"Shabvahini Ganga" by Parul Khakkhar

This blog is written as a task assigned by the head of the Department of English (MKBU), Prof. and Dr. Dilip Barad Sir. Here is the link to the professor's research article for background reading: Click here.

Here is the link to the blog: Click here.

• Original Poem:

એક અવાજે મડદા બોલ્યાં ‘સબ કુછ ચંગા-ચંગા’
રાજ, તમારા રામરાજ્યમાં શબવાહિની ગંગા.
રાજ, તમારા મસાણ ખૂટયા, ખૂટયા લક્કડભારા,
રાજ, અમારા ડાઘૂ ખૂટયા, ખૂટયા રોવણહારા,
ઘરેઘરે જઈ જમડાંટોળી કરતી નાચ કઢંગા
રાજ, તમારા રામરાજ્યમાં શબવાહિની ગંગા.
રાજ, તમારી ધગધગ ધૂણતી ચીમની પોરો માંગે,
રાજ, અમારી ચૂડલી ફૂટે, ધડધડ છાતી ભાંગે
બળતું જોઈ ફીડલ વગાડે ‘વાહ રે બિલ્લા-રંગા’!
રાજ, તમારા રામરાજ્યમાં શબવાહિની ગંગા.
રાજ, તમારા દિવ્ય વસ્ત્ર ને દિવ્ય તમારી જ્યોતિ
રાજ, તમોને અસલી રૂપે આખી નગરી જોતી
હોય મરદ તે આવી બોલો ‘રાજા મેરા નંગા’
રાજ, તમારા રામરાજ્યમાં શબવાહિની ગંગા.

Analysis of the Poem "Shabvahini Ganga" by Parul Khakkhar

Introduction:

"Shabvahini Ganga" by Parul Khakkhar is a powerful Gujarati poem that critiques the failures of governance, particularly in handling crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The title itself, which translates to "The Ganga Carrying Corpses," is a stark metaphor for the tragic reality of dead bodies floating in the Ganges during the pandemic in India. The poem is deeply political and satirical, exposing the contrast between the idealistic vision of "Ram Rajya" (a just and prosperous kingdom as per Hindu mythology) and the grim reality of suffering, death, and government negligence.

Themes:

1. Death and Suffering:

The poem vividly describes the horrific sight of dead bodies in the Ganges, symbolizing the large-scale deaths and the state's failure to provide dignity even in death.

2.Political Satire and Critique of Leadership:

The repeated phrase "Raj, tamara Ramrajya ma shabvahini Ganga" (O King, in your Ram Rajya, the Ganges has become a river of corpses) directly mocks the idea that the government has created a utopian society. Instead, it suggests that what exists is far from ideal—rather, it is a dystopian nightmare.

3.Failure of Governance:

The poem highlights various failures, such as:Lack of cremation facilities ("Raj, tamara masaan khutyā, khutyā lakkadbharā") – Crematoriums have run out of wood.

Families unable to mourn their dead ("Raj, amāra dāghu khutyā, khutyā rovanhārā") – There are no rituals or people left to grieve.

4.Irony and Contrast:

The poem contrasts the divine imagery of Ram Rajya with the horrific reality of mass deaths. While the government claims to be leading the country towards prosperity, the people are suffering due to mismanagement and neglect.

5.Exposure of False Narratives:

The lines "Raj, tamari dhagdhag dhunati chimni poro mange" (O King, your blazing chimneys demand corpses) imply that the government is burning bodies in large numbers, yet trying to hide the real death toll.

The reference to "Fiddle-playing" in "Balatu joi fiddle vagade, 'vah re billa-ranga'" echoes the famous legend of Nero playing the fiddle while Rome burned, suggesting that the leadership is indifferent to people's suffering.

