A Note on C. Rajagopalachari’s “Stories for the innocent” (Part—I I I)

 

Rajaji with Jawaharlal Nehru and sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

      

Rajaji’s books on “The Ramayana” and “The Mahabharata” are very famous works. He gave altered versions of some episodes in Ramayana in some of his stories. In “Uttara Kanda revised” the writer elevated the divine personality of Sita. The purpose of Rama’s personality ended after he killed Ravana. Rama remained only as the king of Ayodhya in human form. But Sita retained her divinity even after Rama asked her to prove her chastity to the people by entering fire. She wished to stay away from Rama in Valmiki’s Ashram till she would meet her divine lord in heaven. She advised Rama to get comfort and solace by keeping a golden image of hers with him.

As per Valmiki’s advice Sita treated Lav and Kush, two saintly boys from Ashram as her own sons. Valmiki taught them to sing the Ramayana epic composed by him. Sita felt satisfied to hear her story sung by her adopted sons and disappeared into the earth.  Rama was enthralled on hearing his story sung by Lav and Kush. This whole episode was narrated by Tara, Vali’s wife, to Ruma, Sugreeva’s wife. Ruma asked Tara whether Sita was right in leaving her husband. Tara replied that Sita acted justly because the divine avatar of Rama was over after Rama had killed Ravana. Rama ruled as the king of Ayodhya only as an ideal king. Tara concluded that she would go to meet Jambavan to know about the coming incarnation of Narayana as a cowherd boy who would do more wonderful leelas than Rama and would teach men how they should do their duty without attachment. 

In “The Killing of Vali” the writer shows the moral dilemma faced by Rama. The writer seems to suggest that Rama was forced to go out of Dharma to help Sugreeva and keep his promise to protect him from Vali. But as a Kshatriya he should not kill Vali hiding behind a tree. If he would not kill Vali, he would betray Sugreeva, and Vali would surely slay Sugreeva. 

At last Rama decided that he had to commit the sin of killing Vali to fulfill his promise given to Sugreeva. As both Sugreeva and Vali looked alike, Rama could not kill Vali at first. Sugreeva ran away from the battle to save his life. He called Rama and Lakshmana as cheats. Rama asked Lakshmana to put a green creeper with flowers around Sugreeva’s neck to identify him when he fought with Vali. When Sugreeva challenged Vali again for a fight, Vali’s wife, Tara, begged Vali not to go as she got news that Sugreeva got support of Rama and Lakshmana. But Vali thought that Rama would not seek support from a weak person like Sugreeva. Besides Rama would not act against Dharma.

When Rama shot an arrow to kill him, Vali was shocked. He questioned Rama why he shot an arrow like a coward hiding behind a tree. The writer showed Parvati and Parameswara witnessing this event. Parvati felt sad to look at the plight of Rama who lost both his wife and sense of dharma. Vali became calm and realized that he had behaved with his brother in an unworthy way. He requested Rama to look after Tara and his son, Angada. Tara, in a fit of anguish told Rama that though he would get Sita, his sinful act would prevent him from possessing her for a long time. Rama too felt sorry for his sinful act. Lakshmana consoled Rama saying, ’Who can ward off fate? … were it not due to fate, would my mother Janaki, have driven me from her presence?” Viewing Tara’s grief, Parameswara says to Parvati;” Uma, did you not see how the God of gods plays with the lives of people as with dolls in a pantomime?” He consoles Parvati saying that all this happened as a prelude to extinction of Ravana’s evil. He assured Parvati that by her grace, Tara would become wise and lead a peaceful and austere life. This story shows the dramatic skill of the writer who introduced Parvati and Parameswara to explain the purpose behind the killing of Vali and Rama’s moral dilemma. 

In this amusing story “The Gods arrive” Rajaji endorses Gandhi’s Swadeshi concept of wearing khaddar clothes. Sunder Chettiar was a cloth merchant and his wife, Minakshi, was a pious lady who followed traditional rules of life. She used to fast on every Ekadashi every fortnight. She used to feed sparrows and crows with rice before sitting down for her meal. One day an ascetic came and asked her for cooked food. She invited him and served food. The ascetic was very much impressed by her devotion and blessed her. He taught her a mantra by which she could see her ancestors, gods and sages.

The following day she bathed and repeated the mantra for 1008 times as the sage had instructed her. Suddenly she saw a big crowd in her place of worship. She saw heavenly beings, her ancestors and many other divinities. She saw Lord Krishna, Rama, Balarama, Sage Vasistha, Parasu Rama, Dharmaputra, Arjuna and Bhima. When Minakshi shouted “Narayana,” Sunder Chettiar came there to see what happened. Seeing the huge crowd, he thought that they were actors dressed in strange garb. Looking at their clothes, he took them for followers of Gandhi as all were clad in various types of khaddar. He asked them to go to some other’s house to show their acting skills.

 Meanwhile an old man stepped out and introduced himself as the father of his grandfather. Sunder Chettiar did not believe his words and asked them to vacate his house since police would arrest him if he was seen in the company of khaddar-clad people. Sunder’s great grandfather told him that all people in his time wore same type of cloth and in heaven also they were clad in khaddar only. He also added that he came in a hurry as Sunder’s wife had called him. Sunder Chettiar did not believe the old man’s words since he thought of them as Congress men. He looked at Dharmaputra and respectfully asked him to tell the truth. Dharmaputra replied that all people wore homespun cloth since ancient times which is now called khaddar as no other type of cloth came from outside India. He also advised Sunder Chettiar that people should prefer khaddar to help poor Indians earn their livelihood. Sunder examined the clothes worn by gods and sages and concluded that everyone was dressed in homespun cotton clothes.

