Big Match-1983
The
poem is an objective perception of the ethnic conflict that erupted in Sri
Lanka in 1983. The poem opens with how media report about the outbreak of
ethnic violence in the country. The general civilian life gets disturbed and
the tourist arrivals to the country get cancelled. The ordinary public life
turns topsy-turvy. “Flash point in paradise” and “racial pot boils over” are
the headlines which the newspapers carry around the world. It seems that poet
is subtly sarcastic over the sensational wording of the situation reported by
the media. The way the poet relates the incident seems to have a touch of irony
and pun. An arrival of an expatriate boy in search of his lost roots, lost
lovers, lost talents as poet says is timely. Yet he seems to be gripped by
unexpected circumstances of violence and bloodshed. The title itself seems to
be a nuance that seemingly carries an idea of a popular event in Sri Lanka.
Probably the poet uses this in order to highlight the common mentality of the
people in Sri Lanka and how they treat the incident. The poet reminiscences
over how the ethnic violence first sparks off in the Isle. She traces it back
to “forty-eight and fifty-six”. But it seems her focal point is treacherous
politics played in nineteen fifty-eight by making Sinhala the state language.
The politicians riding on popular waves of electoral promises as depicted by
the poet have contributed in fuelling the ethnic sentiments of the masses. It
seems that they have comfortably ignored the opinions of the academia in the
country. Big match-1983 English Literature Grade 10 & 11 The poet makes
very dexterous maneuvering of words in coloring it with popular big match
cricket. This may be to heighten the fact that people enjoy sadism in hurting
others in the same spirit as they welcome big match cricket in Sri Lanka. As
the high spirited young boys take to streets with great enthusiasm which
sometimes even the adults overlook during the big match season, the ethnic
violence seems to be on rampage while the authorities pay a blind eye over what
is happening under their nose. She goes on to say that the violence has reached
the unprecedented proportions than the highest runs scored in a game of cricket
at the oval grounds. The fourth stanza spotlights one isolated incident where
an old man living “in a tall house with old books and pictures” is answering
the phone. The words of the old man are packed with razor sharp sarcasm and
insult over what is happening at the time. The caller seems to be someone who
domiciles away from the country. The old man seems to be gripped by the
eventful days filled with fear and trepidation. Though the days are filled with
horror and suspense the old man doesn’t seem to lose his sense of humor. He
says life is full of unexpected twists and turns which drive away the boredom
and monotony. He calls the mobs the “brave lads”. No sooner the curfew is
lifted they are back on the street as if they enjoy every bit of what they are
doing. This seems to be the order of the day and the old man says that he sends
away his loved ones to a neighbor’s home for safe. Big match-1983 English
Literature Grade 10 & 11 But he seems to be ready to fight back and protect
his valuable books which he thinks are more important than his own life. He
washes away his nervousness and anxiety in liquor which he says is more
excessively consumed than usual. He humbly thanks the caller in an unruffled
voice for his concern over the wellbeing of him and his family. The sixth
stanza starkly illustrates some inhuman and callous circumstances which had
become the commonplace during the period of ethnic violence in Sri Lanka. The
brutal killings of unarmed innocent civilians and the destruction of valuable
property seem to be the order of the day. The telephone conversation concluded
with heart pouring gratitude and he was surprised over the communication
network which was still uninterrupted. Because when the violence broke out most
of the telecommunication lines were damaged and the civil life literally came
to a standstill. Dead bodies lying on the road and the indifferent attitude of
law enforcing authorities culminated the shameful bloodbath in Sri Lanka. Big
match-1983 English Literature Grade 10 & 11 The last two lines of the
seventh stanza bring out the most horrendous and gruesome nature of the killing
spree which was unleashed on the ethnic minority in the country. It was
brazenly ironic to see a man being beaten to death under a Bo-tree while
pleading for his life. This leaves lot of questions than answers to the already
wounded Sri Lankan public psyche. The last stanza sums up the whole scenario
with a cutting reference to the pieties and politics which seem to have ravaged
the once calm and serene life style of Sri Lanka.
Source:
https://www.e-thaksalawa.moe.gov.lk/moodle/pluginfile.php/23109/mod_resource/content/2/sg10_elit_big_match_1983.pdf
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