top of page

The Power of Music

Sukumar Ray

Sukumar Ray (1887 - 1923)

"The Power of Music" (Original: "Ganer Gunto" in Bengali) is a poem from Sukumar Ray's "Abol Tabol" ("The Weird and the Absurd"), a collection of nonsense verse, children's poems, and rhymes in Bengali published in 1923. This collection was translated into English by Prof. Sukanta Chaudhury.

Though not widely recognized at the time of its publication, many poems in "Abol Tabol" contain skillfully hidden criticism and satire of the societal and administrative conditions of early 20th-century colonial India, particularly in Bengal. Ray cleverly embedded implicit meanings of a subversive nature in his nonsense rhymes for children, allowing him to evade the rigorous censorship of the press imposed by the British administration in India during that era.

"The Power of Music" humorously narrates the determined efforts of the irrepressible Bhisma Lochan Sharma to entertain those around him with his tuneless singing, despite their frantic pleas and protests. Read the poem to discover how he eventually meets his match...

The Power of Music

When summer comes, we hear the hums

Bhisma Lochan Sharma.

You catch his strain on hill and plain from Delhi

down to Burma.

He sings as though he's staked his life, he sings

as though he's hell-bent;

The people, dazed, retire amazed although they

know it's well-meant.

They're trampled in the panic rout or languish

pale and sickly,

And plead,'My friend, we're near our end,oh

stop your singing quickly!'

The bullock-carts are overturned, and horses

line the roadside;

But Bhisma Lochan, unconcerned, goes

booming out his broadside.

The wretched brutes resent the blare the hour

they hear it sounded,

They whine and stare with feet in air or wonder

quite confounded.

The fishes dived below the lake in frantic search

for silence,

The very trees collapse and shake - you hear the

crash a mile hence -

And in the sky the feathered fly turn turtle while

they're winging,

Again we cry,'We're going to die, oh won't you

stop your singing?'

But Bhisma's soared beyond our reach, howe'er

we plead and grumble;

The welkin weeps to hear his screech, and mighty

mansions tumble.

But now there comes a billy goat, a most

sagacious fellow,

He downs his horns and charges straight, with

bellow answ'ring bellow.

The strains of song are tossed and whirled by

blast of brutal violence,

And Bhisma Lochan grants the world the golden

gift of silence.

Here are the meanings of some challenging words from the poem "The Power of Music" by Sukumar Ray:

  1. hum: a continuous low sound, like the sound of people talking or the sound of machinery.

  2. strain: a stretch of a musical phrase or melody.

  3. hell-bent: determined to achieve something at any cost, regardless of the consequences.

  4. dazed: unable to think clearly, often because of a shock or a hit to the head.

  5. amazed: greatly surprised or impressed.

  6. well-meant: intended to be helpful or kind, even if unsuccessful or misguided.

  7. panic rout: a chaotic and disorderly retreat or movement of people in fear.

  8. languish: to suffer from being forced to remain in an unpleasant place or situation.

  9. pale: light in color or having less color than usual, often due to fear or illness.

  10. sickly: in poor health; often looking pale and weak.

  11. overturned: turned upside down or flipped over.

  12. broadside: a strong, verbal attack or burst of something (here, referring to his loud singing).

  13. wretched: in a very unhappy or unfortunate state.

  14. blare: a loud, harsh sound.

  15. resent: to feel bitterness or indignation at a circumstance, action, or person.

  16. brutes: animals, particularly ones that are large or strong.

  17. sounded: emitted a noise.

  18. confounded: confused or bewildered.

  19. frantic: wild or distraught with fear, anxiety, or other emotion.

  20. silence: complete absence of sound.

  21. collapse: fall down or give way suddenly.

  22. hence: as a consequence; for this reason.

  23. feathered: covered with feathers (referring to birds).

  24. turn turtle: to turn upside down.

  25. winged: to fly or move through the air with wings.

  26. welkin: the sky or the upper air.

  27. weeps: to shed tears or cry.

  28. mighty: possessing great and impressive power or strength.

  29. mansions: large, impressive houses.

  30. tumble: to fall down, collapse, or drop suddenly.

  31. billy goat: a male goat.

  32. sagacious: having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; wise or shrewd.

  33. fellow: a man or boy; a companion or associate.

