Sujata Bhatt is an acclaimed poet known for her evocative exploration of identity, language, and cultural heritage. In this post, we have carefully selected ten of the best Sujata Bhatt poems that offer insight into her multifaceted world, where personal history, migration, and the complexities of linguistic and cultural identity take center stage.
1. "Search for My Tongue"
I have lost my tongue.
It is like the snake's skin, it sheds.
If you had two tongues in your mouth,
And lost the first one, the mother tongue,
You could not really know the other,
The foreign tongue.
"Search for My Tongue" is one of Bhatt’s most famous poems, exploring the complexities of bilingualism and cultural identity. The poem reflects the emotional and psychological challenges of navigating multiple languages and cultures, capturing the pain of losing one’s mother tongue while struggling to adopt a new one.
2. "A Different History"
Great Pan is not dead;
he simply emigrated
to India.
Here, the gods roam freely,
disguised as snakes or monkeys;
every tree is sacred
that books are treated
with such reverence.
In "A Different History," Bhatt reflects on the impact of colonialism on Indian culture and language. The poem examines the tension between preserving cultural traditions and the influence of foreign powers, emphasizing the sacredness of language and the deep roots of Indian spirituality.
3. "White Asparagus"
She remembers the sunlight
On the asparagus fields,
And the German songs
The women sang
While they picked.
"White Asparagus" is a poem that delves into themes of memory, identity, and the immigrant experience. Bhatt uses the image of white asparagus to evoke a sense of nostalgia and the blending of cultural memories, highlighting the complexities of belonging in a new land.
4. "The Stare"
He stares at me
through the glass of his window
into my room, and I stare back.
We do not move.
"The Stare" is a poem that captures a moment of intense connection and alienation. Bhatt’s exploration of gaze and identity reveals the nuances of human interaction and the silent communication that can occur between strangers.
5. "Partition"
She was nineteen-years-old then
and when she stood in her garden
she could hear the cries of the people
stranded in the Ahmedabad railway station.
In "Partition," Bhatt explores the personal and historical trauma of the Partition of India. The poem vividly depicts the horrors and emotional toll of this event, as witnessed by Bhatt’s grandmother, blending personal memory with collective history.
6. "The Peacock"
He spreads his feathers
and begins to dance,
suddenly lifting
himself
into the blue.
"The Peacock" is a poem rich in imagery and symbolism, where Bhatt uses the majestic bird as a representation of beauty, grace, and the cultural heritage of India. The poem’s lyrical quality and vivid descriptions make it a memorable piece.
7. "The Kama Sutra Retold"
This is how I learned
desire:
My body
as a river,
your body
as a current
flowing through.
In "The Kama Sutra Retold," Bhatt revisits the ancient text through a modern lens, exploring themes of love, desire, and sensuality. The poem’s intimate tone and poetic reinterpretation of the Kama Sutra speak to Bhatt’s ability to blend tradition with contemporary sensibilities.
8. "What Happened to the Elephant?"
The elephant in my dream
was not moving.
It was frozen
and did not blink.
"What Happened to the Elephant?" is a poem that deals with themes of loss, memory, and the fragility of life. The image of the elephant serves as a powerful metaphor for something grand and significant that has been stilled, reflecting Bhatt’s sensitivity to the deeper layers of human experience.
9. "The Undertow"
We are on the beach
near my parents' house,
where the sea
drags its undertow.
"The Undertow" is a poem that explores the force of nature as a metaphor for the emotional currents that shape our lives. Bhatt’s use of the sea and its undertow evokes a sense of inevitability and the unseen forces that pull us in different directions.
10. "Muliebrity"
I have thought so much about the girl
who gathered cow-dung in a wide, round basket
along the main road passing by our house,
and the power glistening through her cheekbones
each time she found a particularly promising mound.
"Muliebrity" is a powerful poem that celebrates the strength and dignity of women in seemingly ordinary tasks. Bhatt’s portrayal of a girl gathering cow-dung becomes a symbol of resilience and the unspoken power in everyday actions.
Sujata Bhatt’s poetry offers a profound exploration of identity, culture, and the human experience. These ten poems represent the best of her work, showcasing her ability to weave together personal history, cultural heritage, and universal themes with lyrical beauty and emotional depth.
