Diversification among the Legends

Diversification  among  the  Legends …

The great poet Sahir Ludhianvi summed up the hopes, dreams and aspirations of poets – budding and established alike – in the great lyric ‘mein pal do pal kaa shaayar hoon’ (I am a poet for only a second or two) for the movie ‘Kabhi Kabhi’.

mujhse pehle kitne shaayar aaye aur aakar chale gaye
kuch aahen bharkar chale gaye kuch nagme gaakar chale gaye

How may poets have come before me passed on after passing on dulcet melodies ..

Identity becomes a pressing issue when it comes to poets and their poetry. At its basic level, the human emotions, divided into 9 categories (navarasamulu), are finite, and same goes with the expressions, the number of metaphors, similes and other contrivances and conveniences offered by the language. All these are limited in number. If one takes into account all the glorious, wonderful, unique expression, both in prose and poetry, that have so far been immortalized in the language by the celebrated poets, authors and lyricists thus far, consider the inordinate odds already stacked against the new lyricist, even before he has put his pen on the paper.

Every expression has already been spoken for/about, every situation has already been written about, every possible connection has already been made. Under such circumstances, if a song were to rise above its general utilitarian level to a memorable work of art, what is that essential ingredient, apart from the situation and tune, that elevates it to poetry?

If the level of intellect, the facility of language and the usage of it is assumed to being more or less the same for all the famous lyricists, what distinguishes Aatreya’s poetry from SriSri’s songs, what sets Veturi apart and what makes Devulapalli stand out? Pat comes the reply – the underlying philosophy (tatwam). While Aatreya was synonymous with recounting the travails of the troubled heart, SriSri went about highlighting the plights of the under-privileged even in soft numbers; while Devulapalli was famous with evoking the most tender of feelings even from the mundane of things, Veturi was adept at forging words to suit his purpose. Over an oeuvre, a pattern would emerge springing from the ideology that the poet truly believes in.

And though Sirivennela’s philosophy pronouncedly marks optimism as the single trait that strings it all, a closer observation reveals a more intricate design, one of constant struggle. And it is this struggle – against the surroundings, status-quo and sometimes against the very self – that lends the meaning and purpose (or in SriSri’s words ‘SOdhinchi saadhinchaali, adiyae dheeraguNam’ in the song ‘kalakaanidi viluvainadi’ (velugu neeDalu).

However much the poetry in ’sirivennela’ can lauded for its beauty and its ethereal nature, it is in fact ’swarNa kamalam’ that brings to the fore the essential philosophy of Sirvennela’s poetry, and his dogged dedication to the cause of struggle (loosely translating in spirit to ’saadhana’, ‘Srama’, even if they aren’t true synonyms to the word). The theme of ’swarNa kamalam’ is self-realization/self-actualization, it is about recognizing the self-worth. This situation is both a dream and a nightmare to the poet.

Usually every song has a perspective, in that, the narrative is very subjective (excluding duets, of course). The poet picks a side and pens the song from that angle. But ’swarNa kamalam’ isn’t about the standard good vs bad argument, it about the complex and the eternal free will vs structure debate, and the challenge for the poet is to remain impartial, presenting both sides of the argument in an equally valid and logical way.

In Gita, it is said that there are two ways to attain salvation – one is realization (karma aacharaNam) and the other is renunciation (karma sansyaasam). If the goal is to unfetter the mind and remain unattached to the proceedings, the easy way is to not do anything, which automatically distances oneself from the results, and thereby from any emotion caused thereof. The second method is going through the rigor, but remaining detached from the results. It is this method that exemplifies the human cause and the indomitable human spirit and therefore preferred as the better alternative to renunciation

Continued…

Related posts:

1. The Songs Features and Parameters The Song’s Features and Parameters… The parameters – have existed since the birth of the lyrical form, even for poems, from the days of the stage plays. The lyrical presentation itself poses a great contradiction. Leaving aside poetic characters, whose expressions can be laced with poetry, what of the other...Glorious Songs Distinction realization purpose Glorious Songs – Distinction .. realization ..  purpose It is this distinction between the two ways to salvation that Sirivennela pegs his poetry on for ’swarNa kamalam’. Obviously it is not about what is the right way or the wrong one. It is about what is better. Here is the...Songs in Past and Present The Legendary Lyricists forever. Songs in Past & Present…The Legendary Lyricists forever.. A song is called for a vamp character trying to lure the hero. The odds are already stacked against the poetry, as the moment warrants preying on the weakness of the hero’s base instincts. The situation thereby grants the poetic license for...Songs introduction Song’s introduction … The purpose – is as meaningless as it pointless. After all, why would two normal characters obeying all other natural laws (even if in the celluloid world) interrupt the natural flow of the story and break into a song, explaining the situation with a 3 minute poetic...Vijayawada city, Krishna & Guntoor Districts under threat Vijayawada city, Krishna & Guntoor districts under threat … So many areas in Krishna , Guntoor districts including Vijayawada city got drowned.. The flood situation in Andhra Pradesh continued to be hazardous  as the Krishna river breached its embankment at a few places, inundating dozens of villages and making thousands...Happy news Oldness can be postponed Happy news – Oldness can be postponed Britain scientists have achieved success. They could collect active & live cells from the donor bodies or animals and inject into older & weak bodies at the necessary places and these new cells are settling there replacing the old weak cells thus rejuvenating...Floods in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka | Kurnool Flood | Kurnool Flood Updates | Kurnool News FLOODS IN Andhra Pradesh , Karnataka (INDIA) AWAKENING ? !… After a worst & long, continued drought hit , now the last week of September 2009 havocked many districts like Kurnool, Mahaboobnagar, Krishna , Guntur etc.,in A.P. [...]...Direction of PRAKASH Raj Direction of Prakash raj He has been grown into National level . He can takle any characters in his own style and can give a good impression. He was acted  in all southern language films and  also directed  a film of his own. He is ready  to give offers to...Tirupati Temple, a must visit for Indian Tirupati Temple, a must visit for Indian Mandeep Puri Dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, Tirupati Temple is a must visit for Indian. Situated 10 km from the city of Tirupati, the temple is the richest Hindu temple in entire world and the second most visited pilgrimage destination after Vatican. Thousands...
   (No Ratings Yet)
   

    Loading ...