China Harayeko Maanchhe: A Story of Sufferings and SAFAR

Haribansha Acharya is one of the best comedians of Nepal. I have watched most of his stage programs and cinemas. He makes people laugh with his subtle satire on political leaders and other so called powerful people. Besides, his  tele-programs are more popular among millions of nepali audiences.

Recently, he has published a book entitled “ China Harayeko Maanchhe” immersed  with pain and and anxiety of his life. This book has made good purchases in the country and also collected diverse comments. In my view, the book became popular not because of its autonomous features, but because of the writer’s public personality, ebb and flow of his life and immense sympathy of the people.

“China Harayeko Maanchhe” is an autobiographical book; a bag filled with toil, tear, and tragedy. The book has been divided in to fifty-three chapters with two three pages writings having relevant topics. Some of them are more than three pages. The first chapter “ Chhoro Tote Baau Thote” is about his father and his age gap and public mockery at them. He was born when his father was 73 who died after seven years. There was a large age gap between his father and mother. She was the youngest of three wives of her husband. After her husband’s death she looked after four of her children alone with a great difficulty. At that time, she was only 38 years old. She died at the age of 52. Then his life became alone and miserable. He couldn’t get good educational environment. First he studied Sanskrit and then later he studied general subject. He failed twice in SLC and finally crossed Iron Gate from terai.

There was a golden locket with his horoscope. One day someone had stolen the golden locket along with horoscope. Since then he became a ‘china harayeko manchhe.’ He was only 11 years old when his mother died. Later he sold the house in RS. 37000, and started living in rental house. When the house owner knew that he had money he cheated him. Later he got his money back with the help of his friends with a great difficulty.

His life was a series of struggle. Sometimes he went to Thailand as a career boy with Manange to bring goods and sometimes he performed on the stage with no money at all. However, his talent made him popular in no time. He got first gold medal in 2034 with nine thousand prize for his performance of barking dog. In 2055, he got a job at Rastriya Nachghar as an actor with a basic salary 175. Later he left the job in Nachghar and started job at Praghya Pratisthan.

Haribansha and Madankrishna first performed together on the stage of Rastra Bank. From that time they are called Maha Jodi. Haribansha has mentioned their friendship in most of the pages of this book. Madankrishna and his family became the writer’s own family who supported in time of need. Slowly and gradually, they became busy in programs.

He liked Mira and proposed for marriage. But, at first she refused. He waited long for her possible approval of his proposal. As a result, he got married with his best liked and the most loved Mira. Mira supported his profession, started radio programs and became mother of two children. When she was pregnant second time, she suffered by typhoid and jaundice. She stayed three months in the hospital and gave birth of her son in seventh months. This moment really touch the heart of the readers. After two years she got fainted and hospitalized. After diagnosis, a ‘pace maker’ was kept in her chest to press her heart. When she was 47 years, she got brain hammarage and finally died.

Although Haribansha earned name, fame and money, he never laughed in his life. His life is full of sufferings and pain. After the death of Mira he lost everything from his life. He was nearly depressed. He used to cry in silence looking at the accessories of Mira. Later, with the consent of his sons and relatives, he got second marriage with Ramila, a widow of his age. In the book, he has given justification why he got second marriage in his old age despite his spirited love to Mira.

The book is series of his struggle, pain and sufferings than the moments of happiness. It lacks coherence and rhetoric talent. Sometimes, he seems to be childish in his writing and sometimes quite philosophic. There are funny incidents which seem more artificial than the natural. ‘Mutra tyag’ is often comes without any chemistry of writing. Towards the end of the book, events lack objective correlatives. The book appeals sympathy to the writer as well as his writing. But it teaches us precise lesson in our life. We shouldn't run away from the problems but must face it by hook or crook. Death is inevitable and we shouldn't fear the death.