The Most Under-Celebrated Artiste Poem by Varanasi Ramabrahmam

The Most Under-celebrated Artiste

A writer is the most under-celebrated artiste;

In literature it is the characters
Created by the writer who get the
Limelight; it is Rama and Krishna
Who are celebrated more than
Valmiki and Vyasa;

Devadas is more popular
Than Saratchandra Chatergee;
Hamlet outshines Shakespeare

In movies it is the director, hero
And heroine who are talked about
More than the story-provider or the
Screen-play writer; lyric writer will
Be overshadowed by lilting tune and music

Writers of manifestos, speeches never
See the light of the day; only parties
And leaders are applauded;

A writer is roots to tree
Basement to buildings
Space to hold all drama, action;
Time to give life and liveliness
To all enactments and entertainments

Still a writer is undermined
Under-celebrated and seldom
Thought of when drama is
Going on or after it is finished

Writer is such self-less creature;
Creating wonders but surrendering
His efforts and self-esteem to others
Though being the nucleus to all creation

A writer is the most under-celebrated artiste