|
 A
letter to ponder--
*
Dear Rati ji,
Rajesh Joshi's Diary appeared in the 84th
edition of the reputed Hindi magazine 'Pahal'. Joshiji having
referred to Kashmiri poetess Laldyad and South Indian poetess
Akka Mahadevi and underlining the rebel instinct/attitude of
mediaval Shaiv and Shakt traditions associated them with the
Post Sixty poetic movement 'Akavita' and raised the agenda of
revision of anarchist tradition. "Arajak Paramparaon Ka
Punarpath". This is really an important point. Some thing
new in Rajesh Joshi's diary inspires me in the remote valley. As
far as I remember it was the Kritya that has provided with the
detailed material on his works. Agnishekhar and you really did
the hard work to make these available to Hindi readers. In
continuation I sent some material for Kritya's April/ May 2006
editions. There was material on another rebel poet Milarepa
besides Laldyad and Akka Mahadevi on internet (www.kritya.in).
Joshiji ignored the fact due to unknown reasons. There could be
two reasons - one, Milarepa's being masculine and other, his
association with Budhist traditions. This is because of the fact
that Indian Himalayan regions along with Tibet and therefore the
budhist traditions in totality is considered as "foreign" .
However I would like to add some vital points with reference to
Joshiji's notes.
In Vajarayani Budhist Traditions of inner and
Trance-Himalayan pleatue, there were the rebel poets and this
rebel disposition is reflected in their works. Bhutani lunatic
Bhikshu as he was called, Dugkpa Kunlag was infamous
saint of said tradition. Two separate autobiographies are
available of this great saint. One explains his righteous deeds
and the other explains his less righteous deeds. Thinley Namgyal
a scholar of Bhoti language and student of Budhist philosophy
told me of this interesting Bhikshu. It was said that he
rejected all the contemporary prevalent taboos. His works
crossed all the limits of obscenity and gruesomeness.
12th century Tibetan ascetic Milarepa is considered to be the
representative of these 'anarchist' poets. This gypsy poet had
sung hundred thousand songs while on his way to pilgrimage to
both sides of Himalaya. Often bare clad, the ascetic not only
renounced worldliness but also made fun of the feudal lords,
rich men, religious leaders, scriptures, temples and Math,
religious practices and even scholars were not spared by him.
During the beginning of 20th century, European travelers
searched every nook and corner of Himalaya and collected these
lively songs which were sung by the gypsy singers and beggars.
Four thick volumes of the collection are available in English
and hundreds of booklets have been published. Bhoti literature
as well is teeming with the comments on Milarepa's songs
biographies, tales and and his works. But we, the so-called
'Hindi Walas' never took notice of these traditions for ages
even though we happen to be living in neighborhood. What do I
say of this self contained attitude? Some notice has to be taken
of the ethno- psychological reasons of this mentality of
slumber. The poets of repute like Joshiji are underlining our
self containment, its high time for us to wake up. In his notes
Rajesh Joshi advocates the need to peep into those 'prohibited'
areas of the poetry; this is very important point. Post sixty
Hindi poetic movement 'Akavita" has least impressed me: however
it was the beginning. It might have been the possible that due
to inability to realize the traditions, the movement died out.
May be 'Akavita' movement could not accomplish its own texture,
format and idiom. I endorse Joshiji's point that the rebel
consciousness is not that vigorously apparent in Vaishnav
traditions as is in Shaiv and Shakt traditions. I would like to
go further by calling it 'Tartaric Traditions' which includes
Budhist and dozens of other Indian sub sects. In fact whole of
the Hindi belt (literature) has been nourished by Vaishnav
Bhakti Rasa. Natural rebel instincts of human being are
blunted by the instruments of ethics and moralities of
Vaishnav traditions. These sign are crushed at very natal
stage. Therefore Hindi areas do not have the mettle enough to
come out and see, know or face the stock reality. Kabir and
Meera were exceptions, but could they get rid of the social
pressure and conformism completely? Kabir kept addressing his
Rama as Nirguna but himself remained terrified by the
company of other" sex. Meera Kept longing for his Girdhar
in 'Virah' but like could not express their rebellion the
way Akka and Laldyad did. Thus Hindi poetic trends as a whole
gave us such ground that breeds the mentality of
unenterprise, inertness and submission. And from ages we have
shirked having a look into neighborhood, believing Non Hindi
world as 'alien'. The evaluation of the rebel consciousness in
tantric Traditions should be based not only on geographical and
social but spiritual and philosophical factors should also be
studied in the light of political background.
