Agonies of Independence

AGONIES OF INDEPENDENCE

"Agonies of Independence’ is a collection of poems authored by Pon.Selvaganapathy and published on 1996.

The poems have the satire and sarcasm together with humor to make an awareness in the minds of readers.The very first poem is published without a title for it. It is the proclamation of the poet. We hear a firm voice with deep commitment in this poem.

Whatever it may happen
I am not afraid
I have only one life
No fear for death
No hesitation
To express my ideasI will tell the truth
Bold and unbiased
Always at all times
Until I reach my goal
My journey will not end
My body will not fall down

The poet criticizes the situation prevailing in the country. He compares the motherland with his body and house. We should consider our country as our body. Like our body the country also has so many diseases. He wishes to bring our attention to this fact. So many moles and insects occupy every house in India. Our country is like our house and it also has so many moles and insects. Here corrupt persons are described as ‘moles and insects’by the poet.if we consider the country as our God, there is also a similarity. In temples there are so many hundis to collect money from the devotees. There is no light in the country; the poet asserts.
’Light’has several meanings here. The sun itself has broken his leg. The poem is concluded with a pathetic note that politicians nail the country.Our Country at cross roads
This country
Is our body
It has got
Many diseases
This land
Is our God
There are
Many Hundis
Here and there
This country
Is our home
There are
Many moles and insects
Here in our country
In our house
The Sun
Has broken his leg
As he had to wander
In all corners
Searching the address ofDawn.
Directions are
In a topsy - turvy Condition.
The wind refuses to
Enter here
As a result
The windows
Have heavy perspiration.
Our motherland
Is nailed by politicians
And is floating
As a cross in the ocean.

The poem titled’The Chair’ is a combination of interesting allegories. There is no need of any explanation and you can enjoy it yourself provided you have the knowledge of the ‘Power game played by our politicians.

The Chair

I am the chair
Even though I have four legs
I never attempted to walk.
Those who sat up on me
Are flying from earth to heaven
Without any use often.
Even though I have four legs
I never attempted to walk.
How many persons
Are there walking
Just to capture me.
The two legged fellows
To get me -a four legged person-
Are falling down on so many legs
What a pity it is?
Those who catch hold of me
Will let loose anything
Yes-even their self-respect if they have any-
To catch me in full grip.
Once upon a time
They placed a chappal on me
And honored me.
Now a days
Men sit upon me
And defame me.
Those days I was a throne
Now I am just a chair
Only the names have changed
Nothing else.

The poem titled ’Independence’ ridicules the freedom of expression assured by the rulers. Those who are in power-irrespective of the party they belong to-always try to suppress the voice of the opposition. This sad thing is condemned in this poem without hurting anyone’s feelings.

Independence
The dog
Which is tied up
Strongly with iron chainsLoudly barks.
They proudly
Proclaim that
They have given
Freedom of opinion
AndFreedom of speech.
But one thing!
The barking is only
To safeguard their
Forts and thrones
If the dog
Barks in protest
Then
The mouth will also be tied up with
Iron chains!

The poem titled ’Agonies of Independence’ describe the sad state of our country. The poverty prevalent in our country and the plight of the under-privileged even after six decades of Independence is sadly narrated in this poem. Those who read this poem will definitely take a resolution to sincerely work with a cause to promote the status of our country.
Agonies of Independence

The pangs of Slavery has gone
But the agonies of Independence
Make us suffer in
A vicious circle.
Here
There is a hugeMountain of Food grains.
On another side
There areDeep valleys of poverty.
We have got
Only blind Arjunas.
As a result
The targets
Get
Misplaced.
The burdenCarried by the Heads
ConsoleThe shoulders
And they keep mum.
Party flags and slogans
Become an additional burden
For the people
And hinder theirProgress.
Those principles
Which came to adopt us
Have been taken adoption by
Wrong persons.
See our state!
Anger is forgotten
Cowardice has become
Our national character.
Valor and self-respect
Have gone.
DejectionAnd depression
Are ruling our minds.

The abuse of power by bureaucrats is sarcastically mocked by the poet in another poem titled’Lame excuse.
’Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Then for every mistake committed by the authorities a reason is explained and the abuse of power is justified.

Lame Excuse

He spoke
In an obscene manner
And got arrested
That person spoke
With a force
Therefore
Held under arrest.
This person
Spoke in a lower voice
In a very calm manner
Even then he was imprisoned
Why?
Because he
Spoke confidential matters.
Yes.
In our country
We wont Arrest people
Without any reason.

If you have the opportunity to read this volume titled’ Agonies of Independence"you will enjoy the humor, wit and sarcasm exhibited by the poet in his poems. He criticizes to make us realize our follies and to correct us. This sort of constructive criticism will elevate our country.