 All of them blessed Sunder and his wife and disappeared. Sunder found out the truth that wearing khaddar had not started with Gandhi but from times of antiquity. His forefathers wore khaddar and died with those clothes on and still wear them even after they were in heaven. The writer concludes that we should also follow the age-old tradition of our ancestors since “there is reason to believe that we should get back our greatness by doing so.”

 

Let me conclude with a funny tale “Hats and sarees” in which the writer pokes fun at the Indian officers who imitate Europeans in dress, manners and language. For public they appear odd and ridiculous and become a laughingstock. Mr. Kaushika’s real name was Gopalakrishna Aiyar. When he went to Oxford, he thought that his name was too long and chose to call himself by his gotra as Mr. Kaushika. He discarded Hindu customs and addressed his wife as “darling’ and “dearie” in western fashion.

 He joined as Assistant Collector in charge of Parvatipur division. The Dist. Collector, Mr. Moberley invited Mr. Kaushika and his wife to an evening party. The same day he had to perform the annual shraddha of his father. Kaushika did not believe in Hindu superstitions and rituals. But to satisfy his mother he called the priests of Parvatipur to perform his father’s ceremony. He asked one of the Brahmins to perform the ceremony on his behalf. For this Mr. Kaushika had to pay a hefty amount. He also instructed them to finish the ceremony very quickly as he had an important meeting with the collector.

He called his wife to get ready for the party. She wore a fine red silk saree. He helped her to sit in the side car of his bike. He put on his hat and started the bike. The road was very bad with many ruts and potholes. People of the area gazed at the Asst. Collector and his wife “with gaping mouths laughing as if they saw some strange funny animals.’ 

When they reached the Collector’s house, everyone was asked to narrate a funny story. Mr. Saketaram, the Deputy Collector, said that he would narrate a funny incident that happened on that same day on the condition that they should not find fault with him afterwards. He said that it was about an incident that happened on that day itself. He said that while he was travelling in Jutka on the Parvatipuram road, he happened to see a group of ryots. As a Deputy Collector he enquired them whether they had enough rainfall. An old man replied,” Would the gods send rain, Sir, when even Brahmin women have become so bad and elope with westernized Indians (Eurasians)?”  He added that he saw with his own eyes a rascal white man wearing a hat riding on a bike with a good Brahmin lady in red silk saree and beautiful flowers seated in the side carriage of his bike. She was laughing as if she was most happy to be carried away by that wicked Eurasian. She did not feel ashamed even when people were watching her. He concluded,” it was so open and wicked. What have we come to, Sir? No wonder the gods hold the rains back.”

Mr. Kaushika blushed on hearing what people thought about him and his wife. Mrs. Kaushika felt embarrassed and overturned the milk jug while trying to hide her confusion. Mr. Mobley and all others laughed on hearing this funny episode. Mr. Mobeley asked Mr. Saketaram whether it really happened. Saketaram replied that it was not an invention and commented that none would imagine that wearing a hat would lead to such mistakes. Mr. Kaushika never again wore a hat when going out with his wife. From that day he behaved in a reserved way with Saketaram as he had exposed his hollow pretensions to look like a white officer.

 

The influence of Mahatma Gandhi is clearly seen when the writer described the superstitions about untouchability, caste distinctions and discrimination based on social status. The prevalent evil of drinking in poor classes and their frustration is very clearly brought out. The exploitation of poor women by domineering rich people shows the pitiable condition of ladies who are forced to yield or end their lives. The social stigmas among higher castes is also described in detail. The narrative and descriptive skills of the writer in these tales is superb. The writer gently criticized the superstitions and blind beliefs of the society. He used simple, clear and realistic style and everyone can understand the content without any difficulty. Of course, some themes are used repetitively in a few stories. This book shows the writer as a social critic from a new angle. In every story a message is found, and the content of the stories is very interesting and shows the social conditions prevalent in his time and which are still seen in some parts of our country.   

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      12th September, 2024                 Somaseshu Gutala

                                                                 

 

 

 

 

 

A Note on Sri Rajaji’s “Stories for the innocent” (Part--I I)

          

Rajaji with Mahatma Gandhi

In “Jasmine flowers” the writer shows in a philosophical way how one’s present actions have impact on our next birth. Mukundan was saved by pariah boys from the attacking monkeys when Mukundan tried to hold the baby monkey in his hands. Mukundan’s widowed mother became furious at Mari for entering the kitchen with wounded Mukundan. She threw a log of wood injuring Mari’s leg. Mari’s mother, Kuppayee, attributed all her troubles to her son’s sinful act of entering a Brahmin’s house. Mari’s father became addicted to drinking and used to beat Kuppayee. As there was a severe drought, Kuppayye along with her family went to Srilanka as laborers to work in a tea plantation. 

Meanwhile Mukundan and his mother caught cholera. His mother passed away. Mari with his mother and brother earned enough money and decided to return to their native village after an interval of fifteen years. Mari married a girl when he was in Ceylon. He wanted to work as a bullock cart driver. So, he spent all his savings to buy a bullock cart and a pair of bullocks. But unfortunately, one of his bullocks died. He pawned his cart and bought another bull. Due to an epidemic his new bull also died. His brother quarreled with him and went to Ceylon without informing him.

