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Renowned poet Nissim Ezekiel once wrote, "The true business of living is seeing, touching, kissing, / The epic of walking in the street and loving on the bed." These profound lines from his poem titled "Conclusion" encapsulate the essence of a poet whose life's work has been dedicated to the art of verse. Ezekiel, a poet of the city, has roamed the streets of Bombay, reveling in the sensory pleasures of urban life and the profound intricacies of human relationships.
Nissim Ezekiel's journey as a poet began in the mid-20th century, and his contributions to Indian poetry in English have been significant.
His debut collection of poems, "A Time to Change," emerged in 1952, a crucial period in India's emergence from British colonial rule. During this era, Indian poetry in English was still finding its voice, and Ezekiel's arrival on the scene marked a pivotal moment in its development.
Language, especially when placed in a foreign context, requires time to establish its roots.
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Initially, prose often finds expression more readily than poetry, as exemplified by works like Raja Rao's "Kanthapura" (1938) and G. V. Desani's "All about H. Hatterr" (1948). However, the emergence of poetry, as seen in Ezekiel's "A Time to Change" and "Sixty Poems" (1953), carries profound significance in the evolution of Indian poetry in English.
Interestingly, Ezekiel's unique position as a poet of Indian origin who belonged to a relatively small and dwindling community, the Jewish community, adds a layer of complexity to his work. Born in Bombay to Jewish parents, Ezekiel humorously referred to his experiences in "Background, Casually," where he described attending a Roman Catholic school as a "mugging Jew among the wolves." While his Jewish heritage presented its own set of challenges, Ezekiel didn't grapple with the language question that many Indian poets writing in English faced.
For him, English seemed to be his natural mode of expression.
"A Poem of Dedication" is a poignant work that provides insight into Nissim Ezekiel's perspectives and themes. The poem begins with a stark portrayal of limitations: "The view of the basement rooms is rather small. A patch or two of green, a bit of sky, Children heard but never seen, an old wall, Two trees, a washing line between windows With high curtains to block the outward eye..." These lines immediately convey a sense of confinement and restriction.
Ezekiel wrote this poem during his stay in a basement room in London, a foreign land that amplified his feelings of limitation and isolation. The poet's longing for the sea, portrayed as a symbol of freedom, is evident. The sea represents boundless possibilities and serves as a refuge from the confines of the basement room. However, Ezekiel recognizes the dual nature of the sea—it can be both calm and possess a hidden, tumultuous side, a dichotomy often present in his poetry.
In this poem, Ezekiel also explores the concept of growth, emphasizing its gradual and organic nature. He underscores the idea that all growth, including that of poetry and life, unfolds slowly. Moreover, he introduces the duality of life, highlighting the need for a balance between action and contemplation, a theme that resonates in much of his work.
V. S. Naipaul once remarked that Ezekiel's poetry often centered around his own dilemma, his sense of alienation stemming from his mixed background, choices, and attempts at escape. Ezekiel's "A Poem of Dedication" reveals his desire for a balanced and human existence, devoid of extreme pursuits. He states, "I do not want the yogi’s concentration, I do not want the perfect charity Of saints nor the tyrant’s endless power, I want a human balance humanly Acquired, fruitful in the common hour."
In these lines, Ezekiel expresses his modest aspirations. He seeks neither extraordinary powers nor saintly virtues but rather craves a sense of human equilibrium attainable through everyday experiences. His dedication of the poem to Queen Elizabeth adds a layer of irony, as he juxtaposes his humble desires against the backdrop of royalty.
Nissim Ezekiel's poetry is a testament to his unique perspective as an Indian poet of Jewish heritage writing in English. His exploration of themes such as limitations, duality, and the quest for human balance resonates with readers across borders. Ezekiel's ability to capture the essence of both urban life and the human experience sets him apart as a poet of remarkable insight and sensitivity.
As we delve into Ezekiel's body of work, we are reminded of the profound impact of language and culture on one's artistic expression. Through his poems, Ezekiel invites us to contemplate the universal aspects of our human condition while celebrating the richness of our diverse backgrounds. In a world marked by constant change and evolution, the poetry of Nissim Ezekiel continues to be a source of inspiration and reflection for generations of readers.
Nissim Ezekiel: A Journey through His Poetry and Themes. (2020, Jun 01). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/a-poem-of-dedication-11894-new-essay
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