#CelebrateingtheRainbow at the workplace – share your stories of Pride!
Blood, which is a poem by Kamala Nehru illustrates the different aspect of a woman. In this piece, the writer talks about her own interpretation of the poem. She reviews in her own words.
Blood, a poem by Kamala Das illustrates the different aspect of a woman. In this piece, the writer talks about her own interpretation of the poem. She reviews in her own words.
This is my very own interpretation of the poem Blood by Kamala Das. I feel that this poem is very feminine, depicting various aspects of women of different ages. I feel that one woman can well understand another because all these traits are there within us; maybe that is why Kamala Das, unlike her brother, could empathize with her grandmother so much.
I have avoided unnecessary explanations of the poem itself in this review as I am primarily interested in examining the minute, unsaid details about the women in the poem. I anticipate that readers would find this new insight into the poem thought provoking.
In a way, the poem Blood written by this Indian English poet and litterateur, clearly depicts the picture of aristocracy of the yesteryear in Malabar, Kerala. At the same time, this poem is a window into a little girl’s heart and how the world moulds her into a butterfly from the naivety of the cocoon.
It must be the 1940’s- Kamala being an inquisitive child, observes nature and tries to draw her fantasies in the sand as she plays with her brother.
It must be the 1940’s- Kamala being an inquisitive child, observes nature and tries to draw her fantasies in the sand as she plays with her brother. Along with the intoxicating serenity of nature at her grandmother’s place, she also comes to experience the anxiety, fear and the agony of her 86-year-old great grandmother about the perishing ancestral house. The conflict between the gratifying fantasies of a child and the bitter realities of her Grandmother must have influenced her in many ways in nourishing her creativity.
The poem illustrates different situations where such conflicts of experience are visible.
The poem narrates the rich past of Kamala’s great grandmother – Jewel box, elephant, sandal oil, which are all symbolic of her extravagant youth and her marriage to a prince, and then the sudden loneliness after his death within a year of their marriage. The poem also hints at how the woman in her grandmother dies along with her husband, if you read these lines from the poem-“God is her only feast; worldly pleasures become mere condiments to her afterwards.”
The poem also illustrates the pride her grandmother has over her blue blood, which she carries to her grave.
The little girl, Kamala could feel all the defeats and miseries her grandmother gave in to and so she promises herself to save the 300-year-old house for her grandmother.
The little girl, Kamala could feel all the defeats and miseries her grandmother gave in to and so she promises herself to save the 300-year-old house for her grandmother. But then again, reality strikes her. She learns as she grows up that making money is not easy. She could feel the old house breaking down, white ants, now fearlessly walking inside their old house – she asks for forgiveness as she is incapable of protecting the house. These thoughts follow her all her life; such is the impact of the childhood experiences.
She feels guilty that she plucked the soul of her grandmother (the house) and flung it into death’s pyre. She too is proud of her royal blood even though she is not powerful enough to renovate the old house, her great grandmother once loved.
Note: For Kamala Das, love is her religion. Her grandmother was her favorite person who taught her to love, forgive and devote oneself for the service of the less fortunate. She was aware of the sorrow of her lonely grandmother. She could empathize with the struggles of everyday women, which came alive in her verses.
Kamala Das image via answers.com
Deepa.R. Krishnan✍ A Public Relations Consultant in Dubai. Digital content creator. Cherie Blair foundation mentor alumna. Mohiniyattam dancer. Favorite quote: "The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough." read more...
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
Can you believe this bloke compelled me to wear only saris - full time at home- till the eighth month of my pregnancy?! The excessive heat coupled with humidity made my life miserable.
Recently when I browsed an interesting post by a fellow author on this very forum I had a sense of déjà vu. She describes the absolutely unnecessary hullabaloo over ladies donning nighties and /or dupatta –less suits.
I wish to narrate how I was in dire straits so far wearing a ‘nightie’ was concerned.
I lived in my ultra orthodox sasural under constant surveillance of two moral guardians (read Taliban) in the shape of the husband’s mom and dad. The mom was unschooled and dim-witted while the dad was a medical practitioner. But he out-Heroded the Herod in orthodoxy.
My supervisor introduced me as a valuable member of the team, emphasizing my skills and contributions rather than focusing on my gender identity. This simple act set the tone for my experience in the workplace.
As a transwoman navigating the corporate world, I had encountered my fair share of discrimination and challenges. Transitioning without the support of my parents and having limited friendships in my personal life made the journey difficult and lonely. However, when I stepped into the office, something remarkable happened, I left behind the stress and negativity, embracing a space where I could truly be myself.
Joining the marketing team as a graphic designer, I was initially apprehensive about how my colleagues would react to my gender identity. But to my surprise, the atmosphere was welcoming and respectful from day one. My supervisor, Sarah, introduced me as a valuable member of the team, emphasizing my skills and contributions rather than focusing on my gender identity. This simple act set the tone for my experience in the workplace.
As I settled into my role, I discovered that my colleagues went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and included. They consistently used my correct name and pronouns, creating an environment where I could be authentically me. Being an introvert, making friends wasn’t always easy for me, but within this workplace, I found a supportive community that embraced me for who I truly am. The workplace became a haven where I could escape the stresses of my personal life and focus on my professional growth.
Please enter your email address