You may know about Eminem for his freestyle verses, the intensity of the words he used and the stories he told with his songs. But how many of you Nepalese can brag that you have read the creations by Bhupi Serchan? He may be a forgotten poet. But even after three decades of his death in 1990, his verses stand out to be a timeless piece in Nepali literature.
Source: Lokaantar
Who was Bhupi Serchan?
Bhupi Serchan was a Nepalese Poet who was best regarded for the simplicity in his verses. He was born ahead of his time because the way he wrote his poems were simple in words yet with deep meaning. He was one of the first poets in Nepalese Literature to popularize free verses. The remarkable aspect of his poems was the ability to cut deep through the hidden human psychology and analyze it from a rather ironic perspective as a satire to modern human behavior.
Bhupi’s poems were rather revolutionary at the time when there was direct rule of the King in Nepal. Through his poems, he wanted to guide the young generation of Nepal exposing the ugliest truths behind human nature. He wanted us to break out of this illusion that we enjoy to live in. Filled with strong nationalism, however, Bhupi didn’t give into emotions which often distract our perspective to see the truth. With his freestyle verses, Bhupi was down to earth in expression.
In his poem “Hami” (“Us”), Bhupi broke down the false reality that we have been living. We feel proud that Nepalese are known all over the world for their bravery, giving reference to our forefathers’ role in World Wars. In fact, it was nothing more than our foolishness that made us brave. It’s not bravery. It’s a sheer demonstration of foolishness.
“Ghumne Mech Mathi Andho Manchhe” is yet another revolutionary poem in which Bhupi exposed that the people were ruled by incompetent ruler (A blind man in a revolving chair).
In spite of his ingenuity, today he seems like a lost warrior who is largely misread or even ignored in Literature. It was Prof. Michael Hutt who did Bhupi the justice in his book “The Life of Bhupi Serchan”. To quote Prof. Hutt who truly understood Bhupi, Good poets speak of their times and to their times. Great poets speak to all times”.
Undoubtedly, Bhupi Serchan was a time traveller who spoke to all generations.
