Book and Film Review

1.      Write a review of a book that you have recently read.

Ans:

Review of the book “Muna Madan”

Title                : Muna Madan

Author            : Laxmi Prasad Devkota
Publisher        : Sajha Prakashan, Kathmandu, Nepal
Publish Year  : 2008
Genre             : Nepali Poetry
Language       : Nepali

 

Muna Madan is a folk epic written by a Nepalese poet, Laxmi Prasad Devkota. It narrates the tragic story of Muna and Madan. It is one of the most popular works in Nepali literature. The book describes the life of a man (Madan) who leaves his wife (Muna) and goes to Lhasa to earn money. Madan represents all the youths of Nepal who go abroad to earn money to earn their living.

The wife of Madan, Muna loves her husband, Madan a lot so she is upset when he goes to Lahsa to earn money. Muna stays in the country with her mother-in-law who is old and weak. Madan faces many challenges in Lhasa. While returning home, Madan becomes sick on the way. His friends leave him on the way. He is rescued by a Bhote(mountain man). Madan say, “Man is great not by caste but by heart”. After returing to Kathmandu, he discovers that his mother and his beloved wife had already died. He realizes that money is of no value at that point.

Devkota wants to show the reality of the then society. He has beautifully shown the problems of poverty, unemployment, caste discrimination, etc. The poet has wonderfully defined love by writing about the relationship of Muna and Madan. The book has proved to be a great piece in the Nepali Literature. This is a must-read book. Don’t miss.

A Review of the Movie 'Jhola'

Title of the movie: Jhola
Director: Yadav Kumar Bhattarai
Open
Producers: Raj Timalsina, Ram Gopal Thapa and Sushil Shah
Starring: Garima Panta, Desh Bhakta Khanal, Sujal Nepal,
Laxmi Giri and Deepak Chhetri
Genre: Social
Duration: 90 minutes
Language: Nepali
Release Date: 7 December 2013
Jhola' is a Nepali film based on Krishna Dharawasi's short story "Jhola". It has depicted Nepali society about the Sati tradition that was prevalent until the 1920s. The film has beautifully presented the issues of violence against
women. "Has Nepalese society really passed through such inhuman tradition?" is the question every youngster wonders about.
The plot develops with the death of Garima's husband in which she has to immolate herself upon her husband's death, typically on his funeral pyre. She is supposed to be burnt alive with the dead body of her husband according to the tradition. However, she escapes the fire and hides in a cave. The help of her son fascinates the audience.
Almost all the scenes seem realistic and historical. Traditional tools like dhiki, janto, madaani, etc. give a traditional look to the film. Similarly, traditional lights like ranko, diyalo and fire place represent ancient environment to the spectators. In addition to Sati tradition, the movie also touches Kamara Kamari (a kind of slavery) tradition. What a beautiful cinematography it is! I think costumes of the artists and the leaf music in traditional tunes touch the heart of every one present in the cinema hall. Garima's natural appearance, her role and her acting are spellbinding and add to the beauty of the movie.This is a must watch movie. Don't miss it.