BEGE-143
Understanding Poetry
BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment 2023
BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment January 2023
Section A
Write short notes on each:
(i) Symbol of Chinar in Daruwalla’s poem
Ans. The symbol of the Chinar tree is an important aspect of Keki N. Daruwalla’s poem “Chinar II”. The Chinar tree is a majestic tree that is native to the Kashmir valley, where the poem is set.
In the poem, the Chinar tree serves as a powerful symbol of both the beauty and fragility of Kashmiri culture, as well as the violence and destruction that has plagued the region for decades.
At the beginning of the poem, the Chinar tree is described as “tall, straight, symmetrical,” with its branches “spreading like a dancer’s arms.”
This description of the Chinar tree serves to emphasize its beauty and grace, as well as its status as a cultural icon of Kashmir.
The Chinar tree is deeply ingrained in the cultural identity of the region, and is often depicted in art, literature, and poetry.
However, as the poem progresses, the symbol of the Chinar tree becomes more complex and nuanced.
The speaker notes that the Chinar tree is also “caked with dust and mud,” and that its branches are “shorn and scarred.”
These descriptions serve to highlight the violence and destruction that has taken place in Kashmir over the years, as the region has been torn apart by conflict and political turmoil.
The Chinar tree, once a symbol of beauty and cultural identity, has become a victim of this violence, its branches and leaves destroyed by the forces of war.
Despite the destruction wrought upon it, however, the Chinar tree remains a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
The speaker notes that the Chinar tree is “green again,” and that its “new leaves are flapping like a pair of hands.” BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment 2023
This description serves to emphasize the Chinar tree’s ability to regenerate and recover, even in the face of great trauma and destruction.
Overall, the Chinar tree in Daruwalla’s poem “Chinar II” serves as a powerful symbol of the beauty, fragility, and resilience of Kashmiri culture, as well as the violence and destruction that has plagued the region for decades.
By emphasizing both the cultural importance of the Chinar tree and its status as a victim of war and conflict, Daruwalla is able to paint a complex and nuanced portrait of a region that is all too often defined by its struggles and hardships.
ii) Metaphor of death in ‘Ode to Bombay’
Ans. In “Ode to Bombay”, Nissim Ezekiel uses the metaphor of death to explore the changing landscape of the city and the loss of its cultural heritage.
Throughout the poem, Ezekiel describes Bombay as a city that is dying, its streets and buildings slowly decaying and fading away.
The metaphor of death is first introduced in the second stanza of the poem, where Ezekiel writes that “Death comes early to Bombay.”
This line suggests that the city is already in a state of decline, with its people and culture slowly fading away. BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The image of death is further reinforced in the third stanza, where Ezekiel writes that “The city is a corpse on the shore / Of the ocean, constantly washed / By the tide of time.”
Here, the city is compared to a corpse, emphasizing its lifelessness and decay. The image of the ocean washing over the city reinforces this sense of inevitability, suggesting that the city is powerless to resist the forces of time and change.
The metaphor of death is also used to explore the loss of cultural heritage in Bombay.
In the fourth stanza, Ezekiel writes that “The old buildings are dying / And their ghosts wander in the sun / Speaking a language none understand.”
Here, the old buildings of Bombay are personified as dying, their ghosts lingering on even as their physical structures crumble away.
The image of the ghosts speaking a language none understand emphasizes the loss of cultural heritage, suggesting that the city’s rich history and traditions are being lost and forgotten.BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Overall, the metaphor of death in “Ode to Bombay” serves to emphasize the changing landscape of the city and the loss of its cultural heritage.
By comparing the city to a dying corpse, Ezekiel highlights the sense of decay and decline that has come to define Bombay.
At the same time, the image of the ghosts of old buildings speaking a language none understand serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving cultural heritage, even in the face of the forces of time and change.
Section B
Explain with reference to the context
(i) We can die by it, if not live by love,
And if unfit for tombs and hearse
Our legend be, it will be fit for verse;
Ans. The lines “We can die by it, if not live by love, And if unfit for tombs and hearse / Our legend be, it will be fit for verse” are taken from John Keats’ poem “Ode to a Grecian Urn.”
This particular stanza of the poem reflects Keats’ contemplation on the nature of art and its enduring qualities.
In this stanza, Keats is suggesting that love and art are two things that can give life meaning and purpose. BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment 2023
He is saying that love is a powerful force that can give us reason to live, and that art can give us a kind of immortality, even after we have died. If we are not able to find meaning and purpose in love, then the only other option is to find it in art.
