Reviews

ENGLISH

Prayer and Complaints of a Daughter: Dr. (Kum) Manjul Rani Tripaihi; B.R. Publishing Corporation, Regd. Office: A-6, Nimri Commercial Center, Near Bharathi Nagar, Ashok Vihar, Delhi-110 052; Rs.80/ - (US$ 8)

The Book has its Foreword by Prof. R.K. Singh and an elaborate introduction by Dr. Iftikhar Hussain Razvi. This collection of poems is full of complaints indeed as the title suggests! God is too close to her and she asks in anguish.

“Why should I offer you service
To one deaf and dumb.
Who does not care of his daughter,
Pure as snow....”

From her heights of pure snow, sometimes she descends to very ordinary human sentiments of sorrow and affections. She misses her father when he is away and wonders,

“How can filial love be uprooted, Father, From the delicate hearts of daughters?”

Lines interesting for all fathers who have daughters and for all daughters who adore their fathers. The lines in verse No.17 are touching indeed.

Except for these few human touches, .the predominant note in the poems is her preoccupation with that silent God, who doesn’t seem to answer. Her Stone Father, Stony beyond measure can’t but melt at the lines addressed to him. She pleads why the Lord who gave darshan to many ‘Bhaktas’ does        not care for her, a “Sanyasin”.

She has to plough “her lonely furrow” amid foxes and wolves and jackals wily:” She needs God and His loves badly.

Those of us who set hypocrisy and falsehood given a high seat to be saluted, praised and supported in this world can’t but share her anger and anguish;

“Give me the strength to smash your shrine
To smithereens lest the wily race of the
cunning, the fair-seeming
Foxes should prosper and flourish,
To the dismay of your true devotees.”

The poem No. 60, reveals the complete inner life, philosophy and personality of the poetess. She is born with dreams of God, the Eternal Lover.

The poetess feels the Age requires a new Geetha – “to satisfy newer doubts”.

This collection of poems further projects the variegated personality of poetess. She is a loving sister, a respected professor, so loved and respected by the students that they want to touch her feet and garland her to share with her their glee in a moment of triumph.

Then come her moments of despair. Her dreams and visions are fading for lack of proper watering.

Above all these angry complaints to her Father, her humble prayer remains;

“Lead me, kindly Light.”

Especially perfects is the poem No. 88 which is the natural spontaneous outburst of all the suffering virtuous ones. The guilty and the blasphemous go unscathed. Why does a just God support them, while little Manjuls bound to him with hoops of Steel/In transparent sincerity are even oppressed? Inspite her pearl-like purity, she is forsaken by God. (I think that the concept of divine justice, the law of Karma and the ‘Time’ factor in the evolution of a soul, society and the nation, as expounded by the Hindu masters of Yoga Vedanta are the deeply studied answers to such a question).

She remembers her mother for the noble lessons she had taught her. Her mother’s influence, and her own personal aspirations had moulded here into a perfect woman rooted in Indian culture, facing an understanding and misunderstanding world. Hers is the culture of a ‘Sannyasini’ though living in the world.

The book deserves to be studied by all especially by those with a philosophical bent of mind and a desire to probe the mystery of life.

-A. Sathyavathi

Jayanta Mahapatra’s Relationship: A Critical Study by S. K. Padhi, (Prakash Book Depot, Bareilly; price: Rs. 30.00)

We hear in Jayanta Mahapatra’s early poetry the voice of an offended conscience. The voice is anguished but authentic trying to express the bitterness of contemporary existence: poverty, squalor, exploitation, ignorance and meaningless rituals. His early poems revel not only a cynical rendering of the contemporary post-colonial situation with inherent conflicting and contradictory life-­patterns but also a strong desire for achieving identity and linguistic competence.

This he has been able to achieve in poems like Relationship. Mahapatra is one of the few gifted Indian English poets who have grown in stature over years received considerable critical acclaim both in India and abroad.

The book under review, is a dissertation on Mahapatra’s Relationship, for which Mahapatra received the Academy Award in 1981. In the introductory chapter, the author attempts to locate Mahapatra in the tradition of the New Poets, indicating the affinities as well as the differences between Mahapatra and the other contemporary poets. The second chapter traces the growth of the poet from an unsure beginning to find a mature poetic expression in The False Start. the third chapter is devoted to the explication of the poem Relationship, which is viewed as the climatic achievement of Mahapatra’s poetic talent. The thesis that is developed in the course of this chapter is that the poem brings about a resolution and integration of all the conflicts that one notices in the earlier poetry of Mahapatra. The concluding chapter sums up his findings and suggests some areas of Mahapatra’s poetry that are yet to be explored.

