It is interesting to note that Meena kandasamy’s poetry is not limited to female experiences but rather she speaks for the entire community that has been cornered by the dominant sections of the society. The poems in Touch, not only highlights the pathetic plight of the dalits caught in the web of caste but also questions the meaningless distinction between the touchables and untouchables as it becomes evident in one of her powerful poems, Advaita: The ultimate question,
Non Dualism
Atman Self
Brahman God
Are Equal
And Same.
So I
Untouchable Outcast
Am God.
Will You
Ever Agree?
The sacred scriptures and preaching of the Brahmans cannot answer her sarcastic question. Therefore, she dares to leave the question unanswered to underline the fact that despite the talks about Atman, Brahman and Advaita, the practice of untouchability exists and persists even to this day. When Atman and Brahman are equal and same, the distinction between Upper castes and outcastes sounds absurd. The technical novelties she introduces with regard to the form of poetry perfectly seem to suit her rebellious spirit,
No Matter
What You
Preach Answer
Me. Through
Your Saints.
One More
Final Question
Can My
Untouchable Atman
And Your
Brahmin Atman
Ever Be
One
?
The title poem Touch is again directly addressed to the people of Upper caste. A Brahman might have known “every knowledgeable thing” about touch. However, what he will “never” know is.
Leave a Reply