I wish to know...

I wish to know...

When I am gone, at the tip of a rope

Or the last poison drop

What do they tell about me?

Compelled by a social creed,

To speak only glory of deceased

They’ll call me all that I always wanted to be called

I wish to know...

When I am gone, after losing to hope

Struggling up to the final drop

What do they think about me?

Some not-so-close will grieve for days

Others closer shall for months

I shall then become part of the rusted records

I wish to know...

When I am gone, becoming nothing but memory

Roaming aimless and free

Will you show me my beloved ones, even if they can’t see me?

I loved them so much more than me

And that shall continue to be

But never once did they care to feel nor did they ever see!

-Shyam

London Dreams

[Written by me in June 2009 when I was traveling in a London underground tube, and posted on my previous blog Now sharing it here. ]

Inspired by this booklet
I just picked up at Moorgate,

On my way to Wembley Park
Wondering how I got this spark

Did I really have the ability
To write a beautiful poetry

About this London city
At the same time being witty?

Three long weeks here I spent
A couple of days in Kent

Two different worlds they are
Although not very far

Buses and tubes are that what make
London to go without a break

Somewhere in this wonderland
I lost my way I understand

Crowds of people here and there
Am I in the middle of a fair?

I am told I am at Bank, a place
Unmistakeably London’s face

Well dressed people come and go
In black and white to and fro

Finance is the game they play with cash
All look tensed after the crash

Far away from the madding crowd
I know I have a different road.

I board a tube, the first I get
Into a paradise I can never forget

I almost get lost in my solitude deeper
Like Wordsworth’s beautiful reaper

All of a sudden the good lady spoke
Train is about to terminate bloke

I jumped out of my seat and wrote
High time to stop this quote.

Margazhi The Chennai Music Festival Season

I am writing this Tamil poem in English to avoid Tamil spelling errors! :P

Background-
Margazhi is the tamil calendar month (December) when the annual music and dance festival happens in Chennai. Like many other things, what began purely as a musical extravaganza has now turned into an exhibiton of social staus and richness. This poetry takes a jibe at those who indulge in these exhibitions and still call themselves 'Rasikas' (Aesthetic/Admirer)

English translations are given in italics.

[1]
Maargazhi Vanthathu
Mazhai Pozhinthathu
Nilam Nanainthathu
Athan Vaasam Paraviyathu.

'Margazhi' has come
It has started raining
Soil is wet
And its smell is spreading

[2]
Mazhayenna thadai
Maranthida Vinai
Aninthida Nagai
Ellorum Selvom Sabhai

Rain is no barrier to
Forget some troubles
Wear gold ornaments
And everyone goes to Sabhas (venues of musical concerts)

[3]
Athu Pattu Selai Kankaatchi
Bhavya Aadambara Pothukaatchi
Ivaimel Thaan Yaar Aatchi
Ithil Isai Entha Katchi?

Its a silk saree exhibition
Lavish ornament display
Who has any control over these
Where does music stand in this?

[4]
Manju Mami Manja Selai
Chitti Mama Pachcha Chattai
Aanandanna Puthu Car
Ivai Anaithayum Nee Paar

Manju Mami's (aunt's) Yellow Saree
Chitti Mama's (uncle's) Green Shirt
Anand brother's new car
You see all these things

[5]
Sudha Raghunathan Paadum Aarabiya?
Madurai Seshagopalan Pallaviya?
Kannayum Kaathayum Moodikondu
Summa Kai Thattuvathu Per Thaan Rasana-ya??

Sudha Raghunathan singing Aarabi raga?
Or Madurai Seshagopalan rendering pallavi?
You close your eyes and ears, and
Simply clap your hands. Is this called Aesthetics?

[6]
Margazhi Vanthathu
'Isai Mazhai' Pozhinthathu
Athil, En Manam Nanainthathu
Sabhayai Nokki Sentrathu!

'Margazhi' has come
It is a music rain
In it, My mind gets wet
And is drawn to the sabhas