Just Because........

Concrete Jungle

   

       





























                            We have T.Vs, we watch for hours and hours
                            We turn blind to the beauties of flowers;
                            Crazy after vain expensive fashions
                            We ignore our throbbing inner passions;
                            We have cell phones; we talk and talk so long
                            We lost distinction betwixt right and wrong
                            We switch our gadgets on and let them run
                            Ignorant of fast power depletion;
                            We sit glued to our systems day and night
                            Losing our faculties-a miserable plight;
                            Browsing through maze of confused mass
                            Oh God! no more data, our wits at loss!
                            We burn our pockets by going to malls
                            On a buying spree losing ourselves like thralls;
                            We spend huge bundles with our credit card
                            While starving millions struggle hard;
                            Enslaved to plastics we create pollution
                            A self-made disaster without solution;
                            Drilling deeper into the inmost core
                            We turned our earth a desert with water no more;
                            Showing our status with multi-storeyed towers
                            We ruined ourselves wasting our powers;
                            Shut out from air and natural light
                            Self-imprisoned in flats we suffer our plight;
                            A thousand fold blast of aggravating sounds
                            A hellish pandemonium without any bounds;
                            In pursuit of pleasures, a wild goose chase
                            We miss true joy enmeshed in vicious maze;
                            No end to our desires at Nature's expense
                            We rob her precious bounties immense
                           Just because God gave us freedom divine
                            We do abuse distorting Nature's design;
                            Riches grow fast by unscrupulous means
                            While begging poverty everywhere seen ;
                            With inhuman intellect we dissect poor beasts
                            And torture them without compassion least
                            To feast ourselves and for cosmetic needs
                            Extinction of creatures we never heed;
                            Glutting on vain junk-food we pride ourselves
                            Living in artificial ways we kill ourselves;
                            Addicted to smoke, drinks and drugs
                            We do consume poison to the inmost dregs;
                            We poison plants with chemical manure;
                            And suffer from maladies beyond our cure;
                            We changed our holy rivers to dirty drains
                            We filled our earth with dust just for our gains;
                            We clone strange creatures defying laws
                            Like witches of yore with monstrous claws;
                            With radars, robots and nuclear wars
                            We perish at last like dinosaurs;
                            No sense of charity and service exists
                            Our wishes grow on, an unending list;
                            While maladies grow with astronomical speed
                            Our doctors prescribe drugs with reckless greed;



       












                                                                         

                                 Our devilish plans even polluted space
                                 To occupy planets, a Satanic race;
                                 By our insatiable greed and craze
                                 We doom ourselves by Nature's rage;
                                 Denying God we live like devils
                                 Gross corruption, the source of all ills;
                                 We lost our link with past and earnest faith
                                 Without a goal we suffer ourselves to death;
                                 Exceeding our limits in everything
                                 The knell of destruction we ourselves ring;
                                 Averse to natural ways we ourselves doom
                                 We degraded this world to a den of gloom;
                                 Oh, stop this self-destructive ways, oh God!
                                 Nature's gentle warnings let's not discard;
                                 A simple harmonious life in peaceful ways
                                 Makes this creation happy always.

                                          **************************

                   (Dedicated to those noble persons who dedicate their lives
                    to protection of  environmental purity)                                                                                                                                  



          29th June, 2014                                         Gutala Somaseshu
                         
                         
                         
                         

                           

ON YOUR FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY

         

     
   











                        On your Fiftieth Birthday


                   For all of us, a special golden moment today

                   A turning point to view the past with content

                   All you achieved and days so happily spent;

                   Yet future shows so many milestones on your way

                   Nothing prevented your creative display ;

                   Caring for friends and relatives you spent

                   Your time helping others with noble intent ;

                   No craze for worldly gains or name did sway.

                   A generous heart with cheer inspired your deeds

                   You proved your worth by friendly attitude;

                   A glorious dream unfolds before thy life indeed

                  You won all hearts—our hearty wishes to you;

                  May God shower His choicest blessings we pray

                  Our earnest greetings on your fiftieth birthday!



    Dear Sir,

      All of us wish you a very happy and prosperous future ahead on this happy          occasion of your fiftieth birthday. Your ever cheerful, caring and friendly nature
 won the hearts of all; We wish you and Krishna a glorious future ahead and pray
 to God to fulfill all your aspirations and give His support to all your future efforts.

   21stJune, 2014                                                                        Somaseshu Gutala





























         

                     Dear Sharma,

         All of us wish you a very happy and prosperous future ahead on this happy                            occasion of your fiftieth birthday. Your ever cheerful, caring and friendly                              nature won the hearts of all; We wish you and Krishna a glorious future                                ahead and pray to God to fulfill all your aspirations and give His support to                         all your future efforts.

