Oct 08, 2024
Oct 08, 2024
Poetry is a feast of things to sensitive minds. There are as many definitions of poetry as there are poets in this world. Emily Dickinson said, "If I read a book and it makes my body so cold no fire ever can warm me, I know that is poetry." It creates vibes of thought and feelings to a reader. It resonates in the mind for a long period. It is an outburst of ecstasy in a language that befriends human ears.“There is a door in the heart of man which never opens.
Or if it does at times, we are not aware of its opening.”
- Jayanta Mahapatra
His poems like ‘Nirvan’ and ‘Draupadi’ are rooted in our mythological and philosophical heritage that we imbibe generation after generation.This poetic outpour reflects Ramakanta’s close proximity with the mother tradition. Indian-ness shines with its true colours! The same trend spills over white pages and glitter with dignified images and inter-textual references.It invites a reader to sit and enjoy reading the poems seriously.Tear is generated
Drop by drop
And when it sheds
It sheds to the very last drop. (p.58, ‘Futility’)
Open-endedness is the soul of poetry. It leaves the interpretations open. Ramakanta searches for a Gangotri somewhere beyond the physical canvas. Some of his images like “tough hands of Autumn”, “fatigued soul”, ”a season-less time” really move our hearts.“I have loved
And will not part ways
With the tired-setting sun (.)” (p.78, ‘Dawn’)
The poem is marked by carpe diem motif. Beautiful things fade as no one can ask Time to wait. It sweeps away things on its way. Poetry captures this fuzzy zone of fleeting habit of objects. We are just party to it. We are reminded of Bibhu Padhi, a famous poet from Orissa when the poet signs of pain, it is a poetic outpour in sonorous idioms:“I have seen roses
Changing their colours,
Winds their direction (.).” (p.68., ‘When Horizon Closes In’)
Mysticism is the art and science of living perfectively and it is the self knowledge that subsumes knowledge of the world. Poets connect minds! Ramakanta is an honest artist who writes in a simple language; easily understandable.“A small thing is
Remembered, and stored
In the heart’s dark (.)” (Bibhu Padhi’s “Migratory Days” ,‘Departure’)
There is a meaningful silence prevails in some of Ramakanta’s poems like ‘Stoic Silence’, ‘Love hurts’ and ‘Time’. Maximum use of liquid consonants in these poems adds a special flavour to musical appeal of the poems. His control over language is like a competent master and the wordsmith. The production of the book deserves mentioning separately.“I know not why
I wait everyday (.)” (p.79, ‘Waiting’)
13-Sep-2013
More by : Prof. Jaydeep Sarangi
Poetry is a feast of things to sensitive minds, yes indeed, and Mr. Das' poetry is the sumptuous one; being a regular reader of his poetry i can safely say the review is very comprehensive encompassing all the major areas of his poetry composition, especially the reference to the feeling behind his meaningful abstractions - silence, waiting and the musical touch with special liquid consonants as well as the code-switching. The book offers a pleasure read, and your review is a good testimony to it... regards, Shahzia Batool Naqvi |
I always loved Mr Das work to The Core. And This particular review makes his work more interesting. Keep your readers awake by your spectacular work. |
Lyrical delicacies served in a plate...and a thought-provoking review :-) |