Date:09/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/09/stories/2009010957670200.htm

Kerala

A poet in alien land yearns for his roots

Ralph Nazareth

In his short poem titled ‘bOMb’, American poet Ralph Nazareth wrote: “Is this / (also) / what / Krishna / meant?”

Right from the title, which appears like a typographical error, to the allusion to Hindu mythology, the short poem captures the sensibilities that Ralph Nazareth stands for, as a poet, publisher and a teacher. Born and brought up in Mangalore, he move d to the United States a long time ago and has been staying there for three decades.

“I moved into the U.S., when the youth there were going the other way – to fight their deadly battle at Vietnam. After 38 years, I switched my citizenship. But I continued to be divided.” His Indianness marks out his poems. “In fact, the American society is so diverse, especially the poet community, that it features a variety of expressions like Latin and black writing. So it is essential for me to retain the mellifluous quality and musicality of my language.” It is said about Ralph Nazareth that “he ran away from God, father, and motherland in 1968.” He has spent the last three decades in the United States trying to figure out why and discovering how much he loved them.

And poetry in the medium that Ralph used to do his probing. “That particular poem, bOMb, is about how unmindful India is of its heritage. The nation is going for all-out militarism, while so many millions remain poor. India has forsaken its Gandhian values. This poem has got a punch that the Western audience could pick up.”

As a teacher of English at Nassau Community College, New York, Ralph is happy to get an American President “who can string two sentences in English without errors or stammering”. But as a Leftist political person, he is not that positive about the changes that Barack Obama might bring to U.S. and world politics.

Recently here to participate in a discussion organised by Bookport, a bookshop in the city, at the Gallery OED, Ralph also shared his experience as a publisher. His publishing house Yuganta brings out 10 titles every year.

While interacting with the students at the college, immediately after the September 11 attack on Twin Towers, Ralph realised that the Empire is facing the blow-back of its aggression. But there are many who are not impressed by the English teacher dabbling in politics.

Anand Haridas