The Poem New Nepal
The poem ‘New Nepal’ is set in the background of the century-old Rana regime. The very period was characterized by confusion and chaos in Nepalese society. During that time, Nepal observed extreme exploitation of poor, illiterate, and marginalized Nepalese. The Ranas enjoyed their absolute power and seized all the freedom of the common people. Inequalities, injustices, domination, cruelty, and autocracy were deeply rooted in almost all sectors.
People realized a dire need for revolution to overcome such severe exploitation. However, very few people dared to raise their voices against that inhuman treatment. Siddhicharan’s poem ‘New Nepal’ reflects the hopes and frustration of medieval society in the transition toward modernity. Seeing the plight of the people under the Rana rule, Shrestha advocated for a drastic change in society.
The poem ‘New Nepal’ was written during the period when Nepal went through the birth pangs of a new social order. Seeing the pathetic condition of the people under the Rana rule, Siddhicharan Shrestha spoke for the need for revolution and thus he publicly urged people to revolt against the Ranas. The Ranas considered him a threat. So the Rana rulers sentenced Mr Shrestha to jail for 18 years for writing revolutionary poems. Due to Shrestha’s rebellious writing, he is considered to be a revolutionary poet, and the poem ‘New Nepal’ is taken as a political reformation poem.
The Poem New Nepal
Written by Siddhicharan Shrestha (1912 – 1992)
Translated by – Shreedhar LohaniArise! Wake up!
Reveal the hidden
O New Nepal
Speak up truth and beauty!
Let the cleanest current of consciousness
Gush forth with vigour
O New Nepal
Jump up and soar over
This black uphill precipice.
Set free the courage
Stifled with age-long persecution
O New Nepal
Send packing the worn-out disorder
With furious laughter
Let the advancing foot
Take the new step
To bring forth the bright day
O New Nepal
Bless us with courage and caution
Power and union.
Distasteful rituals
Heartless class divisions
Away with all such idle forces
O New Nepal
Let the living thoughts
Resplendent within Nepali hearts
Conflagrate and open up.
Those not-to-be done acts
Performed in desperation
Under the cankerous inequality of wealth
By hungry stomachs and barebacks
Annihilate all such evil elements
O New Nepal!
Glossary:
Consciousness – awareness
Gush – flow out of something in a rapid and plentiful stream
Forth – ahead in time
Vigour – energy/physical strength and good health
Soar – rise rapidly
Precipice – a very steep cliff
Stifled – suppressed
Persecution – torture
Furious – enraged/angered
Resplendent – having great beauty and splendour/attractive and impressive
Conflagrate – inflame/kindle/cause to start burning
Desperation – a state in which all hope is lost or absent
Cankerous – having an ulcer/a destructive disease
Annihilate – kill in a large number
- Summary of A Poison Tree [Poem] by William Blake
- Fisherman Mourned By His Wife | Summary & Analysis
- Upside Down | Summary & Analysis
Summary of New Nepal
New Nepal, the poem by Siddhicharan Shrestha, is a translated version of the original poem ‘Naya Nepal’. The poem has been translated by Shreedhar Lohani. In this political poem, the speaker makes a strong call to raise voices against the then-Rana rule. The speaker seems to be a rebel who urges freedom, self-respect, and equality. In the poem, the poet encourages the people to speak against all sorts of tyranny that exist in society. People, during Rana’s rule, were too timid to raise their voices against the Ranas because if anyone tried to speak, they would be punished severely.
People were not courageous enough to revolt against the Ranas due to the massive domination of the past. Since the Ranas maintained fear, no one dared to speak against them. So, through the poem, the poet wanted to inspire common people to speak for their rights and freedom and ultimately overthrow the Rana regime. New Nepal stanza-wise Summary In the first stanza, the poet appeals to all the Nepalese to speak the truth. He urges us to unfold the hidden miseries and rebel against the prevalent domination, discrimination, and injustice. In the second stanza, the poet energizes people to rebel like an unstoppable and continuous stream
Complete