No smoke from the chimneys

No smoke from the chimneys

-          Siddhicharan Shrestha (1912-1992)

(Translated by Michael Hutt)

I.  Literal Comprehension

Context: This poem is written by a famous Nepali poet Siddhicharan Shrestha (1912-1992) and translated by Michael Hutt into English. In this poem, the poet has chosen a freedom fighter as the speaker.

The speaker tells Death not to call him because he is busy wiping up blood from a broken head, i.e. the symbol of a wounded freedom fighter. People who are taking part in the protest programme against the dictatorship are seriously injured, but they are not afraid. The people are fighting for freedom and justice even without food because they have no time for cooking, or no interest in it. Therefore, nothing including the Lady’s (Death’s) calling can stop the speaker’s advancing feet or distract him from taking part in the protest.

II.    Interpretation

The speaker of this poem may be trying to tell us that freedom is more important than food, or fear of death. Therefore, the people have come out of their houses to the streets and they are unstoppable or undistracted. This is a political poem that depicts a time when the Nepalese were struggling for democracy against the autocratic regime.

III. Critical Thinking

I agree with the speaker that there is nothing more important than freedom in one’s life. Therefore, people everywhere in the world are ready to sacrifice their lives for it. For those who are seeking freedom, nothing is so much important. However, I feel the title of the poem is a bit unclear to express the real mood of the poem.  

IV.  Assimilation

The poem has given me a clear picture of how the Nepalese people fought against the autocratic regime. The death could not deter them from establishing democracy in the country. Otherwise, my generation would not have been enjoying the freedom. It has increased my respect to all known and unknown martyrs of democracy.

24.12.14