 Mari’s wife, Poovayee, a smart and diligent girl, used to go to jungle to collect wood and grass and sell them. As there was a severe drought most of the people deserted Velampatti. The people who were left out were permitted to take water from the flowing channel to fields by Kutti Koundan. Mari’s wife was caught one night while she was drawing water directly from Kutty Koundan’s well at night. She was kicked and severely beaten. She was taken to the Government hospital. Mukundan, Mari’s childhood friend, was working there as a doctor. Mari’s wife had to stay there for one month to recover. Mukundan used to feel the perfume of jasmine flowers whenever he came near Poovayee. This reminded of his mother who used to offer jasmine flowers to deities. ” I do not know why whenever I go near this woman I cannot help thinking of my mother.”

“He thought that his mother was reborn in that woman. He dreamt that his mother entered the pariah house and was severely beaten. He woke up and thought that that as his mother ill-treated Mari’s family, she had to take birth as Poovai to suffer for her sins. As a penance for his mother’s sinful act, Mukundan decided to take care of the poor family of Mari and ask them to stay with him. From that time Mukundan became a paraiah to the people of that place. But his mind found peace.

 

In “Jagadisa Sastri’s Dream” the writer gave a clear description of the miseries and hardships faced by pariahs (named as Chandalas) the marginalized and ill-treated people in caste-ridden Indian society during his time. Mahatma Gandhi fought against this curse of untouchability. Jagadisa Sastri went to Rangoon as a cook to work for a barrister called Subbayar. Soon he gave up cooking and conducted religious ceremonies. He also earned wealth by lending money. Sastri was an orthodox brahmin and believed that God created only four castes and pariahas a or chandalas born out of intercaste marriages and should be treated as untouchables.

 At the age of fifty-two he returned to his native place, Tiruvudaimarudur. He decided to buy some land, adopt a son and live in peace. When he went to Kumbakonam, he met Nageshwarayyar, a diamond merchant who came with his three daughters to attend the twelve-yearly bathing festival. Considering his wealth, Nageshwarayyar offered his third daughter in marriage to Jagadisa Sastri on the condition that Sastri should clear off his debts he had owed to the insurance company. After conducting the marriage of his daughter in Tirupati, Nageshwarayyar went to Calcutta on some urgent work and did not turn up. Sastri went to Rangoon with his young wife. Within two years he was blessed with a son. After a few years his wife ran away with jewelry and cash.

Sastri brought up his son and worked as a priest for a few select friends. His son, Ramachandran, got degree from university. Sastri and his son returned to Madras where his cousin, Sitaramayyar, was staying. Sastri was willing to marry his son with Sitaramayyar’s daughter on the condition that his cousin should bear the expenses for sending him to England to study I.C.S. As the girl was only thirteen years old, they made an agreement in writing. 

Sastri went back to Rangoon but could not stay alone. On doctor’s advice he decided to return to India. On his way back to India on steamer, he saw his wife. She asked him to meet her and gave him her address. When Sastri went there, she revealed that her father was neither a Brahmin nor a diamond merchant. Her father worked as a barber in a shaving salon and kept a poor widow as his mistress. Sastri’s wife was born to her. She further added that her father was involved in some criminal conspiracy and was imprisoned in Lahore jail for seven years. Sastri’s wife after running away from Rangoon Joined a film studio and earned a lot of money. She admitted that she had committed a great sin and advised Sastri to go to the Ganges and rid himself of the sin of marrying her.  

Sastri was shocked when he thought about his son’s status in the society. To escape from his sinful act, he set out for Banares. He was very much tired and fell into deep sleep. In his dream he saw his appeared like a paraiah boy. he along with his son was driven out by Sitaramaayyar and his wife. He was chased away in his own village. They were thrown out by the bus conductor when someone revealed their identity. In another dream he requested Sitarammayya to employ his son at least as a clerk. Sitaramayyar refused his son to take as a clerk on the ground that he would not allow an untouchable to work in his office. Sitarammayyar’s wife demanded Sastri to return the amount they had spent for his son’s studies. In another scene Sastri requested the head of a Mutt to convert his son into a brahmin.  But it was flatly rejected by the swami. When Sastri and his son entered a hotel, someone cried that the boy was a chandala. The server snatched the rice cakes and drove them away.

 Sastri dreamt that he had approached Rao Bahadur Narasimhachariar, member of Delhi Assembly, to take his son as his clerk. But he flatly refused his request. Then he asked him in vain whether he could convert him into a Sudra. Sastri in a desperate mood cried, “Will no one burn Shastras into ashes?” His son became a porter to earn some money at the railway station. Someone shouted that he was a pariah boy. Ramachandran was driven out from the station. Sastri and his son found no place for shelter. They could not find any place to eat food or drink water. When they tried to drink water unnoticed from the well, they were chased away by the local people. At last, they tried to take shelter in a temple The priest shouted,” A chandala has entered the house of God.” A huge crowd attacked them. 

