‘The poet who spoke up for Silent Valley’ K A SHAJI
WHEN ASKED for her last wish, Sugathakumari told her followers to plant a banyan tree in her memory, but without anything written on or near it. “Do not even keep my ashes there. Let birds come and eat the fruits; that is all I want.” Such was her passion for conservation, that even critics found merit in her arguments for the environment. The poet-turned-activist was a leading light in Kerala’s environmental history.
At the age of 86, Sugathakumari succumbed to coronavirus (covid-19)-related complications on December 23, 2020, in Thiruvananthapuram, leaving behind a life of crusade and literary gems. Poetry and activism had become two inseparable forces that drove her work—the foremost example of this being the Save Silent Valley movement.
Second of three daughters, she was born to activist Bodheswaran and scholar VK Karthiyayani on January 22, 1934. She was already an established poet by the time the Silent Valley movement began in the 1970s—her contribution to the efforts to save the valley from being flooded by a hydroelectric project was a poem called Marathinu Stuthi (Hymn to a Tree). It soon became the anthem for the movement. Her commitment to the cause was such that a living memorial in her name has been constructed at Attappadi, near Silent Valley.
The environment often formed a major theme in Sugathakumari’s work. Here is one such poem, Rathrimazha (Night Rain), for which she won the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award:
Night rain
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Trade On Emissions
EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, a tariff on imports, is designed to protect European industries in the guise of climate action.
'The project will facilitate physical and cultural decimation of indigenous people'
The Great Nicobar Project has all the hallmarks of a disaster-seismic, ecological, human. Why did it get the go-ahead?
TASTE IT RED
Popularity of Karnataka's red jackfruit shows how biodiversity can be conserved by ensuring that communities benefit from it
MANY MYTHS OF CHIPKO
Misconceptions about the Chipko movement have overshadowed its true objectives.
The politics and economics of mpox
Africa's mpox epidemic stems from delayed responses, neglect of its health risks and the stark vaccine apartheid
Emerging risks
Even as the world gets set to eliminate substances threatening the ozone layer, climate change and space advancement pose new challenges.
JOINING THE CARBON CLUB
India's carbon market will soon be a reality, but will it fulfil its aim of reducing emissions? A report by PARTH KUMAR and MANAS AGRAWAL
Turn a new leaf
Scientists join hands to predict climate future of India's tropical forests
Festering troubles
The Democratic Republic of Congo struggles to contain mpox amid vaccine delays, conflict and fragile healthcare.
India sees unusual monsoon patterns
THE 2024 southwest monsoon has, between June 1 and September 1, led to excess rainfall in western and southern states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, while others like Nagaland, Manipur and Punjab recorded a deficit.