“Religion and Rationality in Arun Kolatkar’s Poem ‘Jejuri”

Dr. Jahagirdar Zinga Salunkhe

TSS’s Smt. V. U. Patil Arts and Late. Dr. B. S. Desale Science College, Sakri

Tal-Sakri Dist- Dhule (Maharashtra) Pin-Code-424304

Email:-jahagirdar1474@gmail.com

ABSTRACT:

Arun Kolatkar’s Jejuri presents a unique and realistic portrayal of religious experience in modern Indian society by examining the complex relationship between faith and reason. Arun Kolatkar’s Jejuri occupies a significant place in Indian English poetry for its realistic and unconventional treatment of religion and spirituality. The poem Jejuri presents a skeptical and rational view of religious practices through the eyes of a modern pilgrim. Kolatkar depicts the pilgrimage site of Jejuri as a space where devotion coexists with doubt and observation. The poet’s persona neither blindly accepts nor completely rejects religious beliefs; instead, he adopts a balanced perspective that encourages critical reflection.  This paper explores the tension between religion and rationality in Jejuri and examines how Kolatkar questions blind faith while appreciating the cultural significance of religious traditions. The study reveals that Arun Kolatkar does not reject religion completely but advocates a balanced approach that harmonizes faith with reason.The study highlights the continued relevance of poet’s vision in an age increasingly shaped by scientific thinking and modern sensibilities.

This paper analyzes how Kolatkar questions mechanical worship and blind faith while recognizing the cultural and emotional significance of religion. It argues that Jejuri promotes a harmonious relationship between religion and rationality, suggesting that true spirituality lies in awareness, inquiry, and human understanding rather than in rigid rituals.

KEYWORDS: Jejuri, traditions, religion, rationality, pilgrim, faith,rituals,unconventional,skepticism, Lord Khandoba,priests.

INTRODUCTION:

Arun Kolatkar (1932–2004) is one of the most prominent figures in modern Indian English poetry. His collection Jejuri (1976) won the Commonwealth Poetry Prize and brought him international recognition. The poem sequence is based on the poet’s visit to Jejuri, a small pilgrimage town in Maharashtra, dedicated to Lord Khandoba. Through a series of short poems, Arun Kolatkar presents his observations of temples, priests, pilgrims, and rituals.Unlike conventional religious poetry that glorifies faith. He presents religion as a lived experience rather than an idealized concept. The poet’s persona in Jejuri is neither a devoted believer nor an outright atheist. Instead, he represents the modern, rational individual who questions traditional beliefs while participating in religious practices.

CONCEPT OF RELIGION AND RATIONALITY:

Religion has traditionally been associated with faith, devotion, and unquestioned belief in divine power. In Indian culture, pilgrimage is seen as a sacred act that strengthens spiritual consciousness. Rationality, on the other hand, emphasizes logic, observation, and critical thinking. A rational individual seeks evidence and clarity rather than accepting beliefs blindly.

In Jejuri, Arun Kolatkar juxtaposes these two forces. The sacred environment of temples and rituals is constantly examined through a rational lens. The poet does not deny the existence of spiritual longing but questions whether religious practices truly fulfill this need. This conflict between belief and reason forms the central theme of Jejuri.

PORTRAYAL OF RELIGION IN JEJURI:

ArunKolatkar presents religion in Jejuri as a mixture of devotion, superstition, and routine. The temples appear old, broken, and neglected, symbolizing the decline of spiritual vitality. In the poem “The Bus,” the journey to Jejuri is depicted in a casual and almost humorous manner, reducing the solemnity usually associated with pilgrimage.

In “The Priest,” the priest is portrayed as mechanically performing rituals without genuine spiritual involvement. His actions appear more professional than devotional. Similarly, in “An Old Woman,” the blind beggar woman symbolizes blind faith. Though physically blind, she possesses unwavering devotion. The poet admires her sincerity but also views her belief with skepticism. This reflects Kolatkar’s balanced attitude toward faith.

RATIONAL OUTLOOK OF THE POET:

The poet’s rationality is evident in his constant questioning and observation. He does not accept religious symbols at face value. In “The Doorstep,” he describes broken stones and discarded idols, suggesting the fragility of religious structures. The sacred is reduced to ordinary material objects.In “Yeshwant Rao,” the poet meets a man who claims to have supernatural powers. Instead of believing him, the poet responds with irony and doubt. This reflects the rational mind that refuses to accept miraculous claims without proof.Kolatkar also uses precise and simple language to maintain an objective tone. His imagery is concrete and realistic, avoiding exaggerated spiritual expressions. This stylistic choice strengthens the rational perspective of the poem.

THE DECLINE OF SACRED AWE:

One of the central concerns of Jejuri is the diminution of the sacred in the face of modern realities. “The roofs are leaking, & the gods are old.”This opening line immediately sets the tone of temporal decay. The temples, once places of awe and wonder, now show signs of neglect. Kolatkar’s god is not timeless; he is aged, almost vulnerable.

