Unveiling the Depths of Desire and Devotion: BP Koirala’s Sumnima [by Sujin Basnet]
This novella vividly portrays the clash between spiritual conviction and earthly desire, navigating love, sacrifice, and societal norms masterfully.
Highlights of the Article
Introduction of Sexual Psychology: BP Koirala broke new ground in Nepali literature by introducing sexual psychology through his novella Sumnima, showcasing his literary innovation.
Literary and Political Legacy: Despite his significant literary contributions, Koirala's political achievements often overshadowed his literary work, but his exploration of human psychology and societal critiques remains unmatched.
Character Exploration: The novella delves into the characters of Somdutta and Sumnima, who represent contrasting religious backgrounds—Somdutta, a devout Brahmin, and Sumnima, a critic of patriarchal norms from the Kirant community.
Themes of Love and Sacrifice: Sumnima intricately weaves themes of love, sacrifice, and societal expectations, exploring how these elements shape the characters' lives and decisions.
Philosophical Depth: Through the characters' journeys, Koirala explores philosophical conflicts between materialism and spiritualism, challenging readers to reflect on their own beliefs and values.
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Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala, widely known as BP, introduced sexual psychology into Nepali literature with his groundbreaking novella, Sumnima. This novella not only showcases Koirala's literary genius but also serves as a testament to his ability to weave intricate human emotions and societal critiques into compelling narratives. Koirala, a political firebrand and literary maven, authored many bohemian stories and novels, with notable works such as Teen Ghumti (“Three Turns”), Hitler Ra Yahudi (“Hitler and the Jew”), and Doshi Chasma (“The Faulty Eyeglasses”).
Despite Koirala's significant literary contributions, his political achievements often overshadowed his work in literature. However, his exploration of human psychology, love, and the sexual drives that govern human life remains unparalleled. Written in 1964 over the span of eight days during his imprisonment in Sundarijal, near Kathmandu, Sumnima was inspired by a debate between two of his contemporaries on Hindu and Kirant cultures and civilizations.
The novella narrates the intriguing story of Somdutta and Sumnima, who belong to different religions. Somdutta, a Brahmin boy, is deeply spiritual, worshipping gods and possessing extensive knowledge of religious philosophies from the Vedas and Upanishads. His devotion to religion is so profound that he views the body as a trench of sin and practices strict celibacy.
In stark contrast, Sumnima, from the Kirant community, embodies a naturalistic worldview. She is a lover of nature and a vocal critic of the patriarchal foundations of society that fail to recognize motherhood. Sumnima is acutely aware of her body’s desires, believing that the body, being temporary, should be cared for. She sees no need to overly concern herself with things that last forever.
Sumnima repeatedly urges Somdutta to embrace her ideals and beliefs. As time passes, the two develop a deep bond and eventually consummate their relationship. However, Somdutta, feeling his spiritual goals compromised, separates from Sumnima to pursue a path of penance and conquer lust. Years later, upon his return, he discovers that Sumnima is married. He then marries Puloma, an educated Brahmin girl, to fulfill his familial duty of continuing the lineage as per his parents' wishes.
Their marriage, devoid of love, exists solely to produce a son. Through Puloma's character, Koirala illustrates the unacknowledged suffering and sacrifices women endure in their married lives. Puloma's wisdom, achievements, and sacrifices go largely unrecognized, highlighting the often-overlooked struggles of women in a patriarchal society. Ultimately, Somdutta finds himself dissatisfied with his life. He regrets his inability to express his love for Sumnima and realizes that he disregarded her sacrifices and devotion. He recognizes that his religious conservatism led to an unfulfilled life, preventing him from achieving true happiness and satisfaction.
From the outset, Sumnima presents a conflict between materialism and spiritualism. By focusing on Sumnima’s perspective, Koirala suggests that materialism, with its embrace of individual emotions and desires, triumphs over the restrictive nature of spiritual pursuits. Sumnima, as a character, embodies the idea that embracing one’s natural desires and emotions leads to a more fulfilling and authentic life.
In contrast, Somdutta’s adherence to strict spiritual doctrines ultimately leaves him regretful and disconnected from his true self. This narrative choice by Koirala highlights the limitations of rigidly following spiritual practices that deny fundamental human desires and emotions.
Readers will find that Sumnima lives up to its title, prompting reflection on their own values, beliefs, emotions, and thoughts. The novella challenges readers to question the norms and traditions that shape their lives, encouraging a more introspective and open-minded approach to understanding human nature and societal expectations.
Overall, Sumnima is an iconic and compelling story that remains relevant today. It is a testament to Koirala’s literary genius and his ability to weave complex themes into a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking.
Highlights of the Novella
According to Somdutta, a mother is merely a field, with the father being its master.
Sumnima believes it's the mother who determines the parentage of a son or daughter.
Sumnima asserted that speaking like gods and behaving as gods was inappropriate for humans.
Somdutta, in anger, argued that human life presents an opportunity to elevate oneself to divinity
Bisheshwar Prasad Koirala, widely known as BP Koirala, was born on September 8, 1914, in Varanasi, India. As the second son of Krishna Prasad Koirala, a prominent businessman in Biratnagar, Nepal, BP Koirala's life took a dramatic turn when Rana Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher confiscated their family property, forcing the Koirala family into exile in India. During this time, the acclaimed Indian novelist Prem Chand became his mentor, influencing Koirala's literary path.
BP Koirala emerged as a pioneering author in Nepali literature, known for his experimental and unconventional stories and novels that delve into repressed sexual drives and complex love stories. Among his most renowned works are Doshi Chasma ("The Faulty Eyeglasses"), Sumnima (“Sumnima”), Teen Ghumti ("Three Turns"), Narendra Dai ("Brother Narendra"), Babu, Ama, Ra Chhora ("Father, Mother, and Sons"), and Hitlar Ra Yahudi ("Hitler and the Jews").
Koirala’s life was marked by a dual legacy of literature and politics. Upon his return to Nepal, he played a pivotal role in overthrowing the Rana regime and eventually became the Prime Minister of Nepal. Despite his political prominence, he maintained a clear distinction between his literary and political personas, often stating, “I am one person in literature and a completely different person in politics.”
Sujin Basnet holds a bachelor’s degree in business studies from TU-affiliated Vishwa Adarsha College. An admirer of literature, Mr. Basnet loves reading books and stories in both Nepali and English. He aims to pursue a career in publishing.