In the poem "My Mother at Sixty-Six" by Kamala Das, the Indian-ness is brought out through various elements, creating a distinct cultural and emotional atmosphere.
1. Setting: The poem is set in India, specifically during a car journey from the narrator's home to the Cochin Airport. The mention of specific locations and landmarks, such as "Malabar's pepper vines" and "luminous tank," adds a sense of place that is inherently Indian, evoking the unique landscape and environment of the country.
2. Language and Imagery: The poet employs vivid sensory imagery that reflects the Indian context. For example, she describes her mother's "ashen silks" and "white, sweet smelling Jasmine" in her hair, both of which are traditional elements of Indian attire and adornment. The use of the term "Kerala's dark floods" adds a local flavor, as Kerala is a state in southern India known for its backwaters.
3. Cultural references: The poem includes references to Indian cultural practices and beliefs. The mention of "gods and goddesses" in the carvings of temples, the "shining airport," and the idea of pilgrimage evokes the religious and spiritual essence deeply ingrained in Indian society.
4. Emotional undertones: The poem explores the theme of aging and mortality, which are universal themes but also carry specific cultural nuances. The poet's concern and love for her aging mother, the reverence for familial ties and filial piety, are emotions that resonate strongly within Indian cultural values.
Overall, the Indian-ness in the poem "My Mother at Sixty-Six" is brought out through the depiction of specific settings, the use of culturally significant imagery, references to Indian traditions, and the exploration of emotions tied to familial bonds within an Indian context. These elements contribute to the unique and identifiable Indian flavor of the poem.