The poet’s observation of the landscape intensifies this sense:“The bitter taste of the sun is in the stones.”Here, the natural world around the temple feels harsh and uninviting, as if spirituality itself has been eroded by time and environment.

USE OF IRONY AND SATIRE:

Irony is one of the most powerful tools. Arun Kolatkar uses to expose the gap between religious ideals and actual practice. Many scenes in Jejuri appear humorous but carry serious implications.For example, in “The Bus,” the casual behavior of pilgrims contrasts sharply with the supposed sanctity of the journey. In “Makarand,” the worship of a deity is presented in a manner that highlights human absurdity.Through satire, Arun Kolatkar criticizes blind devotion, hypocrisy, and empty rituals. However, his satire is gentle rather than harsh. He does not insult believers but encourages them to reflect critically on their faith.

Arun Kolatkar’s voice often leans toward irony a technique that allows him to present religious ritual devoid of idealization.“The morning after the festival the village is strewn with coconuts and flowers.”

This image situates the sacred celebration within a very human reality: waste and debris. The aftermath of religious fervor is not transcendental clarity but a messy, littered terrain.Another striking line reveals the poet’s complex attitude toward worship:“Come back next year, Khandoba said.”Here, the anthropomorphized god appears almost bureaucratic, signaling a routine rather than a miraculous intervention.

RELIGION AS CULTURAL EXPERIENCE:

Despite his rational approach, Arun Kolatkar does not dismiss religion completely. He recognizes its cultural and emotional importance. Jejuri is presented as a living space where religion, poverty, history, and human struggle coexist.The poet participates in rituals, observes festivals, and interacts with pilgrims. This shows his involvement with the religious environment. His skepticism does not isolate him from the community. Instead, it allows him to experience religion more honestly.Thus, religion in Jejuri is not merely a spiritual practice but also a social and cultural phenomenon.

RECONCILIATION OF FAITH AND REASON:

One of the most significant aspects of Jejuri is its attempt to reconcile faith and reason. Arun Kolatkar does not advocate complete rejection of religion. Nor does he promote blind belief. He suggests a middle path where faith is guided by intelligence and awareness.The poet respects human devotion but rejects superstition. He values spiritual curiosity but opposes mechanical rituals. This balanced perspective reflects the mindset of modern individuals who seek meaning without abandoning rational thinking.Through this approach, Jejuri becomes a philosophical exploration of belief in the contemporary world.

CONCLUSION:

Arun Kolatkar’s poem Jejuri presents a profound examination of religion and rationality in modern Indian society. By portraying religious practices through a skeptical yet sympathetic lens, the poet challenges blind faith and promotes critical awareness. His use of irony, realistic imagery, and detached narration highlights the tension between tradition and modernity. Through his keen observation and subtle irony, Kolatkar portrays a landscape where faith, tradition, and skepticism coexist in constant tension. Rather than glorifying blind devotion or dismissing belief altogether, the poet adopts a balanced and critical perspective that encourages thoughtful reflection.

Arun Kolatkar neither glorifies nor condemns religion. Instead, he invites readers to reflect on their own beliefs and practices. Jejuri ultimately suggests that true spirituality lies not in rigid rituals but in honest inquiry and human understanding. The poem remains relevant today as it addresses the universal conflict between faith and reason in an increasingly rational world.Arun Kolatkar’s depiction of decaying temples, mechanical rituals, and indifferent priests symbolizes the erosion of unquestioned religious authority in a modern, rational world. At the same time, he acknowledges the emotional and cultural significance of faith in human life. The speaker’s detached yet curious attitude reflects the modern individual’s struggle to reconcile inherited beliefs with logical reasoning and personal experience.

By blending realistic imagery with philosophical insight, Jejuri questions conventional notions of holiness and challenges readers to reconsider the true essence of spirituality. The poem suggests that genuine faith does not lie in rigid practices or superstitions but in self-awareness, moral integrity, and intellectual honesty. Rational inquiry, therefore, becomes not an enemy of religion but a means to deepen understanding.

In conclusion, Jejuri stands as a significant literary work that bridges tradition and modernity, belief and doubt, emotion and reason. Arun Kolatkar successfully highlights the need for a harmonious coexistence between religion and rationality in a rapidly changing world. His poetic vision urges readers to move beyond superficial religiosity and embrace a more reflective, humane, and enlightened approach to spirituality.

REFERENCES

1. Kolatkar, Arun. Jejuri. Bombay: Clearing House, 1976.
2. Naik, M. K. A History of Indian English Literature. Sahitya Akademi, 1982.
3. Parthasarathy, R. Ten Twentieth-Century Indian Poets. Oxford University Press, 1976.
4. King, Bruce. Modern Indian Poetry in English. Oxford University Press, 1987.
5. Mehrotra, Arvind Krishna. A History of Indian Literature in English. Columbia University Press, 2003.