राधा [Radha]

by Krishna Dharabasi, कृष्ण धरावासी

Radha (राधा) represents an example of an outstanding nepali novel. This Novel is written by Krishna Dharabasi. It plots the story of ancient epic Mahabharat with some changes that are not included in that epic. However the character Radha is very famous for the love relationship with Krishna in Hindu religion, she has been left far behind in the story of Mahabharat.

Dharabasi starts his own story of Radha where the epic has left her. The plot of Radha resembles with the situation of Nepal at the time of its publiation. In Radha, Mr. Dharabasi tried to picture the scenario of Nepal at the time of People’s war of Maoist.

Radha is a metaphysial novels which starts with real situation and takes the reader to the world of fiction. Such Novels concerned with explaining the features of reality that exist beyond the physical world and our immediate senses. In Nepalese litrature, such novels are termed as “Lila Lekhan”. Mr. Dharabsi is famous for Lila lekhan and radha is one of his fine writing.

Genres: Fiction, Novels, Hinduism

262 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Krishna Dharabasi (born in 1960) in Panchthar, Nepal is an award-winning Nepali writer and a literary critic. Dharabasi won Madan Puraskar, Nepal’s most popular literary prize, in 2005 for his bestselling novel Radha. Krishna Dharabasi moved to the United States in 2012 with his family and is said to be working on an upcoming literary project, a novel.

Reviews

[Didci Human · Rating 5 out of 5]

Radha by Krishna Dharabasi is wonderful novel based on traditional era of Lord Krishna and Radha. The traditional plot of the story makes the readers feel that Dharabasi is narrating us the same old story of love of Radha and Krishna. However , the story based on the traditional plot it portrays the modern era in a dramatic way such that it speaks of so many hidden things that we will be amazed while ending it up.

Radha and Krishna are the eternal lovers. Lord Krishna and Radha are together since childhood. But in teenage they are separated (as in the traditional story) and Lord Krishna has to go away leaving Vindraban for fulfilling the task for which he has taken birth.This brings tragedy to Radha and all the people in Vindraban.

Radha waits for Krishna to arrive but he seldom does. She is stubborn to go meet Krishna. Later she sets out as a Yogini in a long voyage to search self, leaving her parents. She is accompanied by her friend Bisakha everywhere she went.

Radha faces a lot of hardships along with her friend with whom she travels through different places. Later on another woman gets added in her journey. They are travelling and travelling till they decide to visit Krishna's place. Lord Krishna has a lot of wives but no one is in his heart as Radha is.Later on Radha again leaves the palace which was specially built for her along with her pals.

Then after travelling they come to live up with at a King's palace where Radha narrates her stories and writes. When the novel ends, it is being narrated by Aswothaama (अश्वत्थामा)

Radha is a novel of the love, determination and mainly it is about woman revolution against the patriarchal society.

Radha though the traditional character posses the quality of modern woman. Everyone talks about the victories of Lord Krishna and Radha is mentioned nowhere except in the name "Radheshyam". Though they are together like this and also in every temple Lord Krishna is never alone there is Radha's presence everywhere. Without Radha there is no existence of Lord Krishna and vice versa.

Radha revolts tries to find salvation after being tragic-stricken. She proves that woman can tackle everything. She shows the woman power and the strength that it must be shown for securing the identity and our lives. Radha seeks independence from her family, friends and her love as well. She tries to find her own existence in the world. She tackles the social beliefs and social hierarchies.

The novel is well written and its poetic feelings and the sentences arranged is such as way that it creates a different feeling in the readers. It makes us to feel the same sentiments that Radha has felt throughout the novel. We, ourselves become Radha and travel all the places that Radha has travelled. Laugh when Radha laughs and equally cry with her woes and become as aggressive as Radha is in the novel.

The traditional plot tells us a modern story where a woman is never as before. The society is being democratic and male and females are equal. The novel also gives us the outline of the insurgency period of our country especially when the narrator speaks of the war and famine.

[Sachin Joshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

यस किताबले जत्ति आजका मितिसम्म सायद अरु कुनै किताबले मलाई यति धेरै मन्त्रमुग्ध र प्रभावित बनाएको स्मरण छैन । नारी माथी परापुर्व काल देखि नै हुँदै आएको अन्याय, नारीले पनि विवश भएर सहँदै र भोग्दै आएको पिडा, युद्धका नाममा हुँदै आएका पाप र संहार अनि कुनै घटनाका एक पक्षीय मात्र ब्याख्याले निम्त्याउने अन्यौलतालाई बडो रोचकतासंग आख्यानका रूपमा "राधा" लाई पस्केका छन् कृष्ण धरावासीले ।

नेपाली साहित्यको एक अनमोल कृति हो मेरा लागी "राधा" ।।

[Mayush Shrestha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was recommended this book by my classmate when we were discussing Nepali literature. Before I bought the book, I only had the idea that the love story of Lord Krishna and Radha were written from Radha’s side. But the book wasn’t how I expected or had in mind.

