The North East Poetry Today

Charging Individuals:

The North East Poetry Today

In a civilized society traditions signify what people do think and act. Following the earlier traditions in latter times each tradition builds its own niche, grows old, dies one day and repeats the cycle again. Every human being must understand these phenomena. The fact is that, tradition develops, supports civilization and purifies one’s soul. Today, for each and every one the social and the personal are inter-twined. The truth is that, he has been, and has seen, through the phenomenal rise and fall of political, social and moral stances over many years. It’s a tradition, a great tradition. So, in the process of this rise and fall we try to create an atmosphere to preserve and promote this great culture of the universe.

On the pages of poetry from North East India various new experiments and their results could be seen which indicates matured thoughts. The celebrated writers of the region have their first creative writings published in either a local magazine or newspaper. But the poets, the writers write without taking much pain, even sometimes there is lacking a common platform where one can share certain aspects. They know that to enrich their poetry they must acquire some extraordinary elements out of their serious study and experiences. Therefore they do not want to ignore certain aspects like the trend of psychoanalysis introduced by Freud and Young, Karl Marx and the Soviet Revolution, which brought about new realizations and sympathy for the downtrodden. This has not been out of reaching; as such in this light some of the poets of the North East region still feel comfortable in projecting all the facts in their own ways.

It is found that only few poets of the present generation are acquainted with this rich literary standpoint. It is because knowingly or unknowingly, or somehow the present generation is mostly diverted or perverted in their mere interests for whom the literature has been in a looser position. Individually I feel that poetry is more difficult than writing a short story or a novel. As all know, poetry is more refined expression of one’s own feelings, emotions, joys, sorrows and so on. Poetry has its own language, which varies from poets to poets. In fictions the fundamental aspect is that it has a wider canvas. The writer can use it according to his own requirements and as per demand of his characters. In case of poetry it is not like that.

The other aspect which a poet should maintain is that his objectivity. Actually his target is his readers as well as his society. So a sort of social responsibility is always there. It’s correct that nobody decides at first that he will write this or that only for certain readers alone. Even then there is a social cause for which the writer, the poet feels to write or he/she is compelled to write. So, the poet writes for the people. And this is why he/she must be committed to the society, which is his/her second interest. As all know his/her first interest is the commitment to his/her own conscience. I feel the poets from North East are dedicated and they always try to keep this in mind. But how the poetry or fiction will turn into a new direction or what sort of inputs will direct it to its highest height, it is too early to comment on the poetry of North East. However based upon the activities of the poets, the writers, we may say that they are trying now to hear the call of the hour. Sometimes they are endeavoring to analyze the characters of a modern man, the significant aspects of his life, his sensitive reactions, etc. and have brought to light the insecurity, anguish and quest of the modern man in a very successful way.

Like our tricolor the poetry from North East is colorful. Let consider the language, style, form or diction—whatever we take into account the poetry of this particular region is quite distinctive. Every poet from each language or state has his or her own identity. It’s not a matter of identical subjects. May be it’s because of individual identity; but it’s a matter of pride that many poets from this region have already reached a height and attained their own niche. Yet some common aspects and elements of the region have their influence in the minds of the poets and receive adequate responses in the process of permutations and combinations. The Assamese, Bodo, Khasi, Kokborok, Mizos, Nagas, Manipuri, and of course English poetry of this region have their own identity. Therefore from the point of language, style, subject and regionalism the features of North East poetry can be marked as distinctive. The approach for humanism and universal truth is also sufficiently nourished as a cause and effect of their inner self. Hence on the basis of growth and development, the North East poetry today is in a comfortable position and can fulfill a reader’s great expectations.

But what should be the keynote for the poets as a whole?

Yes it’s a significant question.

One accepts the story of Ramayana at different levels; as a mere tale with impressive character studies; as a masterpiece of literary composition; or even as a scripture. According to R.K.Narayan, as one understands developing, one discerns subtler meanings; the symbolism becomes more defined and relevant to the day to day life. The Ramayana in the fullest sense of the term could be called a book of “perennial” philosophy. At the same time it’s a masterpiece of literary composition. But why and how is it possible?

The numerous exploits of Sri Rama had one objective. It was restoration of peace at all fronts. So, the one and only reason of all bloodshed was restoration of peace in that society at large. The Ramayana shows the way to ideal living and how to restore “Dharma” on earth. Sri Rama is the inner Self or Atma, the embodiment of love, peace and effectiveness, acting through the mind, body and senses of human being. Sri Rama is also the embodiment of Dharma, of all codes of morality that hold mankind together in love and unity. His mind and behavior are pure and steady, because he is the embodiment of the inner Self & all life-promoting universal values. Sri Rama is the impersonate form of God. So, God impersonates in human experiences. He shows how to overcome the evil forces. His unique success in all spheres of life — mental & physical, casual & spiritual— has inspired people at large. And thereby supports that “spiritualism is synonymous with universalism”. So, in the present world of turmoil and constraint the Ramayana can teach wisdom of perfect leadership, ideal brotherhood, tender & faithful relationship, sincere devotion towards God, parents & teachers and how to practice meditation & yoga, ideal education & marriage, natural & holistic health care, ideal living, art & music and all sort of community services. I have mentioned this only because the modern writers, poets can find so many aspects here. It has lessons in the presentation of motives, actions and reactions, applicable for all time and for all condition of life. Not only in the areas of military, political or economic power do we see the evil antagonists of today; but also at less conspicuous levels and in varying degrees, even in the humblest social unit or family, we can detect a character who is striving to establish peace and justice. A writer can teach people how to protect people with individual happiness. The real power comes from within us. That’s why the inner self (Atma) administers actual codes of living.

The most of the poets of the North East region understand this aspect and are charged with this type of sensibilities. They are enriched with lots of ethnic essence. In most of the states, even in most of the tribes there are several minor stories which also depict the same kind of forces. Therefore any writer of this region could pick up his or her choices. In a brief note I do not want to mention any names but can say that they are striving in a befitting manner and actually in a safe position. Several poets have attained Indianness, if we consider them in wider perspectives. To elaborate it we must go through their poetry in details. But to give hints here I can say that they are successful whose poetry has attained fame because of their style as well as subjects. The use of symbols, images and an essence of ethnic beauty are always there in their poetry. The self diction, brilliant sensibility and above all the superb style dominates their poetry. It’s a fact that the North East is very rich in flora and fauna. The poets know how to use and take help of this. The use of unique elements in poetry is one of the major aspects normally we find in most of the poets. The crisis, whatever may be, always effects the poets. As they are very sensitive in most of the social issues they formulate and develop their own reactions. Even they are very sensitive to the substantial occurrences in history of this region particularly during post- independence period. The rise and fall of the region, the composition of seven states, the composite culture of the people and so on so forth, also give shape to their feelings in a different and democratic world. To some poets this kind of feelings generates widespread distress and unremitting deprivation—with relatively little adverse impact on practical life. But the general sense of pessimism and defeatism that characterizes so much of discussion on poverty and hunger in the modern world gives real pain to the poets. The pictures of misery and starvation that arouse sympathy and pity across the region in time and again also gets significant importance in the mind of the poets. In brief the desperate situations also appear with a new dimension in the minds of the poets of this region. Therefore, the creation of the poets in North East is totally different and bears a unique characteristic. And we can rightly say that they touch upon most of the subjects in their own ways and with self perspectives. They are very poetic in nature.

Email: hridayanandagogoi@gmail.com,