Yadu Raj Baral <\/strong>
\nMichigan, USA<\/strong><\/p>\n

The melodious elaboration about ‘the big house’ of Kathmandu by one of my friends during our satchel- hood was pinching me internally. I always longed to see and discover the enigmatic profile of this house. As time passed, the cosmic mundane somehow managed a short time for me to come \u00a0to Kathmandu where I had an opportunity to attend a grand marriage ceremony in the this house with my bhena^{1<\/sup><\/em>.<\/p>\n}

It must be admitted that if the city is the theatre, the life of city dwellers is as of claque observing the colorful surroundings having clenched the palpitation of the throbbing heart. On the other hand life racing on the dusty road due to poverty or riches doesn’t ply back and make the similar journey again. Thus, everyone in his\/her lifetime desires to see that surrounding which is implanted according to one’s rooted thoughts. The progressing journey of my life being dragged by the Nepali eyes laden with Nepali culture, I contemplated that I would see the Nepali type of marriage in the big house with traditional and customary tidings and rituals. But the eager and pulsing heart at its speed to see all as I longed in the big house, remained a great unquenchable thirst, when I saw the miraculous house than that of my friend had explained.<\/p>\n

The first quasi-sight overwhelmed me for we were cordially welcomed by two young chaps who were traditionally dressed. Hoping to see more of the Nepali marriage, we stepped in the huge chamber where banquet was being offered. Ouch, I could not restrain my mind and halted there with my eyes surveying everywhere and everyone.<\/p>\n

The place of Nepali attire had been replaced by the western costumes. All the male invitees were yoked on by the western ties and so were females dressed against Nepali customary deportment. The women older than grand mums were just in tights not knowing how to move around. The place of Naumati<\/em> and Panche Baja<\/em> (which are the sets of traditional Nepali musical instruments) with the traditional singing and dancing had been sifted out by the English and Hindi discos and break dances. Imported food stuff, ales and fags of high cost had replaced pure Nepali dishes. The fresh Nepali congenial atmosphere had been ruined by the musty and rancid smoke and smells whirling as that of lamenting Bagmati^{3<\/sup>.<\/em> Nepali dialects and languages were on never reopening holiday. The cold winter night that used to boast upon its coldness had no natural powers to give even the slightest pinch on the skin. The age-old cosmological Nepali customs, traditions, and sacraments had eloped secretly with the unknown fathers and their powerful progenies, resembling of their fathers, had pushed in this house their inseparable roots. The Vedical and customary invocations had been ablazed in the fire pond of Aahuti<\/em> (the mixture of butter, fruits, rice and seasam) never to germinate again.<\/p>\n}

The hired waiters and waitresses had indelibly taken forefront place of social and mutual workmanship which used to be according to social values and brotherhood. The groom weighted by the demanded dowries was casting a fathomless smile into an infinity as if he were the very hero of meritorious victory. The ornamented bride , although wore a satiable smile, it was obvious through her facial expressions that the Brahmahood days in the big house had been burnt into ashes with their ancestors.<\/p>\n

The excess partaken edibles rained in the wastage bins seemed to have fed and treated over thousands of hungry, diseased and penury hobbling in the dark streets crying for pure Nepali companionship. So joyous all seemed to have sunk into the abyss of uncertain futurity. It so appeared to me that if a breastfeeding mother were attending this ceremony, it was sure to tell that the child would be tipsy for the following few days.<\/p>\n

Man, however, has his\/her axiomatic right to foster his\/her livelihood, would it be of avail to stand against the tenets of Nepali nature concealing Nepali status? As a sleep walker man , I returned alone internally assailed leaving my bhena1<\/em> behind and singing lugubriously to myself the following verses of Muna Madan^{4<\/sup><\/em>.<\/p>\n}

Heavenly rays in Nepali soil;<\/p>\n

To the root they fell,<\/p>\n

Scented flowers within this realm,<\/p>\n

Have the native smell!<\/p>\n

We do dig and eat ourselves;<\/p>\n

Nothing touch we free,<\/p>\n

What you give what I take;<\/p>\n

By asking take not we !<\/p>\n

1\u00a0brother-in-law<\/p>\n

2 customary musical instruments specially designed to use in the marriage comprising of nine \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and five set respectively<\/p>\n

3 a holy river in Kathmandu, Nepal<\/p>\n

4 a short epic narrative by Lakshmi Prasad Devkota<\/p>\n