PRANAYAKASHAM
In this poem,SK is reflecting on the vagaries of the age-old theme,
pranayam.I think,sometimes SK and I have the same wavelenghth or
chemistry,because,by some strange coincidence,we have the same thoughts
simultaneously.I have been reflecting about pranayam recently,and my line
of thought is that pranayam is continuous,infinite,like the sky (pranayakasham)
and it isn't solely the pathway to marriage.The excitement and novelty of
pranayam might gradually fade with marriage,because the daily challenges
of life are likely to create tension and conflict between the couples,and
pranayam might take a back seat,and it's eventually stored somewhere,like
old albums.Of late,we have seen some marriages collapsing like the twin
towers.I think pranayam is bound to continue after marriage,but not necessarily
with one's own spouse.This can't be called extra-marital affair if it's within
some limits.Anyway,some artists have shown an allegiance to pranayam
itself,regardless of consequences.eg Lord Byron,Mahakavi P.
Now, coming to 'pranayakasham' (remember akale akale neelakasham)
it doesn't reach the previous heights reached by SK,but it's still
enjoyable.In the first stanza ,the poet uses the simile of the wild stream
or kattaruvi.This is an imagery widely used by poets to denote life and
love.Again,''poonthenaruvi'' pops up in my mind.Repetition is monotonous
in most matters,but songs like ''poonthenaruvi'' have a life-long immunity.If
you carefully listen to the background music of this song,you hear the sound
of the waves.( olangal nilaykkumo)
Perhaps,in the first stanza,the poet is recounting the smooth flow of
pranayam in the initial stages,as in the lines,
pulakangal charthy
ozhukukayanu pranayam
(kulirum kondu kunungi nadakkum Malayalee pennanu nee)
As a devotee of Vayalar,I'm tempted to repeat this line from "Bharya".It's
simply irresistable.
In the second stanza,the poet uses the imagery of parrots.Birds are a metaphor
of love,peace and joy.
Mulankadin thunchathu
padithimirkkum
thathakal pole pranayam
Perhaps,the poet has the pinnacle or 'nirvana 'of pranayam in the above
lines.(or sayujyam).The imagery of the parrots is closest to my heart,
because I have a sort of bamboos at the corner of my orchard,which is a haven
of birds.Every day in the evening,I watch the small birds on the bamboos,
playing,quarelling and finally settling down.( see the video clip in my blog)
Unfortunately,the poet paints a gloomy picture in the last stanza.The situation
is hopeless and uncertain.The uncertainty is evident in the line
ekanay veichupokunna
Pranayam has lost its way,like a traveller lost in the jungle.Pranayam was
an illusion.The poet says that pranayam is exiled.This implies that the
poet has lost faith in pranayam.'Exile' is a hard,harsh word because the
consequences if exile are catastrphic.
As usual,the poem is beautified by suitable visuals.
Through this poem,SK has kept the torch of poetry burning brightly.
In this poem,SK is reflecting on the vagaries of the age-old theme,
pranayam.I think,sometimes SK and I have the same wavelenghth or
chemistry,because,by some strange coincidence,we have the same thoughts
simultaneously.I have been reflecting about pranayam recently,and my line
of thought is that pranayam is continuous,infinite,like the sky (pranayakasham)
and it isn't solely the pathway to marriage.The excitement and novelty of
pranayam might gradually fade with marriage,because the daily challenges
of life are likely to create tension and conflict between the couples,and
pranayam might take a back seat,and it's eventually stored somewhere,like
old albums.Of late,we have seen some marriages collapsing like the twin
towers.I think pranayam is bound to continue after marriage,but not necessarily
with one's own spouse.This can't be called extra-marital affair if it's within
some limits.Anyway,some artists have shown an allegiance to pranayam
itself,regardless of consequences.eg Lord Byron,Mahakavi P.
Now, coming to 'pranayakasham' (remember akale akale neelakasham)
it doesn't reach the previous heights reached by SK,but it's still
enjoyable.In the first stanza ,the poet uses the simile of the wild stream
or kattaruvi.This is an imagery widely used by poets to denote life and
love.Again,''poonthenaruvi'' pops up in my mind.Repetition is monotonous
in most matters,but songs like ''poonthenaruvi'' have a life-long immunity.If
you carefully listen to the background music of this song,you hear the sound
of the waves.( olangal nilaykkumo)
Perhaps,in the first stanza,the poet is recounting the smooth flow of
pranayam in the initial stages,as in the lines,
pulakangal charthy
ozhukukayanu pranayam
(kulirum kondu kunungi nadakkum Malayalee pennanu nee)
As a devotee of Vayalar,I'm tempted to repeat this line from "Bharya".It's
simply irresistable.
In the second stanza,the poet uses the imagery of parrots.Birds are a metaphor
of love,peace and joy.
Mulankadin thunchathu
padithimirkkum
thathakal pole pranayam
Perhaps,the poet has the pinnacle or 'nirvana 'of pranayam in the above
lines.(or sayujyam).The imagery of the parrots is closest to my heart,
because I have a sort of bamboos at the corner of my orchard,which is a haven
of birds.Every day in the evening,I watch the small birds on the bamboos,
playing,quarelling and finally settling down.( see the video clip in my blog)
Unfortunately,the poet paints a gloomy picture in the last stanza.The situation
is hopeless and uncertain.The uncertainty is evident in the line
ekanay veichupokunna
Pranayam has lost its way,like a traveller lost in the jungle.Pranayam was
an illusion.The poet says that pranayam is exiled.This implies that the
poet has lost faith in pranayam.'Exile' is a hard,harsh word because the
consequences if exile are catastrphic.
As usual,the poem is beautified by suitable visuals.
Through this poem,SK has kept the torch of poetry burning brightly.
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