Keats goes on to suggest that even if we are not remembered in traditional ways, such as being buried in a tomb or carried in a hearse, our legacy can still live on through art.
In fact, he suggests that art may be a more fitting way to be remembered, because it has the power to inspire and move people long after we are gone.
The context of these lines is important to understanding their meaning. Keats wrote “Ode to a Grecian Urn” in 1819, during a period of intense personal turmoil.
He was suffering from poor health, financial difficulties, and the loss of his brother to tuberculosis.
In many ways, this poem can be seen as an attempt by Keats to find some sense of meaning and purpose in the face of all this hardship.
Throughout the poem, Keats is exploring the idea that art has the power to transcend the limitations of the physical world.
He is suggesting that, through art, we can experience a kind of immortality that is not possible through our mortal bodies.
This idea is particularly relevant to Keats’ own life, as he was struggling with the knowledge that his own life would likely be cut short by illness.
Overall, these lines from “Ode to a Grecian Urn” reflect Keats’ belief in the power of art to give life meaning and purpose, even in the face of death and hardship.
They suggest that love and art are two of the most powerful forces in the world, and that through them we can find a kind of immortality that transcends our physical limitations.BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment 2023
(ii) A damsel with a dulcimer
In a vision once I saw:
It was an Abyssinian maid
And on her dulcimer she played,
Ans. The lines “A damsel with a dulcimer / In a vision once I saw: / It was an Abyssinian maid / And on her dulcimer she played” are taken from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem “Kubla Khan.”
The poem is a dreamlike, mystical vision that Coleridge claimed came to him in a drug-induced state.
In this particular stanza, Coleridge is describing a beautiful woman playing a musical instrument.
The context of these lines is important to understanding their meaning. Coleridge wrote “Kubla Khan” in 1797, after he had taken opium for pain relief.
He fell asleep and had a dream that he later described as a “psychological experiment.”BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The poem reflects the vivid, surreal quality of this dream, with images and ideas that seem to emerge from the subconscious mind.
The woman playing the dulcimer is described as an “Abyssinian maid,” which suggests that she is from Ethiopia.
This adds to the exotic, otherworldly quality of the vision. The dulcimer itself is a stringed instrument that is played by striking the strings with hammers, and it has a gentle, tinkling sound.
The music of the dulcimer adds to the dreamlike, ethereal quality of the vision.
Overall, these lines from “Kubla Khan” reflect Coleridge’s fascination with the power of the imagination to create new worlds and experiences.
The image of the damsel with the dulcimer is a symbol of the creative impulse that drives artists to create works of art that transport the viewer or reader to new worlds.
In the context of the poem, the vision of the Abyssinian maid playing the dulcimer is part of a larger, more complex tapestry of images and ideas that reflect Coleridge’s own creative process and the power of the imagination to create new worlds and experiences.
In conclusion, the lines “A damsel with a dulcimer / In a vision once I saw: / It was an Abyssinian maid / And on her dulcimer she played” from “Kubla Khan” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge are a vivid and evocative image that captures the power of the imagination to create new worlds and experiences.
The context of the poem, which was written in a drug-induced dreamlike state, adds to the surreal, otherworldly quality of the vision.
The damsel with the dulcimer is a symbol of the creative impulse that drives artists to create works of art that transport the viewer or reader to new worlds.
(iii) Today my son told me
That in the meadows,
At the edge of the heavy woods
In the distance, he saw
trees of white flowers.
Ans. The lines “Today my son told me / That in the meadows, / At the edge of the heavy woods / In the distance, he saw / trees of white flowers” are taken from the poem “The Trees” by Philip Larkin. BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The poem is about the cycle of life and death, and the way in which nature seems to renew itself even as human beings are aging and dying.
The context of these lines is important to understanding their meaning. The speaker of the poem is an older person who is reflecting on the passage of time and the inevitability of death.
The speaker’s son tells him about the trees of white flowers, which represent new growth and the renewal of life.
The contrast between the speaker’s own aging body and the young, vibrant trees is striking, and it highlights the way in which nature seems to continue on even as individual lives come to an end.
The image of the trees of white flowers is significant because it represents the beauty and vitality of nature.
The flowers are a symbol of new growth and the cycle of life, which is constantly renewing itself.
