• Bhupi Sherchan who was born to a wealthy Thakali family was born in 1936 in Tukuche village to the north of Pokhara.

• He obtained education in Banaras college, India.

• He was awarded with Sajha puraskar in 1969.

• His best known works are Nirjhar (1959), and Ghumne Mech Mathi Aandho Manche (1968).

• He is one of the few first poets to successfully popularize free verse in Nepali poetry.

• ‘The clock Tower’ translated by Padma Devkota, captures tower fishing in the Ranipokhari in deep thought.

• It presents life’s disillusionment (a feeling of disappointment) against the background of time.

• Ghantaghar was the first public tower clock of Nepal made to aware people about the time, designed after the big ben of London in the Rana era by Pratap Malla.

Main theme of Poem :

• Clock Tower is a sad representation of an old retired pensioner. 

• Sympathy towards the clock tower.

• Comparison between clock tower and an old person.

• Personification of clock tower.

Summary of the Clock Tower by Bhupi Sherchan

Bhupi Sherchan (1936-1989) is a renowned poet of Nepal, born in north of Pokhara. He went to Banaras college and has been awarded with Sajha puraskar for his 1969 poem collection ‘Ghumne Mech Mathi Aandho Manche”.

In this poem, the poet has presented the Clock Tower as an image of an old pensioner. The poem compares an old pensioner's conduction who spends his time without worry with the clock tower. The poet explains how the clock tower stands motionless on the bank of Ranipokhari like an old pensioned soldier brooding (engaged in thoughts that make one sad, angry and worried).

The pensioner used to be a member of the military and he (the pensioner) expresses how most of his uniform is now torn, tattered and scruffy. Some of these clothes were distributed to friends and relatives, some have been worn out and some were eaten by rat, Nevertheless he, now out of jealousy kept two souvenirs (a thing that is kept as a reminder of place, person or event) of his army life to himself, one being an old- modelled large, round pocket watch and another an ancient hat which he preserves with great care. He hung the watch on his chest and the hat on his head.

The poet expresses that the clock tower looks like an old pensioner who passes his time pondering over his past, active and youthful days in the pretext of fishing in Ranipokhari pond.

Parrot in the Cage BBS 2nd year summary :

Critical Thinking :

The poem aptly points at the power of time. It reflects how everyone of us are a victim of time just like the ageing pensioner and the clock tower itself as the clock tower is a witness to the vets passing life. No one can escape the clutch of time. Time has robbed the vet of his youth and happiness.

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