Bahinabai Chaudhary, whose birth anniversary was celebrated early December, is an unusual poet in multiple ways. First and foremost, her poetry is a truly interesting example of innate talent nurtured due to experiences in life. She was not formally educated. Why, she was illiterate! Her poems were transcribed by others.
Yet another interesting aspect of her poetry is that she uses a local dialect, not essentially the standard Marathi. Her poetry, hence, has the immediacy of a feeling felt on the pulse, and with a unique local lilt.
Her poems, which deal with simple themes, daily images, yet reveal deep poetic truths about life and its philosophy, are much loved by most. I would like to argue that, in a way, she continues the tradition of the women poets of the Bhakti sect.
In a very famous poem, sung by Suman Kalyanpur, and set to music by Vasant Pawar, writes she:
Hey, the world, alas, the world/Never ever it belie/only when the palm it scalds/ only then gets one to eat, aye!
Interesting poet, in brief!
Pratima@ Her poems critique patriarchy, but without any rancour!
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