New York: THERE are two Ps — Poetry and Politics – that Prime Minister Atal Bihari indulged in with consummate ease. One is by choice and the other by profession. Yet it is amazing how he was able to blend these apparently inconsistent faculties. Perhaps it was the innate poet in him that made him the fine politician-gentleman that he was.
For better or for verse, one doesn’t know. Or whether wittingly or unwittingly, but Vajpayee presented his poetic face to the US and often made his point diligently and subtly. He even changed a few words here and there in his Verses, without changing the essence that he sought to convey so tellingly. Addressing a literary meet entitled ‘Tradition, Modernity and Beyond,’ organised by the US chapter of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Vajpayee in chaste Hindi, said, ‘‘It is Indian literature that is responsible for holding Indian culture together through its diversity in unity.’’ Vajpayee couldn’t have chosen a more appropriate forum for unveiling his poetic charisma when he interacted with renowned writers, poets, playwrights and scholars in 14 Indian languages at a literary conference.
Geet wahi gaata hoon main
Ankara, Istanbul, America jaata hoon
Geet wahi gaata hoon
Geet naya gaata hoon
If that sounded like the proverbial old wine in new bottle, one was sadly mistaken. For the same words in the given context fit the situation like a ‘T’. Keeping his promise to forget politics for one night, the Prime Minister spoke only about the underlying unity in literature in different Indian languages and how they complement one another in his inaugural address.
Addressing the audience, Vajpayee said the multi-lingual charm of the country was its strong point. ‘‘They say the texture and nuances of a language changes with every passing mile and, yet, it binds a diverse populace so effectively. Indian literature embodies in itself this binding force. No language can therefore be inferior or superior. In fact, these languages form the country’s beautiful spectrum,’’ he said.
‘‘Culture is social and literature strings it together through words and emotions,’’ Vajpayee told the audience which comprised Indian poets, writers and scholars who had come all the way from India to attend the conference. ‘‘Literature is the replica of our soul and it reflects the rainbow of our culture. Today it is in New York and hopefully it will soon be global.’’
Vajpayee reminded the audience that India was a country with glorious traditions and these had influenced it and its languages. With the passage of time, these languages have undergone metamorphosis for the better — in the fitness of things. ‘‘Littérateurs and poets have contributed immensely to this literary ferment, seen rarely in other parts of the globe,’’ he stated. When his attention was drawn to a query – whether the poet in him was superior or the politician, Vajpayee’s remark was typically tongue-in-cheek and sent the audience into peals of laughter. ‘‘The poet in me tells me not to listen to the politician and vice versa.’’
Among the invitees to the conference was former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao, an author in his own right. He was in the audience but was persuaded to come on the stage and sit among the literary dignitaries. Nirmal Kanti Bhattacharjee, Indira Goswami, Sunil Gangopandhyaya, Padma Sachdev, Nirmala Jain, Dilip Chitre, Harprasad Das, Suresh Dalal were some of the participants.