WHEN SHOWING OFF IS FAIR ENOUGH
In his novel Parisukkup Po!, Jayakanthan dealt with the theme –
globalization of music – and he received a lot of drubbing for writing it. The
author wrote of his critics proffering him advice in good faith and also
concluding with a warning.
- Stick to writing short stories only;
- Stop exploring uncharted waters;
- Give up the habit of name-dropping;
- Be aware that you may lose many readers hereafter
What was the author’s reaction?
“I have read all the criticism about my book. Now, when I take another
look at it, I am overwhelmed with a sense of satisfaction that I had penned a
great novel and I feel immensely proud about it.”
And he quoted the following poem:
மன்னுடை மன்றத்து ஓடை தூக்கினும
தன்டை மறுதலை பழித்த காலையும்
தன்னுடை பபற்றி அறியாரிடையினும்
தான் தற்புகழ்தல் தகும் புலவோர்க்கே
The English translation reads as follows:
“Even after the poets win recognition and awards in royal courts there
would be critics who would continue berate them and refuse to acknowledge
their talent leaving the winners to parade their claim openly”
The author continued:
“To act humble and reticent facing this truth may seem a noble act, but I
don’t feel that’s necessary under the present circumstances. I realize it is a sad day when worthy individuals find themselves obliged to act arrogant and
egoistic. I am well aware of my own flaws that weigh heavily in my heart.”
Scholars explained the poem in the context of how Hanuman, the
monkey-king from Ramayana handled the problem of self-effacement and
self-promotion. They quote two instances:
“In his first meeting with Sita in the Ashoka Forest where she is held as a
prisoner by Ravana, Hanuman tells her: “I am just a foot soldier in the army
of Sugreeva2
, and there is no one else who is inferior to me.”
This doesn’t mean Hanuman was denigrating himself before Sita. He was
assuring Sita that the army fighting for Rama to fight against Ravana has
many warriors and a few foot soldiers like himself.
The same Hanuman, on another occasion, when the monkey-army was to
return home from Lanka after the war, and when crossing the ocean seemed
a challenge to the monkeys, tells his cohorts: “I can simply catch hold of the
fast-moving Garuda3
in a playful mood.”
Were these words spoken because he was conceited? No, Hanuman was
trying to boost the morale of his followers tired and exhausted.
That was how Nannool justified Hanuman’s behavior
Hanuman is described in Hindu mythology as am authority of Vedas, a
mighty warrior and king of speech. In Kamba Ramayanam (Tamil), his most
remarkable act on returning from Lanka and landing at the feet of Rama
eagerly awaiting him was to pronounce the two words: “Saw Sita!”4
to ease
instantly any lingering concerns about Sita