Sastri woke from his fearful dream when the ticket collector came and patted him saying,” wake up, grandfather, what are you crying for? Ticket, please.” Sastri sat up shivering and thought as if the train was saying “pariah, pariah” as it ran. Meanwhile in the village people thought that Sastri had gone to Benares to become a sanyasi. Some thought that he had drowned himself in the Ganges.  Ramachandran returned from England and was appointed as assistant collector of Kurnool. Ramachandran and Sitaramayyar never knew about Ramachandran’s original caste. They waited for Sastri’s return for some time. Later the marriage between Ramachandran and Sitaramayyar’s daughter took place in Mylapore as per the agreement made by Sastri. Sastri never returned from Benares as he was afraid that his wife’s caste might become known, and he would have to face humiliation. Thus, this story shows Sastri’s obsession and his psychological fears about his caste and social prestige. The irony lies in the fact that Sastri who was proud of his caste married a woman of low birth without his knowledge and his own son was a pariah as per his understanding.

 

In “Sabesan’s Coffee” the writer shows how lack of trust, mutual understanding and professional jealousy leads to break up between the employer and the employee, and ultimately leads to enormous loss and collapse in their profession.  Sabesan started his coffee trade in Madras. Though Subbu Kutti was his clerk, Sabesan treated him as a partner. Subbu Kutti's mother told him a secret process of grinding which gave coffee a special flavor. He used to mix a substance secretly in coffee mixture to enrich its flavor and taste.  Subbu Kutti kept this as his trade secret.  His mother asked Subbu Kutti not to reveal this secret even to Sabesan. Sabesan’s coffee gained much popularity, and he was considered as one of the merchant princes and as a member of several merchants’ chambers.

People tried to cause a rift between Sabesan and Subbu. They spread rumors that Subbu was trying to start his own coffee business. Sabesan became suspicious and behaved with his clerk in a very rigid and jealous manner. Subbu Kutti was not granted leave even when he was sick. Subbu Kutti resigned his job. Viswanath, the banker, joined Subbu Kutti to start a new business with a new brand as “Natesan’s Coffee”. Sabesan’s business began to fail after six months. 

Sabesan filed a suit against Subbu complaining that Subbu copied the label, shape and name of his product and this affected his business. After one year, Sabesan won the case. He got orders for the attachment of and sale of Subbu’s firm. Suddenly Sabesan died of heart attack that same night. Subbu changed the figure of on the label of coffee packet from Nataraja to Krishna dancing on the Kalinga snake so that all the objections from the court would be removed. Somehow Subbu’s trade secret leaked out. It was only mixing of soap-nut powder in the coffee mixture. People got stomach complaints after drinking Sabesan’s and Natesan’s coffee. Thus, both brands ceased to please the public and lost their popularity. This story shows that lack of understanding and professional jealousy disrupts trade relations and human relations as well.

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     1st September, 2024                                  Somaseshu Gutala

 

 

A Note on Sri Rajaji’s “Stories for the innocent” (Part--I)

 

                                  

               

Sri. C. Rajagopalachari (1878-1972) called as Rajaji, is mostly well-known for his English books on “The Ramayana” and “The Mahabharata.” He worked in various important positions and showed his efficiency and mettle as the leader of Congress Party, as the first Indian Governor-General of free India, as the Governor of West Bengal and as Minister for Home affairs of the Indian Union and as the Chief Minister of Madras State. He founded the Swantantra party in 1959.He was also one of the founders of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. He wrote both in Tamil and English on various topics. In 1951 Rajai wrote an abridged version of the Mahabharata and translated Kambar’s Tamil Ramayana into English in 1961. He wrote more than thirty books in English. Some of the famous books are: The Bhagavadgita, Socrates, Marcus Aurelius, Ramakrishna Upanishad, Hinduism, Doctrine and Way of Life, Our Democracy and other essays, Our Culture, Stories for the innocent etc.,   Many of the books were published by Bharatiya Bhavan. He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award for his works in the Tamil languiage for his re-telling of the Ramayana in 1958.  He was the first recipient of Bharat Ratna in 1954. Rajagopalachari often regarded his literary works as the best service he rendered to the people.

In "Stories for the innocent” (1964) consisting of thirty-seven short stories, we can see his realistic portrayal of middle class and lower-class sections of society of Tamil Nadu during his time. 

In “Ardhanari”, a pariah boy from Kokkali in Salem District lied about his caste as a Saiva Mudaliar thinking that he might be ill-treated if he revealed about his caste. Govinda Rao, his senior, impressed by his disposition and manners, decided to marry his sister, Pankaja, with Ardhanari though he knew that he belonged to another caste. Ardhanari neglected his parents thinking that his would-be bride would reject him if he took her to his native village. He lied that there was a severe epidemic of cholera in his village. Unexpectedly Cholera broke out in his village, and he lost his mother and brother. Only his father, a drunkard, remained alive. He delayed deliberately his trip to his village. He refused to take his father with him. Later he felt guilty, and he went back to Salem. By that time his father committed suicide by drowning himself in a well. he did not go to see his father’s dead body. He went back to Bangalore and confessed to Pankajam about his real caste and told her that he was a liar and was a murderer and asked not to marry him. ‘You do not mind my caste, I know. But I am a murderer. I have killed my father and mother.” He resigned his job, became an ascetic (Samiar) and conducted a school in the Mariamman temple.