Difficult Lines and Their Interpretation:

Gujarati Line	Possible Difficulty	Explanation
"Raj, tamara Ramrajya ma shabvahini Ganga."	Meaning of "Shabvahini Ganga"	It literally means "Ganga carrying corpses," referring to the tragic sight of dead bodies floating in the river during the COVID-19 crisis.
"Raj, tamara masaan khutyā, khutyā lakkadbharā"	Meaning of "Masaan" and "Lakkadbharā"	"Masaan" means crematorium, and "Lakkadbharā" refers to wood for burning bodies. This line means that the crematoriums have run out of space and wood.
"Raj, tamari dhagdhag dhunati chimni poro mange"	Meaning of "Dhagdhag dhunati chimni"	It means "blazing chimneys demand more bodies." This likely refers to overburdened crematoriums running continuously.
"Balatu joi fiddle vagade, 'vah re billa-ranga'"	Meaning of "Fiddle vagade"	"Fiddle vagade" means "playing the violin"—a reference to Emperor Nero, who is said to have played the fiddle while Rome burned. It suggests the government is ignoring people's suffering.
"Raj, tamone asli roope akhi nagari joti"	Meaning of "Asli roope"	"Asli roope" means "true form." The line suggests that people are now seeing the true face of the government, stripped of its propaganda.

Conclusion:

The poem "Shabvahini Ganga" is a bold, emotional, and scathing critique of a government that has failed its people. Through irony, metaphor, and powerful imagery, Parul Khakkhar exposes the tragic consequences of mismanagement and neglect, turning the idealized concept of "Ram Rajya" into a harsh reminder of suffering, death, and loss.

References:

1. Barad, Dilip. “I.A. Richards: The Figurative Language | Practical Criticism.” ResearchGate, Jan. 2024, https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.23687.98724.

2. ---. “Just Poems.” Dilip Barad | Teacher Blog, 23 Sept. 2015, blog.dilipbarad.com/2015/09/just-poems.html. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

3. Richards, Ivor Armstrong. Practical Criticism: A Study of Literary Judgment. Harper Perennial, 1956..

Analysis of "Shabvahini Ganga" by Parul Khakkhar

Aspect	Explanation
Poem Title	Shabvahini Ganga (શબવાહિની ગંગા)
Poet	Parul Khakkhar
Language	Gujarati
Main Theme	Critique of governance, mass deaths, and political hypocrisy
Context	Written during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the tragedy of corpses floating in the Ganges due to government mismanagement.
Tone	Satirical, mournful, and accusatory
Symbolism	Ganga as a funeral river: Instead of being sacred, it represents widespread death and suffering. Ram Rajya irony: Supposedly ideal governance is contrasted with real suffering. Chimneys and fiddles: Symbolize ignorance and indifference by authorities.
Repetition	The line "Raj, tamara Ramrajya ma shabvahini Ganga" (O King, in your Ram Rajya, the Ganges carries corpses) is repeated for emphasis.
Historical Reference	"Balatu joi fiddle vagade" – Refers to Nero playing the fiddle while Rome burned, implying that the leaders ignored public suffering.

Difficult Words & Their Meanings

Gujarati Word/Phrase	Meaning in English	Explanation
Shabvahini Ganga	"The Ganges carrying corpses"	Symbolizes mass deaths and the government's failure to manage the crisis.
Masaan khutyā	"Crematoriums have run out of space"	Reflects the high number of deaths.
Lakkadbharā khutyā	"No more firewood left for cremation"	Highlights the dire situation of funeral arrangements.
Dhagdhag dhunati chimni	"Blazing chimneys demand more corpses"	Suggests that cremation grounds are overwhelmed.
Fiddle vagade	"Playing the fiddle"	Refers to leaders ignoring the suffering of people.
Raj, tamara Ramrajya	"O King, in your Ram Rajya"	Sarcastic reference to the government claiming an ideal society while people suffer.

Conclusion

The poem Shabvahini Ganga is a bold political and social critique. Using irony, metaphor, and repetition, Parul Khakkhar exposes government failures and mass suffering. It portrays the tragic contrast between the ideal vision of Ram Rajya and the grim reality of death and despair.