Review from Lyon, France ——- Muthukumaraswamy, M.D. *An Imagery Wins, An Imagery Kills*. Translated by J.P. Rajendran, Rudran & Rudran Ltd Co, U.K. 2024.

 

A Review  from Lyon, France

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Muthukumaraswamy, M.D. *An Imagery Wins, An Imagery Kills*. Translated by J.P. Rajendran, Rudran & Rudran Ltd Co, U.K.  2024.

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Michelle Remer

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In the lineage of contemporary French poetry, where the everyday object is elevated to the mystical and the concrete is imbued with the ethereal, M.D. Muthukumaraswamy's "An Imagery Wins, An Imagery Kills" finds a kindred spirit. Like the Surrealists, Muthukumaraswamy delves into the dreamlike, the hallucinatory, and the symbolic to explore the depths of human existence. Yet, where the Surrealists often revelled in the chaotic and the absurd, Muthukumaraswamy's verse is rooted in a contemplative engagement with the natural world and the cyclical nature of life, reminiscent of the works of poets like Yves Bonnefoy and Philippe Jaccottet.

Muthukumaraswamy's exploration of the "flame that dances in the wind" resonates with Bonnefoy's preoccupation with light as a symbol of both presence and absence, as seen in his poem "The Threshold": "Light that comes back, light that goes away, light that is always there." Similarly, the sesame flower, a "mirage of desires," mirrors the fleeting nature of beauty and the elusive quality of truth, themes central to Jaccottet's poetry.

The section "You, Me, and Earth" echoes the ecopoetic sensibility found in the works of contemporary French poets like Pierre Lieutaghi and Jean-Pierre Siméon, who emphasise the interconnectedness of humans and nature. The "memory etched in bark and leaf" speaks to the profound relationship between human consciousness and the natural world, a theme also explored by these poets.

However, where French poets often grapple with the loss of faith and the existential void, Muthukumaraswamy's poetry, particularly in sections like "Lunacy, Crescent and Father" and "The Karmic Law of Action," is anchored in a spiritual and philosophical framework. The poem "After Father's Pyre," with its imagery of "ashes," "silent winds," and "stars," reflects a belief in the continuity of life and the cyclical nature of existence, reminiscent of Hindu philosophies. This stands in contrast to the often stark and despairing tone of some contemporary French poetry.

The "Fragments" section, with its micro-poems capturing fleeting emotions and insights, could be likened to the aphoristic style of René Char, known for his concise and evocative verses. However, while Char's aphorisms often focus on political and social commentary, Muthukumaraswamy's fragments delve into personal and existential reflections.

In "The City," Muthukumaraswamy's depiction of urban life resonates with the works of poets like Jacques Réda and Jean Tardieu, who explored the alienation and anonymity of modern urban existence. However, Muthukumaraswamy's poem "Your Desire is a Jasmine," which juxtaposes the natural with the artificial, also hints at a longing for transcendence and connection, a theme less prevalent in the urban poetry of his French counterparts. 

 M.D. Muthukumaraswamy's "An Imagery Wins, An Imagery Kills" is an evidence to the universality of poetic themes while also showcasing a unique cultural and philosophical perspective. It invites a dialogue with contemporary French poetry, revealing both shared concerns and distinct approaches to the human experience.