 In the story “The Fatal Cart” the writer portrays the evil effects of drinking and its impact on domestic and economic status. Karuppan, not satisfied with his humble cottage and field, planned to buy Veeran’s cart and earn more money though his wife, Parvati, was against his plan. He borrowed money and spent all his savings in buying the cart. Along with other drivers he also became addicted to drinking. As his bullocks became old, he sold them and bought a new pair of bullocks with the money saved by Parvati. The zamindar took away one of his bullocks as Karuppan did not pay back his loan. He was forced to take loan from Qadr Khan to pay the debt to Zamindar. He became addicted to drink again. Parvati’s only child died of fever suddenly.  She was forced to work as a laborer at the site where Qadr Khan was building a new house.  Qadr Khan’s son attracted by Parvati, tried to seduce her. He threatened her to pay back the loan. She yielded to him at last in a weak moment. Karuppan saw them both in his house. In a fit of rage, he wounded Qadr Khan with his sickle. Parvati and Karuppan were arrested by police. Karuppan’s father and brother sold away his cart to meet legal expenses. They also pawned Parvati’s buffalo. To go to sessions court, they sold his bullocks also. Parvati was looked down by all an unchaste woman who cheated her husband. Qadr Khan won the case, and Karuppan was imprisoned for six years. Parvati was released bur she had nowhere to go. Her sister-in-law drove her away when she sought shelter. To end her ignominy and her troubles she climbed the temple hill and jumped from there. “The soul of Parvati escaped from its cage of misery.”

 In the story “Guilt wiped off “the writer shows the character of Ramakrishnaaiyar, a high court official, who forgave a servant boy for stealing two silver tumblers and a cup. He did not even file a complaint to the police. When his wife asked the reason, he confessed that he had also committed theft when he was a poor boy staying in a rich man’s house to pursue his studies in Kumbakonam. He stole cash from the rich man’s coat to satisfy his hunger. The rich man suspected his servant boy and dismissed him from service after thrashing him severely. Ramakrishnaiyar felt ashamed of his theft and felt sorry for the poor servant boy who suffered for no fault of his own. He decided not to steal anything further. After so many years he found an opportunity to atone for his sin by forgiving the poor boy who might have committed theft to quench his hunger. He thought that Goddess had heard his prayer and wiped of his sins after thirty years.

 Same sense of guilt and repentance is seen in “Judge Jayaraman Ayiar’s penance”. The judge sentenced Veeran, a twenty-year old young man, to four years of rigorous imprisonment for commiting a small theft for the second time. The judge’s wife, Kanakambal, asked her husband why he gave such a severe punishment to such a young boy for a small crime. The judge defended his act saying that an old offender must be awarded a severe sentence. His wife reminded him that the judge had also stolen money when he was staying at the house of Miradar Ramaswami Aiyar, a rich friend of his father, in Mayavaram. As he was a poor boy, he had no money to buy anything to quench his hunger. He stole a ten-rupee note form the coat pocket of Raswami Aiyar’s son-in-law. Ramaswami suspected that his servant boy or the sweeper might have stolen the money. But Kanakambal thought both were innocent. She noticed a new penknife and a new pen in Jayaraman’s pocket and asked him from where he got money to buy those things. He gave an evasive reply. He wrote a letter to his father that he was not treated properly and was suspected when someone has stolen the money. His father shifted Jayaraman to a rented room. Jayaraman felt guilty on remembering his crime. He dreamt that he was charged with theft and was being taken to jail while his wife was weeping. He got up and thanked God that he was saved from punishment. He thought that he was not fit to act as judge. He sent in his resignation letter and decided to go to Rishikesh and stay there to atone for his sin. He went to Samiyar, his spiritual teacher, and told him about his theft and his decision to quit his job. Samiyar advised him to go back to duty and it was not right to grieve over a past crime. The Govt did not accept his resignation as he had a good reputation in service. Jayaraman frankly told the officer about his crime. The Govt transferred him from the magistrate to Civic Judiciary. Jayaraman used to send fifty rupees every month as a treat to the prisoners guilty of theft in the local jail as a penance for his past crime till his retirement. This story shows how no one is perfect in this world and criminals should be judged in a sympathetic manner.

In the story “Muttandi” the writer explored the loyal and selfless nature of a cook who worked in Kandasami Chettiar’s house for decades. As an unmarried person he lived a simple life and invested his savings in his village. After his master’s demise, his son Sankaran, a highly educated person employed him and increased his monthly salary. As a sub-collector Sankaran was transferred to Trichy where he fell in love with Radhamaniammal, a Naidu girl and married her. She did not like Sankaran treating Muttandi as a close family member. She used to find fault with Sankaran and treated him with contempt. Muttandi put up with her harsh treatment out of affection for Sankaran. She compelled Sankaran to dispense with Muttandi’s sevices on the pretext that he had become too old to work in their house. Sankaran gave Muttandi two hundred rupees and advised him to go to his village and settle down there. Radhamaniammal became furious when she came to know that Sankaran gave a large amount to Muttandi. Sankraan somehow pacified her. Meanwhile Sankaran’s wife became pregnant. After one year a son was born to them. One day Muttandi came suddenly to Sankaran’s house in Madurai. He was overjoyed to know about the birth of a son to his master. He took child in his lap and put two golden bangles on his wrists. Then he took leave of his master without eating anything. Radhamaniaamal realized Muttandi’s loyal and good nature and said, “The old man is a good fellow after all.” This story also shows that goodness is seen in all irrespective of their status and caste. One should not look down on others based on their low birth and poverty.

