Biography of Dr Tapan Kumar Pradhan

Autobiography of an Award Winning Poet 

I wanted a medal, and so I went 

to the awarding committee vice president 
and showed him all my poems and asked: 
'Would you consider me for an award? ' 

'Your poems are all so simple and straight - 

with no sign of style or high intellect; 
even a schoolboy can plain understand them - 
how can we award you for your poem? ' 

So I returned next day with a bunch of new 

poems steeped in philosophy of high brow: 
'Ah! they look now much better', he said, 
'But which Party do you follow - Right or Left? ' 

I frankly said I belonged to neither, 

whereupon he said, ''Your poems, my sir, 
should follow some firebrand doctrine, or else 
how can they the Jury's mind impress? ' 

'Casteism and Secularism are leading issues, 

you can write on Feminism, if you choose! ' 
So the next day I wrote a few poems based 
on sheer madness: 'I'm an Anarchist! ', I said. 

'Ah! the poems are terrific! Now you get 

a foreword written by an eminent poet, 
and launch your book at a public gathering 
by a celebrity of some social standing.' 

'If my poems are good, then why this pain? ' 

I asked him, and he answered with disdain: 
'Without propaganda, sir, your poetry's as good 
as a chair with three legs that ever stood! ' 

And so I went to a dying old poet of repute 

and made him sign below a foreword I wrote, 
and having launched my book by a young rising 
politician, I wondered: 'When the award's coming? ' 

'You will get the award, ' the vice president said, 
'But you've still to do one thing, I am afraid - 
to ensure your book is well received by public, 
please get it reviewed by a well-known critic.' 

'What's an award to do with a darned critic? ' 

I asked in rage, but his answer was as chic: 
'Your poems are sophisticated, not easy to chew - 
only a critic can lucidate your point of view! ' 

And so I did as directed, and at the end 

of a year, in Autumn, a letter was sent 
to me, declaring they were only too glad 
to confer on me their top poetry award. 

At a glittering function I received my medal, 

but I swear, dear reader, before one and all 
that as long as I remain in this world, 
no more poetry for me - ah, no more award! 

*****

Dr Tapan Kumar Pradhan's Works:

Kalahandi (poem)