Tulsi Diwas
Beneath a lighted lamp
There will be a tearful darkness
Inside small shining eyes
There will be an unknown ocean
In the flash of lightning
There will be a cloud that has assimilated the tear
Beneath the life-giving water
There will be a chasm where existence has disappeared
Oh my dear man
You who embrace heaven and earth
You do not seem to know at all
Even the insides of a ripe mango
The nut weevil will have devoured
Even inside the abundant lustrous moonlight
Vermin lie
Indeed beneath a lighted lamp
There will be a tearful darkness!
Translated by Padma Devkota
[Prof. Tulasi Diwasa (b. 1941) is a leading Nepalese poet, folklorist and cultural expert. Prof. Diwasa has been Professional Associate, Communication Institute, East-West Centre, Hawaii, U.S.A. (1974); Visiting Researcher, Gakushuin University, Tokyo (1976-77); Japan Foundation Professional Fellow, Japan, (1977); Professional Research Associate, Cultural learning Institute, East West Centre Hawaii, U.S.A. (1978); British Council Visiting Fellow (1986); Visiting Professor, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (1996); Visiting Researcher, National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka, and Senior Japan Foundation Professional Fellow (1996-97); Cultural Consultant, Finland Embassy, Kathmandu, (1999) ; Chairman and Executive Director, Nepali Folklore and Folk life Study Project, Kathmandu (2005-); Member, National Cultural Policy Committee, Ministry of Culture, Government of Nepal (2010-11); Cultural Advisor, Story Heritage of Asia, Asian Culture Complex of the Hub City of Asian Culture, Gwangju ( 2011 – 2013), Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Seoul, South Korea; Team Leader, Nepali Folklore, Folk life and Intangible Cultural Heritage Study Project (since 2001). A poet and cultural expert of high repute, he has represented Nepal is several countries of the world. His published literary works include Tulasi Diwaska Kavita, Nepali Lokkatha: Kehi Adhyayan, Dhimal Lokdharma ra Sanskriti, Pradarshankari Dhimal Loksanskriti, Nepali Bajaharu, Folktales of Nepali, Intangible Cultural Heritage of Nepal: Future Directions Nepali Lokkatha, Nepali Loksanskriti Sangosthi; Editing of Seven Poets (in English) and several works on culture. He lives with his family in Kathmandu.