The fact that the trees are in the distance, at the edge of the heavy woods, also adds to their symbolic significance. BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The speaker’s son has seen them from afar, and they represent a distant, yet reassuring, vision of renewal and growth.
Overall, these lines from “The Trees” reflect Larkin’s preoccupation with the passage of time and the inevitability of death.
The image of the trees of white flowers represents the beauty and vitality of nature, and it stands in stark contrast to the aging body of the speaker.
The poem as a whole is a meditation on the way in which life continues to renew itself, even as individual lives come to an end.
In conclusion, the lines “Today my son told me / That in the meadows, / At the edge of the heavy woods / In the distance, he saw / trees of white flowers” from “The Trees” by Philip Larkin are a poignant reminder of the cycle of life and death, and the way in which nature seems to continue on even as individual lives come to an end.
The image of the trees of white flowers represents the beauty and vitality of nature, and it serves as a distant, yet reassuring, vision of renewal and growth.
Section C
Q 1. Discuss the structural elements in the poems ‘A Dead Baby’ and ‘A Widow’s Lament in Springtime.’
Ans. The poems ‘A Dead Baby’ by Anonymous and ‘A Widow’s Lament in Springtime’ by William Carlos Williams are both poems that deal with the theme of loss and grief.
These poems are structured in different ways, but both make use of specific structural elements to effectively convey their respective messages.
In ‘A Dead Baby,’ the poem is structured as a series of questions, each followed by a single-line response. BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment 2023
This structure is effective in conveying the speaker’s sense of confusion and helplessness in the face of their loss.
The questions themselves are quite simple, but they are asked in a way that conveys a sense of overwhelming emotion.
For example, the first question, “Why did you die, sweet baby?” is a simple question that anyone might ask after losing a child.
However, the way in which it is phrased, with the use of the word “sweet,” conveys the speaker’s deep sense of love for the child, and the fact that they cannot understand why such a precious life has been taken away.
The single-line responses to each question are also effective in conveying the speaker’s sense of loss.
These responses are short and simple, but they are filled with emotion. For example, the response to the first question is simply, “Because it was my fate.” This response conveys a sense of acceptance, but also of resignation.
The use of the word “fate” suggests that the loss was inevitable and beyond the control of the speaker.
However, the fact that the response is so brief and matter-of-fact suggests that the speaker is still struggling to come to terms with what has happened.
The poem ‘A Widow’s Lament in Springtime’ by William Carlos Williams is structured quite differently. BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. However, the poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which focuses on a different aspect of the speaker’s experience of grief.
The first stanza of the poem focuses on the beauty of the natural world, and the contrast between this beauty and the speaker’s own sense of loss.
The stanza begins with the line, “Sorrow is my own yard where the new grass flames as it has flamed often before but not with the cold fire that closes round me this year.”
This line sets the tone for the rest of the stanza, which goes on to describe the beauty of the natural world in detail, but also emphasizes the speaker’s sense of isolation and grief.
The second stanza of the poem shifts focus, and instead of describing the natural world, it describes the speaker’s memories of their loved one.
This stanza begins with the line, “What did I know, what did I know of love’s austere and lonely offices?” This line conveys a sense of regret and nostalgia, as the speaker reflects on what they might have done differently if they had known their loved one would be taken from them. BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The rest of the stanza goes on to describe the small details of the loved one’s life that the speaker remembers, such as the sound of their breathing and the way they moved.
The final stanza of the poem returns to the natural world, but this time the focus is on the cyclical nature of life and death.
The stanza begins with the line, “And now in the rising of the year’s new cycle, each thing as it awakens to growth is touched by the solemnity of my sorrow.”
This line suggests that the speaker is still mourning, but that they are also aware of the inevitability of death and the cycle of life.
The rest of the stanza goes on to describe the natural world in detail, emphasizing the idea that life goes on even after death.
In ‘A Widow’s Lament in Springtime,’ imagery is a notable literary device. The speaker’s descriptions of the natural world throughout the poem create vivid images in the reader’s mind, which serve to emphasize the contrast between the beauty of the natural world and the speaker’s own sense of loss.
For example, the line “the new grass flames” creates a vivid image of the bright green grass, while the phrase “cold fire” creates a striking contrast between the warmth and life of the natural world and the speaker’s own sense of isolation and grief.