The plot is explained in two side of a coin style. Both of the sides are put together explaining how duties and responsibilities can limit us. In the starting I did believe Radha’s stubbornness could harm her but her belief and the loyalty to the promises made - inclined my decisions towards her side. I felt like she was right. Secondly, Krishna’s effort to stay connected and his attempt of inviting her made me believe he is putting an effort. Both, characters are right at their decisions but somedays rules are supposed to be bent in order to fit in the shape.

There is English translation of the book as well.

There is so much to know. I would personally recommend this to everyone.

[Anshu Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Radha and Krishna told in Radha's POV. Krishna Dharabasi picks up the strands of Radha's storuy where Mahabharata and Shrimad Bhagwat Puran leaves it and spins a story of his own. What if Krishna was no god as we know it? What happened to Gokul's citizens after Krishna abandoned them when he defeated Kansha. But most importantly what happened to Radha after Krishna so cruelly shafted her in favor of 1608 other wives.

One of my favorite Nepali books for sure.

[Bimochan Ghimire · Rating 5 out of 5]

यस उपन्यासले जस्तो राधा-कृष्णको सम्बन्धलाई सायदै अरु कुनै उपन्यास, लेखहरुले व्याबहारिक र यथार्थपरक रुपमा बिश्लेष्ण गरेको छ । बिभिन्न कथा, पुराणहरुमा भगवानको रुपमा सुनेको बुझेको कृष्णलाई आफु जस्तै सामान्य व्यक्तिको रुपमा यस उपन्यासले चित्रण गर्दा मलाई निकै खुशी लाग्यो, वास्तबमा हामीले त्यो कालखण्डलाई आजको जस्तो सामान्य रुपमा नै हेर्न वा बुझ्न सके मात्र त्यो कालखण्डको महत्व अझ नजिकबाट बुझ्छौं । यस कोणबाट हेर्दा यो उपन्यास निकै उत्कृष्ट छ । अझ यो उपन्यासले त्यो कालखण्डलाई, त्यसबेलाको सोच, ब्यबहार, समाजलाई राधाको आँखाबाट देखाएर पितृसत्तात्मक सोचले ग्रसित हाम्रा बिभिन्न पुराण-कथाले नदर्शाएको, नासुनाएको कोणलाई सोच्न र बुझ्न बाध्य तुलाएको छ । नारीवादी यो उपन्यासले न्याय, शान्ति, समानताको पक्षपोषण गरेको छ र नारी-पुरुष बीचको अन्तरसम्बन्ध, भावानात्मक समानता, भिन्नता र कमजोरीलाई निकै नजिकबाट बुझाएको छ । कृष्ण धाराबासीलाई यो उपन्यासको लागि धन्यवाद दिन चाहान्छु, यो उपन्यासको महत्व र सान्दर्भिकता धेरै पछि सम्म रहिरहनेछ !!

[Kaavya · Rating 4 out of 5]

भगवानको मानब चित्रण धराबासीले राम्ररी गर्नु भएको छ र राधाको धारबाट राधापूरान भनेर लेख्ने प्रयास सराहनीय छ!

[Utsav Adhikari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful perspective of the great Hindu mythology from the eyes of Radha. Only the writing seems too hasty.

[Saurab Dulal · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have ever read. The author stands against the patriarchy, misogynist, and religious dogma in Hindu mythological texts to answer hundreds of questions raised by them in a simple yet profound language through #Radha. A must-read Radha Puran
(Someday I will write a bigger summary of this book)

[Aayush Gautam · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute must read - this is a really well crafted novel or "Puran" as the writer would like to call it. Loved the character arc of Radha and how her concept of love, relationships and belonging develops over time like it really does in reality in our own lives. Concepts are explored in monologues and they don't seem to be out of place with the state of mind Radha is in at that moment. Everyone will find themselves in the Radha of the novel in some way or another- at times enamoured, obsessed, stubborn, lovelorn, hopefully defiant, and wise at the end of it all. This is certainly better than what we are left with in the Hindu mythology canons with regards to the character of Radha - where she is deified then dumped, to bluntly put it.

