[Starting from today, we are running Sumnina-Paruhang, a long narrative pome based on Mundhum by Bikram Subba, translated by Manprasad Subba is various issues that shall appear on Thursdays. The first episode is preceded by an introduction from the translator.]
Introduction
Bikram Subba (1952) who has carved for himself a niche in the contemporary Nepali poetry, has brought out four collections of his poems and two long narrative poems (of semi-epic length) including this one entitled Sumnima-Paruhang based on the myth of the Mundhum, a holy oral scripture of Kirat Limbu ethnic group in Nepali community.
Remaining alive and almost intact in oral tradition for hundreds of years, the Mundhum has recently been documented in Sirijunga as well as Nepali scripts by ethnologists and cultural enthusiasts like Ranadhoj Nembang, Imansing Chemjong, Bairagi Kainla et al. But as Imansing Chemjong, a well known historian of Limbu ethnic community, says in the Preface of his book, Kirat Mundhum, Brian Houghton Hodgson who came to India while still in his teens and served the colonial British government in various capacities elevating himself to the position of British Resident in Nepal but later spent many years in Darjeeling (1945 to 1958), had discovered fourteen books of Mundhum in three different scripts including Sirijunga which he took to India Office Library in London. This suggests that the task of documenting the scripture had begun long ago.
The very fact that the whole body of the Mundhum is in a uniquely lyrical form of verse which is sung in a typical tune by Tumyahang (Limbu gentries) and shamanic priests called Samba, Phedangma and Yeba or Yema , has enabled most of the Limbu folks to learn and memorise the verses that tell the various stories, the most popular of all being the story of Creation. From the very beginning the listener’s imagination has been held by the poetic (lyrical) expression of the Mundhum and their typical recitation (rendition). This may probably be the reason that this scripture, with little loss, has remained alive till today.
The myth the poet has chosen from the Mundhum for his purpose is about the creation of universe and the living beings on earth. As other religious scriptures the Mundhum, too, has its own creation theory which, unlike many others, sounds, albeit metaphorically, concordant with the evolutionary theory.
Depicting the mythical characters and through them the conflict of virtue and vice, Bikram Subba has very impressively proved his different poetic prowess in Sumnima-Paruhang. Indeed, the conflicts between the opposite forces begin at the very outset of the work – long before the creation of heavenly bodies and living beings. Conflict between light and darkness, beauty and ugliness, humanity and beastliness gives much action to the narrative in which the poet appears to be greatly favoured by his Muse. However, this slender narrative poetic work is not the story of conflict alone. In fact, the greater and more prominent force at work is LOVE without which this creation would not have been sustained. Subtle thread of love runs all through this poem of epic nature – love between Sky and Earth out of which is born Sumnima, love between the First Woman and First Man, mother’s affection for her offspring and the filial love of the son. It is the love that emerges victorious at every turning point of sufferings.
The Mundhum as alluded to in the preceding paragraph has its own typical rhyme and rhythm and the Poet Subba has, with considerable success, employed the same rhythm in most part of Sumnima-Paruhang except on two occasions where the poet has opted for a popular Nepali folk-rhythm called Jhyaaure. Obviously the poet, who is better known for his distinctly contemporaneous trait, has resorted to this ethnic and folk rhythm so as to create the tone and texture of antiquity as the plot of the narrative here demands.
In the context of the mythical plot in this work, one thing must be cleared that the names of the protagonists Sumnima and Paruhang which are taken from the Khambu (Rai Kirant) myths, do not figure anywhere in the Mundhum. However, Sumnima seems to be just the other name for Tigenjongna as all the acts and characteristics are same as those of Tigenjongna depicted in the Mundhum; and her two offspring—Tiger and Man, named Lepmuhang – are known as Kesami and Namsami in the Mundhum. Bikram Subba has intricately blended the myths prevalent in two ethnic groups which are believed to have emerged from one single group at some point of time in history.
In essence, Sumnima-Paruhang with all its subtlety of poetry, is the narrative of victory of humanity over beastliness.
***
Translating Sumnima-Paruhang: Needless to say that translating any poetic work of folk or ethnic culture poses a tough challenge, more challenging it will be when roots of the source language and target language are far apart. Poetic nuances of one culture defy to be rendered in exactness into other language. Yet translation (good or bad) is the only medium to reach out or get into other languages. And this translator, as and when the target language turned out to be somewhat inadequate, has but resorted to other ways like draw the purport of the line or lines and ‘transcreate’ them again, employing the same imagery as in the original. However, the culture-denoting terms have been left in their original forms and the readers are helped by the footnotes. Attempt, with not much success, has also been made to keep pace with the rhyme and rhythm of the original text.
