City Walls

POET S.VAIDHEESWARANBorn in September 1935, started writing in the 60s. A poet, stage artist and musicologist, his first book of poems Udhaya Nizhal (The Shadow of Dawn) was published in 1970. His second collection, Nagarach-Chuvargal (City-Walls) was published in 1994. His third book, a short-story collection titled Kaal MulaithaManam (The Heart With Feet) was also published in the same year. A selection of his poems translated into English as published by Writers Workshop, Calcutta, under the title The Fragrance of Rain (1999).He collected all his poems in a comprehensive single volume in 2000 under the title Vaidheeswaran Kavidhaigal. Then came his poemcollection Kaal Manithan (Quarter Man). In 2017 another comprehensive volume of his poesy was published with his line-drawings under the caption MANAKURUVI.A self-taught artist, his paintings and drawings were exhibited in the Gujarat Lalit Kala Academy and Madras Art Club.Brahadhwani, a music research foundation has produced a cassette basedon his lyrics.He retired as 'Flight Manager' in Indian Airlines. He has two sons and a daughter. He can be reached at his e-mail: vydheesw@yahoo.com. His blogspot is: VAIDHEESWARAN VOICES (vydheesw. blogspot.inPOET VAIDHEESWARAN'S OBSERVATION ON POETRY: "Poet is no newspaper reporter having his own likes and dislikes. He must have a very open and very big heart that is associated with a grand truth of Life; that is able to see the big picture of life. Even while dealing with bits and pieces of experiences the poem should reveal a wholesome awareness about life.Why do we need Literature and Poetry?To stand away from bitter truths and realities and view one's own self; it is not just our body that goes on functioning; that keeps growing. Our instinct and wisdom too. And, it is literature, it is books that are helping in this process. Literary writings are essential for us to believe in our capacity to evolve into better human beings.The reality that is depicted in literature is different from the reality that we see in our life on earth. Literary reality can give human beings a different kind of clarity and precision. It can stir and trigger man to act.Concepts, philosophies and theories will keep changing from time to time. if they remain static literature would stagnate and cease to be. New concepts and perceptions should prove unavoidable and inevitable of their specific times. They should evolve into meaningful blossoming. These new literary concepts, constructs, perceptions, philosophies should have their roots in the basics of the earlier literary aspects and elements. In literature for the new approaches to become something inherent it needs at least a generation to pass.It is good that many talk about Poetry. But, not to talk is better. A good poem should talk to the reader.Poetry lives and breathes through discerning readership. And Poetry grows and evolves through discerning readership.(*EXCERPTS FROM HIS POEM ' DEATH OF A CARRIAGE rendered in English by veteran writer Indira ParthasarathyThe rail tracks broke reaching the dead endAnd There the weather beaten forlorn carriage stoodlike an animal wounded at a segregated cornerA region to which the station claimed no kinship too!There was a time when the carriage jogged from place toplacefull of mirth and laugh and gaiety;but lo! Fallen on evil days;it all but shows a crazy face!The carriage was empty not unlike a mouth open;and wanton boys who ran much oftenFound its use with no tariff with none to catch;A public toilet it was beyond anyone's watch.The carriage gave shelter to bearded old wise menwho came there at dusk with pockets of eats;and place dense with their beedi smoke and spit;