My Travel Stories: Heart and Souls, Part:1: Visit to Chitwan and the Singer lady...


November 5, 2016, at a Tharu village in Chitwan, Nepal. Me and friend decided to hire a horse cart and roam in Sauraha, a village in Chitwan district of Nepal, famous for its wildlife tourism. The Tangawala ( His horse's name was not Dhanno, but Ranjeet), we hired for the day belongs to Tharu community, an indigenous community of the area. We fixed the wage at 3000 Nepali for about 5-6 hours. After riding in the main tourist areas, we asked him to take us to his village, about 5 km away. He gladly took us there but repeatedly warned us that there is nothing to enjoy in his village except poverty. After reaching his village, we found a lovely river passing by and we unsuccessfully tried our fishing skills with great enthusiasm. It was about 35 Degree C and humid. After sometime, butterflies entered our beloved round shaped stomachs. We requested our Tanglawala for some rice and curry and it was sad to realize that they have no food at home except a little amount of rice. Tanglawala said he didnt earn much in last few days and couldnt buy food. We gave him some money to buy rice and fish for the family and for us. The family has four kids, wife is pregnant and earning is meager. Rice and fish curry was ready in next one hour and we enjoyed with the whole family. My friend was a vegetarian and had only rice and tomato. Post lunch, I started a chat with the wife and her health. She is not keeping well and is only 28 years of age. A victim of early marriage, we asked about her parents etc and then found out that she was promising folk singer and was awarded by the Nepal Government at the age of 15-16. We insisted her to sing a song she composed and sang on many occasions. She wanted to study and be a professional singer. Marriage, four children and above all poverty completely ripped her talent. She tried to sing for half an hour with tears and finally she sang and smiled. As the sun set, we returned to the city in the same horse cart and lamented over the loss of such talent in our society.


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