Concepts about love, relationships and life evolve over time. And to see the same happening in a character makes her fluid and inherently human and relatable. Rereading after a gap of few years is perhaps essential to understand novels with such fluidity.
The writer has used his own discretions with regards to the plot and storyline and it's certainly hard to portray women in complete justice without being one yourself. But he has got the core and the character right.

[Akash Acharya · Rating 3 out of 5]

राधा [Radha]
2062 B.S
Nepali
Krishna Dharabasi
Novel
Madan Puraskar
262 Pages

Genre: Fiction, Mythology, Poetic

Radha is a mythopoetic fiction that relies on a subject drawn from the epic Mahabharata with a special focus on the lives and relations between Krishna and Radha.

Written from Radha's perspective, the novel excavates those subtle and discursive social constructs of that era that barred a woman from exercising her free will and licensed a man for following his unrestrained desires.

Radha is a metaphysical novel which starts with real situation and takes the reader to the world of fiction. Such novels concerned with explaining the features of reality that exist beyond the physical world and our immediate senses are termed as "Lila Lekhan"

Dharabasi starts his own story of Radha where the epic has left her. Radha explains the effect caused by male dominated society and the problem occurred to female during her journey.

The novel peels out those myth making endeavors that gave krishna an aura of god like personality and left Radha waiting on the fringe of the society to see his return and fulfillment of her desire.

A Good Read

[Milan Aryal · Rating 5 out of 5]

एकदमै मन छुने हरफहरु छन। पढ्दा पढ्दै कतिबेला आँखा रसाएका पत्तै हुँदैन ।

[Bishnu Prasad Pokhrel · Rating 1 out of 5]

सरल भाषामा लेखिएको भएकाले बुझ्नका लागि असाध्यै सजिलो रहेछ! तर कृष्ण धरावासिले महाभारत र कृष्ण चरित्र धार्मिक ग्रन्थहरु भन्दा पृथक लेख रहेको भनेतापनी उक्त पुस्तकहरुलाई नै प्रत्यक्ष प्रहार गरेका छन! धरावासीले भगवान कृष्णका बारेमा भनिएका र महाभारतमा सुनिएका ठुला ठुला घटनाहरुलाई नै मिथक बनाउने काम गरे तर अन्त्यमा आएर खाल्डोमा त आफैं परेको मैले अनुभव गरेँ किनकी श्रीकृष्ण लाई सामान्य मानिसको भन्दा बढी व्यवहार नगरेका धरावासी श्री कृष्णमा कुनै पनि अलौकिक शक्ति थियो भन्न पनि हिस्किचाएको पाईयो अहिलेका मानिसमा जुन शक्ति छ त्यही शक्ति पहिलाका मानिसमा थियो भन्न खोजिरहे किताब भरी!
होला कृष्ण साधारण मानिस नै होलान् !त्यतिबेलाका मानिस पनि सामान्य नै थिए होलान तर मुख्य कुन ठाउँ धरावासी चुके तपाईहरुले मेसो पाउनु भयो कि नाई मैले त पत्तो पाएँ 🤔

कथावाचक अर्थात #अस्वस्थामा को सन्दर्भमा आएर धरावासी नराम्ररी चिप्लिएका छन! किन ?कसरी ? भन्नुहोला!

# यिनले श्रीकृष्ण लाई सामान्य मानिस मानिरहँदा अस्वस्थामा कसरी बाँचे ५००० बर्ष?

# यिनले भनेकै छन कि कुनै दैबिक शक्ति नै थिएन त्यो बेलाका मानिसमा अनि त्यसो भए कसरी अस्वस्थामा मा आयो त्यो शक्ति ?

# महाभारत कालका मानिसबाट कसरी सुने धरावासिले राधाको लेखको नेपालि अनुवाद?

कृष्ण लिला काल्पनिक नै भए काल्पनिक नै सहि तर यतिका बर्ष पहिला किताबहरुमा लेखिएका कुराहरु बंङ्गाईटेढाई गरेर के सावित गर्न चाहन्छन धरावासी?
यदि यिनको सहि सोच हुँदोहो त सहि तरिकालेनै लेख्दाहुन किन पाठकहरुलाई भ्रमको खेती गरिरहनु पर्थो?

त्यसैले मेरो बिचारमा धरावासीले महाभारत र कृष्ण चरीत्र किताबको वास्तविक घटना र पात्रहरुको प्रयोग गरि मात्र पैसा कमाउने उद्देश्य र सर्वमान्य हुनका लागि धार्मिक किताबमाथी कुठाराघात गरेका नै हुन भन्न चाहान्छु!