Some efforts are being made by the westerns but there is silence
in Hindi. If there do exit some discussions, they are
negligible. It is essential to know the geographical reasons of
living naked in the dark caves of cold desert in the freezing
below forty temperature. So called progressive people of Hindi
are so much terrified that they consider it sin to cast a glance
in this direction. They criticize the Naths, Siddhs, Shaivs,
Shakts, Bodhs as uncivilized, barbaric, superstitious,
extremists and Vam margi but never try to understand
them. In fact the tantric literature seems to me to be more
energetic and progressive. We need to study these traditions
deeply in order to strengthen our poetry. This could be our
first discourse and I object to Rajesh Joshi's remarks "Punarpath"
(revision). We have yet to learn the lesson one.
Ajay
Extension Officer (Industries)
Keylong (H.P.)
****
Dear
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**
Dear Dr.Rati Saxena,
Glad to know about the online poetry magazine, Kritya'.
It is fantastic to learn that people still venture into poetry
and have faith in creativity..
Best wishes and Regards,
Savithri Rajeevan
Thank you Rati!
You're doing a great job as usual
Nate
**
Dear Rati ji,
Thanks for
the mail and the journal.How promptly and regularly 'Kritya' is
greeting us before the end of every month ! It's amazing.Hearty
congratulations. I will mail my detailed response very
shortly.Every issue has its own charm, flavour and impact.
Warm
wishes,
T.S.Chandra
Mouli,
Hyderabad..
**
What a wonderful issue, Rati. As always…a
beacon in the poetry-night.
Ward
**
Dear Dr. Saxena,
It is with great pleasure and admiration that I write this mail
to you. I have just read your interview dated June 06 and it
immediately struck a chord in my heart. I am truly impressed by
your achievements. I have always had a belief that Hindi writers
have preferred to keep themselves aloof from all other
languages, even Sanskrit, what to say of Urdu, the language of
Hindustan / Hindustani. They have almost shunned South Indian
languages, and have studied English only as a compulsion, but
rarely written in it.
It is a pleasure to see fresh winds blowing. I wish you all
success. I have about 50 bilingual poems, mostly English
translations of my Hindi poems. I fully appreciate and agree
with your views about translation.
Will try to be active on Kritya.
Regards and best wishes.
--
Prof. M C Gupta
MD (Medicine), MPH, LL.M.,
Advocate & Health and Medico-legal Consultant
mcgupta44@gmail.com
http://www.medindia.net/myhome/mcgupta44
www.writing.com/authors/mcgupta44 DeleteReplyForwardSpamMove...
**
I have wrote a poem which I'm attaching with
a picture. The picture has some meaning with the poem. I will
paste the poem here also. Please see the attachment too.
The eternal Hindustan
Run the days of chains of blood
Severing the hands of tyranny
The terra firma of affluent mores
Paved the beam for plucky sunrise,
The solace of Sindhu streams the
Hearts of poor and farmers
Reverie of glittering skies
Storming the élan of toddlers,
Astika vanquishing the Nastika
From the crest of Himalayas
To the subterranean of Indu Sarovaram
Sanatana-Dharma tether the psyche,
Cuddling the torments with tears of tranquility
Penance the wars of religious penchant.
. My prayers are always there for you and your family. Here last
week it started snowing.....it is very good to see but pinch
cold. I used to write to Ann (she is in Philadelphia only)
often. She always good in judging a poem as she is a great poet.
