20 June 2015/Class Xll-A Don Bosco UK We read the poem Stammer by K.
Satchidanandan intensely and had some elaborate ’discussions on its theme, content and message. The poem is not easy to understand because of its highly complex imagery. But once we get to know its meaning properly, we begin to realize how profound the ideas are. Stammer, Satchidanandan asserts, is a language in itself.
The question whether stammer came before the language or after it is highly amusing. We are reminded of the joke attributed to the late EMS Namboothiripad, who used to stammer. One interviewer asked him if he stammered always. EMS Namboodiripad replied, “Not always; only when I speak.” The interviewer asked the question because there is a feeling that fear, stage fright, suppressed emotions, etc. trigger stammer.
Satchidananda does not seem to give much honour to God because he has said that perhaps He even stammered when He created man. God is reputed to be omnipotent and one can’t imagine that God can stammer. The poet thinks that man is so imperfect and full of vile may be because God stammered while creating man. We agree with the poet in his verdict, Satchidanandan has the knack of hitting the head on the nail. He speaks great things using just a few words. An ordinary person might have taken a whole lengthy essay to say what Satchidanandan has said in a few short lines. The poet’s insight and imagination are extraordinary. The poem opens our eyes and we start seeing ‘stammer’ in a different perspective.
→ Comments on the Blogs:
The Kid
I quite agree with Ammu, the blogger, that The Kid is a must watch and it will lift one’s spirit. It does make us smile, laugh, cry, empathise, sympathize and teach us there are great pleasures in the small things of life. Jackie Coogan and Charlie Chaplain have done a wonderful job and the lm will remain a classic and will be enjoyed by generations of viewers.
But I quite disagree with Ammu when she severely criticises our current idea of fun and comedy. She thinks people today enjoy only dirty jokes, sarcasm and some kind of racial, religious or dark sense of humour. Ammu should realize that The Kid was made in 1921 and soon it will be century since its release. Our sense and sensibilities have changed. Naturally our humour sense also has changed. Making a kid throw stones at glass windows and breaking them and a tramp coming after the boy to repair the windows and collect money from the owners was humorous in 1921. With the present CCTV
such things are no more possible, and not funny anymore. Film-makers have to look for newer things, and fresh ideas to wrench laughter from the audience. So I feel we should be more sympathetic to the modern film makers.
→ Why We Need Solitude:
Gabby Salazar’s blog makes ne reading as he has told us some profound truths. This blog reminds me of the great pronouncement in our Vedantic Sanatana Dharma which says ‘Tatwamasi’. It means That Thou Art’. Put it simply it means ‘You are that’. We look for God in Temples, Mosques, Churches, Gurudwaras and Synagogues. But God is in us and we don’t have to go to any place to nd God. Just look inward.
Gabby has rightly said that you don’t have to go to mountain peaks or into deep jungles or into wildest wilderness to get solitude. You can get it even in your home and its surroundings. If you are a bit away from distracting noises, you can create the solitude you want. In that solitude you can have your conversation with your soul – the spark of God in you.
There is a joke about a couple who were always quarrelling and fighting at home. Finally they decided to go abroad and spend some days to have a change of scene. They thought that might bring them peace. They booked into a 7-star hotel. There, they started fighting! The idea is that wherever you go you carry your mind. It is the mind that matters and not the place or the people. You can feel sorry even in heaven because you are given a backseat there!
Solitude is close by. Leam to nd it. We need it and it is not at difficult to get. Gabby has made a fine point.
