What follows is my appreciation of a Malayalam poem on Kalam by V Madhusoodanan Nair
To
Shri V Madhusoodanan Nair
August 2, 2015
Dear brother
I have attempted making a ‘free English rendering of the thoughts contained in your poem “Avanivideyilla!” published in The Mathrubhumi Vaarandappathippu dated August 2, 2015 for the benefit of my son and daughter. Thought I will share with you. Copied later is my July 28, 2015 Blog on Kalam also.
If found ok you can share with friends who may have children/grandchildren who may not be reading the poem in Malayalam.
Warm regards
Yours affectionately
M G Warrier
The Fire has taken Wings!
The fire has taken wings, and flown
Beyond the skies, beyond boundaries of the Skye!
HE appeared, responding to the prayers
Walked across, spreading the Almighty’s message
With conviction of a teacher, in his eyes
Making wards keep their eyes open
Filled his words with fire
Made listeners dream awake, and
Move to realising their dreams
By replacing work for slumber!
He made India’s SOUL pierce through the skies
Making the world realise, that SCIENCE
Can bring peace on earth
Can make flowers bloom in deserts!
Head up above the Himalayaas
Thoughts rekindled by the roots down south*
Cool Soofi music encapsuling, the Fire
In every word energised by Quran
Bequeathed his heritage, to the millions
Of children, students and youth
He met, on the long path he covered
On foot, by cycle, by road, by air
During his unfinished journey!
The FIRE has taken WINGS, and flown
Into the unknown, leaving THE LIGHT OF LIFE
The attire, for anyone to done, which
Death cannot steal, weapons cannot pierce!
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
*Rameshwaram
Beyond Shmasaanavairagyam
Yadaa sattwam pravrddhe tu pralayam yaati dehabhoot
Tadottamavidam lokaanamalaanpratipadyate
(Gita 14.14)
When a man dies during the preponderance of Sattwa, he obtains the stainless ethereal worlds (heaven etc.,) attained by men of noble deeds.
Shmasanavairagyam is the temporary attitude of mind one expresses while leaving the cremation/burial ground after performing the last rites of a beloved one. It is said, one gets over it fast and gets involve in ‘business as usual’.
Thought about this while surfing mails, reading newspapers and watching TV since the night of July 27, 2015, when Kalam’s passing away was reported. I am keying in this note on the morning of July 30, 2015.
The short piece recorded by Srijan Pal Singh (on July 27/28) who was with Kalam on July 27 gives deep insight into the human being that Kalam is. Mr Singh says:
“The topic of lecture, Kalam selected for his course at IIM Shillong was ‘Creating a Livable Planet Earth’. He related the incident to the topic and said, “it seems the man-made forces are as big a threat to the livability of earth as pollution”. We discussed on how, if this trend of violence, pollution and reckless human action continues we will forced to leave earth. “Thirty years, at this rate, maybe”, he said. “You guys must do something about it… it is going to be your future world”
Let us commit that we will take these thoughts forward, beyond Shmasaanavairagyam.
M G Warrier
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