Jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh deva
In her mind at least, the music anticipates, and so
She clicks her tongue to the roof of her mouth,
Intoning, imitating, the vivacious beats of the tabla
The wavelengths of her mind humming along to the palpitations
Within the temple doors
And just as Kashibai did, she opens the door
Eyes ostentatious, plumes of saffron dancing in
Smoky air; her breath is deep, inhaling
The granular fragrance of the temple
As sticks of agarbatti burn in their clay pots
She watches the capricious child, a lone dreamer
Amidst the throngs, waddle and wade across fields of rangoli
As his mother chases after him, curds-soaked hands gleefully
Twirling around him, unfurling like the petals of an budding lotus
Delighting the wandering eye
As the temple bells chime, as the child is scooped up by his mother with a finality,
And now looks around bewildered and lost, she knows it’s time, feels it in her heart--
The swell of one’s soul and spirit as the shenai’s trumpets blows;
Heaven and earth and beyond, united across the skies and stars...
The silken curtains shrouding Ganesh’s clay temple, unmasked
Jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh deva
oh! envisage-- pots of rosewater, milk, cream poured over divine clay
Meandering liquids intertwined with the crescent moon
Dovish and mechanical, practiced and preached
Gold and silk and decades of blooms
Garlands of tulsi and chrysanthemum
Sweet scarfs of promise are draped over his neck
Chains of gold and silver, networking across gilded chambers
Seven gates, the flaps of eagles’ wings
And caw of the preeing peacock, a kaleidoscope of colours
Finding and found
Transported… it remains unbeknownst to most
As a dry, orange petal of the garland peels off...
wilts and falls… into Ganesh’s open palms
Safe the wide eyes and open mouth of a little dreamer
Anklet jingling and trumpeting, who caught the sight
This poem is inspired by a scene in the Bollywood film, Bajirao Mastani, in which the Indian festival, Ganesh Pooja, is celebrated. Ganesh Pooja is an important celebration, revolving around the Remover of Obstacles, the God Ganesh, and symbolising his arrival on earth. I hope you like it!
Biography:
Kirtan is a student of the Humanities in Hwa Chong Institution, Singapore. With a passion for writing, he serves as an editor for Cathartic Literature Magazine and a researcher for Thistle Topics. He enjoys curling up with a good Bollywood movie on rainy days, salt and vinegar crisps and a good book.
Cover photo source: https://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-ganesh-chaturthi-2020-subh-muhurat-puja-vidhi-significance-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-festival-2838634