Guardian Richard Gott Paz wrote many works in his lifetime. Charles Tomlinson was one of his translators into English. Elizabeth Bishop, Muriel Russell and Samuel Beckett were some of his fellow poets. His earlier poetry clearly reveals his Marxist-surrealistic leanings as well the profound impact of Hinduism, Buddhism and other religions on him. His later poetry showed his passions like modern painting and his ideas about love, eroticism and life.
Eliot Weinberger is the translator of The Collected Poems of Octavio Paz 1957-1987. Octavio Pasz was the Mexican Ambassador in India. He spent a lot of time in India and was able to escape the tourist stereotype despite cultural and linguistic differences. Many of his poems are titles that reflect his explorations into India, such as Vrindaban and Madurai. Paz’s most personal prose work, Light of India, was published in 1995. He states in the Acknowledgments that it is not a systematic research, but a more-or-less ordered collection of his reflections, impressions, or objections to India. He mentions J.Swaminathan, a close friend, in the book. He describes him as a poet and painter. To the Painter Swaminathan Octavio Pas’s dedication is to Jagadish Swaminathan. The poet is a tribute to the iconoclast. India has been an overpowering presence in Paz’s creative life and it can be seen in the poem. Paz showed admirable balance when approaching ‘the enormous reality of India’. He avoided both admiration and hatred and this quality sets him apart among the many writers who give a biased viewpoint of India. Paz’s poetry are filled with language that sings. They also push perception out of the daily grind. Paz’s poem To the painter Swaminathan uses many hues and colors to create a picture that stirs the heart and connects it with culture, civilization, philosophy and art. The poet witnesses the creative frenzy as the painter works to adjust his colors to give life to the canvas. Paz views the empty canvas as an opportunity to fulfill his vocation. The narrator recalls the moment when the matador came face to face the raging bear by looking at the canvas. The narrator describes each color in such detail that the poem becomes a living experience.
Kali, the Indian goddess of fire and creativity, is known for being artistic and abstract. Kali, in Indian Mythology has been called the Goddess of Beauty and Power. Her art is to push people outside their limits so they can grow. A balanced use of colors will unleash the creativity and amaze the audience. Kali might seem timid at first but hides the wild goddess in her. The perception of India by foreigners as a nation of poor people slowly changes when they learn more about India’s rich cultural, spiritual and religious heritage and diversity. Kali, who is black-bodied, takes the Aztec sacrifices for Sun God into her mind.
Kali, the feminine form Kala that is time, is this image. It shows his deep understanding of Indian philosophy. His heart of compassion allowed him to grasp the vast Indian reality, and enabled his desi to experience India. In essence, the poem talks about Mother goddess’ universal presence, since Paz Kali and the Virgin Mary in Guadalupe are the patron and protectress for Mexico. However, Tonantzin, a pre-Hispanic Aztec god, is identified with the Virgin de Guadalupe. He emphasizes universal primordial energy, which can be called many things around the world.
All these goddesses are manifestations shakthi. Paz presents a picture that focuses more on aesthetic harmony than religion, of pure purity. The poem is both a mystery as well an answer. The influence of India on Octavio Paz was evident in his poetry. These are rare instances of foreign countries influencing master artists. It is not exaggerated to say that India had an equal influence on him as Mexico.
