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A quiver of poems
EACH POEM was an arrow that struck the right chord. The moments melted into timelessness as the poet breathed life into his compositions from his volume of poems, "Tarkash" (A Quiver).
Chennai's cultural season started on an interesting note when well-known script writer-poet Javed Akhtar enthralled a select audience recently with a recitation of his poems. The event was in aid of the Centre for Social Initiative and Management.
The poetic genius distilled over three generations, was evident in the thought-provoking sequences, which Javed Akhtar read out.
"Kamara" (A Room) traced the progress from a comfortable childhood to an impersonal plane of achievement where the fine Mansion appears lonely in comparison to the small room that "used to talk". "Chouraaha" (Cross roads) was dedicated to the poet's daughter, exhorting her to choose, not the easy path that would crush her identity, but to venture forth on the straight and narrow route that would pose challenges to test her mettle, for that is what her father expects of her.
There are crowds before you and crowds behind you. In the melee that ensues, the way to the top would be to ride over the bodies of those who have fallen in the path. Yet not to move ahead would be suicidal, for the crowds behind would surely walk over you. That was the essence of "Confusion", while pangs of deprivation came alive in "Hunger". In another poem, the poet's deep-seated desire for Universal Brotherhood was reinforced through a theme from a science fiction where he visualises an invasion by aliens. The poet wielded his baton with a maestro's touch, controlling the emotions of the audience, tempering the surge and bringing them gently into placid waters to a `peace that surpasseth understanding'.
Actress Revathy, who bravely attempted to keep pace with Akhtar's poesy by reading from Prof. Matthew's translations, hit the nail on the head when she declared that the Queen's tongue was inadequate for the occasion.
The poet's interaction with the guests later was peppered with his innate wit and humour, proof of the talent of a man who mesmerised the nation with dialogues for blockbusters such as "Sholay" and "Deewar".
In a fitting finale, singer Srinivas rendered some lilting compositions penned by Javed Akhtar, who auctioned some autographed copies, proceeds of which would go for charity. The poet came to Chennai equipped with a quiver and set our hearts aquiver!
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