An Unsung sacrifice...... A reading of Thomas Campbell's LORD ULLIN 'S DAUGHTER

The poem LORD ULLIN'S DAUGHTER by Campbell is taught an d read or taught to be read as a tragic ballad of a couple who meet death in the raging sea due to an uncomp romising father who disapproves their rela tionship. His realisatio n cost of his daughter 's life.The focus in rea ding this poem has al ways been seen to be on two areas-one,the loss of life of the inno cent girl and her lover,the consequent sympathy for them and the indignation towards authority;tw o,the realisation of a father who fails to be human and the coloss al loss he incurs.The poem starts when the chieftain with his beloved request the boatman to take them over the stormy sea to escape from Lord Ullin and his men. The girl says, "I'll meet the rag ing of the skies,but not an angry father". The boatman takes th em despite the inclem ent weather but peris h in the middle of the stormy sea.Lord Ullin reaches the shore wit h his men but finds hi s daughter calling for help and drowning in the sea.He forgives he r but realises it is too late.Over and again re peating these two are as in the discussion of the poem, a grave inju stice is done by overlo oking the sacrifice of the boatman who pur ely on humane ground s braves to help the couple.Knowing well about the stormy wea ther and the waves,he keeps his life at stake to aid the couple to th eir destination."It's no t for your silver bright but for your winsome lady".His words vividl y reveal his altruistic concern.At the end of the poem the pitiable plight of the girl and h er lover is highlighted and there is no menti on of the boatman!ho w sad!His sacrifice is no small! Love or love rs in literature and fil ms have always been portrayed keeping it/t hem as the centre rele gating everything else to the periphery.The same pattern is repea ted here too.It is the duty of the readers to read a literary piece from the periphery to o to unravel hidden and unseen perspectiv es which alone can make literature a mea ningful and refreshing experience.Forgetting the boatman after rea ching the other shore is not only an injustice in a piece of art but it reflects a cultural han dicap of ingratitude.

on independence day

santhosh kana

with Lohitadas at Ottappalam in 2008

We(myself, my parents,brother,sister-in-law and brother-in-law) stopped at a restaurant in Ottappalam for lunch after visiting some of the famous film locations. After having lunch while coming down to ground floor, my eyes fell on a bearded figure sitting at a table relishing fish fry, simultaneously conversing over mobile. My excitement broke all social barriers and i shouted loudly:LOHITADAS!!!! With shyness and awe i went towards him, stood for a while. Noticing Respecting my presence, he ended the phone call saying: " i will call you back". He gestured me to sit and asked: "Yes, tell me.." I was lost for words. Still i introduced myself and told him how much i liked his films and writings. My brother-in-law was capturing this wonderful meeting with a legend. I told the great writer, "sir, i have written a script for a film. But.." He motivated at once, "then..why don't you go ahead?" i replied,"sir, i don't know the techniques of films and script writing".

Then came out those great words from him which i cherish like a treasure:
"All the techniques are inside us. Go ahead"

I got up thanking him and wishing him the best in future. I was so surprised and awe-struck that i didn't have the guts to ask him his mobile number.

He is a rare writer or a real writer. His body language itself speaks clarity of perception like that of a good teacher or a yogi.

I can't accept that he is physically absent even today. May his soul rest in peace.

SANTHOSH KANA.

LOSING GROUND-Play by Santhosh Kumar Kana

LOSING GROUND is a play scripted and directed by Santhosh Kumar Kana explolring the ongoing disappearance of playgrounds and the dilemma it creates for children. The play also laments the declining interest in football among the new generation. It was first staged as part of ANNUAL DAY CELEBRATIONS of K.V. Donimalai on May 1st, 2009 at Donimalai, Bellary dist. Karnataka.

Kana House-my childhood

KANIKANUM NERAM KAMALA NETRANTE.....this beautiful song still rings in the deep corners of my heart, my grandmother singing it in the evenings and how her voice touched my soul. I miss my grandmother, those good old days.....

at RIMSE, Mysore-a college par excellence

at Bekal Fort