I will assume this my humble effort to have been amply rewarded if the English readers get, through this translation, even a little bit of taste of this poetic work by Bikram Subba.
— Manprasad Subba
Sumnima-Paruhang – I
Long, long ago before the birth
Of the sky, the air and the earth
Hills and rocks, trees and river
Nothing, nothing was there.
Ningwafumang scanned around
And merciful heart He unwound
Began His divine creation
Melting nothingness into formation.
And up above, the sky stretched
Down below, the earth spread
But from somewhere darkness followed
And all the lights it swallowed.
“This is my kingdom” it did say
And in all corners of life it lay.
It was the design of dark evil force
And Ningwafumang moved in a circular course,
Retrieved the light, bound Earth with it
And close to the sun-moon He did sit.
Then in smile Earth blossomed
And in all blue the sky opened.
Earth and Sky eyed each-other
Fragrance of eyes filled the air
Sky used to be drawn to the breast
Of Earth that’s so full of magnet.
Covered with transparent moonlight quilt
Fully abandoned, Earth would sleep
Showering the rays of morning gilt
Sky would kiss beloved Earth’s lips.
Earth awakened, quite embarrassed
And for a shawl she hurriedly asked
The breeze. Her hands covered her lower
But nothing was there to cover the upper
Where to go, where to hide
Or should she squat at a side?
Poor Earth! What an embarrassment!
If only she could get some garment!
And the moss and shrubs appeared
And Earth’s all nooks got covered
Gently blew the breeze there
And also slowly flowed the water
With its chisel it did toil
To make its path on the soil
With sweet melody cascade descended
With it the birds’ songs sweetly blended
Bearing the song travelled the stream,
Reached the ocean with waves of dream
Dancing and singing in merriment
Each creature was then created.
As Earth got herself covered
She spoke softly as an endeared
Words of love did slowly start
To untie the knots of her heart
Sometimes she beamed with smile of blossoms
Sometimes she bloomed love in her bosom
Receiving the sun on the parting of tress
Earth the lover opened her embrace
Earth and Sky merged in love
Beat in them a single heart of love.
Earth would urge to live together
Sky desired to descend on the lover
Earth insisted to found a home
‘But how to?’ said he, the Blue Dome.
And the two quarreled igniting
The fire of anger in the lightning
Glum Sky would retreat elsewhere
Earth in tears rested somewhere.
But how can love be killed by sulk?
The storm ran about in the search.
Earth felt emptiness in her heart
Her long plaintive sob Sky heard
He felt a tickle deep inside
And played more mischief from his hide.
Sighing and soughing Earth cried
The agony could be heard far and wide
Sulkiness adds to love’s delicacy
That is not mere a fantasy
Came down once again lovesick Sky
With charming rainbow in the eye.
From a strange land returned the Love
A pair of shadows suddenly woke up.
Delighted Earth coyly smiled,
Hugged Sky in love reconciled
Heart-beat joined them into one soul
Hearts throbbed almost with no control
Shadows of grouse melted away
There was only the love’s sway
Down to the sole Earth was warm
Embracing the sun she couldn’t be calm.
Shy to see their reunion
Ningwafumang got the cloud drawn
And lightning flashed with a thunder
The gale rushed forgetting to meander
Thunderbolt of Sky forced into Earth
Sowing the seeds of all beings’ birth!
Having felt fully gratified
Earth in the warmth of Sky, sighed.
Then shyness slowly returned again
While sweat on her body quietly drained.
The cloud was now out of sight
And the world again turned bright.
Day and Night daily visited her
Months and Seasons the wanderers
Will the blossom of creation be
Like Ningwafumang’s divine fancy?
With Chomepma done for expectant Earth
Ten months elapsed awaiting the birth
She was now in a long awaited labor
And Sky came down to sit by her
Earth tightly clung on to Sky
Ecstatic at heart but in pain she cried
Holding her with immense care
He with a broad leaf would fan her
Sky would look at his beloved’s eyes
In bosom he would feel their vibes
Anxious and fretful he was seen
But a tickle of joy deep within
Pangs rose to the height of revolution
Blood flowed and began a generation
And the first daughter of creation
Sumnima is she, love’s procreation.