 

In "Swamiyar Nalli" the character of a selfless rickshaw-puller is described. Unlike his friends he did not drink or smoke. He was satisfied with what he earned. Every day before going for work, he used to pray before the portrait of Lord Hanuman on the neem tree. He used to take sick and pregnant people to hospital free of charge. His friends used to call him "Swamiyar Nalli". The news of his selfless service to sick people spread far and wide. Even Europeans used to come and see him. Nalli did not accept a single pie from them as a gift. Nalli's mother used to look with pity on him as he had to earn his living by pulling rickshaw like a bullock. Nalli believed that he was serving people who could not walk by taking them in his rickshaw. When hand-pulled rickshaws were banned by the Government, Nalli left the village. no one heard any news of him. Some said that he went to Polur to work in his uncle's farm. the story concludes with the message that goodness is seen even among the humblest people.

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  22nd August, 2024                                  Somaseshu Gutala

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

A Note on Carl Sandburg’s Poem “Chicago”

Chicago city

                                                                                                             

City of Steel industries

                                                                  

                                              

Carl Sandburg with his wife, Lilian Steichen

 This poem is an example of American modernist literature written in typical American style and was published along with other poems in the March 1914 edition of the magazine “Poetry”. In 1916 Sandburg republished it in his collection,” Chicago Poems”. Sandburg was influenced by the language of the Bible and the free verse of Walt Whitman. Sandburg adopted the cadence of everyday talk as a model for his poems. He favored free verse with loose rhythm as a good way to convey his thoughts and feelings. H.L. Mencken called Sandburg’s poems as “simple, eloquent and extraordinarily moving.” He used long and short lines and lists. The use of catalogue gives the poem a unique rhythm. Repetition of phrases like “laughing” at the beginning of a sentence is called anaphora.

The first stanza defines the poet’s impressions about Chicago where he worked as an editor for the “Chicago daily news.” It is the industrial and commercial hub of America’s midwestern region. It is the place where meat industry thrives, where various mechanical tools are manufactured and where wheat bags are stored and transported to east and western zones. The poet personifies Chicago as a rough, burly, energetic young man with broad shoulders. The poet aptly describes the city as a busy industrial city contributing much to the progress of the nation.

 In the next section the poet deals with the flaws and vices pointed out by others who found fault with Chicago having many vices like prostitution, sexual abuse, murderers who go unpunished, starving people and pangs of poverty. Though the poet acknowledges the flaws of the city, he defends the unique admirable qualities of his city. This shows his close intimacy and love he has for Chicago. In a lengthy verse paragraph, he portrays the vibrant image of a sturdy, industrious city ‘fierce as a dog with tongue lapping for action”, “cunning as a savage pitted against wilderness”. The city is like a strong fighter who has never lost a battle. The city is like a bareheaded worker” shoveling, wrecking, planning, building, breaking and rebuilding”. The poet gives a long catalogue of verbs to describe the dynamic nature of the citizens. The image of a young laborer laughing with white teeth ‘under the smoke, dust all over his mouth” shows the bold, defiant nature of the city which never concedes defeat and is ready to fight against all odds.

Chicago reflects the temperament and mood of her inhabitants who mostly belong to middle class and lower-class cadres working in factories and business firms. In the last section the poet repeats the vibrant energetic, bold image of Chicago as a “laughing, half-naked, sweating, brawling youth” who is proud of his unique identity as “a Hog Butcher, Tool Maker, Stacker of wheat and Player with railroad and Freight handler” working for the progress of the nation. The poem starts with capitals to emphasize the vital role of the city. This poem celebrates the vitality and strength of the city while acknowledging its flaws and challenges. He used vivid and unconventional imagery to portray the city and its people. He ultimately asserts that Chicago is a place of great importance and pride.

The poet used free verse but used many figurative devices like simile, metaphor and personification. The use of parallel structures, repetition of key phrases and words with American speech rhythm adds a sense of creative touch. The city is “fierce as a dog” and “cunning as a savage”. The poet calls the city “a young man” as it was founded only 1833 unlike other ancient cities. He uses personification characterizing the city as a living thing. The overall mood of the poem is one of praise and exuberance. Though it is brutal, cruel or wicked, the poet uses many phrases to show its important role in industry and trade as “the hog butcher of the world” and “stacker of wheat.” Though it is rough to look at, the poet describes the city as “the city of big shoulders”, “a place of strength, power, progress and potential.” Thus, this poem is a celebration of the poet's beloved city which represents boundless strength, dynamic energy, hard labor, zest and laughter.

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   13th August, 2024                       Somaseshu Gutala

                                

A Note on Carl Sandburg, The people’s poet

 

Carl August Sandburg (1878--1967)

                                                   

Sandburg's house, Flat Rock, North carolina

                                  

                   

Remembrance Rock, Galesburg

                      

Carl Sandburg is one of the most popular modern poets of America who won the Pulitzer Prize, two times for his poetry and once for his biography of Abraham Lincoln. As an American poet, biographer, social commentator, journalist and children’s story writer, he was regarded as a major figure in contemporary literature especially for his collected poems like “Chicago Poems”(1916), “Corn huskers” (1918), and “Smoke and Steel” (1920). He wrote four books for children: Rootbaga Stories” (1922), “Rootbaga Pigeons” (1923), “Rootbaga Country” (1929) and “Potato Face (1930) which are filled with fictional characters with a moral message. He modelled his fictional land based on the American Midwest.

 He was born on January 6, 1878, in Galesburg, Illinois. His parents August and Clara Johnson emigrated from the north of Sweden. His father worked as an assistant to a blacksmith in Chicago and Burlington. His early life exposed him to top struggles of life. He held various jobs including a farm laborer, brick layer, driver of a milk wagon, dishwasher and as a soldier. These experiences gave him an insight into the American life in various aspects. He developed ability to write verses that resonated with American speech. He covered a wide range of themes from the American landscape to struggles of working class.