विष्णुप्रसाद पोखरेल
स्याङ्जा
bishnupokhrel30@gmail.com

[Himal Kunwar · Rating 4 out of 5]

श्रीमती राधा रानी,
कृष्णकी प्यारिको दृस्ठिकोणबाट महान लेखक "कृष्ण धरावासी"द्वर रचचित यो साहित्यले प्रेमको यथार्थ सोरुपका साथ साथै नारीहरुको दयानिय अवस्थको बारेमा हरेक कोणकोणको अवस्थ दर्शायको छ। जस्का(लेखक) शब्दशब्दमा भावले वास गरि भावकको यात्रालाई आति सहज तुल्याएकाछन् । एकदम भाबुक प्रेमसम्बन्धको गाथा साथै अथाह समर्पण अनि अथाह प्रेम । राधे राधे !

[Brija · Rating 4 out of 5]

Radha's perspective of Radhakrishna story, very well expressed.
There is also a glimpse of human nature on how a normal being could be treated as God by few fake news and superstitions.
I believe, it also questions on some behaviours justified as right in our ancient books

[Arpan Mahatra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Radha-Krishna's story through Radha's perception. Her story would not only add other characters and pages to Mahabharat but also describe open faces of many great men.

[Sabhyata Pathak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I didn't want this book to end. Starting from Radha and Krishna's love story, this book was completely different from what I had expected. The depth of Radha's trust and devotion to Krishna is surely very inspirational. "Radha" shows the endurance, sacrifice, etc. of women in every step of their lives. It was literally spellbinding!

[Udipta Bohara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is one of the most beautifully written books i have read so far. The language, the content, the fluency is highly complimentary. There are definitely a few things to keep in mind before reading it.

When/if you do, please read it in the mindset and societal thoughts of when Krishna and Radha were alive!

While there are many sections throughout the book that made me angry looking at the situation and thought process behind how women were oppressed, the other part of me was glad that I got to learn about the past with clarity.

I am a firm believer of “you will know success only if you know what failure feels like.”

While the naive side of me is happy that i got to learn so much about the history of our Gods and Goddesses, the logical side of me is very angry.

However my two conclusions:

1. Krishna Dharabasi is probably one of the best storytellers i have read a book from. His work is praiseworthy and while it does speak a lot about the past, at no point in the book has he made it boring.

2. Seeing how we are leading towards a more progressive country makes me happy. I agree there is so much more to do, and what we have achieved is probably 5% of the long journey against oppression, But I am glad to see it start in a highly patriarchial country like ours.

[Strophicus Strophifox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dharabasi’s alternative reading highlights a male-dominant society in which women were objects of pleasure and one man had, oh well, 16,000+ wives. For instance, Hinduism glorifies the raas leela, or the cosmic dance between Krishna and the many gopis; however, the reality is that one man was partaking in the night picnic dance clearly as the superior being. Though this text is centered on Radha’s relationship with Krishna, there are numerous overlooked examples of atrocities against women; that includes Draupati, Kunti, and Rukmani.

While the feminist advocacy angle runs deep, this text includes much more. Radha dabbles with existential questions while traveling as an ascetic. The Sherpa story felt a bit odd, even though I understand it is a good attempt to reel in the Nepali readers and Neplai-fy the story so etched as Indian. The later half felt a bit rushed.

Alternate POV's books are one of my favourite genres. Dharabasi is, after all, a man; I wonder if women would write it differently!!!

[Ankit Dhakal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like modern interpretation of mythological tales. "Radha" is one such tale.

The author calls this novel "Radha Puran" and presents it from Radha's point of view.

The story begins from the teenage days of Radha and Krishna. This is the most exciting part of the novel. Radha's longing when Krishna goes Mathura and Dwarka is well presented. Throughout the narration readers can feel the pain and suffering of women in the Mahabharata era.

Radha is a simple girl in the beginning but Krishna's absence and longing for him makes her stronger. Krishna is relatively weaker. He says he loves Radha but cannot stop himself from kidnapping Rukmini and eight other girls. He also rescues 16001 girls from the imprisonment of Narasur and marries them.

Krishna's falling for these many women has been described by Radha as his weakness in his character. She feels pity for Rukmini because Krishna did not treat her fairly. The novel also condemns the women who married Krishna and worshipped him.