Symbolism is another literary device that is used in ‘A Widow’s Lament in Springtime.’ The natural world is used symbolically throughout the poem to represent the cycle of life and death. BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment 2023
For example, the line “each thing as it awakens to growth is touched by the solemnity of my sorrow” suggests that the speaker’s sense of loss is not just personal, but universal.
The natural world is affected by the speaker’s grief, just as the speaker is affected by the cycle of life and death.
In ‘A Dead Baby,’ the structure of the poem itself serves as a metaphor for the speaker’s sense of confusion and helplessness in the face of their loss.
The series of questions followed by short, matter-of-fact responses creates a sense of disjointedness and incompleteness, mirroring the speaker’s own sense of confusion and inability to understand what has happened.
In conclusion, both ‘A Dead Baby’ and ‘A Widow’s Lament in Springtime’ use specific structural elements and literary devices to effectively convey their respective messages about loss and grief.
‘A Dead Baby’ uses repetition and a disjointed structure to emphasize the speaker’s confusion and helplessness, while ‘A Widow’s Lament in Springtime’ uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey the speaker’s sense of loss and the cyclical nature of life and death.
Both poems are powerful examples of how form and content can work together to create a deeply moving emotional impact.
Q 2. Kolatkar had deployed the form of the fable to comment on the political reality of India at the time. Discuss.
Ans. Arun Kolatkar’s collection of poems, ‘The Bus Driver Who Wanted To Be God and Other Stories,’ is a powerful critique of Indian society and politics in the 20th century.
In this collection, Kolatkar deploys the form of the fable to comment on the political reality of India at the time. BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Kolatkar’s use of the form of the fable is particularly effective in commenting on the political reality of India.
The fable is a form that has a long history in Indian literature and is often used to convey moral and political messages.
Kolatkar takes this traditional form and subverts it to create a new kind of fable that is uniquely suited to the political context of India in the 20th century.
One of the ways in which Kolatkar uses the form of the fable to comment on Indian politics is by creating characters that are representative of different segments of Indian society.
In ‘The Crow and the Owl,’ for example, the owl represents the corrupt bureaucracy and the crow represents the marginalized poor.
The story is a commentary on the corruption that was rampant in Indian bureaucracy at the time and the ways in which this corruption contributed to the marginalization of the poor. BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment 2023
By creating characters that are representative of different segments of Indian society, Kolatkar is able to comment on the complex social and political dynamics that were at play in India at the time.
Another way in which Kolatkar uses the form of the fable to comment on Indian politics is by creating stories that are allegorical in nature.
In ‘The Frog and the Nightingale,’ for example, the story is an allegory for the exploitation of artists and intellectuals by those in power.
The frog, who represents those in power, manipulates and exploits the nightingale, who represents the artists and intellectuals.
This story speaks to the larger issues of censorship and oppression that were prevalent in Indian society at the time and highlights the ways in which artists and intellectuals were silenced and oppressed by those in power.
Furthermore, Kolatkar’s use of the fable form also highlights the power of language in shaping political reality.
In ‘The Dog That Ate Everything,’ for example, the story is a commentary on the power of propaganda and the ways in which language can be used to manipulate people. BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The dog, who represents the government, uses language to control and manipulate the people, and the story speaks to the larger issues of censorship and propaganda that were prevalent in Indian society at the time.
Through his use of the fable form, Kolatkar is able to highlight the ways in which language can be used to shape political reality and the importance of being aware of this power.
‘The Bus Driver Who Wanted To Be God and Other Stories’ is a powerful commentary on the political reality of India in the 20th century.
Through his use of the fable form, Kolatkar is able to comment on the complex social and political dynamics that were at play in India at the time and to highlight the ways in which language and propaganda were being used to shape political reality.
This collection of poems speaks to the larger issues facing Indian society, such as corruption, censorship, and oppression, and offers a critique of the political and social structures that were contributing to these issues.
Kolatkar’s work is particularly relevant in the current political climate in India, where issues of censorship, propaganda, and oppression are still prevalent.
The use of social media and other forms of technology has made it even easier for those in power to control and manipulate the public through language and propaganda.
Kolatkar’s work serves as a reminder of the importance of being vigilant in the face of these issues and of the power of art and literature to offer a critique of the structures and systems that contribute to them.
Moreover, Kolatkar’s use of the fable form also speaks to the larger tradition of using literature and storytelling as a means of critiquing society and politics in India.
