Prachanda, Five Beauties and Ten Questions

By DIPENDRA LAMA

Prachanda, the president of Nepal Maoist has already denied claims that Karishma Manandhar is his favourite actress. Instead, he is said to favour the gracefulness of Shanti Maskey and Mithila Sharma for the overt sensuality of Karishma. This gives a hint of the depth of the knowledge of beauty the rebel leader has.
Prachanda and the stunning beauties from Nepal's glamour industry: these two are poles apart. But then, the "law of reverse effect" as propounded by the French scientist Pierre Curie comes into effect. After all, what the mind tries to shun, the conscience zeroes in on the same and crashes head-on with it.

One would be tempted to think that the glamorous ladies are unlikely to make candid comments on Prachanda. But these "beauties with brains" were prepared to speak their mind!

Actress Rekha Thapa, former Miss Nepal Malvika Subba, actress and media person Kriti Bhattarai, songbird Riza Uprety and Miss Tamang Zenisha Moktan candidly answered ten questions about the Maoist chairman. They have defined Prachanda based on their age, profession, interests and background. And this "Understanding Prachanda" mission is probably not the same as the case of the five blind men trying to conjure up the image of an elephant based on the beast's body parts they grasped.

Q. How do you find Prachanda's face?

Rekha: I have seen him in person and I find his face? artistic. I like his smile. And his eyes have sex appeal.

Malvika: Normal, like other common citizens.

Kriti: Initially, I wasn't even sure if "Prachanda" was a real person. My misgivings were put to rest after he became public. His personality is not extraordinary.

Riza: He is handsome but dangerous also.

Zenisha: He looks fearsome. Not surprising for a person who had been hiding in the jungles.

Q. Any comments on his moustache?

Rekha: He looks handsome because of his moustache. Not everyone can say that.

Malvika: I did not like it. In fact, I don't like it when anyone keeps a moustache.

Kriti: No comment. I have faced many questions about men and their moustaches!

Riza: The moustache is his defining feature. It is what makes him look like Prachanda.

Zenisha: I have never seen him without his moustache. He probably has it on because it suits him.

Q. What separates him from other leaders?

Rekha: I don't know any other leaders. As a girl from the east, I know Girija Prasad Koirala but that?s it.

Malvika: The other leaders contributed to the revolution in their Pajeros but he decided to do it the hard way.

Kriti: We had to wait just to know his identity. That is the difference.

Riza: The others don't have his moustache. And I haven't seen the other leaders donning vermillion on their foreheads.

Zenisha: The other leaders are attired in Topi and Daura Suruwal but I've never seen him wear it.

Q. How do you feel when you see his face being flaunted everywhere?

Rekha: It's delightful. Let's accept him for once. Give him a chance to open himself up even more.

Malvika: They are trying to delineate him as a person commanding fear and awe.

Kriti: This sort of atmosphere is common during changing times.

Riza: I feel like he is the new "Nepali hero". The days of Rajesh Hamal appear numbered!

Zenisha: Can photos really have an effect?

Q. The grapevine has it that he liked the Bollywood film Rang De Basanti. Any reasons why?

Rekha: I was angry when I heard it. If he of all people doesn't promote Nepali films, who will?

Malvika: Probably because it dealt with the revolutionary feelings of the youth and about changing the system.

Kriti: It's not strange for a revolutionary leader to like a tale of revolution.

Riza: Probably because it deals with revolution and freedom.

Zenisha: It?s a film about patriots.

Q. If he is to make a commitment to one thing, what will it be?

Rekha: Endow the country and its people with talent and not wealth.

Malvika: That no more innocents will have to die.

Kriti: I'd ask him why in the world a person like him would make a commitment for a nonentity like me.

Riza: I would ask him to make me courageous like him. I am a yellow-bellied coward.

Who knows, maybe there will come a day when I myself will have to become another "Prachanda".

Zenisha: There is not much really. Why would he act upon my words?

Q. If you were to give him a present on his birthday?

Rekha: Why one? I'd give him two. A white rose and a dove.

Malvika: Wisdom that would prevent him from going back to the path of violence.

Kriti: I don't give gifts to anyone other than those I know personally. I'd just give him my best wishes.

Riza: A national flag and a nice little card that reads- "may peace prevail in Nepal".

Zenisha: I'd give him a tiffin-box. A busy person like him probably won't have time to go to a hotel.

Q. If he wanted to meet you for your advice, what kind of dress would you wear?

Rekha: I wouldn't wear a skirt. Suit, kurta-salwar or saree probably.

Malvika: Jeans and T-shirt. Whatever I find comfortable.

Kriti: I don't put on special dresses except for parties.

Riza: Casual wear. And no lipstick.

Zenisha: T-shirt and any pair of pants.

Q. What would be your first question if you suddenly met him?

Rekha: What provisions are being made for women's empowerment? Do you accept women power?

Malvika: After all the killings, any guilt pangs?

Kriti: How does it feel to be at the helm of a party like the CPN-M?

Riza: Was there no alternative to the armed struggle?

Zenisha: What kind of a childhood ambition would make a leader like you?

Q. Where would you go to if you had to go on a date with Prachanda?

Rekha: An ice-cream parlour. We'd talk over some ice-cream. The present situation calls for a cool-headed discussion!

Malvika: Dating? I've heard he has sons older than me. No way.

Kriti: How can I go on a date with a person I hardly know?

Riza: I'd go to Swayambhu. Take him to Bouddha and show him around the city.

Zenisha: Some restaurant in Thamel. Where there are lots of people. Not in a secluded spot!


(Translated from NEPAL weekly magazine. Dipendra Lama's this original article was translated and posted by ekantipur.com and later AFP spread it worldwide. )