Bangles
Turquoise green, they come in the box,
made of Lac and
studded with pearls.
Oh! Look at those purple glass ones,
so proud of their beady swirls.
These in their silvery metal sheen,
compete, for attention, with their sequined sisters.
The royal elephants on pink enamelled beds
bring out collective gasps of desire.
As the choodiwala displays
his ware,
women in our street, line up for the treat.
Vermillion red or golden hued,
their jingling sound so sweet.
While, Mothers and daughters, sisters and wives
exult with their treasure in pure delight,
We, the shaven headed widows,
with unadorned wrists, cry
silently at our plight.
- Neha Bansal
- Neha Bansal
the contrast between shaven heads, unadorned wrists and the riot of colors and designs of bangles is so stark. beautiful poem. wonderful twist in the end.
ReplyDeletethank you, "anonymous".
DeleteIt is so good....Sometimes we take things for granted and forget all the little things around us like the beautiful colors. They seem to be part of our life .......but i was surprised to see the twist in the end. It is amazing.
ReplyDeletethank u, so much..:)
DeleteWhat a reflection of our Yesteryear’s society. A Poignant Theme yet mellifluous tone which still beautifully conveys the powerful message of the poem.
ReplyDeleteThe ambience of the poem is definitely that of grandeur but with a hint of pride and self admiration, which on the whole becomes evocative of the married women and the females who can freely adorn those bangles.
The “beady swirls ”of the bangles do not fail to conjure up an image of a damsel with tresses swirling down. It actually presents a stark contrast to the “shaven heads” in the culminating lines.
Also, There is a contrast between the Exterior and Interior.
“Box made of lac, studded with pearls” further glamourises the bangles inside. And the “metal sheen” instantly manifests a facade, an exterior so vibrant and proud in its own exhibit.
It Contrasts with the silent woeful mental plight of “shaven headed widows” who do not voice out their pain but “cry silently”.
The myriad hues of the bangles, the carefully chosen “vermilion red” and “jingling sound” contrasts with the Barreness of the shaven heads of widows who cry silently.
ReplyDelete“The royal elephants on pink enamelled beds bring out collective gasps of desire” is a master stroke which conjures up such a multitude of contrasts and metaphors.
The elephant itself is a figure of royalty, a figure of power which is further glorified as enamelled on soft “pink beds” which speaks of conjugal gratification. And it is deprived to the widows who too instinctively feel the “collective gasps of desire” but cannot fulfil it due to the hegemonic and orthodox society which fails to perceive and regard natural and simple human desires.
The Poem touches an altogether different Altitude owing to its structure which finely balances a Range of Vibrant Epithets in the first half with the very Minimal words that represent the Tragedy in the second half.
Wow...what an incisive analysis... Thanks for this wonderful word by word unlayering of the poem... Infact, this holds up to what is said about author being dead and reader being birn 😊
Deletemy mausi was a baal vidhwa. denied all her life beautiful things with which women adorn themselves. good poem beta. keep it up.
ReplyDeleteMy mother's bhuaji was also one. It's painful to see them living a life of deprivation....so much so their shadow too is considered inauspicious...thank u , sir.
ReplyDeleteI see that you have become more inclusive over the years... Power of expression was always your forte, giving voice to the unsung is a welcome step
ReplyDeleteThanks pranav 😊 i am happy that u see an improvement in me...lol
DeleteThe poem first brings smile remembering childhood or during festival days. Buying colorful bangles and adorning our writs. But then tht contrast about widows..some traditions which brings emptiness tht engulfs everything. Touched the heart.
ReplyDeleteHats of ma'm .
Thank u so much. m grateful for your kind comments... 😊
DeleteCongratulations Neha Bansal Ma'am for this touching and sensitive poem on Bangles. While widowers have no restrictions, why not let widows live and do as they please. Time to turn our outdated traditions which prevent us from enjoying the New India. Jai Hind!
ReplyDeleteThank u, Dr prakash. It's indeed the time to change. Time not to shun widows at any auspicious occasions...time to make them feel normal... And make a norm of widow remarriage (if she desires) as it is almost a given for the widowers. 😊
DeleteHeart touching. .bangles,lack box. .almost I forget after coming to Andaman. .
ReplyDeleteThank u so much 😊
DeleteColours of bangles versus sorrow of a widow. Great work mam
ReplyDeletethank u so much. regards
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written... just love the noise of bangles. No woman should be denied of it . Any person who restrain widower to wear it should be ostracised.
ReplyDeletethank u dear payal...i totally agree..
DeleteBeautifully written with cultural thoughts of yesterday..
ReplyDeleteEnd to b the true reflection of a women just blown me with mixed feelings.
Adieu
thank u so much for reading. regards
DeleteWonderful twist of the knife in the ending. Initially I flippantly read it as an expression of feminine whimsy. The ending left me feeling a chill pass through my heart
ReplyDeletethanks :)
ReplyDeleteContrast of theme and words adds to the beauty of this work madam. Pain is so expressive in the colorful expression of daily delights
ReplyDeleteThank u so much. I am glad u liked it :-)
DeleteThank u, Harish ji. I am so glad you took out time to read my poems. Regards
ReplyDelete