Gives me tips and point out pitfalls also. I have gone through
the New Year copy. The Australian-Newzealand issue was great. My
congrats to all those who worked behind it to materialise.
Ultimately Madamji it is all your hardwork.
With prayers
Bobby
****
it is a beautiful issue and i am honored
to be a part of it. i often wonder about where truth lies....
does this mean that my poems are also in Hindi or are those
separate? some day i will read hindi and figure out for myself!
;)
take care,
Theodora
****
Dr Rati saxena
i found your magazine on the net, searching for poetry
competitions
so i thought i would sent a little bit about myself. which is
off the back
cover
of my first collection of poems. it is titled the heart of
poetry first
journey.
i have been practicing yoga for three years now, and it has
opened up a
channel
of direct perception. please find below a poem called Venus,
which i saw a
few hours ago.
love Robin
Robin was born in Lumsden, New Zealand in 1957.
His love of the outdoors and nature began in his early family
life and
continued with extensive tramping and climbing in the
Southern Alps.
Robin studied Veterinary medicine and after five years of rural
practise he
moved to the UK with his wife Donna. The outdoors continued to
feature
through his fell running, with regular training stints along
Offa’s Dyke around
Kington, Herefordshire.
Robin has suffered from Uveitis/iritis and it was due to this
that
he became interested in yoga as a way of improving his mobility
and health.
He soon realized that through the dedication of his yoga teacher
Raj, and his commitment to a consistent daily practise of yoga,
that it resulted in a marked improvement of his health and well
being; a
rejuvenating flexibility of body and mind. Through the sessions
with his yoga
teacher he also discovered something far
more profound: a spark; a light within; a new found intuition
which has
given him an ‘ever present inspiration’ to write poetry - from
the heart.
Robin writes as he perceives and his work is strongly influenced
by nature
and the beauty that surrounds. He incorporates this with aspects
of
philosophy for everyday life. His pieces are as timeless
as the thought itself and can be described as being beautifully
carved
flowing pieces with meaning; he inquires of the reader ‘to
perceive between the
lines’. His poetry is compelling and appeals to all ages.
Robin currently practices as a Veterinarian in rural Wales; his
love
of life in this part of the world is reflected in his poetry.
Venus 25/1/07
Venus
How beautiful you are to me,
in this evening pink that’s fading;
to a setting horizon, your light so clear
so bright, I sense no space between us:
A oneness; as if my own reflection,
exponentially transforming in this
moment of pure delight;
and as I extend my voice from soul,
I sing this song to my Venus
‘Venus Oh Venus I adore you,
Oh Venus I love you so,
I will always sing
to your gracious presence,
as for tomorrow,
I know I may never be able’.
©2007 RobinBaldwin
Robin R. Baldwin
***
Dear Rati,
Thanks & I will let you know first week March how to read the
newsletter.
I will also shortly send you the poem I mentioned.
My writings are mostly about people; their behaviour; desires &
dreams AND above all the
well being of children & women.
In South Africa we have a SERIOUS male problem with a very
warped idea of authority
coupled with an extreme lack of taking responsibility. My newest
book which is on this
topic is nearing completion & will be published shortly.I feel
it is one of those
publications that every woman should read.
I once again thank you for your support & trust you will have a
wonderful week.
Kind regards,
Stan Almendro
****
कृत्या का नया अंक देखा, आप लगातार बेहतर बना
रही हैं। विकल्प की प्रति मिल गई होगी, फरबरी का अंक भी पोस्ट किया
है।
प्रमोद रंजन
**
And a letter for
poetry
What is poetry? Some words woven in rhyme to convey a meaning?
How
would that be different from a nursery rhyme?? About earth,
beauty,
nature and love? But so much of prose is dedicated to the same.
