Water

1. How does the poem “Water” demonstrate the disparity and discrimination in the society ?
or
How does water witness the centuries of social injustice?
Answer: The poet uses the powerful symbol of water to depict the prominent presence of the caste
system and untouchability, particularly in Indian society. Water is the most essential of elements on
earth for the survival of all animate things and yet this basic requirement is denied to the lower
section of the society.
The water witnesses the generations old strife and untouchability. The water knows the difference
of race like Samarian woman and Jesus , the jew, caste and sub-caste like cobblers and weavers.
The poet focuses on the agony of the Panchama. They do not have the right to draw a pot of water
from the well and thus they wait the whole day thirsty with their empty pot for the Shudra to draw
water from the well. Ironically the Shudra also happens to be the second last rank of the social
order.
The poet further elaborates on the agony of the wada girl. As this girl waits to get water, the shudra
pours water from a distance and eventually, water falls out and drenches her. This action brings in a
lot of humiliation to the girl. The lower caste people are discriminated against and are denied of
basic necessity.
2. Water can give life and devour lives? Write about the significance of the statement.
Answer: The poet introduces us to the innumerable attributes of water. She says water is not a
simple thing. It has the ability to give life to everything; likewise, it also has the ability to destroy
everything. The poet talks about how; water can be both preservers and destroyers of life.
Further elaborating on the destructive and constructive nature of water, she makes reference to the
Tsunami which destroyed villages and millions of people in a span of few minutes. The same water
which destroyed villages also quenches the thirst of parched throats.
The poor villagers become playthings in the powerful hands of water. At times it turns some villages
into deserts and some other times it drowns villages. The poor are part of the vicious circle and have
no escape from the fury of nature.
3. What are the personal memories of the poet that inspire her to write the poem?
Answer: The poet has vivid memories of her childhood that are associated with water. The poet
remembers how her Wada would remain thirsty the whole day for a drop of water. The poet also
remembers the Mahad struggle of chedar tank which is the mighty movement associated with
water. She also remembers the battles they have fought for the sake of water, where blood flowed
like streams even then they couldn’t win a puddle of water.
She remembers the wondrous festival, how they welcomed their weekly bath. She is also reminded
of her childhood and how she walked miles ,carrying heavy pots, with the muscles and veins on their
necks straining and bursting. She remembers how at Malapalle village was burnt to ashes for want
of water.
The poet’s struggle due to lack of water, denial of water and the fury of nature inspired her to write
the poem.
Water as a multi-national market commodity. Explain?
Answer: The poet focuses on a number of contemporary issues. First and foremost, she talks of how
water has been a cause of distinction and strife between the Wada and a village. She says this
conflict is not just restricted to a Wada and a village but has been the cause of conflict between
states.
It has the ability to cause violence and bloodshed. This is something we have been experiencing in
recent times. But contrary to everything the poet begins to make a mockery of the age-old practice
of untouchability which does not find any place in the globalized world today. She talks of how water
is commoditized and packed in a Bisleri bottle and is being made accessible to everyone irrespective
of their caste if you are willing and ready to pay for it. Water , for which they had to do many circus
feat now surreptitiously dances its way into the bottle with a new name ‘ mineral water’.
It’s a multinational market commodity. Its is omniscient, it contains the world.

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1. How does the poem “Water” demonstrate the disparity and discrimination in the society ?

It’s a multinational market commodity. Its is omniscient, it contains the world.

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