The use of the fable has a long history in Indian literature, and Kolatkar’s work is part of a larger tradition of using this form to convey political messages.
Kolatkar’s work is unique in the way that it subverts the traditional fable form to create something new and relevant to the political context of India in the 20th century.BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment 2023
In conclusion, Arun Kolatkar’s ‘The Bus Driver Who Wanted To Be God and Other Stories’ is a powerful commentary on the political reality of India in the 20th century.
The use of the fable form allows Kolatkar to comment on the complex social and political dynamics that were at play in India at the time and to highlight the ways in which language and propaganda were being used to shape political reality.
Kolatkar’s work speaks to the larger issues facing Indian society and offers a critique of the political and social structures that contribute to these issues.
Kolatkar’s work is a reminder of the importance of being vigilant in the face of these issues and of the power of art and literature to offer a critique of the structures and systems that contribute to them.
Q 3. Analyse Jyoti Lanjewar’s poetry as the voice of protest.
Ans. Jyoti Lanjewar is a contemporary Indian poet whose work speaks to issues of social justice, gender equality, and human rights.
Her poetry is often described as the voice of protest, as it uses powerful imagery and language to confront the injustices and inequalities that exist in Indian society today.
One of the most striking aspects of Lanjewar’s poetry is her use of vivid, evocative imagery to convey her message. BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment 2023
She often uses powerful metaphors and symbols to describe the experiences of those who are marginalized and oppressed in Indian society.
For example, in her poem “The Village of Widows,” she describes the plight of widows who are forced to live in isolation and poverty:
In the village of widows
The women wear white
Like the snow on the mountains
That hides the land
And makes it barren.
Here, Lanjewar uses the image of snow on the mountains to convey the isolation and emptiness that these widows experience. The whiteness of their clothing is also symbolic of their status as outcasts in society.
Lanjewar’s use of such vivid imagery serves to create a powerful emotional response in the reader, helping them to empathize with the experiences of those who are marginalized and oppressed.
Another key element of Lanjewar’s poetry is her use of language to convey her message.
She often employs a direct, confrontational style, using simple, declarative sentences to convey her message. For example, in her poem “The Rape,” she describes the brutal reality of sexual violence in India:
The rape
Is not just
A crime
It is a social disease
A cancerous growth
On the body of society.
Here, Lanjewar’s use of stark, straightforward language serves to underscore the seriousness and urgency of the issue.
She refuses to sugarcoat or euphemize the reality of sexual violence, instead calling it out as a cancerous growth that is eating away at Indian society.
This direct approach is a hallmark of Lanjewar’s poetry, and it serves to give her work a sense of urgency and immediacy.
Lanjewar’s poetry also often includes references to Indian mythology and culture, drawing on these sources to comment on contemporary issues.
For example, in her poem “Kali,” she draws on the image of the goddess Kali, a powerful and fearsome figure in Hindu mythology, to comment on the struggles of women in Indian society:BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Kali!
Do not let us be consumed
By the fire of your rage
But let us be strengthened
By your power.
Here, Lanjewar is calling on Kali as a symbol of female strength and power, using her image to empower and inspire women who are struggling against oppression and inequality.
By drawing on Indian mythology and culture in this way, Lanjewar is able to connect her work to a larger tradition of protest and resistance in India, while also making her message more accessible to a wider audience.
Overall, Jyoti Lanjewar’s poetry is a powerful voice of protest, using vivid imagery, direct language, and references to Indian mythology and culture to confront the injustices and inequalities that exist in Indian society today.
Her work is both urgent and deeply empathetic, calling attention to the struggles of those who are marginalized and oppressed while also offering hope and inspiration for those who are fighting against injustice.
In a world that is increasingly divided and polarized, Lanjewar’s poetry serves as a reminder of the importance of empathy, compassion, and solidarity in the fight for a more just and equitable world.
Lanjewar’s poetry also reflects her personal experiences as a woman from a marginalized community in India. BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment 2023
As a Dalit woman, she has experienced firsthand the discrimination and violence that are pervasive in Indian society.
Her poetry is therefore not just a commentary on social and political issues, but also a deeply personal expression of her own struggles and pain.
For example, in her poem “The Fire,” she describes the experience of being a Dalit woman in India:
I am the fire
That burns within me
The fire that consumes
The fire that illuminates.
Here, Lanjewar is using the image of fire to describe the intense emotions and struggles that she has faced as a Dalit woman.
