Bhanubhakta, the Reformer

Editorial:
Sikkim has always observed the Bhanu Jayanti in grand fashion. From state-level celebrations to observations at the village level, the day continues to hold a special meaning for people across Sikkim. As the State observes the 197th Bhanu Jayanti today, it would be apt to look at a facet of the Adikavi that sometimes get lost in the unconditional devotion that he inspires.

What is it about Adikavi Bhanubhakta Acharya, who breathed his last in 1868, that continues to inspire awe and command the respect of Nepali speakers well into the 21st century? Why is he lionized as the First Poet, when there have been Nepali poets before him? Bhanubhakta obviously remains the most celebrated of all Nepali writers because he was about the people. When he translated the Ramayana from Sanskrit to Nepali [still known as Khas bhasa at the time], he knew that few among the target audience would be able to read what he had translated. Education was still an elite pursuit in Nepal at that time. But what he managed with his translation was make the epic accessible to the lay people who, till then, whenever they attended a Ramayana paath, would have not have been able to understand anything that was being recited. Even if they could not read, they could understand most of Bhanubhakta’s translated work when it was read out to them. The Adikavi knew what he wanted and it must have been for this reason that he always travelled with his translated work tucked under his arm. Although the craftsmanship of the many statues of him across the region might differ, all invariably depict him with the Ramayana in his arms. Whenever he got an audience, he would start reciting passages from the Ramayana to the people and command rapt attention. In doing so, he demolished the exclusivity that members of his own caste had created when it came to access to faith and learning. In that sense, he was a major reformer and demands every bit of patronage his memory commands today.
The best homage to Bhanubhakta’s memory would be to celebrate and follow what he preached. When he made the epic accessible to the people in 19th century Nepal, he dismantled what in today’s context would be the information barrier. Real homage to his memory would be for those who know to share what they know with the people, in a language that they can understand. Language should be celebrated not for its purity, but used to share ideas and bridge communication gaps.