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Social and Political Critique in Ezekiel’s Poetry
SHEETAL MAHAJAN, DR. RAKESH KUMAR
Abstract:
Nissim Ezekiel's poetry was an astute commentary on the socio-political reality of India post-independence. He presented the negative along with hope about the nation as a whole. He is an active poet deeply involved in current affairs. So, his writings on issues of corruption, red tape, poverty, and continuance of colonial values in India abound. His poetic voice is both critical and reflective, as he uses irony, satire, and humor to expose the contradictions, hypocrisies, and systemic flaws within the Indian socio-political framework. His works depict the struggles of common people caught between tradition and modernity, pointing out the nation's failure to achieve the ideals promised at independence. Most notably, Ezekiel's critique appears in poems such as "Goodbye Party for Miss Pushpa T.S." and "The Patriot," in which he uses satire to expose the rhetoric of politics, the empty nationalism of language, and the distortions of language through colonial legacies. In these poems, he subtly mocks the artificiality of social behavior and the hollowness of political discourse and exposes the underlying issues of identity, governance, and power dynamics. While his commentary is often laced with humor, it carries a serious undertone, reflecting his concern for the ethical and moral decay of Indian society. Beyond political inefficiency, Ezekiel’s poetry also examines the psychological and emotional impact of social issues on individuals. His works capture the alienation, frustration, and helplessness of those marginalized by an indifferent political system. He seeks to critique the stagnation of bureaucratic institutions, the persistence of superstitions, and the widening economic divide-all of which make it difficult for a rapidly modernizing yet deeply traditional nation to progress. His poetic lens stretches beyond mere observations, calling for introspection and reform, making his works an essential mirror of India's evolving social and political consciousness.