Thus blossomed the flower of creation
With colorful heaven in the vision
A bud of life the tender babe
Shall I read it like a naïve!
Breathing deeply to push pain aside
Earth her closed eyes slowly prized.
The eyes received Sky’s delight
That travelled from Earth to all sides
Bud of creation in the lap of Earth
A simple smile has an endless light.
Pouring his heart through the eyes
Sky beamed with smile bright
And he gently touched Earth’s cheek
Washed her lips clean with his kiss!
Earth wouldn’t stop gazing at her babe
When Sky came near she turned away
Love is small but covers a wide space
And sows seeds of jealousy and disgrace.
‘Now you seem to have forgotten me
You have little or no care for me
Where shall I rest this heavy heart?
What can make my gloom depart?’
Hearing this, Earth hugged Sky
And uttered the words soft and high:
Love for offspring is different from
That between wife and husband!
After all this is our own progeny
With the blood from you and me
It’s the love that makes world
Without love nothing gets unfurled.
* *
Sumnima grew up playing with deer
In the wooded hills having no peer
Brooks and streams were her friends
She was the beauty in nature’s trends
Innocently began her youth to unfold
Which the bud could no longer hold
Sometimes Sumnima would fear
That evil eyes might fall on her
So in the jungle a loom she made
And began weaving to clothe herself.
* *
She grew into uniquely charming adorning the earth
But how can woman alone here be the cause of birth?
The bird of Ningwafumang’s mind wandered about
And a divine plan for creating a man He thought out
The Will to create a male made Ningwafumang hold
First the shining yellow metal which is called gold.
A golden man with comely figure Ningwafumang created
With his own lovely creation He was so delighted.
He called him- ‘Hey! Ho!’ and shook with hand
But not a single sound could come from the man.
Gold tongue did not stir nor the mouth moved
Lips looked ready to smile but remained unmoved.
Only with male being the created life could grow
It was not so easy to create a man though.
For a way Ningwaba went round and searched,
Broke the rock hoping a male-life might emerge.
Twang! Came the sound of iron that fell from the rock
Ningwafumang pondered while sitting as if stuck.
The sound shot a hope that iron figure would speak
And He began to work on iron with His divine trick.
But man of iron body made no response to the call
It rather stared blank and looked dumb and dull.
Yet the work of His divine Will did not cease
Hoping that one would emerge with man’s speech
The earth while dug yielded the bright white silver
And He fancied a human heart with lively quiver.
Out of the silver the first man might smoothly emerge.
To grow the human world he might possess the urge.
Ningwafumang’s craft brought out an elegant form
The shining silver smiled but remained utterly mum.
Disbelieving his silence, He got hold of the figure,
Tickled it and shouted ‘Hey!’ but quiet was the silver.
Smile played on the lips but not a word sounded
The smile was all that Divine craft had yielded.
More determined grew He to work with greater power
His Will shot in new buds dreaming human flower.
As He saw clay in His way an idea struck Him
That clay could yield to any form in His dream.
Held He in His divine hand a lump of clay
And gave it a shape with crafts in His sway.
Then He gave it a call like ‘Hey!’ and ‘Ho!’
But the shape neither stirred nor spoke.
Being angry the Creator took some ash
And kneaded it with the droppings of fowls.
Determined as He was to give it some human form
He filled its hollow chest with greed and temptation.
This time the figure uttered ‘Hey!’ and ‘Ho!’
Ningwafumang was astounded to hear it speak so.
I made you of gold but you spoke not
Of silver, iron and clay, you moved not.
Ningwafumang spat with a curse for death
And man’s figure then and there dropped dead.
Now dead was he and his death became a law
Of nature that since exists as an inevitable flaw.
Creator with some herbs brought him back to life
And decreed him to grow and sustain human life.
It is he, Paruhang, the first man on the earth
From who began the lineage of our birth.
Spit sprayed over his face turned to be sores
Pus flowed from there like latex from tree-pores
Ugly-faced yet a deft craftsman Paruhang became
He designed weaving tools and many a useful frame.
Footnotes:
Ningwafumang: God, the Almighty
Chomepma: To worship for the safety of the pregnant woman and the child in the womb.
Ningwaba: Mind, Will, Desire