 

 As his family was poor, Sandburg left the school at the age of thirteen and began driving a milk wagon. From the age of fourteen to eighteen, he worked as a porter at the Union Hotel barber shop in Galesburg.  Later he worked in milk industry for eighteen months.  Then he became a bricklayer and a farm laborer on the farms in Kansas. After a brief interval at Lombard college in Galesburg, he became a hotel servant in Denver and later a coal-heaver in Omaha. He started his career as a journalist for the Chicago Daily News. He spent most of his time in Illinois, Wisconsin before moving to North Carolina.

 

At the age of seventeen he served for eight months in Puerto Rico during the Spanish-American war.  Later he continued his studies in Lombard for four years but could not receive his degree. After college Sandburg worked as an advertising writer and a newspaper reporter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There he met Lillian Steichen (1833-1977), whom he called Paula and married her. As a socialist sympathizer Sandburg worked for the Socialist-Democrat party and later acted as secretary to the first mayor of Milwaukee from 1910 to 1912. The Sandburgs moved to Harbert, Michigan and then to suburban Chicago, Illinois in 1912 where he became the editorial writer for the “Chicago Daily News.” He wrote poetry, history, biography, children’s stories and film reviews.  He collected and edited books of ballads and folklore.  They lived in Evanston, Illinois, before settling at south York Street in Elmhurst, Illinois from 1919 to 1930. Harriet Monroe impressed by the homely speech style of Sandburg written in Whitman-like free verse, published his poems in her journal “Poetry", a magazine of verse.

 

During this time Sandburg wrote Chicago Poems (1916), Corn huskers (1918), Smoke and steel (1920). He became famous with his collection “Chicago Poems (1916). He was awarded Pulitzer Prize in 1919 for his poetry “Corn huskers.” In 1920 he published “Smoke and Steel” where he found beauty in modern industrialism. The folk songs he sang were published in two collections: “The American Songbag” (1927) and “New American Songbag” (1950) as books for children. The family moved to Michigan in 1930.

 

Carl Sandburg, just like Walt Whitman, was an ardent admirer of Abraham Lincoln right from his boyhood. He meticulously collected material from different sources and published Lincoln biography in six volumes. He published “Linclon: The Prairie years” in 1926. In 1929 he published another biography about the life of his brother-in-law, "Steichen, the photographer." In 1932 he published “Mary Lincoln, wife and Widow” which shows his keen interest in Lincoln’s life and career. He published “Lincoln: The war years” (four volumes) in in 1939. He was awarded Pulitzer Prize for his biography “Lincoln: The war years” in 1940.  In 1948 Sandburg published a long novel "Remembrance Rock" which describes the American experience from Plymouth Rock to World War II.

In 1945 he moved to Connemara, a 246-acre rural estate in Flat Rock, North Carolina. Here he lived with his wife, three daughters and two grandchildren. On commemoration of 150^th birth anniversary of Lincoln’s birth on Feb.12, 1959, Congress met in joint session. Sandburg was given a chance to address the audience on this occasion. He received his third Pulitzer Prize for his “Complete Poems” in 1950. He published his final volumes of verse “Harvest Poems” in 1960 and ‘Honey and salt” in 1963. Carl Sandburg passed away on 22^nd July 1967 at his home in Flat Rock, North Carolina. His body was cremated, and ashes were interred beneath a red granite boulder "Remembrance Rock" in the Carl Sandburg Park, Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois. 

 

Lyndon Johnson, President of America, paid tribute to him saying” Carl Sandburg was more than the voice of America, more than the poet of its strength and genius, he was America.” Sandburg was inducted to the American Poets’ corner at the cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York in 2028.

His poetry is filled with sayings, scraps of anecdotes, conversations, and descriptions of steel mills and farms. He portrayed the living conditions of laborers, workers and their problems. He wrote nearly 1600 poems in his lifetime. Amy Lowell called “Chicago Poems” as “one of the original books this age has produced.” The historian Charles A. Beard called “Abraham Lincoln: the prairie years” a noble monument of American literature.” “Abraham Lincoln; The war years” (first two volumes) was published in 1939. These volumes cover the period from Lincoln’s birth till his election as president of America. These volumes focus mainly on the American civil war period.  He was awarded Pulitzer Prize in 1940 for this biography. A one volume edition was published in 1954. Sandburg collected and classified material for his biography for thirty years and it took another fifteen years to type the material on his typewriter. Americans learned about Lincoln more from Sandburg than from any other American. Some critics commented that his biography was not a well-researched and well-documented. It is neither biography nor history but sentimental poetizing.  But many readers view it as an American epic rather than as a mere biography.

 

He became famous as the singing bard of America with human-driven approach. He uses simple and straightforward language. His poetry bustles with the energy of skyscrapers, chorus girls, and corrupt mayors. His verse moves with the rhythmic pace of Jazz through urban streets of the big city. During Sandburg’s lifetime the mid-western region went through transformation from an agricultural-based economy to industrialized centerpiece of the country.  Like Walt Whitman he welcomed the industrialized city culture despite its few drawbacks. Like other modern poets he forged his unique American style without imitating conventional European style and verse. Along with modern writers like Theodore Dreiser, Sherwood Anderson, Edgar Lee Masters and Ben Hecht, Sandburg is regarded as a member of the Chicago Literary Renaissance. Sanburg supported Civil rights movement and was honored by NAACP with the silver plaque award as the major prophet of civil rights.