  34. downs: brings down or defeats.

  35. bellow: a deep roaring shout or sound.

  36. tossed: thrown from side to side or into the air.

  37. whirled: moved rapidly around and around.

  38. blast: a strong gust of wind or air, or a loud noise.

  39. brutal: savagely violent.

  40. violence: behavior involving physical force intended to hurt or damage.

  41. grants: gives or allows.

  42. golden: very valuable or special; splendid.

  43. gift: a present or something given willingly.

  44. silence: the complete absence of sound.

Analytical Summary

Analytical Summary of "The Power of Music" by Sukumar Ray

01

Introduction

Sukumar Ray’s poem "The Power of Music," originally titled "Ganer Gunto" in Bengali, is a humorous narrative that centers on the character Bhisma Lochan Sharma and his notorious singing. The poem is part of Ray's renowned collection "Abol Tabol" ("The Weird and the Absurd"), known for its playful use of nonsense verse to subtly critique societal issues during early 20th-century colonial India.

03

Satirical Elements

Ray employs satire to mock the societal norms and pretentiousness of those who persist in their endeavours, like Bhisma Lochan Sharma despite clear evidence of their lack of talent. The hyperbolic descriptions of the chaos caused by Bhisma’s singing underscore the absurdity of his persistence and the misplaced confidence of those oblivious to their shortcomings.

02

The Narrative

The poem opens with a vivid description of Bhisma Lochan Sharma’s relentless singing, which is heard far and wide, from Delhi to Burma. Despite his well-meaning intentions, his singing is described as so dreadful that it incites panic and discomfort among those who hear it. The reactions of the people and animals around him are extreme: bullock carts overturn, horses flee, and even trees and fish react dramatically to his tuneless singing. The exaggerated responses highlight the sheer unpleasantness of his performance.

04

Symbolism

The poem's climax introduces a billy goat, representing perhaps common sense or a force of nature, which intervenes to end Bhisma’s cacophony. The goat’s action symbolizes the inevitable return to order and sanity, as it physically silences Bhisma’s disruptive singing. This moment of intervention by the billy goat, a "sagacious fellow," emphasizes the need for a corrective force to restore balance when things go awry.

Themes

Themes of the Power of Music

  1. Persistence and Obliviousness: Bhisma’s determination to continue singing despite the chaos it causes around him reflects a theme of persistence without self-awareness. This can be seen as a critique of individuals who pursue their goals without considering the impact on others.

  2. Impact of Art on Society: The poem humorously illustrates the profound impact that art, even bad art, can have on society. The exaggerated reactions of people and animals highlight how disruptive poor art can be.

  3. Restoration of Order: The intervention by the billy goat represents the restoration of order and the silencing of disruptive forces. It suggests that there is a natural corrective mechanism that eventually curtails chaos.

Conclusion

"The Power of Music" is a cleverly crafted poem that uses humor and satire to explore deeper societal themes. Through the exaggerated and comical narrative of Bhisma Lochan Sharma's disastrous singing, Ray critiques the persistence of incompetence and the disruption it causes. The poem concludes with a return to peace, symbolized by the billy goat's decisive action, emphasizing the eventual triumph of order over chaos.

Comprehension Questions

  1. Who is the main character of the poem, and what is he known for?

  2. Describe the reactions of the people and animals to Bhisma Lochan Sharma's singing.

  3. What geographical regions are mentioned in the poem where Bhisma's singing can be heard?

  4. How do the bullock-carts and horses react to Bhisma's singing?

  5. What impact does Bhisma's singing have on the fish and trees?

  6. How do the birds in the sky react to the singing?

  7. What is the final reaction of the people to Bhisma's singing, as described in the poem?

  8. Who or what ultimately stops Bhisma Lochan Sharma’s singing, and how?

Analytical Questions

  1. What literary devices does Sukumar Ray use to describe the impact of Bhisma's singing? Provide examples from the text.

