasta was a queen of consort of Thebes and she was married to king Laius. In a heated argument regarding right of way, Oedipus killed King Laius and married his widowed queen Jocasta. Oedipus eventually learned of his patricide and incest. Upon discovering the truth on her own Jocasta hanged herself.
Mr. Pun pointed to page 22 and read the poem 'मेरो जोकास्टा आमाको समर्थनमा (In support of my mother Jocasta)'
एउटा यस्तो कुपुत्र (A bad son)
जसले सधै मार्छ इन्दिरा गान्धी
Apparently Mr. Pun was referring to Indira Gandhi's Sikh bodyguard who assassinated Indira Gandhi. "I am afraid that a bad son should not fit in here. He was after all in favor of his community, the Sikh. Like you favor Limbuwan."
Hangug Agyat ' clarified intelligently stating that the poem 'In Support of my mother Jocasta' was based on feminism. A woman gives birth to a various personalities like Bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, Hitler etc. And these very sons are involved in cruelties.

The usage of literary and rhetorical devices which are very important elements of a poetry are distributed throughout the poem. Personally, I consider Hangyug Agyat's poems extremely intelligent and witty. It is sure to be ironic and cynical. Perhaps his poetry fits into a metaphysical genre.

This kind of intellectual program should be operated frequently. A beginner literature enthusiast will certainly benefit from this kind of event, while intellectuals can share and brainstorm.

Renu Rai