“Skepticism is the first key that unlocks consciousness”: Krishna Dharabasi Dekline: The Madan Puraskar-winning author discusses his new novel, the blurred bound

ary between truth and illusion, and why literature must unsettle a reader's deepest beliefs rather than offer comfortable answers

Madan Puraskar-winning writer Krishna Dharabasi is known in Nepali fiction as an author who engages in Leela Lekhan (Playful Writing), alternative truths, and questioning established norms. His new novel, Bhrantiparba, is being released on October 5. In this work subtitled “Words That Escaped from the Pages,” Dharabasi questions the beliefs, history, and social norms that humans have accepted as truth. Here are the answers to seven questions asked by Tumaraj Koirala to Dharabasi regarding the new novel, the relationship between truth and illusion, and the skepticism the writing seeks to provoke in readers:

Bhrantiparba is said to be a book that “should be read for questions, not for a story.” Ultimately, what is the core question this book seeks to ask the reader?

This is not a work written merely for entertaining fiction. These are questions posed about the contradictions seen between society, tradition, and personal experience over a long period in my own life.

When we end up getting confused among the truths, reality, and history that we have traditionally believed in, the questions point back at ourselves. These questions are not asked only to the reader; they are also questions that readers need to ask themselves.

What we have considered as unalterable truth, blameless faith, and absolute reality throughout our lives—are those truly real? Or are they merely ‘illusions’ wrapped around us by time, power, and culture?

The core questions every one of us needs to ask ourselves are: “What we have considered as unalterable truth, blameless faith, and absolute reality throughout our lives—are those truly real? Or are they merely ‘illusions’ wrapped around us by time, power, and culture?”

These questions give us the power to stare straight into the eyes of superstition.

The word ‘Bhranti’ (Illusion) itself is linked with the confusion between truth and untruth. In Bhrantiparba, which established truths, beliefs, or concepts have you questioned?

The word Bhranti itself points to the blurred line between truth and delusion. Sweeping aside that blurred line, society constructs its own ultimate truth. But that very so-called ultimate truth silently stands as merely relative over time.

In the pages of history or mythology, characters are seen placed in the foreground or marginalized as gods, demons, heroes, or cowards. Can the analyses or evaluations made about their human weaknesses and ironies be eternal truths?