“Astronomer” by A.K.Ramanujan

                                             “Astronomer”

             The present poem “Astronomer” is one of the best example of Ramanujan’s poetry. the poem appears in ‘collected poems’ . book  three : second sight here in this poem we can find autobiographical touch , because Ramanujan is talking about his own father in the poem . According to Ramanujan ;

“my father was a mathematics and an astronomer ; he was also a Sanskrit scholar and expert astrologer”

             Here, it becomes quite clear that Ramanujan is talking about his father Srinivas Ramanujan in the poem astronomer. the poem begins with the following words ;

“sky-man in a man hole with astronomy for dream astrology for nightmare”

          In  the very beginning of the astronomy and astrology. the first one is the scientific study of stars and planets . while the second one is stars and planets influence one human being. in short, the poet father believes in both the things . in short, he mixes- up both sciences and superstition .in short, the poet tries to show the contradictory image of his own father. further the poet says ;

“fat man full of proverb”

           Ramanujan even offers the physical appearance of the astrologer. he is fat man and his language is full of wise words and proverb. he has even the knowledge of past language like Sanskrit . he uses Sanskrit in his language.

            Astronomer moreover, has talent to read the almanare and predict the future events. even he uses to calculate good hours and bad hours which we calls “muhurates” . the poet even talks about the condition of the astrologer in the following words ;

“clutching at the tear in his birthday shirt as at a hole in his mile wed horoscope”

                These words highlights the financial condition of the astronomer. he lives can ordinary life. even his shirt is torn and his horoscope has hole.

           Then, the astronomer is not well physically also he contatly suffers from teidney  problem. even he is as fat as big bear . however, what is remarkable about the astrologer is his love for woman and sex. woman like ‘dipping honey’ for him. in short, he has unexpected desire for woman and sex.