A BOOK REVIEW OFS. PARIDA`S` BEHIND THE TAPESTRY

A BOOK REVIEW
Behind The Tapestry : S. Parida,Writers Workshop,Kolkata, 2008, pp67,Rs 150[hb],Rs 100[ fl]
ISBN 978-81-8157-715-3[HB]
ISBN 978-81-8157-716-0[FB]
BY DR. RAM SHARMA, SENIOR LECTURER IN ENGLISH , C-26, SHRADHAPURI PHASE2, KANKERKHERA, MEERUT CANTT-250001, U.P,

Sankarshan Parida is an established name in the domain of Indian English Poetry.This is his fourth poetry collection , his other three poetry collections are ` The Golden Bird [1990], Segregation [1996], The Next Valley Beyond The Stars[ 2002].
In the foreward of this poetry collection Dr. R.C. Behera writes,

``I have gone through most of the poems included in this collection .My understanding is that Sri Parida`s focus is not so much upon his ownself as it is upon man and society.Dramatization of consciousness and its mystic aspirations , of the demented self and its state of circumscription etc had been the premise of a great bulk of obscure and, even absurd poetry in the past.`
[p-9]
In this collection there are 55 poems in the form of pearls in the sea.In the first poem the poet creates the spiritual extravaganga of India and by which it has been Jagadguru of the world.They want to gain ideal state through this spiritual odyssey,
``devotees of all sorts,
With their idiosyncratic designs
To march on and on,
Facing all the hurdles and burdens of life,
Since the mystery conceals ,
In the apparel of indulgence
In sincere efforts,
To reach the ideal state,
In the long devised track
[ THE EXTRAVAGANZA p-13]

In the next poem `How can i` , the poet creates his romantic moorings for an unknown lady.This poetry volume is a saga of people`s faith in unknown and unfamiliar and to get the spiritual bliss they go from one place to another.The second poem` INNUNDATED ISLAND`has been written in the same vein.The poet creates spiritual mysticism to meet the almighty as a lover.and the next poem expresses this truth.
`Why do you stand here,
I have already given you word,
To meet at the appointed hour,
Behind the orchestra hall
[ THE MUSIC p-16]
The poet as an onlooker sees the history of the nation , their sufferings and aspirations in a realistic way.He also expresses his sorrow on the growing terrorism and violence .He seeks the shelter of almighty in that gruesome hour.The next three poems entitled`Marina,The Inertia, The Gruesome Hour` describe the growing terrorism and growing violence.The poet gets solace and comfort in the lap of nature.He creates Wordsworthian bliss in such poems as ` The Reflection,In this Country, The Evening March, My Town , The Icy Foothill,Unparalleled Ecstasy`, The Most Awaited End, A Whisper, etc. One of the foremost quality of Parida`s verses is that all these are tinged with local colours and this locality and regionalism make it more realistic and supreme.
` Thousands of devotees throng in Srikhetra,
The most renowned pilgrim city,
To payb their obeisance,
To Lord Jagannath,
Lord of the universe,
Along with Lord Baldev,
And their Sister Goddess Subhadra,
The greatest display of the almanac ,
Of Orissa attracts,
The whole human race
[ UNPARALLELED ECSTASY p-59]
The grief of Parida becomes more poignant when he reminds us the glorious past of India and the dismal present state. This sort of parallelism is quite innovative and this device creates realism in the pungent way.There is still a hope that this dismal state will not linger long.
` Speculations go on,
The potency and prowess,
From the soil of saints and seers,
Can never be exhausted,
Though the typical hazards
[ THE GREAT UPHEAVAL p-21]
This state of jeopardy lingers in such poems as ` The Squalid Thoroughfare,In Jeopardy,The Susceptible Breakthrough,etc.
`The devastation diverts the attention,
And the inclination,
Calls for the firm and unshakeable faith,
To achieve the pristine glory and glamour,
In a superb riddle.
[ THE SUSCEPTIBLE BREAKTHROUGH p-26]
One of the foremost quality of this poetry volume is its pictorial quality to present the fragrance of Orissa .We feels that we are standing on the soil of Orissa.Such poems like `Snan Purnima, Celestial Pleasures, etc are tinged with Orissa local colours.
` This is my town,
With din and bustle, glamour and glory,
I liked it very much,
Though at times I am baffled to see,
The streets dotted with debris ,
And dumped with building materials
[ MY TOWN p-34]
This poetry volume is an eye opener for everyone who has forgot the spiritual history of this country. The leader of spiritual odyssey is trying to become the leader of corruption or the the winner of materialistic race.Our greenfields have been replaced by skyscrapers.It looks we are progressing towards our destruction.Such poems entitled ` The Most Awaited End, Chandikhole, Beyond the Ravages of time, The Distant Horizon express these feelings.The poet also looks to me the master of mysticism. He reminds me William Blake and his poems .This Indian country is the country of religious faiths and even a stone can be worshipped here
` This is Bharata Varsa,
A stone can be wonderful source,
Of inspiration for many,
And the architects,
Not only make a living,
But also they are ordained,
To do their best
[ BEHIND THE TAPESTRY p-44]
The poet attracts our attention towards the poor and helpless in such poems as ` Cadences of Sorrow, The Way Forward and Backward,`The poet has full faith that India will once again become the Jagadguru . He even appreciates the unity in diversity of this country.
` India is a fantastic country,
With variety and contrarity,
Diversity of views,
Are most distinguishing characteristics
Of the people
[ CONSONANCE p- 49]
His love of India and its spirituality is reflected from such poems as `India Gate, Across the Country.etc` The poet inspires us to remain away from malice, casteism and jealousy because we are the sons of the same father.
`Everyone admires him,
As he is free from malice,
Towards anybody,
Quite friendly and compassionate,
Developing the aptitude.
[ GOOD OF THE UNIVERSE p-60]
The poet is unique in presenting the local imagery and symbols. Parida who hails from the land of great poets like Ramakant Rath, Sitakant Mahapatra, Jayant Mahapatra, Niranjan Mohanty, Bibhu Pandhi etc shows the same poetic sensibility in this poetry volume.This poetry volume ends with a sad note and last two poems `The Fragmented Phantasmagoria , The Grim Scenario ` compels us to brood on the dismal situation .
`with cries for a morsel of the food,
Or bowl of water,
While relief operations go on,
In the worst hit areas in slow degrees,
[ THE GRIM SCENARIO p-67]
In the end I can say the poet is quite successful in his efforts to awake us from the slumber of mammonism .This poetry volume is a must read for every avid reader and lover of poetry. Its poetry volume is also reasonable. I do hope that many more poetry volumes will flow from the mighty pen of Dr. S. Parida.