Notes from the Shore
Timeline [City]>>
Chasing dreams
March 2008 [Kathmandu]>>
Quit Nepal
Quit Nepal
April 08 –May 2009 [New Delhi/Noida]>>
Happy 1.0 [Copyeditor, a major American newspaper]
May/June [Pune]>>
Student [Film and Television Institute (FTII)]
July–August [Bombay]>>
Inside Mumbai Terror Attack, National Geographic project
Sept–Oct [Bombay]>>
Assistant Director [Indian soaps ]
October [Butwal]>>
In Butwal to help make a ‘good’ feature film
November [Kathmandu]>>
Couldn’t find an actress for ‘my’ short film
December [Butwal]>>
Accident ends work on another short film
Pre-production begins on the full-length feature film
Pre-production begins on the full-length feature film
January 2010 [Kathmandu]>>
Quit Nepal
Feb [Bombay]>>
Back for good
March [Bombay]>>
Happy 2.0 [Webchutney, India's No.1 advertising agency]
‘I do not like fairytales to end.’
‘I do not like fairytales to end.’
Fairytale
“Serang Ali,” said Zackary Reid,
“Do I look like Zackary Reid?”
“I must be going ashore
in new clothes of yours!
Am I comfortable in these boots?
I don’t even know how to shoot.”
Serang Ali was quick to add,
“Maloom Zikri, you’re such a lad!
’y’ be so nervous?
Serang Ali ’u kan trus’!
The fairytale now must begin —
Close ‘ur book before it ends!”
Salik Shah
April 2, 2010, Bombay
“Do I look like Zackary Reid?”
“I must be going ashore
in new clothes of yours!
Am I comfortable in these boots?
I don’t even know how to shoot.”
Serang Ali was quick to add,
“Maloom Zikri, you’re such a lad!
’y’ be so nervous?
Serang Ali ’u kan trus’!
The fairytale now must begin —
Close ‘ur book before it ends!”
Salik Shah
April 2, 2010, Bombay
Istanbul
Istanbul, O dreamy dream of wayfarers!
What broods blood into men's thoughts?
Alone, I must carry the stench of distance;
Invite gently, it might be our only chance.
Salik Shah
Jan 5, 2010, Butwal
The City: A Dream Sequence
In my dreams I often go back to Beijing, but it has nothing to do with Beijing of today. It is a place that is heaven-sent just for me. Peace Lake and China Gate are now gone; also gone are the bricks in the bright sunlight, the cinder road along the hillside, and the wild jujube trees. And yet, I still move above them, looking down on all below and on days to come.
Cycle 98
It's been a few days since
my bicycle has vanished
Do you know where I might find it?
It's true that my cycle is small
its tires are bald
they have too little air
the colour is faded
the stand is broken
the kinetic light is faulty
the bell trills softly
the pedals move slowly
the chain is old
the handlebars are askew
the wheel is bent and
it has no carrier or lock
Yet no matter what
even if it's flawed and defective
even if it's shabby
no matter what, that cycle is mine
The weight of my body lies on its seat
The measure of my feet fills its pedals
The print of my hands marks its handlebars
My breath rests in each part of that cycle
I am there
That cycle is my life
(What kind of place is this
not unknown to me, my own village
where in the bright light of midday
a whole life can vanish?
Do you know where I might find it? )
It's been a few days since
my bicycle has vanished
Do you know where I might find it?
Bimal Nibha (tr. Manjushree Thapa)
my bicycle has vanished
Do you know where I might find it?
It's true that my cycle is small
its tires are bald
they have too little air
the colour is faded
the stand is broken
the kinetic light is faulty
the bell trills softly
the pedals move slowly
the chain is old
the handlebars are askew
the wheel is bent and
it has no carrier or lock
Yet no matter what
even if it's flawed and defective
even if it's shabby
no matter what, that cycle is mine
The weight of my body lies on its seat
The measure of my feet fills its pedals
The print of my hands marks its handlebars
My breath rests in each part of that cycle
I am there
That cycle is my life
(What kind of place is this
not unknown to me, my own village
where in the bright light of midday
a whole life can vanish?
Do you know where I might find it? )
It's been a few days since
my bicycle has vanished
Do you know where I might find it?
Bimal Nibha (tr. Manjushree Thapa)
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