Discuss the customs and tradition of the poem “Obituary’ by A.K. Ramanujan?
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Athar
The poet describes some customs and traditions of Indian society and particularly of Brahmins. First, he talks about the problems of patriarchy. After the untimely death of his father, the whole burden of his family came on him including depts of his father.
Next, he explains how Brahmins consider themselves as the holders of divine knowledge. However in reality they are like any ordinary human. He says so because his father died of a heart attack in market.
Finally he also talks about the after funeral practices. The body is cremated (which pollutes air), remains are thrown in water (which pollutes water bodies) and the poet is supposed to celebrate death anniversary every year (which includes useless expenditure of money).
Read summary of this poem.