For me poetry is feeling...feeling that is conveyed through
words...the
sensations touch, smell, sight, sound and taste...the feeling of
ecstasy
of being one with God....the feeling of helplessness that there
is
nothing in your control...it is the moment's story...no derived
conclusions, no dead analysis...the feeling is there.... alive
woven in
words standing for anybody to feel how its life is....you dress
it up
in the most beautiful words or the simplest...in rhyme or in a
flow...like waterfall...it strikes you...moves something
within...and
takes you with its flow...conclusions may be there or not...the
beginning of the story or end...it could be about body, soul or
spirit...it could reform, make you introspect, retrospect or
reposition. It could change your view or vision. But its there
to FEEL.
A good poetry could always be felt straight on the soul....and
could
carry you on its words to where it's going!!!
Walking down after a hard day of work something follows you. An
emotion?!! Could be. Sometimes it's a revelation. A thing so
perfectly beautiful that it's hard to interpret. Something so
tangible it touches your soul. Something so warm it melts your
soul.
So immensely painful that you are moved to tears. It's a sound
you
hear in silence. Some conversation you have which is not
registered
in notes and syllables. You could taste it in air, feel it in
your
hair….you could fly without any wings…...and be wherever you
want to
be just by carrying it in your soul. THAT IS POETRY.
Almost everything in this world could be divided into defined
and
undefined. We have reached the definitions through hard work of
intellectuals. People who think, reason, who are behind logic
for
everything. Most of the reasons, logics and the facts are
covered by
the prose. Still every now and then something utterly illogical
comes
around. It's....that undefined area that is poetry.
We know moon is a satellite. That it is not as perfect as it
looks.
That the changing size of moon is an illusion like so many
others.
Fat science books of facts and prose have led us to reexamine
our
beliefs. Still with the changing moon the changing moods of a
woman
is like poetry. The power of the lover to affect these moods is
poetry. The dissolution of all sorrow in tears and the rise of a
smile is poetry.
"Hey today is republic day!! Put your thoughts together and go
ahead
write something on the plight of today's India !!" "Give me a
day!!
let me choose the right words, the right message, put it in
style and
rhyme." "Here I have it, it covers everything and there is an
extra
message about population explosion."
Poetry that?!! I doubt. No words connected with the right
grammar and
punctuation could be poetry. POETRY IS ALIVE. It lives, feels,
touches and moves. Anything else could be its statue, a good
replica
without life but would not breathe any emotion. And that could
be
prose ……not poetry.
WHAT IS ART? It is the SCIENCE UNEXPLORED.
What is God?
What is that which tugs at heart when a tear comes?
What is it that makes the heart light when a laugh erupts?
What power does a note have to make you feel divine?
What happiness do you derive when the child moves in the womb?
What glory in feeding a child?
What divinity in the innocence of a child?
What makes you sad when nobody shares your joy?
What is the sorrow of a desire that's not granted?
How wonderful is each being!!
Yes!! The earth and the earthworms!!
What ecstasy in the perfection in each flower, insect, bird,
leaf,
tree!!
Hey!! there are so many shades of green!!!
Injustice is the darker side. What makes man fight it? What
makes one
do it?
What makes one bear it? What is it about?
Emotions, feelings……
I want to tell you something I saw…...you wouldn't see it with
your
eyes...
Something I touched that was so intangible!!
Something I heard when there was no sound....
Something I smelt that I never had before!!
A taste I felt not with my tongue!!
This is poetry.
If the flame was literature…...prose is the inner most blue and
the
yellow…...and poetry is there at the outermost……¦invisible,
undefined……
but the most intense.
Don't give me issues. Don't streamline my feelings. Don't
categorize
me.
IAM FREE. LET ME BE.
As I pass this universe life will give me experiences. Some
experience will take me to the undefined. The poetry will come.
While I am loving the beauty of a peacock I can't feel the
plight of
Iraq 's children.
While I am hungry because of my father's callousness I can't
emote
about AIDS.
Yes……if I am moved by a feeling I'll sing …...a happy song or a
melody……but then it will be because my soul is free……free to
feel.
There are a blessed few who feel the purity of the moment
without
adulteration and those who also have a command of the
language……they
give us the best poetry……....the purest feelings in the purest
words.
If anything it is this purity we should strive towards.
Dr Beji Jaison
http:bejijaison.blogspot.com
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