    "Money buys everything except love, personality, freedom, immortality, silence and peace." -- Sandburg.

   "The secret of happiness is to admire without desiring."

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  4th August, 2024                         Somaseshu Gutala

 

 

Who is she?

 

           

                                         

                        

 

1.    She washed my body with no ruffled feelings felt

Like a babe with bare limbs, I rested on bed

I slept yielding to her tender touch; she fed

Me like a bird to her fledglings in nest;

Her soothing presence pacified my pain.

 

2.    Her sunny vibrant smile in morning hours

Brought relief from my present state;

From gloomy thoughts and impending fate;

I gazed with new vision at every flower

I cherished each morsel from delicious plate

Time seemed so swift, I forgot about hours and dates.

 

3.    In evening hours, the wards are brightly lit

The white-coated doctors moved swiftly around

Testing and instructing staff as silence surrounds;

She came again with her usual smile with testing kit

Her hopeful smile more soporific than pills

My eyes closed as sleepy silence fills.

‘

4.    You may explain hers as duty to earn her bread

It may seem routine to your critical mind;

Yet true service shines in being sincere and kind;

Service, something beyond what you have said;

A nobler sentiment dwells beyond living needs

A desire to nurse patients with care indeed.

 

5.    Who is she that serves, you may like to know

Anyone who feels your sufferings and strain;

And uses her skills to keep you free from pain

A humane touch, a gentle smile through her glows

To make patients happy both day and night.

True symbol of mercy who heals our suffering plight. 

 

6.    No personal links she fosters with all

Whoever suffers, quick help she extends

Shows true concern closely like a friend;

Ever ready to attend to your call;

A saint-like attitude in their touch we feel

Whomever they see suffer, they try to heal.

 

7.    She welcomes patients with a smile and assures

 With nourishing words, brings speedy relief

She enlightens our minds with precautions in brief

A sense of dedication in her we find so pure

In spite of filth, and blood she shows no disgust

She keeps our surroundings clean and free from dust.

 

8.    While leaving she smiles a touching farewell

Words not enough to say true gratitude;

She does her duty and not deem herself as great

Her services indeed seem a magic spell

Freed from our sufferings we feel so glad

She seems a merciful messenger sent by God.

      +++++++++++++++++++++++++++

  30th July, 2024                           Somaseshu Gutala

 

 

This Night, a Bundle of Dreams

            

                                

           

1.     Life seems a bundle of assorted dreams

 Though bitter and sweet, we can’t but taste;

  Our dreary routine may appear a purposeless waste

  A hidden meaning lies beyond what it seems;

  Every moment we spend awake or asleep

  Shapes our life, an abysmal plunge or a Titanic leap.

 

2.      Boys playing on the shell-scattered shore

  Building castles of sand with playful delight

  Building, unbuilding with joy-a mirthful sight;

  Little gods untouched by rocking roar

  Of ocean brought to my dreaming eyes

  My childhood days of innocence in tearful guise.

 

3.      They played with swelling waves and shells

  Sculpted in curves and painted designs

  Everything they watched as if to study Nature’s sign;

  The fairy tales and fables on them cast a magic spell

   With spontaneous laughter and vibrant zeal;

   Can our prejudiced bosoms oppressed likewise feel?

 

4.      Youth with wayward searching minds wanders free

  Gathering knowledge like a flying bee;

  He feels proud of his strength, laughing with glee;

  Outer charms catch his eyes, but too reckless to see

  Deep into true values, and takes to easy ways;

  Dreaming with high hopes fires his fancy always. 

 

5.     A possessive rebellious nature in youthful teens

Viewing others as passive and out of date;

He likes to pursue his goal and carve his fate

Some rise like stars with hard work and interest keen;

Some spoil their prospects by temptations vain;

Wasting time and causing parents stress and strain.

 

6.    At last compelled to work to earn his bread

Based on his efforts he has to play his part;

Differing so widely from what he dreamt and thought;

As age goes through ups and downs, he has to tread;

Some lucky ones learn lessons of life with ease

Others have to struggle till their temptations cease.

 

7.    They hanker after wealth, power and lust

 Even crossing moral bounds to satisfy their craze

 Competing with others in mad race with rage

 Even risking their health and letting their talents to rust

 Defending their stance, they maintain their distance

 From elders, with no change or repentance.

 

8.    Working in dreary routine many spend their years

Unconcerned about their inmost conscience’ advice

They struggle hard for gains, bound to worldly ties;

For them future is filled with uncertain fears;

They blatantly ignore their health in idle pleasures

To sit calm and contemplate they find no leisure. 

 

9.    Old people with trembling hands and unsteady gait

Sat in wistful mood confined to their cells.

Their eyes dimmed with memories tell

Their hasty mistakes and realization late

Weakened by age and bereft of bosom friends past

They seemed like old dwellings absorbed in glories lost.

 

 10     Incurable complaints pester them, no more strong; 

          Mounting medical bills made them feel insecure

          No more can they travel with confidence sure;

          They call back to their minds their lapses and wrongs;

           I felt disturbed to see their piteous plight;

 Shuddered, as if in a dreadful dream at night.

            *************************

Titanic leap -- strong and powerful leap. According to Greek mythology, the Titans were a race of powerful deities.

 

 1st July 2024                  Somaseshu Gutala