A thousand splendid moons

The poet, who turned 84 this week, was not asked to deliver speeches. Inaugural lamps were not lit nor were ribbons cut when women writers gathered at Abhaya, Moongode, to offer Sugathakumari their birthday wishes. The Naalukettu, where the event ‘Akshara Koottam’ was held, is like a warm home one could walk into.

Perhaps the speaker-microphone set was the only piece that reminded one that it was an event organised by the Pavizhamalli team. The mic was used to recite poetry and share experiences.

One of them shared how she had written to Sugathakumari, years before her name, O.V. Usha, became well-known to Malayalis. Her brother, O.V. Vijayan, was yet to publish Khasakkinte Ithihasam at the time. A young writer who had published a few pieces of poetry in a children’s magazine, Usha did not expect a reply. Imagine the delight, receiving not just a letter, but a short poem expressing gratitude which Sugathakumari wrote for her.

The memories which were shared ranged from personal to political and most of the time, the lines blurred. Writer Chandramathi shared how she was afraid of meeting Sugathakumari, as her father referred to the poet as a ‘one-person army’. For, her reputation as a fighter for the environment, was formidable.

Four decades ago, when the Union government had given conditional clearance for a dam at Silent Valley, she and other environmentalists had rallied to save it. Initially, a majority would brand it a lost cause.

When ecologists prepared a list of precious flora and fauna that make the forest special, and argued with sense, activists like Sugathakumari argued with ardour and sentiment.

The ‘Save Silent Valley’ movement would be one of the first fights in the state where the greens would be mocked at as anti-development gadflies. “In Kerala, environmental and feminist movements have never got mass approval. For, these have money and power as opponents. The ones who control power reins, the patriarchal society, would never let feminist movements win. Similarly, movements to save the environment would never get the approval of the moneyed ones. Sugathakumari was the heroine of causes destined to lose. That was very inspiring to me when I was an undergraduate student,” said writer K.R. Meera.

The Silent Valley movement, however, was successful. So was the fight against the Aranmula Airport, another movement for which Sugathakumari lent her voice and words. Critics of the poet would start accusing her of supporting only movements that win. There would be controversies in which her integrity would be questioned. Writer Sara Joseph said, “Kalidasa has written that the moon is so beautiful and lustrous, that no one notices its blemishes. Similarly, the love for Sugathakumari was so much that the people of Kerala did not pay heed to the accusations levelled against her. If one were to ask who would stand for the poor, the children who need to be protected, the women, the marginalised, the excluded, Sugathakumari would reply and say that she would do it. She has been a pillar of support, not just as a poet, but at various levels. The Silent Valley movement was Kerala’s gift to the world, which is now trying its best to grapple with globalisation and climate change. Sugathakumari has led it from the forefront. Her fight has always been for life, sustenance.”   

Many shared how the poet’s work had fuelled them in their younger days. Each had their own way to repay their debt of gratitude. When Meera’s Arachar sold 50,000 copies, the 50,001st copy, a special edition for which the cover was designed by Riyas Komu, was auctioned. The book was sold at Rs 50,000, to Basheer Shamnad, a businessman, and the money was donated to Abhaya.

A reading room has been built at Abhaya using contributions of the Pavizhamalli team. “We have been conducting events celebrating Sugathakumari’s birthday from 2015 onwards. This time we decided that the money we did not spend could be used for building a reading room. Writer Sara Joseph handed over its key to a child at Abhayabala this morning,” said Geetha Nazeer, journalist and member of Pavizhamalli.

There were around 30 writers. Not everyone spoke. Some merely hugged the poet and received kisses on their forehead. They offered strength, solace and towards the end sweetness. Palpayasam was served with lunch.