Subroto Chatterjee - Cultured

Our democracy is of Olympian proportions,
Basking in glory under a thousand suns;
Painted faces and political distortions,
She has had a long run.

I talk of freedom and freedom galore;
Fundamental rights and constitutional duties,
Of fame and fortune, wealth and more,
Of foreign hands and misconceived treaties.

Of hunger and famine, and frolicking farmers,
And superb public distribution systems;
Democracy played with familiar drama,
By jokers and chokers in our political system.

Whether fiscal or monetary blessings
Deals the land that feeds the masses,
High rises and dilapidated dwellings;
Alfresco toilets and shauchalya passes.

Chaotic, quixotic, managing crisis;
Administered, ministered, ministers talking;
Wheeling-dealing, and breaking news analysis;
Of ingenuity, brazenness, fifteen minutes shocking.

Spinning yarns that shape our cultural stance,
Examples of deeds that surmount belief;
This country has had its romance,
With loving masters, and beauteous grief.

Poison ivy; dhatura; bring it on!
Serious facades that fill the belly,
Compromise; shed all; wear masks; or fawn;
Watch this all on Indian telly!

“A tree is known by its fruits, ” tis said;
And so cultured are we, I say.
There’s no truth better than being led,
to believe, we deserve to live another day.

Copyright © SC
23rd March 2008
Mumbai

Subroto Chatterjee

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