Stage: Rimal Hall, Gurukul, Old Baneshwor, Kathmandu, Nepal
Thursday Sep 18 2008 (Asoj 02, 065) – accompanied by Sushil Poudel and Janak Pokharel
Sunday Sep 21 2008 (Asoj 05, 065) – accompanied by Hari Banjade
I had heard, the play entitled ‘Karnali Dakhhin bagdo cha’ - Karnali river flows southward staged in Gurukul Theatre (Old Baneshwor) was must to watch. I was eagerly waiting the weekend to watch the drama but I couldn’t wait when my friends (Sushil and Janak) became ready to watch before the weekend; I managed to joined, I couldn’t wait. Really, I felt privileged at least to watch such a wonderful drama which portrayed the cultural, economic, health, education, transportation and food problem of the least development area of Nepal – Karnali zone. Almost half of the artists, who came from Karnali zone were trained here in Kathmandu and played in the drama, wanted to establish a theatre like Gurukul in their Karnali zone to provide entertainment and create awareness among the people of that region. The concept was of prominent drama director and script writer of Nepal Mr Sunil Pokharel. The play was lively enough to improvise the entire Karnali region inside Rimal Natakghar of Gurukul. The language they used was Khas which I could understand partially but their action helped me enough to understand what they wanted to deliver. I forgot everything when I was watching the drama staged in Rimal Hall of Gurukul which was about 2:00 hrs long. The psychedelic dance... I came out of the theatre with heavy heart and my eyes were still wet but none could notice it since the lighting was deem in the darkness of evening. I captured the audio and visual of whole episode. I told about it with many people but some of them were less interested. Ok, that’s their choice but I have my own life, no problem!!. But I always try to convince the people when it comes about social service and understanding the others problems. I believe "the only thing that increases individual happiness over time is helping other people". It doesn't mean that I have done so many things. If they don’t want to do anything and even they don’t want to listen, what can I do? Anyway I don’t stop trying.
The drama shed light on geographical, social and economic problems. No electricity, no motor road, no bridges, limited supply of food, uncontrolled birth rate, gender bias and child marriage, poor education, corruption and biasness, no doctors the hospitals, only means of transportation is airplane which is not regular and most people can’t afford, lack of human resource in almost all government offices, away from the means of information and communication. Few INGOs and NGOs are working in this region but most of their budget is finished in Kathmandu. They collect photos, make documentaries and attract international community for donation but they lack giving back to that community. People wonder if the reckless government has the map of Karnali zone.
Just imagine the situation. Few students in a class, mixed up of different grade students. Poor physical infrastructure and staffs.. Students come to school crossing a river with the help of rope (tween). Huge line up for food but the limited supply. Youths are compelled to leave their village to fulfill their basic needs. Hospital without doctors. High air fare, no vehicular conveyance. Child marriage – bride and bridegroom in their early teen age. One refuses to take water from lower caste people even he is in the deathbed. Only lower rank officials present in the district administration and other offices. Abuse of authority. Chicken, ghee, vegetables, fish are presented to government officials to get their work done. Many have not heard dial tone yet. They are clueless why many people come to see Rara lake via air spending thousands of rupees but they have not seen any charm with it. "Is it happened because they are satiated and we are hunger?", Karnali habitants asked. And so on.. so miserable.. imagine their life.
Artists from the Karnali region asked with the political leaders of their region who were present in that particular day's show. They ask to the government what they have got except a citizenship card received after paying levy. Realize the problem and think about the solution, how their life can be uplifted.. policy makers ???.
The proceedings of the play have gone for the construction of theater in Karnali.
Hats off to the artists and the contributors!!
The 4 criminals are lined up on some steps (shown in picture). They are all facing in the same direction. A wall separates the fourth man from the other three.
