Book Review: 'Khadal' Explores the Hidden Depths of Nepal's Societal Pitfalls

A pitfall is not a symbol of ease. One cannot walk easily on the path of a pitfall; it gets obstructed. If one falls into a pitfall, they must first descend. It is uncertain how far down one must go before the pitfall ends.

Even if the descent ends, one must climb to get out of the pitfall. Climbing is difficult. Therefore, falling into a pitfall means stumbling into a chasm from which escape is almost impossible. Either one must avoid falling into the pitfall, or if they do, they can only survive by adapting to the conditions there.

Otherwise, the pitfall swallows a person unfavorable to it, much like a snake devours a frog, annihilating their existence. Forget about letting them rise; it doesn't even allow them to live in peace.

There are two types of pitfalls. One is physically visible, and the other is invisible to the naked eye.

The view outside the pitfall is one thing, while the view inside the pitfall is entirely different. In most contexts, the inside of the pitfall controls the outside. Very few people know this. Those who know enjoy the pleasure of eating ghee while covered by a blanket. The honest person who is unaware is sacrificed for their own integrity.

Their sacrifice is merely prey for the hunter enjoying ghee under a blanket. The hunter is always in pleasure, and the prey is always in pain.

The Kathmandu Valley is, geographically, a pitfall in itself. Within it are numerous invisible cracks and holes, which, if attempted to be patched, become merely 'Karimbak's shoes' [a metaphor for futile effort]. Each of those cracks and holes is a flytrap. Once they taste the sweetness, the flies swarm there.

Some do not want to get out, or cannot even if they want to. Where there is sweetness, there is delusion. The more one tries to get out, the deeper they sink into the mire. This is what they consider progress or advancement, and they become complacent.

This has been the harsh reality of contemporary Nepali education and politics until some time ago. Because of this, mountains of undesirable things have accumulated in both sectors. Desirable things have only diminished or merely appeared to exist. Truly necessary work has not been done.

Kishan Thapa 'Adhir' is now attempting to unearth this mountain of undesirables and show it to the general reader through his novel, 'Khadal' (Pitfall). He has shown the courage and audacity to present the backstage scenes staged behind the curtain onto the stage in front of the reader.

He has proven himself excellent in the task of delving to the bottom, turning over, and meticulously examining the turbulent waves inside the ocean, rather than the calm waves visible on the surface.

The implication seems to be that rather than trying to create a different identity by swimming against the current's reverse flow, one can enjoy the pleasure of befriending the crocodile by flowing with the current. The degree of pleasure there increases rather than decreases.

One can climb the stairs, starting from the bottom, 'doubling day and quadrupling night' [rapidly increasing]. What does it matter if the observer feels shame rather than the doer! If one is shameless, they achieve the success that is currently measured by whatever definition one uses, and people gravitate towards that.

As long as personal comfort is achieved, that is enough. After this, if one can contribute to the progress and advancement of the family, what more could they want? Let the rules, laws, methods, technology, values, norms, and the country go to hell.

This very subject has been intricately woven into words in 'Adhir's' novel 'Khadal'. This is a subject that all readers should contemplate.