by Shafqat Altaf
Tsunth Kulis Tal (Beneath the Apple Tree) is a Kashmiri captivating poetic composition by Prof Shad Ramzan that delves into themes of time, nostalgia, spiritual transcendence, and the cyclical nature of life. The poem unfolds as the speaker encounters an unidentified figure under an apple tree, leading to a reflection on shared childhood memories and a deep exploration of the profound and fleeting moments that shape human existence. Through vivid imagery and metaphorical elements, the poem takes the reader on a journey through celestial encounters, rejuvenated nature, and the poignant realization of the passage of time. This analysis explores the thematic layers, narrative structure, linguistic devices, and the emotional impact of the poem.
Introduction
The poem begins with a mysterious rendezvous beneath the shelter of an apple tree, suggesting a symbolic meeting point between the earthly and the divine. The speaker’s encounter with an unidentified figure sparks a series of recollections, setting the stage for a narrative that seamlessly weaves together elements of the past and present. The central themes of the poem include the fluidity of time, the power of nostalgia, and the pursuit of spiritual fulfilment.
Summary of the Poem
The poem unfolds with the speaker reminiscing about a bygone era, highlighting the vast expanse of time that has elapsed. The setting, beneath the apple tree, becomes a metaphorical gateway to heaven, suggesting a transcendental experience. The speaker is prompted to recall shared moments from childhood, emphasizing a partnership and the beauty of spring.
The narrative takes a surreal turn as musical instruments play and bursts of light envelop the scene. This celestial atmosphere is accompanied by the rejuvenation of nature, with dewdrops quenching their thirst and a desolate land transforming into a flourishing garden. The imagery of Masval filling a goblet with elixir adds a mystical quality, enhancing the otherworldly ambience.
Amidst the splendour, the speaker expresses a longing for a lost love, inquiring about the whereabouts of the beloved figure. Despite this yearning, the soul experiences infinite solace and ecstasy, suggesting a spiritual fulfilment that transcends earthly desires. The poem then shifts to a realization of the relentless passage of time, akin to a bird caught in a net.
The age of eternity and non-eternity is acknowledged, hinting at the cyclical nature of existence. The speaker’s eyes feel benumbed, possibly overwhelmed by the emotions of the encounter. The depiction of an endless desert and a violent windstorm adds a sense of turbulence and unpredictability, reinforcing the transient nature of life.
The poem concludes with a poignant question, expressing a desire for the convergence of eternity and non-eternity beneath the apple tree in the garden. This longing encapsulates the overarching theme of seeking harmony between the temporal and the eternal, the past and the present.
Pragmatic Level
Setting: The poem’s setting beneath the apple tree serves as a symbolic space where earthly and celestial elements converge, creating a backdrop for profound encounters.
Characters: The speaker and the unidentified figure represent the dualities of human experience—past and present, love and loss, nostalgia and urgency.
Narrative Style: Prof Shad Ramzan employs a blend of narrative and lyricism, creating a vivid and emotive landscape through which the reader navigates.
Themes: Time, nostalgia, spirituality, and the cyclical nature of life are interwoven throughout the poem, inviting contemplation on the human condition.
Tone: The tone shifts from contemplative nostalgia to urgent realization, creating a dynamic emotional journey for the reader.
Phonological Level
Rhyme Scheme: The poem exhibits varying rhyme schemes, contributing to its rhythmic and melodic qualities, and enhancing the musicality of the verses.
Alliteration and Assonance: These phonetic devices are strategically employed, adding a poetic cadence to the narrative and underscoring the musicality of the language.
Imagery and Sound: Profound imagery and sound-related elements are employed to evoke emotions and create a sensory experience, allowing readers to visualize and feel the depicted scenes.
Meter and Rhythm: The poem’s rhythmic flow is carefully crafted, with shifts in meter contributing to the overall musicality and emotional impact.
