EXPLORING THE ANGUISH OF THE CRIPPLED GREEN: AN ECOCRITICAL READING OF SELECT POEMS BY SUGATHAKUMARI.

Abstract

Disability is an undesirable upshot of ecologically detrimental practices. The paper condemns the project of humans to maximise pleasure by inflicting pain upon non humans and advocates an ecocentric vision. An ecocritical analysis of the select poems by nature poet and social activist Sugathakumari brings to light the exploitation, oppression and domination of natural world by humans. Thames Nadiyodu (To Thames River), Thaivakkal (Planting Sapling), Choodu (Heat) and Oru Pattu Pinneyum (Once again a Song) are under the study. In Thames Nadiyodu the poet meditates upon the rotten past of a river which once flowed with polluted water and dead fishes. She also celebrates the rebirth of the same with fresh water, lively fishes and merry swans. Thaivakkal presents a noble act of planting a tree by a mother and a son on the banks of a dead river surrounded by a mutilated city. Oru Pattu Pinneyum echoes the cry of a crippled bird that lost its habitat as part of urbanising mission of humans. Choodu deals with the misery of disabled green. The poet presents a land with extreme heat, drought, and loss of vegetation. The study presents the interest of the non humans to remain in a normal state and the necessity to have a harmony between human and non human world.