Different aspects of the Mahabharat have been described in terms of sufferings of women. In making the story aloof from divine, the story of birth of Pandavas and Kauravas have been described in a different matter, which I liked a lot. The novel also points out that women themselves have been unjust to their daughters and daughters-in-law. Kunti's mother does not let her see the child she had given birth before her marriage but same Kunti tells Draupadi to be the Pandavs' common wife. The war of the Mahabharata, the novel states was not a Dharma Yudhha but men's struggle for power.
Despite the author does not express anything divine in the story narrated by Radha, the beginning and the end of the story point towards opposite direction.

The story is recited by a "Baba" who is later revealed to be Asawtthama, who has been wandering for 5000 years. I think the novel would have been better without mentioning the recitation.

The novel also lacks editing. In some of the places, descriptions have been repetitive. Grammatical errors are apparent. For example, Nanda and Yashoda are sometimes described in 'Madhyam aadar' and sometimes in 'uchha aadar'. This aspect had to be consistent just like the writer is with Krishna.

With better editing the book might have come down to 300 pages instead of it's current 336.

[SIRI · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's beautifully written novel that offers a unique and contemporary retelling of the classic love story of Radha and Krishna. The author has delves into the emotional and spiritual dimensions of their relationship, exploring themes of love, devotion, and the complexities of longing. Loved it.

[Deva Paudel]

छोरी भएँ भनेर आफूलाई कमजोर नठान। बरु केटाहरु भन्दा तिनीहरूमा बढी शक्ति छ। प्रकृतिले दिएको लिङ्गीय विभेद बाहेक बुद्धिमा ,बलमा चलाकी मा कुनै कुरामा तिमीहरु कमजोर छैनौं ।बरु केटाहरु भन्दा तिमीहरुमा बढी शक्ति छ । तिमीहरू स्वयं भावनात्मक हतियार हौ। आफ्नो रूपको , लज्जा को अभिनय गरी शत्रुलाई पराजित गर्न सक्छौ।
यस उपन्यासले मलाई वास्तवमै धेरै कुराको जानकारी दिलायो।समाजमा म जस्ता पाठकले एक पटक पढ्नै पर्ने देख्दछु

यस उपन्यासले मानवीय जीवनलाई सार्थक बनाउन प्रोत्साहन गर्ने भएकोले राधा उपन्यास पढौं र सफल जीवन जिऔँ।

[Badri Prasad · Rating 5 out of 5]

a must read book.

[Sachin Bhattarai · Rating 4 out of 5]

the book is exceptionally good! the conception of Radha's psychology and her perception according to writer is wonderfully interpreted. Loved it

[Srd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great novel, written completely different point of view.

[Pratima Adhikari]

I just listen the audio of this book in shrutisambeg. It is the best nobel. I just want to read it again ❤️❤️❤️

[Prabin Dhungel · Rating 5 out of 5]

राधा महिमा
अजबको कृति

[Jaiseri · Rating 3 out of 5]

यो किताबमा दुई कथा छन् । दुई कथा भन्नाले एक महाभारत कालको कथा अनि अर्को हालको समयको कथा । झापाको किचकवधमा भएको उत्खनन र त्यस क्रममा फेला परेको ताम्रपत्रको पाटो एउटा छ । त्यसको समय र परिवेश आजको छ । अर्को भनेको सो फेला परेको ताम्रपत्रको कथा छ जुन महाभारतकालको हो । त्यो राधाले लेखेको कथा भनेर भनिएको छ । दुबै कथाको मुल्य र मान्यता भने आजकै छ । ईक्श्वरीय चमत्कार र लीलाहीन महाभारतको कथा पुरानोमा पढ्न पाइन्छ भने वर्तमानको कथामा बरु चमत्कार र लीला छ ।

राधाको बारेमा पढ्दा धेरै असहमती र पट्यारलाग्दो महशुस भयो । गर्ग संहिता, वर्ह्मावहिवर्त पुराण आदिका अनुसार (श्रोतः https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMLN6X43n/ ) भाण्डीरवटमा राधा कृष्णको विवाह भएको छ । त्यसको “प्रमाण” स्वरुप आजका मितीमा पनि त्यहां मण्डप छ । किताबमा त्यो भेटिएन जब कि यसलाई राधा पुराण नै भनिएको छ । अर्को आजको समयमा कृष्णलाई वहुपत्नीका कारण गरिने टिप्पणी र द्रौपदीलाई बहुपतिका कारण गरिने टिप्पणी यसमा समावेश छ । काल चाहिं महाभारतकै तर चेत आजको छ । त्यो कताकता मिलेन जस्तो लाग्यो ।

