|
PCK PREM, Prakash
Book Depot, Bareilly, 2008 Rs. 60/- ISBN 978-81-7977-283-6
P.C. Katock (Prem) is a distingusihed name in the domain of Indian English
Poetry. He belongs to Palampur, Kangra (Himachal). He has authored more than
forty books and his outpourings are in different languages like Pahari, Hindi
and English. In the foreword of this volume Prof. R.A. Singh asserts "PCK Prem
is a poet of considerable merit and an important voice in the second generation
of Indian poets of English."
Dr. Prem belongs to hilly region and this beauty and surroundings is reflected
through this volume. There are 60 poems in this volume.
The first poem 'Rainbows' presents words worthian 'Rainbow in the sky'
"To spread feet on to sky, Like wings of rustling rainbows And little rain drops
dissolving,
Into the mirage infinite." (Rainbows)
His love for nature reflects from such poems as Autumn, A till Breeze etc. "Fair
damsels with sparkling eyes, And cupid sighing and dying alone With murderous
arrow of piercing glances. Thrown at random crazily." (A Hill Breeze) PCK Prem raises
such philosophical questions as Life, voices, happiness in such poems as "Life,
Wings, Voices, A long journey, Happiness, Paths, etc.
"Archetypal notions in frescoes Bodies and souls disturbing all Jumping about
and expecting no relief. I can understand." (Life)
|
|
There is an element of realism in Prem's verses and he tries to present
realistic pictures through his words. In this category such poems come as
"children of Slums, Things, Doctor, Rogues, Quarrels etc.
"Quarrels of great men Never fade away and die
Where women love cards, Tombola and partying."
(Quarrels) "Unknown prowling eyes in search of names
Get looted by thieves at times
In the middle of night casting votes
To elect real dacoits among thugs
Constructing puzzles and noisy houses,
To rewrite legends of God fathers
In a nascent democracy fifty years old."
(Thug) There are two longer poems in this volume entitled "Struggle and Purusa
in Pains." |
He has used Indian Ethos and mythology to force his point. "In struggles of a
life time To become like God is elusive A nightmare and a blind running Into a
mirage of colras." (Struggle)
PCK Prem forces on Purusartha (action) through his poem 'Purush in Pains' "Along
the banks of holy rivers Flowing down for centuries Man rose to glory and
ultimate death unwanted Detouring through cultures And remnants of past." (Purusa
in Pains)
|
|
Prem has also penned many other poems on diverse
topics. Like a sculptor he chisclls his words to make his artifacts more
meaningful. To other poems on diverse topics are "Space Between, A New Day,
Dictums, Swamy Images, King's Land, Oh! Rama, Cut, Third Eye, An Unknown Town,
Fortress, Chaos, Game, Dolls, Profile etc.
"There is a little space Between politics of life And frenzy of men in love."
(Space Between) |
|
|
Prem's poetic outpourings are spontaneous and meaningful. He presents simplicity
of hill life through his poems. Prof. R.A. Singh asserts this point in his
preface.
"He manipulates them in his own way and naturalizes idioms, syntax, poetic
forms, metre and rhythm to Indian ethos. He attempts to find out poetic
expression for multifarious social and individual contradictions affecting
present day life." |
In the end, I can say PCK Prem is successful in his effort of spreading his
message through his verses. The price of this volume is also reasonable. We are
also looking forward of his new volume of poetry.
===============
Contributed By:
Dr.
Ram Sharma, Lecturer in English,
Janta Vedic College MEERUT, U.P.
dr.ram_sharma@yahoo.co.in
Liked this Book Review? Share
your comments - info@writershideout.net
|
|
