Re: (Songs, Slights....)
Prasad Chodavarapu (prasad@acm6.me.uiuc.edu)
Tue, 25 Feb 1997 08:24:11 -0600 (CST)
: > Some times when the author is writing a beautiful piece of poetry with an
: > unambiguous aim, his biases creep in unintentionally. Should those be
: > ignored?
: >
: > For example:
: >
: >
: > kollAyi gaTTitE nEmI
: > mA gAndhi
: > kOmaTai puTTitE nEmI
: >
: > The poet is praising Gandhi of course.
: > He is also saying that Gandhi rose above his genetics.
: > As a Komati, should I be thrilled about this piece?
IMHO, it seems to me that sri basavaraju apparao was only trying
to provide an illustration of how foolish the system of
determining one's stature based on his caste is. however,
i certainly concede others can come to a different conclusion.
certainly, they have a right to question the poet's intention,
for, such a discussion, when conducted in a healthy atmosphere, would only
helps in teaching those involved, more about the society and themselves.
this is a sensitive but very important question. infact, our
literature is replete with such remarks, not all made by
such known patriots as sri basavaraju apparao. it is a different
question whther we should judge yesterday's poets by today's value system.
however, i would submit that when we are talking about
the works of such venerable, inspiring
poets like Sri basavarAju appArao, we should not blindly defend
everything that he wrote. i would only think that such a blanket approval
only insults his memory.
our poetry is part of our heritage.
it is thus imperative that such an inspiring
body of our culture be kept alive by continuously and intensively subjecting it to
critical discussion. any attempt to make it a sacred cow would only
result in its degradation, for, it wouldn't be alive if we consider
it beyond discussion.
regards
prasad
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