PASSAGES TO HISTORY: UNDERSTANDING AYYAPPA PANIKER’S PASSAGE TO AMERICA AS A LOCUS OF EAST-WEST DIVIDE

Abstract

In Ayyappa Paniker's thought-provoking poem, "Passage to America," the poet offers a critical response to Walt Whitman's celebrated work, "Passage to India." As an influential figure in ushering modernism into Malayalam poetry, Paniker's poem reflects the aftermath of living in a country plagued by repeated histories of failures and betrayals. Through seven distinct sections, Paniker explores the tensions between America's technological advancements and its loss of humanity and soul. With a keen eye for imagery and striking metaphors, Paniker delves into themes such as the ravages of war, cultural fusion, futile superiority, lunar exploration, and the longing for a non-materialistic civilization. This essay examines the nuances and underlying critiques in "Passage to America," shedding light on Paniker's poignant commentary on America's societal and moral implications during the late 1960s and early 1970s.