The phenomenon that is Radhakumar
- (The Great Escape from the Jaws of Death) -

Sanasam Umananda Singh *

K Radhakumar at Premier Show 'Atopa Shangsar Amada' at Chandrakirti Auditorium on December 3 2017 :: Pix - DIPR

A late entrant into the literary world of Manipur, yet attaining amazing maturity in the field, Radhakumar's invasion and conquest of Manipuri contemporary "Poetry land" may sound a tall claim to some but it, at the same time receives unobtrusive acceptance by many in the profession.

A simile, however, inappropriate it may be, referring to Mahatma Gandhi's trespass into the political cauldron of early and mid-20th century India instead of directing his spiritual footsteps towards the holy Himalayas to have a tryst with the "eternal" rather than the "temporal", as said by a Rishi, Radhakumar's similar trespass into the files of Manipur administration for more than 30 years instead of flapping free his golden wings of poetry in the ethereal expanse, may do the rounds. A bit exaggerated it may seem but better sense admits it.

His 25 poems narrating his 10-rounds life and death bout with Covid–19 in the ICU sometimes scream horrifyingly and sometimes talk with calm relaxation. It was a grim battle between Coronavirus and a human being, as narrated by the poems – the former being a lady with a crown who ultimately accepted defeat.

Radhakumar's joy in coming out victorious is accompanied by the best lesson of his life as contained in one of the poems. The poems reflect his search for the unveiling of the mystery of Covid-19– which tried to destroy the rhythm of his space, time and inner potency producing a disequilibrium in his existence.

His being was completely disjointed, his mind was completely unhinged and he seemed to be floating loosely in the air, all hell being let loose. His love for his dear life ultimately gave him his steam in the penultimate rounds of the fight. He became himself again. His separated self became "one" and sense came to him with love for everything and seeing beauty and joy around him. His rendezvous with the ICU became a blessing in disguise. A long unanswered question found the right answer.

"Altruism" is the supreme essence and goal of life. A sleeping philosopher wakes up with the truth that "philanthropy and humanitarian service is the best. The service of the nurses are the services of the angels. White angels they are. The true goal of humanity is the service to humanity and the love of each one of us should form an ocean of love."

His trauma in the ICU bed for days and his astounding recovery with hope and joy tinged with a positive and optimistic mental state with universal love as the backdrop saw a wholesome metamor- phosis in his self.

His Covid poems present all these in lucid, transparent and honest expression. Sometimes, he says very little but says everything. Exhibiting flawless originality he imitates from none. He is himself and not in the guise of anybody. Besides being a poet, that also with a difference – he is many in one.

Lessons from his historic battle with Covid–19 are never forgotten by him. The beauty of existence and the flavor of a saved life serve as a telescope through which he perceives a world without hatred and violence. His prescription for a peaceful world is empathy and kindness.

His unobtrusive entry and near conquest of the contemporary world of Manipuri poetry in certain aspects speaks volumes for his original writings and unalloyed outpourings of rare spontaneity and the use of well-chiseled words which juxtapose with amazing even-ness.

This is his magic which re-inforces his assertion of an emerging poet of no low calibre. His poetic acumen and skill in managing jugglery of words got a fillip in his experience of a 10-day ordeal in the ICU that enables him to produce such a necklace of sparkling words and thought conveying the truth of living as long as possible and working for humanity to survive as everlasting as permissible.

His expression in one of the poems –

"My breaths become one
With the living world
Before me.
Not isolated it is now.
Wasn't my sorrow earlier
The result sheer
Of my inability

To immerse with the living humanity?" is simple as simple as possible but it says many many things. The richness of Manipuri language is exhibited by this. He writes about the beauty of the living world–a living world of all not fragmented but seeing no difference between the similitude and the dissimilitude as opined by John Keats.

Radha-kumar's meaning of a right life is the wholeness of existence irrespective of "who" and "what", but deriving true happiness and joy with service to humanity as a motto. To him "Altruism is the essence of truth, love and beauty".

What a great lesson from Coronavirus, a lady with a corona around her ! I have read and seen many interviews with survivors from near-death expe- rience people around the world. They only tell the facts that happened but no message to the living man and women. Here, Radhakumar has done a great job. In his book he has written about a discovery of the greatest truth of life which nobody else does.