A Centenary Tribute

Long Live Amal Kiran!

It is difficult to write anything on Amal, who is a profound scholar, skilled in many arts and sciences. He is a prolific writer on so many subjects, - literary, historic, scientific, archaeological and spiritual. To read his books is to sharpen one's intellect and to widen one's mind. But I would not go into the details of these studies. I would rather leave the reader to discover for himself Amal's perceptive insight and be thrilled with the delight of the reading.

I would like to share here what touches me the most: his correspondence with Sri Aurobindo on Savitri, in the early stages of its composition.

I was privileged to read Savitri with Amal, whose wonderfully alert mind, rhythmic recitation and remarkable sense of humour filled the hours with a unique joy.

Unfortunately, we could read Savitri only up to the end of Ashwapathy's Yoga due to his convalescence. But it is reassuring to see him cheerful as ever with the constant presence of the Mother and Sri Aurobindo, shining on his face which beams with their Light and Delight.

Sri Aurobindo was an Avatar, who came upon earth to guide those who are ready to take a leap to the next stage of the evolution of consciousness. He represented "a decisive action direct from the Supreme." Poetry arose in Sri Aurobindo like a mantra, cascading with its glory and splendour and filling us with the nectar of the Divine.

Amal was definitely aware of this and respected it fully. How could he, then, even think of commenting on Sri Aurobindo's lines or images and even the choice of words in Savitri?

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Well, Amal has the sharp, distinct mind of a critic and he did not want any question that may arise in the mind of the reader of Savitri, the magnificent epic of Sri Aurobindo, to be left unresolved, unanswered or unattended to. He loved and adored Sri Aurobindo. And Sri Aurobindo had seen in Amal Kiran "the clear ray". He used to send the very first draft of Savitri only to Amal, who was like His sounding board.

Sri Aurobindo had kept himself "open to every suggestion from a sympathetic and understanding quarter." He could accept the suggestion only when he saw that it was well-founded. For that "the critic must be open to this kind of poetry, able to see the spiritual vision it conveyed, capable too of feeling the Overhead touch when it comes - the fit reader."

Sri Aurobindo must obviously have found in Amal this fit reader. And Amal was a meticulously careful reader too of Savitri's drafts that came to him from Sri Aurobindo. He ensured that "whatever seemed a shortcoming, no matter how slight and negligible in the midst of the abundant excellence, was pointedly remarked upon so that Sri Aurobindo might not overlook anything in His work towards what he called 'perfect perfection' before the poem came under the scrutiny of non-Aurobindonian critics at the time of publication. The commentator was anxious that there should be no spots on Savitri's sun."

Well, this explains Amal's critical yet respectful daring which Sri Aurobindo welcomed and even asked for his suggestions. And what has emerged from this correspondence is such a treasure of knowledge, which enlightens us on so many aspects of Savitri.

On many occasions, Sri Aurobindo holds his ground and strongly defends himself. Sure of the inspiration he has received from above, he gives a detailed analysis of the lines, images or words criticised, rejecting the alternatives suggested and refusing to change even if he were to be given

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"the crown and income of the Kavi Samrat for doing it." And what a marvellous elucidation flows from the pen of the Master!

We understand Savitri better through this correspondence since Sri Aurobindo explains this legend as a symbol of the spiritual adventure of the evolution of consciousness. Aren't we, the readers, grateful beneficiaries of this magnificent gift, thanks to Amal, who could draw out from Sri Aurobindo the great wealth of innumerable rarest gems of this mystic poetry by his dogged persistence and pointed intellectual questionings.

It is a greater delight to read the mantric chant of Savitri, filling us with its splendour and glory revealed by Sri Aurobindo, the Master to his conscientious disciple, Amal Kiran.

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