  2. How does the poet use exaggeration to create a humorous effect in the poem?

  3. What might Bhisma Lochan Sharma symbolize in the context of early 20th-century colonial India?

  4. Discuss the role of the billy goat in the poem. What does it represent, and why is its intervention significant?

  5. What themes can be identified in the poem, and how are they conveyed through the narrative and characters?

Interpretative Questions

  1. Why do you think Sukumar Ray chose to use a humorous approach to critique societal issues?

  2. How does the poem reflect the societal and administrative conditions of colonial India?

  3. What does the poem suggest about the relationship between art and society?

  4. In what ways does Bhisma's persistence reflect a broader commentary on human behavior?

  5. How does the poem balance its humorous tone with its underlying critical message?

Creative Questions

  1. Imagine you are one of the people or animals hearing Bhisma Lochan Sharma's singing. Write a short diary entry expressing your thoughts and feelings.

  2. Create an alternative ending for the poem where Bhisma Lochan Sharma realizes the impact of his singing. How does he change his ways?

  3. Draw a comic strip illustrating the key events of the poem, highlighting the reactions of the different characters.

  4. Write a short poem from the perspective of the billy goat, describing its thoughts and actions as it confronts Bhisma Lochan Sharma.

  5. Compose a letter from Bhisma Lochan Sharma to the people, explaining why he sings and responding to their reactions.

Answers
Comprehension Questions

  1. Who is the main character of the poem, and what is he known for?

    • The main character of the poem is Bhisma Lochan Sharma, known for his tuneless and relentless singing that causes chaos wherever it is heard.

  2. Describe the reactions of the people and animals to Bhisma Lochan Sharma's singing.

    • The people are dazed, amazed, and panicked, pleading with him to stop. Animals such as horses flee, bullock-carts overturn, fish dive frantically for silence, trees collapse and shake, and birds turn turtle while flying.

  3. What geographical regions are mentioned in the poem where Bhisma's singing can be heard?

    • Bhisma's singing can be heard from Delhi down to Burma.

  4. How do the bullock-carts and horses react to Bhisma's singing?

    • The bullock-carts are overturned, and horses line the roadside, indicating a panicked reaction to the singing.

  5. What impact does Bhisma's singing have on the fish and trees?

    • The fishes dive below the lake in a frantic search for silence, and the trees collapse and shake, with the sound of crashing heard from a mile away.

  6. How do the birds in the sky react to the singing?

    • The birds turn turtle while they are winging, indicating that they are so disturbed by the singing that they flip over in the air.

  7. What is the final reaction of the people to Bhisma's singing, as described in the poem?

    • The people cry out in desperation, believing they are going to die and pleading for Bhisma to stop singing.

  8. Who or what ultimately stops Bhisma Lochan Sharma’s singing, and how?

    • A billy goat, described as a most sagacious fellow, ultimately stops Bhisma's singing by charging at him with a bellow, leading to Bhisma granting the world the golden gift of silence.

Analytical Questions

  1. What literary devices does Sukumar Ray use to describe the impact of Bhisma's singing? Provide examples from the text.

    • Ray uses hyperbole ("The people, dazed, retire amazed," "The fishes dived below the lake in frantic search for silence"), personification ("The very trees collapse and shake"), and imagery ("You catch his strain on hill and plain from Delhi down to Burma").

  2. How does the poet use exaggeration to create a humorous effect in the poem?

    • The poet exaggerates the effects of Bhisma's singing to a ridiculous extent, describing animals overturning, fish diving, and trees collapsing, which creates a humorous and absurd scenario.

  3. What might Bhisma Lochan Sharma symbolize in the context of early 20th-century colonial India?

    • Bhisma Lochan Sharma might symbolize individuals or authorities who are oblivious to the harm they cause, persisting in their actions despite public distress, much like the colonial administrators who were indifferent to the suffering of the colonized people.

  4. Discuss the role of the billy goat in the poem. What does it represent, and why is its intervention significant?

    • The billy goat represents common sense, natural justice, or a force of nature that intervenes to restore order. Its intervention is significant as it brings an end to the chaos caused by Bhisma's singing, symbolizing the eventual triumph of reason and sanity over madness.

  5. What themes can be identified in the poem, and how are they conveyed through the narrative and characters?

    • Themes include the impact of art (even bad art) on society, persistence and obliviousness, and the restoration of order. These are conveyed through the exaggerated reactions to Bhisma's singing and the eventual intervention of the billy goat.

Interpretative Questions

  1. Why do you think Sukumar Ray chose to use a humorous approach to critique societal issues?

    • Ray likely chose humor to make his critique more palatable and engaging, using absurdity and satire to highlight serious issues in a way that could bypass censorship and reach a wider audience.

