India’s Unheard Richard Blanco
21st January, 2013. A Spanish born Cuban-American poet recited his original poem "One Today'" at the 57th Presidential inauguration in Washington DC. A Latino and the first ever openly gay poet's recital at the President's swearing-in ceremony seemed more of a reflection of the changes that the President seeks to bring about in the nation he leads, the dawn of hope from "avarice, greed and violence" brought about by the erstwhile conservative elements and America's rich singularity in diversity. A proud moment for America and its President re-elect. Blanco's inaugural poem recounts the life of ordinary Americans engaged in their daily pursuits. In President Obama's own words, "Blanco's work represents 'the great strength and diversity of the American people"' The poet expresses this diversity through an artistic blend of his personal life and the typical daily life of an average American. The last stanza expresses the theme of the President's inaugural address and hope for the American people, "Now, more than ever, we must do these things together, as one nation, and one people."
Richard Blanco's 'One Today'.
Richard Blanco's 'One Today'.
January 19, 2013. New Delhi, India. The ruling Congress party appoints Rahul Gandhi as the Vice President of the party. The following day, in an emotional speech in Jaipur, the young leader, referred to his mother, the party supremo, speaking to him after he was named vice president: "Last night my mother came to my room and she sat and cried. She cried because she understands the power that so many people seek is actually a poison. She can see it, what it does to people around and to the people they love."
A feigned emotion was conveyed almost theatrically, in order to gain political mileage and bolster the image of a crumbling party. Further on, a forced leadership in a reluctant politician, who has repeatedly refused to accept ministerial positions and his lack of firsthand experience of India's turbulent politics, has prompted serious doubts about his political abilities. Does India expect this new leader to be its mythical phoenix?
Incidentally, here in India too, there was a poignant composition by an ordinary young citizen for this occasion--glorious or less. The poem, written by a young woman, in Hindi, and shared with just a handful of readers on a social networking site, is a reflection of India's total depravity, perpetrated by a deep seated propensity, self-indulgence and egocentricity of political forces. Unlike Blanco who voices the struggles of the average Americans, Aradhana Pradhan chronicles the heart ache and anguish of the ordinary Indian, brought about by the apathy and utter callousness of the leaders themselves. Diverse as a populace, yet united in grief, a helpless nation pledges to fight its own suffering, upon hearing the infirm pledge of a hesitant leader.
उनको रिझाने को
हमको खिझाने को
स्वाभिमान जलाने को
या देश तो बरगलाने को
आप क्यूँ रोये ?
भावना के अतिरेक से
अपने बुझते विवेक से
आखिर किस आवेग से
आखिर किस खेद से
आप क्यूँ रोये ??
ग़रीबी की आग पर
देश से अनुराग पर
चरित्र पे लगे दाग पर
या अपने अहोभाग पर
आप क्यूँ रोये ??
कुंवर के ताज पर
उनकी बुलंद आवाज़ पर
उनके नाटकी अंदाज़ पर
या बर्बादी के आग़ाज़ पर
आप क्यूँ रोये ?
संभालिये अपने आप को
और अपने संताप को
हम करेंगे रो रो कर
साफ़ सारे पाप को
रोने का बरसों से हमने ही किया है काम
अपनी हर ग़लती का हम ही भुगतेंगे दाम
अपने ही पैरों से चल के आये इस गाम ,
जहाँ मनु के मानव से हो गए हें ख़ास - आम .
हम क्या मानवता भी अपना सब खोयेगी
जमुना भी बचे खुचे आँसुओ से रोएगी
- Aradhana Pradhan
The irony lies in the parallels of time and circumstances that draw our attention to two nations: one to which we belong, and the other that we discreetly seek to follow as an undocumented formula of governance. The two nations that come close in their democratic set up and rich cultural diversity, differ vastly in the psyche and sentimentality of those who control the wheels of their respective governments. As one stands comely united to celebrate a promising leader, the other unites to lament the ingloriousness of the leaders who have brought nothing, but misery and malaise to their people. In the making of a leader, America sees a new dawn, but India dwells on the annihilation of humanity, a dysfunctional leadership and consequently, a never-ending gloom.
The world listened to Richard Blanco. The poet and his poem have received both acclaim and assault, for America too is not without its share of discontent. As a piece of literature, the poem has received a tepid response. But that goes for any debut workmanship. "Richard Blanco's new inauguration poem, 'One Today,' composed to usher in Barack Obama's second term, is a valiant but not always convincing attempt to square the circles." The Guardian.
Not many Indians have had the opportunity to read the outpouring of one among them, speaking for all. The poem deserves to be read, not merely as a piece of art, but as an elegy of our situation. The poet's heartache cardinally evokes mellifluous poetry. The juxtaposition sees America rejoicing over its 'new constellation' while India's propitious weather lies hidden under the behemoth of poverty, malaise and sufferings. As the "Mississippi and Colorado work their way to the sea" the 'drying Yamuna can only hope to fill up with tears of grief'.
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