What is remarkable about the initial poem by Bharathiar that
impressed a buoyant and curious Muralidhran on Saraswathi pooja day was that
the great poet did not talk of abolishing Saraswathi puja but talked of how to make
it more authentic by educating even one child. What is striking about this poem
is not its inherent beauty because all Bharathiar’s poems had a grandiose beauty
but how counter inter intuitive it is. It talks about how to amicably join
traditions to build a richer society rather than making one tradition
predominant as most writers want to do by taking an either/or stand.
To mutter a few old mantras
And with flowers and sandalwood
Bedeck a stack of palm leaves
Is of time and thought a waste
In every house a light of learning
In every street a school or two
Throughout the land in every town
A multitude of schools
Where there is no research
To consign that place to the fire
Is the best way to win her favour
The nectar of our desire
Raising groves of rare fruit trees
Digging wells and tanks for water
Founding dharamshalas and temples
And other such charities that bring
Great glory to one’s name forever
None of these has merit
Like making yonder poor man literate
Let the wealthy give heaps of gold
And those who are poor small charity
The orator’s words,the labourer’s
From each what he can arrange
Women whose speech is honey sweet
Speak in praise of Goddess Vani
Giving and doing all we can
Let us plant and tend this tree
The service of Saraswati!
