Lakshmi Mali
Grandfather calls you daughter
maternal uncle calls you elder sister
And my father calls you wife
and I call you mother
Mother, what is your name?
I went to the school and the colleges
I did not require your name there
I gave my introduction to many
Nobody asked me your name
I became an adult and got voting rights
your name was not written in my citizenship card
I owned a domicile with my father’s name
and got employment with father’s name
I am the daughter of a nameless mother
tell me, mother, what is your name?
I want to make your name public
your name that nobody asked
nowhere had it to be pronounced
I want your name, mother
tell me, mother, what is your name?
Translated by Govinda Raj Bhattarai
Lakshmi Mali, a senior and celebrated poet of Nepal is famous for her progressive and artistically refined poetry. Born on 25 July 1953, she started writing very early in her life. Throughout her writing career, she stayed committed to progressive literary movements and activisms, and held key responsibilities in many organizations including Progressive Writers Association, Parijat Memorial Centre, Ghanashyam Dhakal Literary Foundation, etc. Her published collections include Aagoko Yam (Season for Fire) and Aaruka Phool (Peach Blossoms). For her contribution, poet Mali has received several awards and honors including Parijaat Memorial Honor, Patriotic Republican Award, Tanneri Literary Award, All Nepal International Literary Award, Education Award, Education Day Medal etc. She is presently a council member of Nepal Academy and head of the Department of Indigenous Languages. She lives with her family in Kathmandu.
Thankyou for this Ms./Dr/Professor Mali. In my recent book “Yogmaya and Durga Devi” (www.barbaranimri.com) I write about the early 20th C. rebel leader form Bhojpur Durga Devi. She enjoyed a remarkable and I believe rare friendship and collaboration with her Sasu. In my preparation of Durga Devo’s biography I never thought to ask the name of Sasu. In November 2019, I went to Marwa, the Ghimire home of her husband and Sas, the marriage house of Durga. I met a relative of the Sasu who has compiled a substantial genealogy of his Ghimire family. It was an impressive document. I asked him for the name of Durga’s Sasu, who would have been his grandmother, I believe. He said, oh, we don’t put women’s names in here! I believe women’s right’s organization need to look at a fundamental issue like this. Your poem says more than any UN report. Thankyou.