IN THE NAME OF CULTURE

In the Name of Culture
R Murugaiyan

We keep on creeping under our burden
Twenty centuries old
We have packed up everything in a jute sack
And heaved the load on our backs.
Our baggage is full of rags,
Broken pieces, decayed refuse–
Rotten, putrid, wasted, worn out–
We have collected odds and ends
And carry them on our backs
Started on a long, long journey
Along the jungle path,
Our eyeballs protrude under the heavy load.
We keep on creeping under our burden
Twenty centuries old
Those without any luggage
Stride on empty handed.
Others–
Clutching powerful tools
Strive and struggle
To ensure a foe-less prosperity;
Before venturing into outer space
They insist on creating heavenly splendour
On this dingy earth.
To enjoy equally the fruits of labour
To banish intrigue
To establish lasting peace is their firm intention.
Their gait is smoother, easier,
Their luggage light. They have achieved a lot
And determined to do more.
But we,
Have no mind to pause,
Put down the load
Relax
Refresh ourselves
And then proceed.
Nor are we wise enough
To unpack the sack
Throw out the trash,
All the unwanted stuff,
Pick up only precious pearls and gems
For the rest of the way.
Bored, dejected
We creep along.
While other citizens of the world
Compress their luggage into minipacks,
Work wonders with their bare hands,
Reap success after success,
Exercise critical acumen,
Craftsmanship, technical excellence,
We, poor lot,
A god-forsaken people
Keep on creeping–
Never stop.
We are not smart enough
To throw out the unwanted,
Preserve our pearls and gems
Our heavy burden
Is twenty centuries old!
In the name of culture we carry
A burden twenty centuries old
(Translation by author of Tamil original circa 1960)