  2. How does the poem reflect the societal and administrative conditions of colonial India?

    • The poem reflects the societal and administrative conditions of colonial India by showcasing a character whose actions cause widespread distress, similar to the way colonial policies affected the local population. The exaggerated reactions and eventual intervention symbolize the public's suffering and the need for change.

  3. What does the poem suggest about the relationship between art and society?

    • The poem suggests that art, even in its worst form, has a significant impact on society. It can cause distress and chaos, highlighting the responsibility of artists to consider the effects of their work.

  4. In what ways does Bhisma's persistence reflect a broader commentary on human behavior?

    • Bhisma's persistence despite the negative reactions reflects a broader commentary on how some individuals or authorities continue harmful actions out of ignorance or stubbornness, without regard for the consequences.

  5. How does the poem balance its humorous tone with its underlying critical message?

    • The poem balances humor with critique by using exaggerated, absurd scenarios to highlight serious issues, making the reader laugh while also reflecting on the deeper message about the impact of actions on society.

Creative Questions

  1. Imagine you are one of the people or animals hearing Bhisma Lochan Sharma's singing. Write a short diary entry expressing your thoughts and feelings.

    • Diary Entry: "Dear Diary, Today was another dreadful day of enduring Bhisma Lochan Sharma's singing. His voice, though well-meaning, is a calamity. The moment he started, my ears began to ache, and the chaos that followed was indescribable. Bullock-carts overturned, horses fled, and I saw fish diving deep into the lake as if seeking refuge. Even the trees seemed to shiver in agony. We begged him to stop, but our pleas were in vain. It feels like we might not survive another day of this torment. I pray for silence, for relief, for anything to save us from this sonic assault."

  2. Create an alternative ending for the poem where Bhisma Lochan Sharma realizes the impact of his singing. How does he change his ways?

    • Alternative Ending: "Bhisma Lochan Sharma continued to sing until he noticed the havoc around him. The overturned bullock-carts, the fleeing horses, and the collapsing trees made him pause. Realizing the distress he was causing, Bhisma stopped and looked around in horror. 'What have I done?' he thought. He decided to take singing lessons to improve his skills. Over time, his voice transformed, bringing joy instead of chaos. The people and animals now gathered to listen, their faces lighting up with happiness. Bhisma Lochan Sharma had found his true calling in spreading cheer with his melodious tunes."

  3. Draw a comic strip illustrating the key events of the poem, highlighting the reactions of the different characters.

    • (This requires an artistic rendering. You can sketch the comic strip on paper, capturing scenes such as Bhisma singing, people and animals reacting in panic, the billy goat charging, and the final peaceful silence.)

  4. Write a short poem from the perspective of the billy goat, describing its thoughts and actions as it confronts Bhisma Lochan Sharma.

    • Billy Goat's Poem: "In the field, I heard the wail, A sound that made the strongest pale. Bhisma sang with all his might, Turning day to dreadful night. Trees did tremble, fish did dive, Birds upended, struggling to survive. 'Enough!' I thought, 'This must be stopped, Before more souls in fear are dropped.' With a bellow, I charged ahead, To silence the chaos and end the dread. Bhisma saw me, eyes opened wide, And finally, he stepped aside. Peace returned, calm and sweet, Thanks to my decisive feat."

  5. Compose a letter from Bhisma Lochan Sharma to the people, explaining why he sings and responding to their reactions.

    • Letter from Bhisma Lochan Sharma:

    • "Dear Friends, I write to you with a heavy heart, having witnessed the distress my singing has caused. I sing with the purest of intentions, hoping to share my passion and uplift spirits. However, it has become clear that my efforts have had the opposite effect, bringing chaos instead of joy. I deeply regret the pain and panic my voice has caused. Moving forward, I vow to either improve my singing or find a new way to bring happiness to you all. Your well-being is important to me, and I never intended to cause harm. Thank you for your patience and understanding. I hope you will give me a chance to make amends and restore harmony in our community. Sincerely, Bhisma Lochan Sharma"

Explore the depths of the English language and unearth its treasures with English Mines. © 2024 English Mines. All rights reserved.

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
bottom of page