I can’t get over the fact that actor Irrfan Khan passed away today (Wednesday) due to a colon infection. After battling a rare type of cancer, the actor came back and acted in the Hindi movie ‘Angrezi Medium,’ released on 13/3/2020, which I watched last week. His mother passed away on Saturday at the age of 95.
For all those who haven’t watched Hindi movies, Irrfan Khan is the actor in the English movies ‘Life of Pi,’ ‘Slumdog Millionaire,’ ‘The Namesake,’ to name a few. RIP to a fine actor
I used the below prompt given by Bhuvaneshwari Shivakumar – Shankar to write a poem. The prompt is given below and is not part of NaPoWriMo.
“Today I thought of bringing to you a form that is found in Tamizh poetry called AndAdi –(Hindi -Anth + Adi) where a form / variation/ root of the ending word of the first line becomes the first word of the next line. This form has been long in use in Tamizh literature since the Sangam period.
Andadi can be composed as couplets quatrains or longer pieces – as long as the one rule is followed!”
Keeping the prompt in mind this is how the poem turned out. Notice the last word of the previous line becomes the first word of the next line.
Irony of Life
He lost his mother on Saturday
Saturday he wept for her
Her who he would never again see
See the irony of fate; three days’ later
Later which is today
Today he breathed his last
Last week I watched him in a movie
Movies were what made him famous
Famous means nothing when death comes visiting
Visiting and taking is what He does
Does anybody know how long before we can go back to normal?
Normal now will be wearing gloves and a mask
Masks are what the French called the burqa and banned
Banned because they posed a risk
Risk to the National security
Security now requires a revamp, a change
Change that necessitates a mask to be worn
Worn for safety, no longer seen a threat or a sign of modesty
Modesty – mocked in the past
Past defined by tradition and culture
Culture rebuked as ‘conservative’ and ‘stifling’
Stifling is the new way of life
Life that’s been altered by a virus, tinier than a speck of dust
‘Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return’

Copyright©2020.lifeateacher.wordpress.com. All Rights Reserved.
Beautiful
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Thanks Vin. Had to take it out through writing.
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‘Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return’ – Equally valid for the virus. It shall return to dust soon with it’s DNA shredded to the last atom, very soon.
Sad to know about Irrfan Khan’s sudden demise. He was a great actor and a human being. Every person who watched his movies feel that it’s a personal loss to them upon hearing this tragic news. Hope he finds eternal peace.
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I like your optimism Abirbhav. I know it shall return to dust but when? Yes, Irrfan Khan’s death came as a shock and you said it right – it feels like a ‘personal loss.’ Don’t know why – it must be because he felt like the man next door – simple, humble and yet he reached the stars. May his soul rest in peace.
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But when? I can only say, soon. The night seems the darkest when it’s about to end, right?
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Yes, I guess it does. Thank you for sharing the optimism. Need to remind myself that now more often.
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I merely shared logic, Madam.. But I am glad that you got energized, even by a tiny little bit.. 😊
The windmills never did retire, did they? 😉
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And yes, Irrfan Khan was a great human being. His story is so inspiring, but sadly, cut short. May he rest in peace. He was the Best actor and human being.
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Amid the sea of floozy and in vain actors we had somebody ,who was there with some class apart acting chops ..Always a delight to see his movie …We lost him today ..It was not the right time for him to leave ….but who can understand the direction of somebody up there pulling strings ….
Nice poem Smitha ..as always you have captured the current mood ….
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So true Binny, He was a class apart. We watched Angrezi Medium last week and I was just saying that the chemo doesn’t show on him. Its good to see him bounce back. Maybe that’s why it hurts more. Thanks Binny for reading and writing back.
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Life’s ironies – some tragic.
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True…there are no reasons. Life just happens. Hope you’re doing well.
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I am thank you. How about you?
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We’re doing ok too. It’s been 40 days since we stepped outside. So it’s quite a battle.
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Yes, I understand. I was isolated before this – due to illness – and I remember how much of an adjustment it was at first.
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I guess, its helped all of us to be more grateful for all that is. Thanks VJ for writing back. XXX
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