This well-written dissertation with ample documentation and a useful bibliography will significantly add to the understanding of one of the leading Indian poets writing in English.

TELUGU

Andhra Yogulu (First Part); Author: Dr. B. Rama Raju; Prof. B. Rama Raju-8-117/2, Chikkadipalli, Hyderabad-500 020; Rs. l00/-­

From time immemorial India has produced many spiritual men, who cast their glow on this land which is regarded as Veda Bhoomi, Gnana Bhoomi, Karma Bhoomi and Yoga Bhoomi. It is widely believed that these spiritual leaders are the incarnations of God, who took a human form to enlighten people and relieve them from to enlighten people and relieve them from suffering, misery and sorrow. The places in which they were born became sacred and centres of pilgrimage for the people. Like in many parts of Bharat, Andhra Pradesh too gave birth to many such Yogis, Sadhus, Siddhas and Gnanis. In this well-written book the author presents biographical sketches of 50 such holymen, who belong to Andhra Pradesh. The presentation is made in a Chronological order, beginning from the 12th century, with Sri Vidyaranya’s like sketch.

The book is the result of loi1gpresentation and painstaking research done by the author, who was inspired by these great saints. The author’s daughter and some of his friends assisted him by collecting the particulars of a few Yogis in thy initial stages. In the meantime, in 1955, he received National Research Professorship from the Government. Having attributed it to the grace of the Yogis, he started completing the book which he had left unfinished.

It is a pleasure to read the book and it takes the readers into the spiritual world and makes them realize the futility of pursuing materialistic ends. These yogis, who attained Nirvana through simple methods teach us that we also can attain self-realisation through meditation and penance. Lord Krishna taught Arjuna in the Geetopadesam that a man can realise Him, through various methods like Gnana Yoga, Bhatkiyoga and Karma yoga. But, finally all these paths lead to the same good i.e. Nirvana (Moksha or self-realisation).

The cover page is adorned with the beautiful picture of the living saint of our times, Sri Satya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi, seated on the Golden Chariot; The cover also carried a photograph of the Lotus feet of Sri Sai Baba, with an appropriate verse printed below it. The getup and print are excellent. Om Sai Graphics of Hyderabad have done a commendable job in bringing out the book in a befitting manner. This book will make a good addition to the collection on spiritual men and matters for any library or individual.

- Y. Satya Sree

“Sri Krishna Karnamrutham” of Leelsuka; commentary by Sri Mallampalli Sarabheswara Sarma; edited by Prof. Tangirala Venkata Subba Rao; 40/12-7, ‘Sourabha’, Upstairs, 22nd Cross, Govindarajanagar, Vijayanagar, Bangalore 560 040; Rs.200/-­

The Sanskrit work, “Sri Krishna Karnarhrutham” of Lilasuka (also known as Bilwamangala) is of the 11th century. Prof. Tangirala Subbarao, discusses in his preface to the book “Suvarna Chashakam” extensively and authoritatively about the life and times of the poet. The widely held belief that Leelasuka is the same as Bilwamangala, of the Telugu play CHINTAMANI, has not historic authenticity, though the poet refers to his guru Somagiri who gave him Gopalamantropadesam, and put him in the path of devotion of Lord Krishna.

Leelsuka, the master craftsman in his mellifluous 332 slokas sings in the glory of Lord Krishna in his various stages - ­Krishna the child, the boy, the young one, Yasoda Krishna, Gopala Krishna, Murali Krishna, the Krishna of rasaleela, the youthful Krishna, Radha Krishna, Rukmini Krishna and finally the Guru teaching Gita to Arjuna on Kurukshetra. Leelasuka does this in his masterly style, in words capable of picturising the all-captivating One. Leelasuka was not merely a poet and scholar singing the glory of the Lord, but also a grammarian, and a philosopher. He was multifaceted.

Prof. Tangirala establishes this very clearly and how his work influenced to a very great extent the later Bhakti poets. Sri Mallampalli Sarabheswara Sarma’s commentary and translation of the verses are masterly and deeply scholastic and bring out the beauty of each verse fully.

Prof. Tangirala has taken great pains to append Prof. Kovela Sampatkumarachaya’s article “Amruta Chandassu” the late Charla Ganapathi Sastry’s Life of Sri Krishna’, and Dr. Divakarla Rajeswari’s sthalapurana on Himavadkonda. These certainly enhance the value of the work so painstakingly produced by Prof. Tangirla. Bapu’s title cover and the absence of printing errors are refreshing features. Keeping the cost of the publication within reasonable limits indicates the desire of the publishers to reach out to the readers.

- Kamisetty Srinivasulu, Tirupati

SRI SITARAMARAJEEYAM (Poetry) by Dr. Mallela Guravayya: Tangirala Publicaticns, A 109, Navjeevan Apartments, 35, Czech Colony, Sanathnagar, Hyderabad - 500018: Rs.150/-; pp 215.