कृष्णको हकमा १६००० गोपीनीका विविध व्याख्या होलान् । मैले जानेको कथामा सिता अपहरण हुंदा राम रोएर सिता सम्झेर अंगालेका हरेक रुक र लताहरुले रामको सिताका लागि भए जस्तै प्रेमको याचना गरेकाले रामले त्रेता युगमा आफू मर्यादाले बांधिएकाले द्वापर युगमा त्यसको पुर्ती गर्ने वचन दिएका थिए । त्यसैको निरन्तरता अनुसार नरकासुरले वन्दी बनाएका १६००० गोपिनी कृष्णका पत्नी हुन पुगे । यसमा नारदले शंका गरेर प्रत्येक गोपीनीको घरमा जांच्न जांदा कृष्ण भेटिएको कथा पनि छ । जुन तर्कले स्पाइडरम्यानको नाडी बाट जाली निस्कन्छ त्यहि तर्कले यी कथाहरु सम्भव हुन्छन् । अब कथाबाट त्यो चमत्कार या दिव्यता झिक्ने हो भने त कथा नै बांकि रहेन । त्यहि प्रयास धरावासीले गरेका छन् । पट्यार लाग्दो बनेको छ ।

वहुपतीप्रथाको प्रसंगसंग थकाली समुदायमा हुने वहुपतिप्रथासंग जोडिएको छ । द्रोपदीमाथि अन्याय भएको भन्दै गर्दा द्रौपदीले ईश्वरसंग ५ गुणवाला पति मागेको र ती सबै गुण एकैमा सम्भव नहुने हुंदा पाण्डवकी पत्नी हुन पुगेको भन्ने प्रशंग पनि छ । समाज अनुसार र संस्कार अनुसारको नैतिकता र व्यवहार हुने हो । कुनै समाजले मर्दको दशोटीलाई नैतिक मान्यो भने कुनै समाजले धेरै दाजुभाइकी एकै पत्नी हुनुलाई नैतिक मान्यो । यी दुबै समाजले एकअर्कालाई हेर्दा छिः भन्लान् तर ऐनामा हेर्दा सामान्य ठान्लान् । त्यसका आफ्नै तर्क गर्लान् । यस्ता अरु पनि प्रसंग आउंछन् ।

किचक वधका उत्खनन्को पाटो अनि ती बाबाको कथा चाहिं बडो रोचक छ । अन्तिममा पनि त्यहि प्रसंग नआएको भए यो किताब साह्रै पट्यार लाग्दो भन्थें । तर उत्खननको पाटोको कथाले किताब पठनीय बनायो । त्यहि मात्रै बढि भएको भए अझ राम्रो हुन्थ्यो जस्तो लाग्यो । नत्र राधाको कथा विआर चोपडाको महाभारतमा हेरेको कथा हो । त्यहि कथा झापासंग जोडिनुलाई चाहिं मज्जाको भन्नुपर्छ ।

कंशवधका लागि युद्धको तयारीले देशकै द्वन्द्वकाल सम्झाउंथ्यो । पुछारतिर कताकता मोदीआइनको झल्को पनि आएको थियो । अरु त त्यस्तो विशेष केहि लागेन । पोहोर नै पढेर सक्नुपर्ने किताब एक समय पछि पट्यार लाग्दो बन्यो । मान्छे अनुसारको रुचि अनि त्यसै अनुसार मन पर्ने र नपर्ने हुने हो । पढ्नुस् न ! बरु फरक कुराहरु राख्नुस् । केहि जानिएला !
#राधा #कृष्णधारावासी

[Om Pokharel · Rating 4 out of 5]

कृष्ण धरावासीको मदन पुरस्कार प्राप्त कृति राधा पढेर सिध्याए सँगै आज मलाई नजिकको तीर्थ हेला भन्ने एउटा उखानले नराम्रोगरी चिमोटेको छ। धेरैपटक मैले लाइभ देखेका र रेडियोका कैयौँ अन्तरवार्ता सुनेका झापाली साहित्यकार धरावासीलाई म आफैँ झापाकै भएर पनि साह्रै नै कम पढेको रहेछु। यो कुरामा मलाई ठूलो दु:ख छ। 'राधा' कृति मैले २०७९/१/१२ गते किनेर ल्याएको थिएँ र नपढी कतै थन्क्याएको थिएँ। तर ढिलै भए पनि पढेँ भनेर मनमा एक किसिमको सन्तोक पनि लागेको छ।

