What actually BHUPALI is? a glimpse on it....

 I am very young at writing about BHUPALI – a word of Puranaghare dai that has been frequently brought in light around the globe seeking a peculiar identity of Bhutani-Nepali literature through the use of peculiar word. I really did not feel like getting into the conversation, however, being a valued reader of Bhutani-Nepali literature, I could not think of edging away myself from the debate. So, I am here to share what I have researched so far about the BHUPALI word.

The word BHUPALI has already been used by Rup Kumar Barman on his writing titled 'Ethnic Mosaic and the Cultural Nationalism of Bhutan' (2009) page: 55 as '[……..the policy of cultural nationalism has created a situation where a large number of genuine Bhutanese, particularly the Bhutanese-Nepalese (called BHUPALI), effectively lost their citizenship……]'. He then, on his note on page 63 has mentioned 'The term Bhupali has been derived from BHU of Bhutan and Pali of Nepali. Bhupali means the people of Bhutan of Nepali origin'. Nonetheless, Amaresh Dutta has written about BHUPALI on his edited book called 'Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: A Devo, Volume 1 on page 510 as  …. 'Bhupali (Marathi) is a very old form of devotional song. With Bhupali, the devotees are supposed to awaken the God. It is more or less devotee's personal heart to heart talk with the God.

Of course in ancient times, Bhupali was a group performance as evident by the Bhupalis, written by saints and devotees of the God. Amaresh Dutta has further added that from the middle of ages right up to the 20^th century, elderly people and especially ladies in Maharastraian households used to recite or sing such Bhupali songs early in the morning where they would start their daily household chores'.

So, considering the above historical facts and features I would like to suggest my senior dajus to rethink on the matter before it is accepted by general people. isn't it in a black and white format now that the origin of BHUPALI is in some part of India. Hence, my simple and straightforward email ends here request all of you (who are in the bhutanesegooglegroups) to leave the constructive comments and reformative feedbacks based on the topic called BHUPALI.

Inconvenience caused is highly regretted.

Yours sincerely

Prakash Dhamala

Salisbury, South Australia