Morphological Level
At the morphological level, Beneath the Apple Tree exhibits linguistic intricacies that contribute to its poetic quality. Morphology involves the study of word formation and structure. The poem employs a diverse range of morphological elements, including various parts of speech, affixes, and grammatical structures. Nouns such as “apple tree,” “goblet,” and “spring” evoke vivid images, while verbs like “quenched,” “gushing,” and “appeared” add dynamic energy to the narrative. Adjectives like “exquisite,” “violent,” and “endless” enhance the descriptive power of the language, creating a rich and nuanced linguistic tapestry.
Tropes
Tropes involve the use of figurative language to convey meanings beyond the literal. Beneath the Apple Tree is replete with tropes that contribute to its poetic resonance. One prominent trope is metaphor, as seen in the portrayal of the apple tree as a gateway to heaven. The dewdrop’s thirst and the fount gushing from the desolate land serve as metaphors for rejuvenation and life emerging from barrenness. The bird caught in the net becomes a powerful metaphor for the entrapment within the constraints of time.
Schemes
Schemes refer to the deliberate arrangement of words and phrases for rhetorical effect. The poem employs various rhetorical schemes that enhance its musicality and aesthetic appeal. The rhyme scheme, with its variations, contributes to the rhythmic quality of the verses. Alliteration is evident in phrases like “desolate land” and “flower vase,” creating a pleasing repetition of consonant sounds. Assonance is skillfully used, as seen in the repetition of vowel sounds in “quenched,” “nectar,” and “abloom,” adding to the overall melodic quality.
Foregrounding
Foregrounding involves the deliberate deviation from linguistic norms to draw attention to certain elements. In Beneath the Apple Tree, foregrounding is achieved through the poet’s manipulation of language and imagery. The celestial occurrences, such as bursts of light and musical instruments playing, stand out as deviations from the ordinary, elevating the poem to a heightened and transcendent plane. The vivid descriptions of nature responding to the divine encounter foreground the transformative power of the moment.
Punctuation
Punctuation plays a crucial role in shaping the rhythm, pacing, and interpretation of the poem. Prof Shad Ramzan strategically employs punctuation marks to guide the reader through the nuances of the narrative. Commas are used to create pauses, allowing for reflection on the unfolding scenes. The colon in “at the Gateway to the Heaven” sets the stage for a revelation or profound encounter. The ellipsis in “as if the pewit inflicted my heart with its sharpened beak” suggests a lingering or unfinished thought, adding a sense of suspense and emotional intensity.
Limitations
While Beneath the Apple Tree is a rich and evocative poem, it is not without its limitations. One potential limitation lies in its ambiguity. The identity of the unidentified figure and the specific nature of the relationship between the speaker and this figure remain open to interpretation. While ambiguity can be a poetic strength, in this case, it may leave some readers seeking clearer narrative threads.
Another limitation could be the complex and abstract nature of the themes explored. The poem’s profound reflections on time, spirituality, and the cyclical nature of life may require multiple readings for a full grasp of its depth. Some readers might find the symbolism and metaphors challenging to decipher, potentially hindering accessibility for those less familiar with dense poetic imagery.
Additionally, the poem’s reliance on figurative language and symbolic elements might present a challenge for readers who prefer more straightforward and concrete expressions. The use of extensive metaphor and allegory may require readers to engage in a more active process of interpretation.
Punctuation is employed with precision, guiding the reader through the nuances of the narrative. However, the poem is not without limitations. Its ambiguity, abstract themes, and reliance on figurative language may pose challenges for some readers. Yet, these limitations are inherent to the complexity and depth of the poem, inviting readers to delve into its layers and unearth the profound reflections on time, spirituality, and the cyclical nature of existence. In essence, “Beneath the Apple Tree” stands as a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the intricacies of the human experience and provoke contemplation on the mysteries of life.
Conclusion
Beneath the Apple Tree emerges as a poetic masterpiece that engages with profound themes through a masterful blend of linguistic artistry and emotional depth. At the morphological level, the poem showcases a rich vocabulary, diverse parts of speech, and grammatical structures that contribute to its aesthetic appeal. Tropes such as metaphor and schemes like rhyme and alliteration enhance the poem’s beauty and melodic quality while foregrounding creates a sense of transcendence.
(The author is a PhD in Kashmiri languages and teaches at the University of Kashmir’s Kashmiri department. Ideas are personal.)
