KATHMANDU, JUL 12 -
As an editor, I have always performed the role of a dhai aama (wet nurse); my job was to give life to others’ stories. Now that my original writings have been published in the form of a book, I almost feel like I know how a mother—someone who has given birth to a living being—feels,” says Basanta Thapa, former editor of the bi-monthly paper Himal. Thapa’s collection of satirical essays Ritubichar was launched at a programme organised at the Bhrikuti Mandap premises on July 10.
The book is a collection of select articles that were published in the Himal Khabar Patrika over the course of 10 years. Thapa’s articles appeared in the paper in a special column the author wrote for each issue of the magazine (from 1995-2006) under the pseudonym Rituraj. The book’s name Ritubichar is derived from Kavi Shiromani Lekh Nath Paudel’s poetic masterpiece of the same name.
For someone who has edited numerous books and journals in the course of a long journalistic career, the book is a special achievement; particularly in the sense that it gives his devout readers a concise and easily accessible means of enjoying the best of his works.
Noted journalists and media persons Bimal Niva, Narayan Wagle and Rajendra Dahal were present at the book launch to talk about this newly complied version of Thapa’s works. “The book is a satire against social injustice, chaos and cultural degradation. What is great about this particular compilation is the sheer variety of topics and themes its many essays encompass,” said Niva as he elucidated on the book’s many strengths.
“Among the few good columnists whose works appear regularly in national papers, Thapa figures as one of the very best,” shared Wagle as he talked about how the latter’s works are a sharp indictment of prevailing social, political and cultural malpractices. “His writings touch on diverse issues, and force you to mull on pertinent questions,” said Wagle as he addressed Thapa’s rather signature style of ending all his column-essays with a question addressed to the readers themselves.
Dahal, on the other hand, talked about how (as the editor of Himal Khabar Patrika), he never needed to edit Thapa’s texts as they were always “very precise” and well-crafted. “Thapa’s ability to play with words is amazing,” he said.
Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/07/12/entertainment/collection-of-satirical-essays-launched/356987/
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