All-Pervading Poetry: Balkrishna Sama BBS 2nd Year Visions: A Thematic

 

Poem: All-Pervading Poetry by Balkrishna Sama

About the Poet 

Balkrishna Sama (1903–1981) was a renowned Nepali poet, playwright, and lyricist. Sama was born into the aristocratic ruling Rana family, but at an early age, he dropped his high-class Rana family name and adopted ‘Sama’ to show his relationship to the common people. He is considered one of the pioneers of modern Nepali literature.

Sama was born in the Kathmandu Valley and received his education in Nepal and India. He was deeply influenced by the cultural and social movements of his time, which are reflected in his works. Sama's poetry often explores themes of love, nature, and social issues. His writing style is characterized by its simplicity yet profoundness, and his poems are known for their emotional depth and lyrical quality. In addition to poetry, Sama also wrote several plays, many of which are considered classics of Nepali literature.

The Main Theme of the Poem

The theme of "All-Pervading" by Balkrishna Sama revolves around the idea that poetry is not something external to be sought after, but an intrinsic part of existence that fills every aspect of life. The poem suggests that poetry is omnipresent and can be found everywhere, even in the most ordinary and overlooked aspects of the world. It emphasizes the transformative power of poetry and the importance of viewing the world with empathy, love, and a deep appreciation for the beauty and meaning that surrounds us.

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Summary of the Poem

The poem All-Pervading Poetry" is composed by Natya Siromani Bal Krishna Sama. In the poem, Sama discusses how an individual finds subject matter to write poetry. He says that a person should elevate (lift, raise) his/her way of perceiving things around them to be capable of composing a poem. He adds that to write a poem, a person should mix their feelings, emotions, and imagination with the natural surroundings.

Since nature is everywhere, subject matter for poetry can be found everywhere. So, poetry is all-pervading (spread through, present everywhere). An individual can just discover the idea to write a poem. Looking at the objects through plain eyes never helps to generate (create) a poem. An empowering (strong) feeling and emotion are required to find poetry in the objects around us. A holy man once wandered around the streams, hills, pastures (grazing place), forests, bushes, etc., to find poetry. But he couldn't find any poetry. He thought that it wasn't the season for poetry. As he was returning, he met an aesthete (someone who has high sensitivity to beauty). The aesthete made him realize how he could find all-pervading poetry.

The aesthete said to use his heart (not mind) sympathetically to search for poems in the objects around him. The aesthete advised the holy man not to look at things through prosaic eyes (the eyes that look for fact). Bringing such emotion, feeling helps an individual see trees melting like resin, green fields dissolving into lakes, the sky transforming into the Ganga River, flowers changing into honey, and stars looking like droplets of water. This is the way to find life in lifeless objects. And this could be the subject matter to write great poems.

Stanza wise Analysis of the Poem

In the first stanza, the holy man sets out into nature with a grand purpose: to gather poetry. He traverses hills, streams, and fields, seeking it in every waterfall, fruit, and bush. Yet, despite his efforts, he returns empty-handed. Disheartened, he encounters an aesthete who challenges his perception. The aesthete suggests that poetry is not a physical object to be collected but an intrinsic part of the world around him, present in every aspect of nature, even in the seemingly ordinary and overlooked.

In the second stanza, the aesthete's words provoke a profound shift in the holy man's thinking. He is urged to see poetry in everything, even in landscapes that appear barren or unremarkable. This challenges the holy man's conventional views, prompting him to look beyond the surface and perceive the beauty and depth that lie beneath. In the third stanza, encouraged by the aesthete, the holy man is prompted to view the world with a renewed sense of love and empathy. He is urged to look beyond the superficial and see the world through the lens of poetry, where every detail, no matter how small, holds significance and beauty.

In the fourth stanza, the holy man's encounter with the aesthete triggers a profound transformation within him. As he listens to the aesthete's words, the world around him begins to change. Trees melt like resin, fruits like honey, and green fields dissolve into lakes. This transformation symbolizes a shift in the holy man's perception, as he begins to see the world in a new light, infused with poetry and meaning. In the fifth stanza, through his transformative experience, the holy man comes to understand that poetry is not something external to be sought after, but an intrinsic part of existence. He realizes that poetry is present in every aspect of life, from the smallest atom to the vast expanse of the universe, and that its presence is felt in the very fabric of reality.

In the final stanza, the holy man realizes to see poetry is a universal force, transcending time and space. He understands that poetry is not bound by the constraints of the physical world but is a timeless and universal expression of the human experience.

Possible Questions and Answers

1.     Why does the poet use a holy man in this poem? Is it because poetry and religion do not come together?

The poet employs the image of a holy man to elevate the status of poetry, suggesting that it is not just a mundane form of expression but a divine and sacred art. This choice of imagery could also be interpreted as a metaphor for the poet himself, implying that poets are akin to holy figures who channel the divine through their words. It's not so much that poetry and religion do not come together, but rather that poetry, like religion, has the power to inspire awe, reverence, and introspection. By using a holy man, the poet underscores the spiritual and transformative nature of poetry, suggesting that it can elevate the human spirit and transcend earthly concerns.

2.     Explain the metaphors of the ‘blood’ (l. 24) and ‘Ganga’ (l. 35) in the poem.

The metaphor of 'blood' in line 24 serves to emphasize the vital and intrinsic nature of poetry in human life. By likening poetry to blood, which is essential for life, the poet suggests that poetry is not just an art form but a fundamental aspect of existence. It implies that poetry is not just an intellectual pursuit but a visceral and essential part of what makes us human. The metaphor of 'Ganga' in line 35 further reinforces this idea, as the river Ganges is considered sacred and life-giving in Hinduism. By comparing poetry to the Ganges, the poet suggests that poetry has the power to cleanse, purify, and nourish the soul, highlighting its spiritual and transformative potential.

3.     The poet’s primary task in the poem is to argue how the universe is ablaze with poetry. Are the arguments strong enough to make the poem a strong statement for the universality of the poetry?

The poet's arguments in the poem are compelling in their portrayal of poetry as a ubiquitous and essential element of the universe. The vivid imagery and metaphors used throughout the poem effectively convey the idea that poetry is not confined to books or written words but is inherent in the fabric of existence. However, whether these arguments are strong enough to make a definitive statement for the universality of poetry is subjective and open to interpretation. While the poet's assertions are persuasive, the extent to which they resonate with individual readers may vary based on their personal views and experiences with poetry.

4.     Poetry is defined as ‘literature that evokes a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience or a specific emotional response through language chosen and arranged for its meaning, sound, and rhythm’ (Britannica). Does the poem ‘All-Pervading Poetry’ fulfil this definition of poetry?

The poem 'All-Pervading Poetry' by Balkrishna Sama aligns closely with the definition of poetry as "literature that evokes a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience or a specific emotional response through language chosen and arranged for its meaning, sound, and rhythm" (Britannica). The poem evokes a sense of wonder and introspection, encouraging readers to contemplate the role of poetry in their lives and the world around them. Through its use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and rhythmic language, the poem effectively conveys the poet's message about the ubiquity and significance of poetry. As such, it fulfils the criteria of poetry by evoking a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience and eliciting specific emotional responses in readers through its carefully chosen language and rhythmic structure.

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