Poet and novelist Sarubhakta seems at home in a world out of kilter: he writes evocatively on disorientation, de-centredness, dislocation and madness. Based in Pokhara, he is one of the growing numbers of regional writers in Nepal-writers whose literary identities are based, in some way, upon the place they write from. However, there is no nostalgia for the rustic life in Sarubhakta's work. His literature is decidedly contemporary: fragmented, collaged, often odd and jarring, and always suited to the shattered landscape of today's Nepal. When fond clich?s do appear-about Nepal, or about Nepali tradition and culture-they do so with ironic intent, often in quotes.
The first poem below, originally from his 1993 collection Kabi, Premi ra Paagal (The Poet, the Lover and the Madman), shows the poet's ability to let a simple, everyday matter spiral out of control and veer unimpeded towards philosophical mayhem:

DECENTRALISATION
'May my small sufferings instruct
not just a nation of leaders, but everyone.'

These days my daughter memorises
ka kha ga-the alphabets of national devotion
Question: 'Father, why do we strive
for supreme faith?'

'The reason'-I teach her the science of the Nepali mind
'Daughter! We all correspond to
the physical science of atoms and molecules

in which there is innate motion
in which there is infinite power

Daughter! Even now
Nepali atoms encircle faith-
the way the celestial bodies
of brahma's creation spin!

Daughter! We are faith-centred atoms
and from the nucleus-centre of faith
we are also decentred atoms of gravity
from Mechi to Mahakali!
Decentralisation-this isn't just for Nepalis
It's the first law of brahma's creation, Daughter!

Why are we decentralised
from faith to faith?
Can you tell me, Daughter?'

The second poem translated below is, in many ways, simpler: an expression of frustration at our tangled, futile attempts to break free of national myths and fabrications. Yet the poem contains the experimental language and play, the contradictions, and the layered connotations that make Sarubhakta's work speak with so much truth about Nepal's contemporary dilemmas.

AN OFFERING OF ALMS
A ritual chant-'An offering of alms!'
Today the sunrise will take place at, our total population is: '.'
Let's talk about the present, this time around
The history of our independence is near Gosainkunda
And the blue sky is filled with symbols of peace
I beg you: this time, let's leave things as they are!
For just one moment let's not claim to be brave soldiers
Nor, from time to time, to be products of Swayambhu
We're only hungry-it's not true
We're yetis from the Himalayan region-that's also wrong
Believe me,
We're burgeoning like germs-that's also wrong
Please let's leave these things as they are
At the time of the sunrise, now
At the auspicious time for soul-rising, now
When we count, identifying ourselves as 'we'
Let's not just talk of the battlefield and the Buddhafield
But mention new sacrifices-the present
All right, let's start with eyes half closed in serenity
A ritual chant-'An offering of alms!'
Let's leave things as they are, please!

Sarubhakta's poems can also be read in the collections Banda Khambhitra, Boksiko Awhan ra Ghosanapatra, Kurup Masiha, and Jyanmaya. He is the author of the Madan Puraskar prize-winning novel Paagal Basti, and the editor of several poetry compilations, including Saraswat. He has been active in encouraging literature for nature conservation.