Seto Bagh (Audio)

Abridged and read by:

Khagendra Nepali

Author: Diamond Shumsher Rana

Published by: WAVES etc Ltd, London

KATHMANDU: A story resolving around the main historical character Jajgatjung, son of Janga Bahadur Rana, this novel vividly carries the history of Nepal. The love and hatred, conspiracy and murder, superstition and evil practices of the time are vibrantly presented. Author Rana is successful in redrawing the generic boundary as the history, intermingled with imagination, has been artistically fictionalised.

The love story also has occupied a remarkable space in the book. Love as an addiction spoils the intelligent, dutiful and responsible hero Jagatjung. The situation compels him to become an 'unsuccessful lover'. Love as an addiction spoils him and love itself cures his 'self'. The wound of love and hatred is healed by time.

The lively presentation of this book by Khagendra Nepali takes us back to the historical setting of the Rana regime. Regarding the title Seto Bagh, the readers will remain curious as the seto bagh is presented symbolically indicating the political illusion of the time. The seto bagh does not exist in reality but due to the illusion, Jangabahadur happens to see the seto bagh. The illusion obviously has symbolic meaning. The writer seems to reveal that Jangabahadur might be in illusion in the sense that he did not sense any smell of conspiracy in his decision to transfer power to his brothers instead of his sons. Also the writer is revolutionary as he has valorised democratic system over dictatorship of the Ranas themselves. The novel ends in the death of Jagatjung and with the rise of Bir Shamsher by violence. The writer suggests that if the successor were to be selected on democratic basis, it would be not other than Jagatjung whom people adored much.

The book with 43 chapters is in six digital CDs. Nepali's voice makes comprehending the text easy. However, the pace is slow as he tries to give it a realistic touch with feelings and emotions.