Bahundanda (Lamjung)

He had returned to his village after 21 years, and Rastra Kabi Madhav Prasad Ghimire expressed childlike delight at seeing some familiar landmarks (like the kafal tree), which had been an indelible part of his childhood.

The poet visited Bahundanda, Lamjung on February 10, and chatted with his relatives and childhood friends about those days.

“There are dramatic changes in Bahundanda. The roads are paved, there is electricity, water pipes and other facilities have been built. Yet besides the changes brought about by development, my village has been able to preserve its flora and fauna,” said the 88-year-old national poet proudly.

During his visit he tried to find those old places where he had played as a child, and when he spotted the kafal tree, his joy knew no bounds.

“Oh! the kafal tree is still here. When we took out the cattle to graze, we hardly missed a chance to enjoy the kafal. I am lucky I came to my birthplace before my death. I am extremely happy,” he said talking to this daily. “How can I forget my childhood days. I still feel like playing like we did when we were kids.”

With the sound of the flowing water of the Marsyangdi river whispering in the background, he said, “All the time I have been living in the concrete jungle of Kathmandu, I am always dreaming of my village, the Himal (the mountains), the social milieu here, and the flowing Marsyangdi. I have always wanted to come back.”

Pointing to the Himal, he began to hum —

“Lagdachha malai ramailo

Merai pakha pakhero

Himalchuli muntira

Paani bharne pandhero”

(I prefer my own

surroundings,

Those water spouts beneath the mountains.)

“I wrote this song recalling the mountains and water spouts in my village,” said the poet.

He left his village for the first time when he was just a lad of 13. He graduated in Philosophy from Benaras, India. Today he had returned to his roots after over 200 songs, dozens of poetry collections, and stood tall among those whom he calls his own, as the nation’s very own poet laureate.

Showing his appreciation for his birthplace, Rastra Kabi Ghimire said, “No matter how much money you make, one’s birthplace, one’s country and one’s parents are the dearest of all things.” He also remembered Swor Samrat Nar-ayan Gopal and Tara Devi, who had sung a number of his songs and hummed in their memory —

“Phool ko thunga

bagera gayo

Ganga ko paanima.

Kaheli bheta hola hai Dajai

Yo zindaganima.”

(The bouquet been washed down Ganges’

waters

Don’t know when we’ll meet in this lifetime.)

Rastra Kabi Ghimire has written all kinds of songs. Love songs, songs that tell of tragedy or melancholy, you name it and he has penned it. But he said, “My soul rests in the national songs.”

When asked whether he had also penned a “new national” song, he replied, “All my songs are national songs. I have given a few songs when the nation needed them. I will be

happy at any one being selected.”

Talking about the honour bestowed on him, he said that the tradition in our country is to honour people posthumously, however he was happy that this was not true in his case as he had been honoured as the Rastra Kabi during his lifetime.

Hoping for sustainable peace and a land without the feelings of hatred, Rastra Kabi Ghimire said, “I belong to a old generation. I cannot stand prejudice and misbehaviour against anybody. I wish all Nepalis happiness and prosperity.”