Rice

 

Chemmanam Chacko

The poem “Rice” written by Chammanam Chacko is a nostalgic recollection of the rich cultural tradition and changing attitude of the people of Kerala. The poet also satirizes the political and social atmosphere of the land.
The poet returns home after four years of research studies in North India. He has taken a doctoral degree as well as gained a lot of praise for his skill in making toys from husk. He egarly waits for the train to reach his home. He longs for a full meal of athikira rice cooked by his mother. He is really bored with eating chapathies all these years.
He hopes that it will be planting season when he gets home and his father would be in the field ploughing and his little brother planting saplings. They would be excited when they see him. He asks the train to go a little faster.
He is dismayed when he reaches home. There are no more paddy fields. The place has changed. Rubber Plantations have taken the place of the lush paddy fields that adorned the place. And in some places there are arecanut palms.
When he entered his home he sees his father fixing rubber making machines. He told the poet that Rice cultivation is unprofitable and only a fool could resort to planting paddy. It is also laborious and inconvenient. The father lives a contented life as he makes better money.
He meets his brother carrying rice and wheat from ration-shop. The attitude and the taste of the people of Kerala have changed. The have stopped cultivating paddy and now is begging other state to lend the rice. The Chief Minister takes the flight to The Central Government to demand an increase in the Quota of ration. The people of Kerala are very familiar with this situation. The poet with his tongue in cheek asks if we can get some husk from the center as ration so that he can make toys.