Dead Writer Comes To Life Poem by Rajnish Manga
Dead Writer Comes To Life
Perumal Murugan- the author
Is back from his hibernation.
It was the controversy over
Publication of ‘Madhorubagan'
Meaning ‘One Part Woman'
His novel about social evils
And all those temple practices
Relating to childless women.
The high voltage drama then
Subdued him to declare that
-Perumal the writer is dead-
Obscurantist word prevailed
Freedom of expression ailed.
It's not easy to bring change
In the mind-set of a society
Weaned on falsehood & myth
Mounted on unjust rationales
About lousy caste ideologies.
During self imposed exile
He declared himself ‘dead'
And became a ‘walking corpse'
But for how long? How long?
Two years proved to be too long.
Phoenix's risen from the ashes
Man of letters is basking again
Creative mind is out of his shell
A genius hogs the limelight again
Hopefully the tiger will soon roar.
A very perceptive poem about a writer who is certainly different.
Thanks, Michael. The best thing is that he has recently published his new novel based on the story of a goat- of course, in a symbolic way.
You make some telling points about the novelist here. Society is set in its ways, dependent on myths peddled in the media. so true.
Like in the case of Salman Rushdie, we can have instances of muzzled voices in some South Asian countries too. Thanks for your analytical comments, Michael.
Yes this is a resurrection of the dead, of the just for how long can a tiger be held in a cage, a fire in a container and air in a bladder and water in a bowel, they are sure to come out one day.......It seems to me that life is no life, but living death, without that freedom of thought and speech! ........thanks for sharing and very well composed....10
Perumal's tryst with vandals was awfully unfortunate. Writers, by and large, are the conscience-keepers of the society. You have nicely reviewed the poem and called a spade a spade when it comes to freedom of speech and thought. Thanks a lot, Sir.
Thanks for being on this page with an inspiring feedback, Edward.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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5/2/2024 8:10:33 AM # 1.0.0.1119
People who boldly move their pen against the follies and foibles of society are often silenced by people in power or the society itself. But the revolutionary spirit in them cannot be quelled for long! Like a tiger under captivity, they will be restless and at the earliest chance, will leap forward! A powerful write on a gifted writer!
Thanks very much for this thoughtful review and valuable feedback. It's always a pleasure and a privilege to receive comments from a distinguished poet like you.