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Showing posts with label widow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label widow. Show all posts

Friday, March 4, 2016

Book Review- Wet Silence


Title:           Wet Silence

Author:       Sweta Srivastava Vikram

Publi.:         MHP

ISBN:          9781615992560

MRP:           Rs 314/- (Kindle)



It is not every day that one comes across poetry that can touch one’s very soul. 
The book ‘Wet Silence’ by Sweta Srivastava Vikram is piquantly stirring and rips apart the hypocrisy of our so called morals. It throws much light upon a subject that reeks of pain and gloom, and calls for urgent reforms. 

Her poems on Hindu widows reflect the depth of suffering, be it psychological where a widow is expected to mourn and be as “brooding like soot on windows”, or sexual and societal, when she is considered a “toxic waste”. For no fault of her own, a widow is perceived as an ill-omen and a “crude metaphor”. Even in today’s world where we boast of ultra-modernism, in some places in India, esp ‘Vrindawan’, widows are forced into so pathetic a life that it can shame the Satan himself. 

The author captures the breadth and depth of this topic very well. Some poems like 
“The Question” present a unique way to look at traditional myths. The words, like a high definition camera, capture every emotion perfectly and to say that I loved this book will be an understatement. 

Random Excerpts-

-"I hate that the hand wiping my tears aren't yours"

-"Winter blankets my longing arms
    whispers he is never coming"

-"Like a sack of rice in pantry,
   I am sitting quietly"

-"Here I am called a crude metaphor
   for not wanting to wake up under fouled sheets"


Check out 'Wet Silence' here




Friday, May 16, 2014

On Her Own Way

Silent stream gently braced the cold ashes
As dull moonlight spread on a sooty passage
Zephyr too seemed to hum a poignant note
And dull horizon warned of a tempest above

She walked quietly carrying her infant son
Still in past, somewhat numb to reason
A swarm of people awaited her there
Relatives, elders and many a neighbor

Their eyes, piercing and arrow like
As if mocking the tragedy of her life
“With him gone, you hapless woman!
Mould your life as per the canon
Implore God to wash your sins
Hide from men and lusty urchins
Cut those dark curls & drape white
Avoid rich cuisines, even their sight”

Compelled an old sunken lady
Having passed the diktat already
A frame so frail but voice so rife
As if an authority on banal life
She too saw all this early in age
A fox she was but dressed a sage

Peering eyes and rapacious looks, she saw it all
And then stood up, with spine so erect and tall
Staring back to each nasty eye, started off-
“I lost my beloved but that’s ‘his’ end
He did his own part and went away
Now, I will walk my own way
I too have a life; rather a long one
A son to raise and duties to dispense
Joys shall fill my voids with smile
Brick by brick will intact what’s left behind
I will pick pieces and wear his shoes
Tackle the unkind world, as it goes
Colors will smile again and so will Thee
Those are my plans and rest to destiny”
Calmly she said , clutching her son
Assuring that she expects from none

“You shameless nymph!” cried an old man
“Cover your head and think of God
Respect tradition and now be sad
At least for the sake, shed a tear
But stay away, do not come near
If all the widows will think like her
Society will surely go to the gutter
Dare not have the traditions shatter
Don’t be a blot on our rich culture”

His blood red eyes each like flaming ember
Others joined too-“yes! She must surrender”
“Of course!” shirked an old lady
“Unchaste”, one had certified already

“I will decide which path to follow
For I am neither a wimp, nor hollow
My son will admire a strong mother
Not a loser running from bad weather”


She took up her child and walked on
Towards a new future and a new dawn
The Gods saw this and clapped in bliss
A girl’s aura can a million suns eclipse

Look! There she goes, in search of a new day!
But when every girl would say-
“I respect my esteem, dignity and honor”
“I won’t let myself be pushed to a corner”
“I have a spine and I refuse to be sorry”
Gods will show that lady, her very way to glory!


Being forced to wear white all life, a mourning that never ends, being ostracized from all the family functions and a hundred other mindless restrictions –that’s what any woman’s nightmares are made of. Unfortunately, this is the very life many women lead in some parts of India. Widowhood not only unleashes cruelty and ruthlessness of the society on an already distressed being but our malicious traditions too, suck all her dignity and push her to oblivion.

Sadly, it is not easy to change die-hard perceptions, rotten preconceived notions and redundant customs. In metros and cities where many women are educated, working and self dependent, severity may be less but presence still haunts though in minor shades.

So, kicking hard that putrid double faced society that knows only to force traditions and enjoy cruelty, women should come out of their pigeon-holes and face the world with confidence expecting nothing from this hypocrite world. 

Images from: 
-http://sandanamullai.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/1664762-4-silhouette-mom-and-baby.jpg
-http://freethoughtblogs.com/taslima/2012/06/03/the-living-dead-2/