Taralal Shrestha, who works in the English Department of Tribhuvan University, has recently published a book called 'Bicycle Beauty'. He is also a cycling activist. The books of Shrestha, who has a degree in Subaltern Studies, are closely related to the subject of the subaltern. His books 'Shakti, Sarasta and Subaltern', 'Sapnako Samadhi', 'Baljhirane Ati, Baljhirane Present' and 'Bandipur to Bandipur to Bandipur' have been published. Edited part of conversation with Shrestha for E-Kantipur's regular column 'Five Questions':
What book did you read last time?
I recently read 'Prophet Song' by Paul Lynch . This is a dystopia fiction written in 2023 . It is predicted how an oppressive power is about to take over a country like Ireland. Recently, there is a rumor that a democratic dictatorship will come to the world . If we look at geopolitics, we see similar things. In this novel, a female character struggles with how to protect her 4 children from the dictator .
The book gives a scary picture of how the world is going under the control of democratic dictators and the common people are being oppressed by technology and science. I also liked the technique of this novel.
Your favorite fiction?
George Orwell's '1984' novel seems very lively. Earlier, we used to teach this course in the university. The book presents how our society can become 'dystopian'.
Nonfiction you like ?
I like nonfiction more . I really like Ngugi Wa Thiongo's book 'Deconolizing the Mind'. Last time I wrote 'Hardships and Downfall of Buddhism in India'. In the book, there is a big conflict in the cultural form, how one culture oppresses another culture. How another culture is developed has come strongly. The book shows that there is a power playing on the entire civilization. Also, I read a lot of nonfiction. The book 'Description of the First World War' is also a book I like. Regarding Nepal, I like Shukraraj Shastri's book 'Swargako Darbar', which was published about a hundred years ago.
The character in the story that most influenced you?
is the name of ``Shirish's flower'' in the context of Nepal. This book is a book that will make you think a lot. However, the progressives also criticize it in various ways. Among the characters, I find Sakambari's characterization much stronger than Suyogaveer. I will never forget that character . Watching Shirish flowers falling from the window . That character looks like Parijat to me . Sometimes, if I see a character like that, I think it's a sakambari.
Book recommendation for the new generation ? There are many book
. In recent times, we have been eating what we don't need rather than what we need through knowledge. Our own civilization If you want to understand, read a work like 'Swayambhu Purana'. Read a story like 'Tripitak'. Also read Decolonizing Minds. Let's also read the works of Maha Akhyan . Let's understand Manusmriti . Let's study Mundhum . Let's also read the world famous work 'Ikigai'. It seems that we should stay away from books like Fast Food.