Somaseshu Gutala                                                                                     

THE DARK DOORWAY

                                       


 

    
                                                 THE DARK DOORWAY
  
               1)        Standing in a line for our turn
                          We move through a dark cavern
                          The first may be the last, the last may be the first
                          We will have our chance at any cost;
                          No creature, however vile, is lost.
                          The imprint of so many feelings past
                          The dark doorway beckons us all at last
                          No special privilege to any race or caste
                          A threatening tunnel beyond, some say
                          A den of fire unseen of blazing day;
                          Loud shouts of pain or pleasure-- who knows?
                          Our journey unknown, our goal none shows.
                                              
               2)        A choking sensation stops our breath
                          As if some power wrenched and drove us to death
                          Beckoning us to go through the strain
                          The shades of our deeds-- pleasure or pain
                          Descending through circuitous den of gloom
                          We grope for light as new worlds bloom.
                          The grip of mental impressions cast
                          A darkening shadow upon our lot;
                          Our attitudes and feelings impact their spell
                          To mysterious shores none can tell
                          Like hounds of heaven or hell they fly
                          To shape our future ends after we die;
                                                                                                                   
                3)       The dark doorway opens and once we go
                          Like blades of grass on swift rivers that flow
                          We can't turn back and say of what we saw
                          None can transgress the natural law;
                          May be a saintly mother with her blessing hand
                          Ready to help us with affection bland
                          Comforting our scars with her divine touch
                          Making us happy very much.
                          No fear to tread like children in the dark
                          A rosy beam blossoms with Promethean spark.
                          At the end of the tunnel, a magnificent light
                          Curbing our lapses with spiritual sight.

                                            
               4)        May be we have to move through boiling woes
                          With mythical tortures of shuddering throes
                          Through molten liquid river of fire
                          Through foulest depths of dungeons dire
                          To sink under the weight of misdeeds past
                          Groaning in the worlds of gloom so vast                                             Purging us to unlearn the lapses in our life                                          Through scorching fire of inward strife.
                          The dark doorway beckons us at last
                          No use of cursing our mistakes past
                          Let us move on with a penitent heart
                          May be, we find a benevolent heart!
                             
                        ********************************
                
              References:

                             1) The Hound of Heaven : Refers to Francis Thompson's Poem "The Hound of Heaven" where God's Love is revealed as a divine hound chasing the sinner till he yields to God's universal love and finds consolation and mends his ways.

                             2) The Hound of Hell  : Refers to Cereberus, a three-headed ferocious hound that guards the gates of the underworld. It symbolises the  inner impressions of man's conscience which acts on his soul after his death and makes him suffer for his lapses. 

                       XX -----------------------------------------XX                     

    21st June,2014                                               Somaseshu Gutala                                             
                                            



                                             
                          

On the banks of Avon

      

Shakespeare's Statue

The Gower Memorial

Prince Hall

  

Statue of Hamlet

   
















  As we came near the heart of the newly developed town, we saw a huge square enclosure with the statue of Shakespeare sitting in a ruminating posture on a pedestal . On the four corners around, the bronze statues of Lady Macbeth, Hamlet, Falstaff and Prince Hall (later Henry IV) are seen. These four characters represent tragedy, philosophy, comedy and History-- the four varieties of characters through whom Shakespeare expressed his views on human nature coupled with his lofty flights of poetic imagination in dramatic verse. This memorial called Gower Memorial is located in Bancroft Gardens. This monument was sponsored by a Scottish aristocrat, Lord Ronald Sutherland Gower, who donated it to Stratford in 1888. This is located in the scenic setting of beautiful Bancroft gardens which was once actually used as a grazing land for cattle.


   

Lady Macbeth

John Falstaff

      

By the riverside

Bancroft Gardens

Later we went to an Indian restaurant just a few yards away from Henley Street. What a surprise! I found  South Indian dishes of various kinds in this Elizabethan town where none might have heard of these Indian refreshments. Just opposite our restaurant there was a pub where traditional English ale with meat and bread were served. Stratford has become a meeting point for denizens of various cultures and races. But the unifying element is Shakespeare's universal appeal and his everlasting poetic freshness and unforgettable characters.

As we came to the banks of Avon, a beautiful view of green pasture surrounded by elms and willows emerged with a row of colorful houseboats moored to the bank. Flocks of geese and swans floated freely on rippling waters of Avon. Some entertainment shows were going on near by while a vehicle stood with counters selling ice cream. We lay down on the soft grass watching the scenic beauty of Avon which had fired the imagination of Shakespeare to break into rapturous lyrics in midst of lengthy dramatic soliloquies and descriptive dialogues. Actually his picturesque descriptions compensated much the conditions of the Elizabethan stage which lacked sophisticated scenery and dramatic accessories. Some people stayed in the house boats as their temporary dwelling, perhaps out of desire and love to live amidst beautiful surroundings or just to spend some time where their beloved poet used to spend his leisure time along with his friends . Grandfathers and grandmothers were seen watching their children play in the cool evening breeze. Some were throwing crumbs of bread into the river and were watching with glee as the swans dived in to catch the crumbs with competitive speed and skill. Mothers with kids in prams were sitting as their older children were lapping up ice cream from cones. Young couples were loafing around making jovial remarks amidst peals of laughter. Some were just sitting on the soft grass with a lot of junk food and bottles of coke to satisfy their appetites. 



