INDIAN SUMMER
– Jayant Mahapatra
Over the soughing of the
sombre wind,
priests chant louder than ever:
the mouth of India opens.
Crocodiles move into deeper waters.
Mornings of heated middens
smoke under the sun.
The good wife
lies in my bed
through the long afternoon;
dreaming
still, unexhausted
by the deep roar of funeral pyres.
Q. Write a critical analysis of the poem, “Indian
Summer” by Jayant Mahapatra
Ans. The poem “Indian
Summer” by Jayant Mahapatra captures the essence of a hot summer day
in India, delving into themes of tradition, mortality, and the juxtaposition of
life and death.
The opening lines create an atmosphere of solemnity and anticipation with
the soughing wind and the priests chanting, symbolizing the spiritual and
cultural heritage of India. The mention of the “mouth of India”
opening suggests a metaphorical awakening or a significant event about to
occur.
The image of crocodiles moving into deeper waters carries a sense of
foreboding. It could be interpreted as a metaphor for people seeking safety or
shelter as the intensity of the summer heat rises. This image also hints at the
primal and mysterious nature of India, where danger and life coexist.
The poem then shifts to the description of mornings filled with heated
middens, which implies a sense of discomfort and stagnation. The reference to
“middens” suggests waste or decay, highlighting the oppressive heat
and the accumulation of refuse in the scorching sun.
The mention of the “good wife” lying in the speaker’s bed during
the long afternoon introduces a personal element to the poem. The wife’s
presence represents a source of comfort and respite amidst the harshness of the
Indian summer. The use of the word “dreaming” suggests a state of
escape or transcendence, as she remains untouched by the surrounding realities
of mortality and funeral pyres.
The juxtaposition of the wife’s dream-filled afternoon and the deep roar of
funeral pyres creates a powerful contrast. It highlights the paradoxical nature
of life and death in India, where the vibrancy of existence coexists with the
inevitable cycle of mortality. This contrast underscores the theme of
transience and the fragility of human existence.
The poem is marked by sparse and precise language, contributing to its
overall impact. The brevity of the lines and the absence of elaborate
descriptions leave room for the reader’s interpretation and evoke a sense of
atmosphere and mood.
To conclude, “Indian Summer” offers a contemplative and
evocative portrayal of the Indian landscape and the human experience within it.
Through its vivid imagery and themes of tradition, mortality, and the interplay
between life and death, the poem invites readers to reflect on the transient
nature of existence and the enduring spirit of the Indian subcontinent.
