Poetry and geography

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In India, we ape the west and refer to people we love as "sunshine".

Even though in reality we hate the sun. The sun is harsh in India. It causes our skin to brown more than it already is. We don't find a tan gorgeous. We find whiteness attractive - the whiter the better!! (i am talking of India as a community - not necessarily reflecting on personal preference here) The sun is not a reason for rejoicing. Sunrise - yes as it symbolizes the light after a period of darkness. But, the sun in the sky is hardly a cause of happiness and good cheer.

This explains why no regional poetry derives its inspiration from the sun - when it wants to describe a positive feeling. In fact some English songs we love to hum will not quite make the same sense in Indian languages. Let me list out a few:

1) Here comes the sun. tu ru ru ru ru - The Beatles
2) "the sun is shining everyday, clouds never get in the way for you and me"- "i love you", Martina Mcride (OST Runaway Bride)
3)You are the sunshine of my life - Stevie Wonder

Indian poetry, on the contrary has repeated reference of rain and shade to describe happiness, love, and sensuality. Believe it or not, in India we feel elated when we see grey clouds cover the skies.

Let me list out a few songs:

1) Kale megha (oh! grey clouds!!) - OST Lagaan
2) tumko dekha to yeh khayaal aaya, zindagi dhoop, tu ghana saaya (when i see you, the thought comes to my mind that this world is the sun and you are my shade) - OST Saath Saath
3)tip tip tip tip baarish ka yeh mausam shuru ho gaya (tiptiptiptip the rainy season has begun) - OST Afsaana Pyaar Ka
4)Boondon se baatein (talking to rain-drops) - OST Takshak

Okay, the list is pretty endless. You get the general idea. Having said this, let me point out that there do exist some exceptions:

1) Singing in the rain - is an English song and movie which celebrates well, singing in the rain
2) Tu dhoop hai, chan se bikhar (you are the sun, splash your rays out) - OST Taare Zameen Par. Here too however, the sun is being used as a metaphor for 'energy and light' rather than happiness or love.

Do share examples of songs of rain, sun and shade that come to your mind. Would love to re-visit/know about them.

Comments

Brown Weed said…
sahee hai! very nice observation!!
14 June 2011 at 14:39
Pooja Nair said…
Thank Mr.B. I appreciate it! :)
16 June 2011 at 15:23
soumitra said…
interesting observation but ..aren't both referring to the same.. being optimistic .looking forward to a new beginning ..a fresh start.
But u are rite..sun/dhoop in indian context is more about the subah and the bringing on the day kinds
And there is enough regional poetry that celebrates this

Aa dhoop malu mein-Fiza?
9 July 2011 at 23:09
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