  

Cruising on Avon

House Boats on Avon

  

People relaxing in Bancroft gardens

Ice Cream Van

In one corner I noticed a young couple completely absorbed in their amorous dream world unmindful of others and surroundings. A young African (as strong as Othello yet good-looking) was relaxing on the lap of a white lady with lustrous golden hair and rosy cheeks (Desdemona-like), who with a sense of immense affection was wiping the remnants of the iced cake from the thick, sensual lips of her dark lover. I thought how Shakespeare would have portrayed this unusual union of lovers in his verse. Even in Elizabethan times some ladies married moors for some reason or other, which might have fired the imagination of the bard to come up with his famous play "Othello" where the poet showed the valiant and emotional nature of the moor, who easily yielded to jealous feelings duped by his subordinates. Of course his credulous nature had been exploited by a malicious person like Iago on flimsy grounds. Now by looking at this modern couple I felt and wished that nothing of that sort would happen.

      

Floating swans and geese

Row of house boats on Avon

In the fading light of the darkening evening we bid good bye to Avon crossing the Clopton Bridge and casting our parting glances with a sense of heaviness. We bid farewell to Shakespeare's hometown, but our minds were loaded with so many sights and scenes associated with his life and plays which we would never forget.

                                                 ***************************


      13th June, 2014                                                                    Somaseshu Gutala

On Old Taverns, Pubs and Theatres in Stratford-upon-Avon

Interior View

The White Swan Hotel

Interior view

The Emblem 

The Black Swan Hotel

                            




                             

 There are many old taverns and pubs which existed since Shakespeare's time. Some of    t             them have been remodelled with addition of modern comforts and amenities. "The White
Swan Hotel" in Rother Street dated back to 1450's. It was used as an inn since 1560. 
The owner, Robert Perrot's granddaughter, Susanne Woodward, was the wife of a young 
officer called Richard Taylor who was a close friend of Shakespeare. So it was possible
that Shakespeare used to frequent this place to have a drink and have a merry chat with
his friend. Even now the low wooden beams and antique furniture bear testimony to the
fact that it is at least five hundred years old. Another oldest pub is "The Black Swan
Pub",later nicknamed as "The Dirty Duck", located just a hundred yards away from the
"RoyalShakespeare Theatre'. It dates back to sixteenth century. It attracted many
 theatrical persons since it became famous when Robert Garrick, the eminent actor
of the eighteenth century, used to visit this place whenever he came to Stratford. When
some American girls were stationed here during the First World War, the name of the
hotel was changed to "The Dirty Duck", perhaps due to mistaken identity of the black
swan with the dirty duck. "The Old Thatch Tavern" is also one of the oldest taverns
dating to 1470's. It is the only thatched building in the whole town. Located in the Green
Hill Street, just three hundred yards away from the bard's birthplace, it offers hand-baked
bread and traditional ale in the typical Elizabethan ambiance.

The Old Thatch Tavern

Interior View

The Old Thatch Tavern

Interior View

           



               On the side of the river one can see three theatres managed by the Royal Shakespeare
Company established in 1961. The first real theatre in Stratford was built in a temporary
wooden building in 1769 by David Garrick to mark the Jubilee celebrations of the bard.
But it was washed away during floods. In 1879 due to Charles Flower's earnest efforts
the first Shakespeare's Memorial Theatre was completed. It was effectively managed
by the famous actor, Sir Frank Benson. The theatre was burnt down in 1926. The new
theatre "Royal Shakespeare Theatre" with a seating capacity of 1040 people, designed
by the famous architect, Elizabeth Scott, was opened by the Prince of Wales (later called
Edward VIII) in 1932. This theatre was built on the site adjacent to the remains of
the old theatre destroyed by fire. TheRoyal Shakespeare Company also ran two small
theatres . The first one was 'The Swan"(1986), modeled on the Elizabethan type of the
stage located just beside the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Four hundred and fifty people
can sit on three sides of the deep thrust stage. Both these theatres were developed as a 
part of the Transformation Project and opened in 2010 after a period of three years.
The second one was the "Other Place Theatre" which was first opened in a shed in 1974.
In 1989 it was closed and after two years of renovation, it was re-opened in 1991.
A temporary "Courtyard Theatre" was built on the adjacent car park to stage perfor-
mances when the"Other Place Theatre" was closed again for the sake of renovation
works. During Shakespeare's time there were no theatres in Stratford-upon-Avon. The
people had to see the the plays performed by the touring groups of actors whose
welfare was taken care of by town councils or by trade guilds.

Renovated R.S. Theatre

Royal Shakespeare Theatre

Swan Theatre

Inside the Swan Theatre

The Other Place Theatre

The Courtyard Theatre
      

The Dirty Duck

The world-wide fame of the immortal bard rejuvenated the spirit of drama  and inspired the people to set up theatres in his memory in the town where he was born. Really a glowing and fitting tribute to the great bard of all times!

                 ***************************************


 3rd June, 2014                                                                     Somaseshu Gutala