This is the epic story of the eminent freedom fighter of Andhra, Alluri Sitaramaraju who took up arms against the atrocities of the British in India, in the last century, lucidly written by Dr. Mallela Guravayya, who dedicated this work to his contemporary, Prof. Tangirala Subba Rao. The history of Alluri Sitaramaraju and his life and struggle against the forces of the mighty British had moved many an author to record this epic struggle, including the Government of Andhra Pradesh which published a book in connection with his centenary. What distinguishes this work from others is that this is written in metrical style. The history has been retold, including the happenings, court proceedings etc., in lucid and rich poetry. Congratulations to the author on this commendable work. A good addition to any library and a feast to lovers of classical poetry.
-Vemaraju Narasimha Rao

CHAITANYA KAVITHA: (NO. 26); Editor: Prof. Tangirala Venkata Subba Rao; 40/12-7, Sourabaha, Upstairs, 2nd Cross, Govindarajanagar, Vijayanagar, Bangalore, 560 040; Rs.50/-pp. 213.

This issue of CHAITANYA KAVITHA, (No. 26) has been entirely devoted to compiling various articles, letters and memoirs written from time to time, on the life and literary works of the eminent poet, Gunturu Seshendra Sarma, which certainly help understand his works and this thought better. A chronological list is also given of his works, the awards and encomiums showered on him which focus on his life and achievements. Some of the articles, for example, from his wife Mrs. Indira Dhanarajgir make interesting reading and throw light on the nobility of yesteryears. There is no doubt about the greatness of the achievements of Seshen, as he calls himself and also called by others. But one is left with a feeling, that had this volume touched his other works such as “Kamotsav’ it would have encompassed all his works in the proper perspective. A useful compilation for a clear insight of Seshen’s poetry.

-Vemaraju Narasimha Rao

TAMIL

KALYANAM NADANTHATU, Purasu Balakrishnan, Inthinai Pattippakam, Chennai, pp. iv + 140, Rs.27.

Purasu Balakrishnan belonged to an earlier generation of pioneer writers of short stories in Tamil. Although a medical practitioner by profession he took a fancy for writing both in Tamil and English at an early age. He wrote novels, poems and essays besides short stories. His story entitled “Golden Bangle” in Tamil won the Bharatiyar Gold Medal in a contest conducted by Ananda Vikatan, a leading Tamil journal, in 1937. At the award ceremony Rajaji is reported to have said that “only one in a lakh of persons can write such goodstories.” He passed away recently living up to the age of 84 years. It is unfortunate that, except for one or two, Tamil magazines did not care to record an obituary on him. It is due to the changing tastes and standards of writing short stories in Tamil. In fact, Purasu Balakrishnan stopped writing for quire some time. He has himself bemoaned in his preface to the book that the publishing world had ignored him.

The book under review is a collection of twenty short stories published many years ago. Vallikkannan, another great writer of yesteryears, has provided a perceptive foreword pointing out the literary qualities of Purasu’s short stories. Unlike the modern writers he respects grammar and syntax and casts his stories in literary Tamil. The influence of Chekov on Purasu is evident in the collection. The stories deal mostly with the ordinary hundrum life of an average man or woman. There is nothing dramatic about the story-line. Still, he makes each story come alive by exposing the human psyche with all its strong and weak points. Due to his contacts with different types of people in the course of his long medical career he was able to observe the idiosyncrasies of human nature and use them as an anchor for building up plots for his stories.

“Rainbow” (“Vanavil”) is easily the best story in the book.It deals with the question of doubly standards in life adopted by many people. The rainbow is symbolic of the manner in which the past emotions dissolve into nothingness, leaving no trace behind. “The Ganges and the Well” recalls the story of Appayyar who, despite being a Brahmin, ignored social conventions and fed a poor disadvantaged man with the foodprepared in connection with the observance of his father’s death anniversary. He uses a telling metaphor when he describes his journey to his village. He says that “the sun’s rays which struck him were arrows which drew out his sweat”. “I killed my wife” is somewhat bizarre where the husband, unhappy with his wife, blames himself as her murderer though it was an accident. “The Bud and the Flower” brings out the disgusting avarice of parents and the unsatisfied lust of a widower in trying to make a girl nature through medication before she is physically ready so that she could be married off to the latter. The other stories deal with the various facets of human nature, good and bad, and are good studies in human psychology.

To the modern young people, these stories may not be of interest as they are used to reading high drama and salacious writings. But the book belongs to a genre of classic short stories of a bygone age. It needs to be read and savored at leisure.

- A. Seshan, Mumbai.