Biography of Dr Tapan Kumar Pradhan

Autobiography of an Award Winning Poet

I wanted a medal, and so I went

to the awarding committee vice president
and showed him all my poems and asked:
'Would you consider me for an award? '

'Your poems are all so simple and straight -

with no sign of style or high intellect;
even a schoolboy can plain understand them -
how can we award you for your poem? '

So I returned next day with a bunch of new

poems steeped in philosophy of high brow:
'Ah! they look now much better', he said,
'But which Party do you follow - Right or Left? '

I frankly said I belonged to neither,

whereupon he said, ''Your poems, my sir,
should follow some firebrand doctrine, or else
how can they the Jury's mind impress? '

'Casteism and Secularism are leading issues,

you can write on Feminism, if you choose! '
So the next day I wrote a few poems based
on sheer madness: 'I'm an Anarchist! ', I said.

'Ah! the poems are terrific! Now you get

a foreword written by an eminent poet,
and launch your book at a public gathering
by a celebrity of some social standing.'

'If my poems are good, then why this pain? '

I asked him, and he answered with disdain:
'Without propaganda, sir, your poetry's as good
as a chair with three legs that ever stood! '

And so I went to a dying old poet of repute

and made him sign below a foreword I wrote,
and having launched my book by a young rising
politician, I wondered: 'When the award's coming? '

'You will get the award, ' the vice president said,
'But you've still to do one thing, I am afraid -
to ensure your book is well received by public,
please get it reviewed by a well-known critic.'

'What's an award to do with a darned critic? '

I asked in rage, but his answer was as chic:
'Your poems are sophisticated, not easy to chew -
only a critic can lucidate your point of view! '

And so I did as directed, and at the end

of a year, in Autumn, a letter was sent
to me, declaring they were only too glad
to confer on me their top poetry award.

At a glittering function I received my medal,

but I swear, dear reader, before one and all
that as long as I remain in this world,
no more poetry for me - ah, no more award!

*****

Dr Tapan Kumar Pradhan's Works:

Kalahandi (poem)