Muna Madan
 Cover of Muna Madan 2007 edition | |
| Author | Mahakavi Laxmi Prasad Devkota |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Tekbir Mukhiya |
| Country | Nepal |
| Language | Nepali |
| Subject | Poem |
| Genre | Epic |
| Published |
|
| ISBN | 978-99933-2-690-8 |
Muna Madan (Nepali: मुनामदन) is a short epic narrating the tragic story of Muna & Madan written by Nepalese poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota and one of the most popular works in Nepali literature. Just before his death in 1959 he made his famous statement, "It would be all right if all my works were burned, except for Muna Madan." It is the most commercially successful Nepali book ever published.[1][2]
Muna Madan is based on an 18th-century ballad in Nepal Bhasa entitled Ji Waya La Lachhi Maduni (It hasn't been a month since I came).[3][4][5] The song, which is popular in Newar society, tells the story of a merchant from Kathmandu who leaves for Tibet on business leaving behind his newly wed bride. The wife is concerned for his safety as the journey to Tibet is filled with hardships, and she pleads with him not to go. But he leaves despite her protests. When he returns home after many years, he finds that she has died.[6][7][8]
Synopsis
Muna Madan describes the life of a man (Madan) who leaves his wife (Muna) and goes to Lhasa to make money, and while returning he becomes sick on the way. His friends leave him on the road and come back home saying he has died. The story also shows the life of a poor woman who suffered much without her husband and later dies because of grief. Finally he is rescued by a man who is considered to be of lower caste in Nepal. That is why it is said that a man is said to be great not by caste or race but by a heart full of love and humanity.[9]
When Madan returns to Kathmandu after regaining his health, he discovers that his wife is dead and becomes grief-stricken. Madan comes to realize that money is of no value at that point. In this poem, Laxmi Prasad has written that greatness is not measured by one's race, but by one's deed.[10][11]
Movie
The poem has been adapted into a movie of the same name. The film has been directed by Gyanendra Deuja and stars national award nominated actress, Usha Poudel who made a debut in the role of Muna. Muna Madan was Nepal's official entry at the 2004 Academy Awards. [12]
Legacy
It is the most sold literature work in Nepal. It is also popular for some epic lines, lIke:
हातका मैला सुनका थैला के गर्नु धनले
साग र सिस्नु खाएको बेस आनन्दी मनले
क्षेत्रीको छोरो यो पाउ छुन्छ, घिनले छुदैन
मानिस ठूलो दिलले हुन्छ, जातले हुदैन
See also
References
- ↑ Kharel, Samik (9 April 2012). "Muna Madan best-seller of all time". eKantipur. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
- ↑ K.C., Bishnu (27 January 2006). "'Muna Madan,' a Literary Masterpiece". OhmyNews. Retrieved 1 January 2009.
- ↑ Hutt, Michael (July 1994). "Book Review" (PDF). Contributions to Nepalese Studies. Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies (CNAS), Tribhuvan University. Retrieved 27 June 2012. Page 253.
- ↑ Bandhu, C. M. (December 2006). "Folklore Studies in Nepal: A Historical Survey" (PDF). Nepali Folklore and Folklife. Nepali Folklore Society. Retrieved 17 July 2012. Page 5.
- ↑ Hutt, Michael (1991). Himalayan Voices: An Introduction to Modern Nepali Literature. University of California Press. ISBN 9780520070486. Page 41.
- ↑ Lienhard, Siegfried (1992). Songs of Nepal: An Anthology of Nevar Folksongs and Hymns. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidas. ISBN 81-208-0963-7. Page 84.
- ↑ Von Bohlen, Dominik (December 2012). "Muna Madan". ECS Nepal. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
- ↑ "Ji Wayala Lachhi Maduni (Pushpa Chitrakar)". Academia.edu. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
- ↑ Peebles, Patrick (2012). Voices of South Asia: Essential Readings from Antiquity to the Present. M.E. Sharpe. ISBN 9780765620729. Page 157.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIgQQfT173w&feature=player_embedded
- ↑ Shrestha, Dayaram (2006). Nepal Sahitya Ka Kehi Prista. Lalitpur: Sajha Prakashan.
- ↑ Chi, Minnie (23 January 2004). "Nepal's Submission for Best Foreign Language Film (Academy Award)". UCLA International Institute. Retrieved 1 July 2012.