'राधा' वास्तवमै मदन पुरस्कार 'डिजर्भ' गर्ने कृति हो। कृष्ण मथुरा गएपछि महाभारतमा कृष्णकी प्रेमिका भनि चिनिएकी राधाको चिनोबानो पनि भेटिँदैन।त्यहाँ अलप भएकी राधालाई एक्कासी यो उपन्यासले जन्माएको छ र उनकै कोणबाट कथालाई अगाडि बढाएको छ। यहाँ राधाले आफ्नो सम्पूर्ण जीवनको नालीबेली सुनाएकी छन्। आफ्नो बाल्यकाल, सुन्दरता, नारीव्यथा, नारीहरूले अनुभव गर्ने असुरक्षाको भावना, पुरूषको विकृत मन, प्रेम, जालझेल, षडयन्त्र सबैको पर्दाफाँस गरेकी छन्।
राधाका तर्कहरूले कृष्णप्रति कहिले दया उत्पन्न गराउँछ त कहिले रिस उठ्छ। एकोहोरो पुरूषमाथी लाञ्छना लगाएको छैन यो पुस्तकले। यसले पुरूषका उत्तम विचारहरूको सम्मान पनि गरेको छ र महिलाहरूका खराबीहरूको पनि आलोचना गरेको छ। यसले नारीको पीडा पनि बुझेको छ, पुरूषको पिर पनि बुझेजस्तो गरेको छ। समग्रमा, यो उपन्यासले नारी सशक्तिकरणको विषय र पितृसत्तामा प्रत्यक्ष विचरणको सम्बन्ध स्थापित गरेर कूटनीतिक रूपमा सबै पाठकलाई 'फेमिनिस्ट' बनाउँने प्रयास गरेको जस्तो लाग्छ।

उपन्यासमा ३ कुराहरू एकदमै गहन छन्:
i) प्रेम
ii) इच्छा/बाध्यता
iii) आफ्नो अस्तित्व

उपन्यास भन्छ - प्रेम त्याग, समर्पण र निस्वार्थता हो। आफूप्रतिको अर्काको दृष्टिकोण जे भए पनि मतलब नगरी आफूलाइ अर्कामा पाउनु प्रेम हो। कुनै वस्तुको चाह गर्नु आफूलाई दलदलमा धकेल्नु हो। आफ्नो इच्छा अरूको बाध्यता हुन सक्छ र आफ्नो बाध्यता अरूको इच्छा। कुनै कुराको इच्छा नभएपछि आफ्नो अस्तित्व बोध हुँदो रहेछ। उपन्यासमा राधाको यात्रा जब लक्ष्यविहिन थियो, उनले आफैँले आफूलाई चिनिन् तर जब लक्ष्य लिएर यात्रा गरिन्, उनको यात्रा पट्यारलाग्दो भयो।

यो उपन्यासको एउटै कमजोरी भनेको 'फर्निचर' (पृ १९९), 'मेसिन' (पृ १०८) र 'ग्यारेन्टी' (पृ १०४) जस्ता शब्दहरूको प्रयोग हो जसको उच्चारण त्यो ग्रन्थ पढेर सुनाउँदा साधुबाट हुन्छ। साधुको अन्तिम सत्य बाहिर निस्किएपछि यी शब्दहरूको चयन गर्नु नहुने थियो जस्तो लाग्यो।

Rating 4.5/5

[Ray Kha · Rating 3 out of 5]

