Yambunera (Nepali: याम्बुनेर) is a 2020 short stories collection by Bina Theeng.[1] It was published on August 26, 2020 by Phoenix Books.[2] It is the third book of the author. The book consists of 13 stories.[3]

Yambunera
Cover page of the book
AuthorBina Theeng
Original titleयाम्बुनेर
LanguageNepali
GenreShort stories
Set inIn and around Kathmandu
Published2020
PublisherPhoenix Books
Publication date
August 26, 2020
Publication placeNepal
Media typePrint (Paperback)
Pages173
ISBN9789937705516
Preceded byRato Ghar 

Synopsis

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Yambu is the name of Kathmandu in Tamang language. Yambunera means the area around Kathmandu valley.[4] The stories in the book are centered in and around Kathmandu valley. The stories are about people who have been marginalized and been neglected by the state.[5]

The stories included in the book are:

S.N Title[6] Description
1. Aani Pema Aani Pema (Nun Pema) depicts the life of a nun named Aani in a Buddhist monastery (Gompa). The struggle between desire and celibacy of Pema forms the main theme of the story.
2. Seiko-5 Seiko-5 is the story of a girl is who assaualted in exchange of a Seiko-5 watch. The story depicts the helplessness of a girl in a patriarchal society.
3. Yambunera Yambunera is the story of a woman who business of home-made liquor (raksi) is affected by the ban from the local authority.
4. Bhagwan Nivas Bhagwan Nivas (Shelter of god) depicts the dreams of a youth who has gone abroad for employment to build a house.
5. Aayam Aayam is the story of a young widow.
6. Ghadi Phool Ghadi Phool (Watch-flower) is the story depicting challenges of an inter-caste marriage in Nepali society.
7. Driver Ka Aankha Driver ka Aankha (The eyes of a driver) depicts the story of an ordinary truck driver.
8. Ganga Ram ko Cycle Ganga Ram ko Cycle (Ganga Ram's cycle) is the story of a Madhesi guy called Ganga Ram. The story show how Madhesi people are treated as a second-rate citizen in Nepal.
9. Gande Jhar Gande Jhar (Smelly Grass) is the story of a student turned Maoist rebel Dipesh Thapa.
10. Aaiti Maya Aaiti Maya is an ordinary rural housewife. The story depicts the story of Aaiti Maya and her suscpision on her husband.
11. Junedo Junedo is a story of a girl from Hindu Brahmin family who elopes with a Muslim guy.
12. Bad Bhale Bad Bhale (Bad Cockrel) is a feminist story of rebel against the system of men marrying multiple women if his previous wife is unable to provide him with a son. The story shows the hypocrisy of Nepalese patriarchal society.
13. Sifal Ko Phero Siphal ko Phero deals with the story of girl trafficking.

Theme

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The grief, suffering, suffering and struggle of the marginalized Tamang community is the main theme of this book. The book also shows various cultural evils of Nepalese society such as caste system, discrimination based on religion and class and patriarchy.

Reception

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The book received positive responses from the critics. Gyanu Adhikari of Shilapatra magazine praised the stories for being "grounded in social realism".[7] Gauri Tamu praised the book as "breaking the so-called standard of Nepalese literature".[8] Prakash Thamsuhang of Naya Patrika Daily called it as a "solid masterpiece".[9]

See also

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References

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