The fire is both destructive and illuminating, representing the pain and struggle of her experiences as well as the strength and resilience that she has developed as a result.
Lanjewar’s poetry is also notable for its focus on intersectionality, or the ways in which different forms of oppression intersect and reinforce one another.
She often addresses issues such as caste discrimination, gender violence, and economic inequality, showing how these issues are interconnected and reinforcing each other.
For example, in her poem “The Red Thread,” she describes the experience of being a Dalit woman who is also a sex worker:
I am the red thread
That binds the feet
Of the goddess
And the necks
Of the prostitutes.
Here, Lanjewar is highlighting the intersections between caste, gender, and economic inequality.
The red thread, which is traditionally used in Hindu rituals to symbolize purity and protection, is also used to symbolize the oppression and marginalization that Dalit women face in Indian society. BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment 2023
By showing how these different forms of oppression are interconnected, Lanjewar’s poetry offers a more complex and nuanced understanding of the issues that she is addressing.
Q 4. Analyse the relationship between Santhal writing and nature from her poems you have read in your block.
Ans. Santhal writing, a genre of literature produced by the Santhal tribe of India, is often characterized by its close relationship with nature.
The Santhal people have a deep connection with the natural world, and this is reflected in their literature, which often celebrates the beauty and power of the natural environment.
Hansda’s poetry is characterized by its vivid descriptions of the natural world. In his poem “The Sunrise,” for example, he describes the beauty of the sunrise over the Santhal hills:
The sun peeps over the hills
A new day dawns
The trees sway in the gentle breeze
The birds chirp their morning songs.
Here, Hansda uses vivid imagery to convey the beauty of the sunrise and the natural environment in which it occurs.
The swaying trees and chirping birds serve to emphasize the peaceful and serene atmosphere of the scene.
In another poem, “The Rain,” Hansda describes the arrival of the monsoon rains in the Santhal region:BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The first raindrop falls
The earth sighs with relief
The thirsty trees drink deeply
The rivers flow with renewed vigor.
Once again, Hansda’s poetry emphasizes the power and beauty of the natural world, with the rain serving as a life-giving force that rejuvenates the earth and its inhabitants.
Hansda’s poetry also reflects the Santhal people’s deep respect for the natural world. In his poem “The Forest,” he describes the importance of preserving the forest and its inhabitants:
The forest is our home
It provides us with everything we need
The trees give us shade
The animals give us food.
Here, Hansda emphasizes the interdependence of human beings and the natural world, emphasizing the importance of living in harmony with nature.
Furthermore, Hansda’s poetry reflects the Santhal people’s spiritual connection with nature. In his poem “The River,” he describes the mystical power of the river that flows through the Santhal region:
The river flows on and on
Its waters never cease
It washes away our sins
And carries us to a better place.
Here, Hansda portrays the river as a source of spiritual renewal and transcendence, emphasizing the role of nature in the Santhal people’s spiritual beliefs.
The relationship between Santhal writing and nature extends beyond mere description and reverence.
Santhal literature often depicts the struggles of the Santhal people against the forces that threaten their way of life, including colonialism, modernization, and environmental degradation. BEGE 143 Solved Free Assignment 2023
In this context, nature serves not only as a source of beauty and inspiration, but also as a site of struggle and resistance.
In her poem “Forest Speaks,” Santhal poet Jyoti Lanjewar portrays the forest as a voice of resistance against the forces that seek to destroy it:
The forest speaks to us
In the rustling of leaves
In the chirping of birds
In the growling of animals.
Here, Lanjewar portrays the forest as a living entity with its own voice and agency, capable of resisting the forces that threaten its existence.
The poem goes on to describe the ways in which the forest has been exploited and destroyed by human beings, and the urgent need to protect it:
The forest is dying
Its trees cut down
Its animals hunted
Its rivers poisoned.
Lanjewar’s poetry serves as a powerful critique of the forces that threaten the natural environment, and a call to action to protect the forest and its inhabitants.
Similarly, in his poem “The Dam,” Gangadhar Hansda depicts the struggle of the Santhal people against the construction of a dam that threatens their way of life:
The dam rises higher and higher
The river dries up
The fish disappear
The people starve.
Here, Hansda portrays the dam as a symbol of the forces of modernization and development that threaten the traditional way of life of the Santhal people.
The poem goes on to describe the ways in which the Santhal people resist the construction of the dam and fight to protect their land and livelihoods.