The Autograph Tree by Vishnu Narayanan Namboothiri

The Autograph Tree by Vishnu Narayanan Namboothiri

കയ്യൊപ്പ് മരം

Vishnu Narayanan Namboothiri's "The Autograph Tree" is a short poem which is written as a result of his visit to Coole Park in Ireland. It also praises the power of poetry. This poem is all about poetry and its greatness.

The poet is walking through Coole Park. He walks along the valleys through which gods return from hunting. It is the path were swans greet cold ripples of waterfalls in which fishes turn and twist. These things make Ben Bulben ( a mountain in Ireland connected with W B Yeats) brighter like lights laid out for a carnival of life. [ pls note: 1. A carnival is a festival with possessions - indicating a walk - the walk of life. 2. Life is a celebration. ]

This path is not just for festivals. It is the path that became wet with the blood of suicide squads. It is the path of deliverance obtained by the tales of Kiltartan heroes ( Kiltartan refers to the homeland of W B Yeats, Lady Gregory etc. Kiltartan heroes are these Irish writers.) As the poet (Vishnu Narayanan Namboothiri) is walking through this path he is looking for the light (the source) that influenced great men (especially Irish writers). 

The poet arrived here (Coole park) when flowers bloom. He feels that his feet are tied with creepers. There stand many old (granny) trees that witnessed history. They provide a cool atmosphere,  protecting visitors from the heat of midday sun. The poet adds that these trees are the ones that make him walk along the path (in Coole Park).

The poet finally stops before a large tree. It is very big as large as five men can hold there arms around it and it is hard as anjanam stone (അഞ്ജനക്കല്ല്). There is so many inscriptions in this tree that is made by yogis, warriors, elders (scholars)  and panans (poets). The autograph of people who made a mark in the history of their motherland can be seen in this tree.

These are signs of life that appear as letters and names. (The signs in the tree symbolizes life of great people) . The poet then goes on listing some of the signs in the tree. He lists out four great personalities from Irish literature. They are :

1. Lady Augusta Gregory : dramatist, folklorist and cofounder of Abbey Theatre. She sacrificed her wealth, son, family and everything she had for war.

2. J M Synge : He visited Aron islands several times and got the subject and language of his plays from there. 

3. George Bernard Shaw : He criticized the stereotypes in society through his plays which are satirical. 4. William Butler Yeats : founder of Irish Literary Society. He purified the past to fill the mind with rustic (simple / rural) wisdom of present day.

These are the people who opposed those who looted their country. This opposition was with the use of art (twang of veenas). They used their talent to oppose the cultural and linguistic domination of the British.°

Vishnu Narayanan Namboothiri remembers about other poets whose ideas that roars like ocean in his heart while kissing the autograph tree. Vallathol, Bharatiyar, Rabindranath Tagore, Pablo Neruda and Sikelianos (greek lyric poet) are poets who raised their voice against oppression (prisons). Their words were hard as diamond. Those poets asked us to remember the legacy of our motherland,  the courage of our peasants,  the wisdom of our sages and all the things that create history of modern man. The poet feels that the great poet Vailoppilli Sreedhara Menon is saying him about ancestors of Malayalam poetry. Those ancestors burned a torch with fire (reference to poem "Pantangal"). They spread light to the world.  They protested against oppression faced by our people.

The final stanza of the poem glorifies the power of poetry. The poet compares the Coole Park to Naimisha forest. The great epic Mahabharata is narrated in Naimisha forest. By comparing Coole Park to Naimisha forest the poet praises both Irish and Indian poetry. Here (the park) human history is separated from unwanted chaff. The poet bows his head in respect. He says that poetry isa guardian of freedom.  It is protective shield against oppression. Poetry provides wisdom to the world. 

Extra Notes : 

Irish Dramatic Revival °

During the nineteenth century a movement began in Ireland which aimed at creating a literary revival. It promoted Irish literature, language and culture. It was against the linguistic and cultural domination of Ireland by Britain. 

Pls Note: 

This summary may not be perfect in grammar. You can comment any grammar or spelling mistakes so that others may find it easy to read.

I am unable to give a stanza wise summary due to enjabments