Remembering Chennai1 Poem by Aniruddha Pathak

High-pitched loud voice is not what I recall,
But devout neighbours chanting morning hymns,
As if their gods in far heavens were hard
Of hearing; and neighbourhood joining in,
School kids throat-full, bagful of books, Tiffin,
Women in jasmine, saris wrapped six-yard,
Clothes screaming colours, décors in extremes,
Loud birds—boisterous crows, drooling doves, all!

I recall season's rains— wet, wet or dry,
And sultry weather all year, humid, hot;
My dreams reach out and miss that monsoon twain,
To that ever present post-noon cool breeze,
To people snoozing to rest in cool ease,
To cyclones in the Bay bringing much rain,
Pouring pot full when not, paltry when not;
I miss lush green smile of coast, blue-green sky.

And of course, can't forget funeral bands—
Those dancing for the dead and departed,
Perhaps vouchsafing what the Lord did say—
That this death is but a change of garment;
Nor I forget the cool quiet moment
On beaches, nor the Eastern Express Way,
Nor yet simple folks with a thinking head,
Nor can miss morning sea's silvery sands.

Two more things will always with me remain:
The delicious cuisine, rasam, chutney,
Myriad delicacies made in heaven,
Whole of lanes smelling sambhar-lined repast;
Musical heritage of ancient past,
Their repertoire vast, well rehearsed, well run,
Taking you to a heavenly journey,
Making for me a unique Southern Twain!

And tongue, tough and twisting known as Tamil,
Oh past twenty four years still too mouthful;
Many a road no better than big lanes—
I never could divine—why be called ‘high',
Save say Mount Road, or Rajaji Salai!
Nor could one explain without taking pains
Why a non-VEG eating joint as a rule
Be called military, snacks or full meal!

Some things grow with you as if part of blood,
And keep surfacing when memories flood.
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Chennai is what was once known as Madras. I stayed there for twenty four long years, a Tamilian knowing little Tamil! The piece is composed in octaves with a mirror-like symmetrical rhyme scheme, ending with a couplet.
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Nostalgia | 11.02.07 |