Assignment to remember
Poetry is not my cup of tea. I realised this fact early in my life. When I was growing up, I loved regional poetry. Learning to read and write in Telugu at home and school, I read prevalent Telugu poetry. My first exposure was to the poetry of Yogi Vemana — four-line texts in simple words with a profound message. I could not relate to the notes’ value until I grew up. Yogi Vema Reddy, an austere ascetic was able to compose this poetry a small child can read and enjoy. As a sample, look at this:
గంగిగోవు పాలు గరిటెడైనను చాలు
కడివెడైననేమి ఖరము పాలు
భక్తి కలుగు కూడు పట్టెడైననుచాలు,
విశ్వదాభిరామ వినురవేమ.
Meaning in English:
There are several ways to interpret the above poem. The poem could be related to hospitality and respect towards guests and self. One of the interpretations is here.
Vemana said:
An ounce of affection is more impactful than a lot of money to someone in need. A small amount of cow’s milk is better than a lot of donkey’s milk.
Sri Gangi Reddy introduced me to Mythili Sharangupt, Jaishanker Prasad and Harivamsharai Bachan, in addition to the couplets of Kabir, Rahim and Tulsidas. Again, these poets and Sufi saints distilled life into memorable poetry.
“ जाको राखे साईया , मार सके ना कोय ,
बाल बांका ना कर सके , जो जग बैरी होय। “
( Nothing can happen to a person who has the protection of God, even if the whole world turns against him)
Sri Sadasiva Sastry and Sri Srinivasacharlu introduced me to Telugu poets like Bammera Pothan and Sreenatha Kavi.
అమ్మలఁ గన్నయమ్మ, ముగురమ్మలమూలపుటమ్మ, చాలఁ బె
ద్దమ్మ, సురారులమ్మ కడు పాఱడి పుచ్చిన యమ్మ, తన్ను లో
నమ్మిన వేల్పుటమ్మల మనమ్ముల నుండెడి యమ్మ, దుర్గ, మా
యమ్మ, కృపాబ్ధి యిచ్చుత మహత్త్వకవిత్వ పటుత్వ సంపదల్.
( The poet describes Saraswathi, the goddess of knowledge)
Sri Lakshmana Rao and Sri B M Ramamurthy introduced me to English Poetry — Wordsworth, Robert Browning, Milton and Shakespeare.
My poetry learning ended with my school; I do not remember reading any poetry during my growing years.
I started dipping into poetry again when my friends Garima Mishra, Vinayak Jataki and Niveditha shared their poems. These are original, beautiful, neat and brief. They have a good choice of words, alliteration and rhythm and convey their intent in their unique style- using short or long lines, varying or omitting punctuation, or using a set rhythm or rhyme scheme. These poets are innovative in trying to make sense of the world through solid images.
Last week, my friend Tilak gave me the assignment to comprehend an erstwhile song from the movie Mara Naam Joker. Though this is a song, it has all the poem’s components.
Write a brief (<250 words) note on what you understand from this song.
Movie/album: Mera Naam Joker (1970)
Singers: Mukesh Chand Mathur (Mukesh)
Song Lyricists: Shailendra
(Shankardas Kesarilal)
Music Composer: Jaikishan Dayabhai
Panchal, Shankar Singh Raghuvanshi
Music Director: Jaikishan Dayabhai
Panchal, Shankar Singh Raghuvanshi
Director: Raj Kapoor
The song goes like this:
“ Jeena yahan marna yahan
Iske siva jaana kahan
Jeena yahan marna yahan
Iske siva jaana kahan
Ji chahe jab humko awaaz do
Hum hain wahin hum thhe jahan
Apne yahin dono jahan
Iske siva jana kahan
Yeh mera geet jeevan sangeet…….”
My response:
I am living in an illusion that I am in a unique world. But life and death are here, and I have nowhere to go.
I have not moved an inch from where I was, like on an exercise bike. I may not be here for tomorrow’s game, but someone else is always here with the exact sequence. People may forget me, but eternally I shall continue to be a part of history as my signs linger here.
You can always call out to me as I am always here.
Tilak was not happy with my answer, and he gave me 5/10.