हलुवावेद
र तिते करेला मलाई उस्तै लाग्छन् -दुईटैको स्वाद विशेष छ। तिते करेलाको चरित्र नै तितो तसर्थ तितो भएर नै मिठो। हलुवावेद चाहीँ जिब्रो नै ट्वारर्रर पारेर बटार्दिने खाल्को हुन्छ। यसको चरित्र नै टर्रो, मिठो प���ि जिब्रो बटारिनुमै छ।
पुस्तक राधा पनि हलुवावेद जस्तै छ। सुरू-सुरूमा टर्रो-टर्रो लाग्छ, मुख बिगार्छ, अनुहार बिगार्छ, अझै मध्य तिर त निलुँ कि ओकलुँ, फालुँ कि खाऊँ हुन्छ। त्यसपछि त्यही जिब्रो बटारिएको नै मनपर्छ अनि हलुवावेद पनि सायद।
तर सबैलाई हलुवेद कहाँ मनपर्छ र? जस्तैः मलाई।
📌
मलाई सोञ्जा र ओभ, राज र सिमरन, निश्चल र स्वस्तिमा मनपर्छ तर राधा र कृष्ण चाहीँ???????
कृष्ण मलाई त्यसै पनि खासै मनपर्ने पात्रमा पर्दैनन्, झन् राधाले अर्को ईंटा राम्रैसँग थप्नु’भ। त्यो युगमा नारीको अवस्था कस्तो थियो त सबैमा अवगत नै छ, त दोहोराएन मैले। मलाई पढ्दै जाँदा लाग्यो, किताबमा राधा र कृष्णलाई साधारण व्यक्तीको रूपमा देखाइएको हो तसर्थ सामान्य मानिसले बिछोडको समयमा के गर्ला? र के सोंच्ला? त्यही नै लेखिएको हो र त्यही देखाउन खोजेको हो। राधा-राधा कै पक्षबाट लेखिएको छ तसर्थ कृष्णलाई निस्ठुरी, स्त्रीलम्पट, यौनपिपासु, गैरजिम्मेवार र धोकेबाज देखिनु अपेक्क्षित नै हुनजान्छ। कथा कि पुरै साधारण व्यक्ती जस्तो चित्रण गरेको भए हुन्थ्यो कि पुरै मिथम जस्तो तर दुवै मिसाउँदा ‘दुईटा खुट्टा दुईतिर डुङ्गा, न यता न उता’ भए जस्तै पो लाग्यो हो।यो किताबको कहानी पढेर भन्दा सम्झेर हाँसो लागिराछ। कुनै दिन चकटीमा बसेर पलेँटी कसेर यो किताबको बारेमा गफ लाउँदा, ओहो! कति त मज्जा आउला?
अन्तिमसम्म कहानीको पकड राम्रो लाग्यो र सबसे अन्तिम पन्नाको एक हरफ चाहीँ साह्रै चित्त बुझ्यो है!

🍅”तात्कालिक प्रभावपरक लेखन पनि कहिलेकाहीँ परिस्थितीले दीर्घकालिन बन्न पुग्यो भने सुन्दरताको पनि साह्रै बिजोक हुँदो रहेछ।”
😂/ 😠/🙄/😅”यो दम्भपूर्ण समाजमा आफूलाई स्थापना गर्नकै निम्ती भए पनि मैले रूकमिणीको हरण गर्न “जरूरी” थियो।मेरो मन, मस्तिष्क र भावभरि राधा नै राधा छन्। रूक्मिणी त मेरो भौतिक पत्नी मात्र हुन्, राधाको स्थान त तिनले कसरी लिन सक्छिन् र?”
🙏🏽
समग्रमा, साह्रै राम्रो लाग्यो भन्न मन लागेन तर ए! ध्वस्त छ भन्न पनि मन लागेन तर कृष्ण धारावासीबाट अलि बढी अपेक्षा थियो।

[संजीब · Rating 5 out of 5]

उपन्यास 'राधा'मा हिन्दु पौराणिक ग्रन्थसंग सम्बन्धित पात्र राधाको बारेमा लेखिएको छ। पूर्वी नेपालमा‌ अवस्थित‌‌ एक ठाउँ, किचकवधसंग जोडिएको, उत्खननको क्रममा भेटिएको भनिएको राधाद्वारा लेखिएको स्मरण जसरी प्रस्तुत गरिएको छ यस उपन्यास।

भगवान कृष्णसंग सम्बन्धित हिन्दु ग्रन्थहरु भन्दा अलि भिन्न दृष्टिकोणबाट उपन्यासमा कृष्ण तथा राधाको जिवन चित्रण गरिएको‌ छ। नारीहरूले‌ तात्कालिक समयमा भोग्नुपरेका थिचोमिचो, भेदभाव, अत्याचार इत्यादि विषयवस्तुहरु्ा उपन्यासले प्रकाश छ। श्री कृष्णको चरित्रलाई समेत‌‌ समग्रमा आलोचनात्मक तवरले तार्किक यथार्थ सहित विवेचना पस्किन सफल भएको छ यस उपन्यास।

पौराणिक हिन्दू ग्रन्थका‌ पात्रहरु समेटि कथावस्तु तयार गरिएता पनि, उपन्यासमा प्रस्तुत भएको आख्यानले प्रस्ट्याएको विषयवस्तुद्वारा नेपाली समाजलाई समेत लैँगिक तथा सामाजिक चेतस्तर उकास्न महत्वपूर्ण खनिज पेश गर्दछ।

एकचोटि पढ्नैपर्ने र तत्पश्चात कथालाई समाज एवं यसमा पाइने तथाकथित व्यवस्थासंग दाँजेर विश्लेषण गर्नैपर्ने उपन्यासको रुपमा पाएको छु 'राधा'।