Dr Tapan Kumar Pradhan

< b> Autobiography of an Award Winning Poet< /b> 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! *****)