A River by AK Ramanujan Summary

A River by AK Ramanujan Summary

Attipate Krishnaswami Ramanujan (1929-1993) is one of the major poets in Indian English Literature. Ramanujan earns immense reputation for the composition of a series of poems. Among his popular poems, one may recall the name of "A River". In this poem, the poet writes about the river, Vaikai which flows through the city of Madurai. It should be noted clearly that 'Madurai ' is a Tamil word. In English, it means a sweet city. This poem has multiple layers of resonances. In the literal level, the poet describes the conditions of the Vaikai during the Summer and the Rainy Season. There is a symbolic level. In so many words, this poem narrates that motion is life, stagnation is death. Above all, this poem has religious fervour.

During the days of the Summer, this river becomes completely dry. Only, a thin stream of water flows. The flow of the river is obstructed by the straw, the woman's hair and the rusty pieces of a broken bridge. Even the wet stones of the river bed are visible. The wet stones take after the sleeping crocodiles. The shaven water buffaloes are brought for their holy bathe. It is a pity that nobody speaks of the dry river. The poet writes, "The poets only sang of the floods."

In the Rainy Season, this river becomes flooded. People become cautious regarding the increase of every inch of water. The steps of the bathing ghats are gone under water. Within half an hour, the flood washes away three village houses, a couple of cattle and a pregnant woman with her twins in her womb. In this way, the poet speaks of the destructive nature of the flooded river. The poet illustrates," And the way it carried off three village houses/ One pregnant woman/ And a couple of cows/ Named Gopi and Brinda as usual."

Through this poem, the poet expresses serious grudges against those poets who remain indifferent to human sufferings and miseries. The poet points out that every year, during the flood, many poets come to stay in Madurai to enjoy the flood. They argue that the river has water enough to be poetic. They show their concern for the victims of the flood. In this direction, the new poets follow the tradition of the old poets. With a heavy heart, A.K.Ramanujan asserts, "The new poets still quoted the old poets...." Further, this poem has symbolic dimensions. The flow of the river stands for the motion of life. The flooded river symbolises destructiveness and fertility. In a limited sense, the flood also stands for poetic inspiration. The tragic death of this poem indicates that many lives are nipped in the bud. The kicking of the twins in their mother's womb indicates the coming of the new generation.

To recapitulate, the poet does not deal with the Vaikai in isolation. The poet presents a total perception of river. It shows that the poet possesses" Negative Capability" or the vision of totality. This poem is also unique as it has landscape dimension. Here all the descriptions are picturesque. Again, Madurai is the locale of this poem and this city is famous for its poets and temples besides, Madurai is considered as the centre of Tamil culture and learning. On the basis of the above analysis, it may be observed that the poem, "A River" has become memorable in the pages of Indian English Literature.