Alternative Voice

Photo source: google On the Other side of Lakshmanrekha 1 I know the risk Of crossing lakshmanrekha Drawn by our ancestors At the door of the house But my saviour - Lakshmana - Who went in search of Rama Probably has lost his way. For several decades There has been no attempt To undo the effects of the line To let me free! Confined in the captivity I am evaluating The reasons of my weakness And is growing frail. But how long? The wait is over For Rama or Lakshmana; Leaving me confined within the lines It is likely they are busy chasing the golden deer Huffing and puffing They have probably forgotten A helpless woman Whose protection was their obligation! Even after knowing the threat from Ravana Who was standing in the disguise of a sage On the other side I crossed the lakshmanrekha To live with Ravanas.                                                                                                              (Transl

Desires of Chyangba Chyangba! You said you would go to Yambu 1 Can you buy the road for you? Can you buy the soil? You need to purchase some affection And your own shadow too You also need to buy the blow of the wind That comes here in chiyorten 2 and gumba To sing the selo songs Can you buy them all? If you cannot afford Do not worry, Chyangba Yambu will buy you! Once it buys you It will ask for your heart And then your eyes, your tongue Not satisfied It will ask for your cap, your damphu 3 And the bird over the damphu You will then become A modern Chyangba Chyang will be your new name And Yambu will beat A modern drum Made out of your great grandfather’s skin Who worked as a potter for them Outside the mortuary of your own dream You shall play the skeleton of your body as a sarangi And sing - “Woven from hundred flowers The garland is we Nepali” 4 Chyangba! Look, it suits you so well This Tamang cap!

Song of Children That star too Like mine Has many many friends In the east - in the west - in the north - in the south In the street - in the factories - in the pasture - in the school They are all shining. That star too Like me, like my friends Is honest In the east - in the west - in the north - in the south In the street - in the factories - in the pasture - in the school They are all shining. That star too Like me, like my friends Is hardworking, laborious In the east - in the west - in the north - in the south In the street - in the factories - in the pasture - in the school They are all shining.   (Translated by Keshab Sigdel)