‘The Piano and The Drums’ by Gabriel Okara

Hello Readers! This blog is a part of a thinking activity assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad Sir from The English Department, MKBU, Bhavnagar. This blog will delve into the poem ‘The Piano and The Drums’ by Gabriel Okara.

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Introduction of Poet:

Gabriel Okara was a renowned Nigerian poet and novelist whose works have left a lasting impact on African literature. He is known for exploring themes like cultural identity, colonialism, and the clash between traditional African values and Western influences in his writings. Okara's poetry stands out for its vivid imagery, rich language, and deep insights into human experiences.

Gabriel Okara was born on April 24, 1921, in Bumoundi, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. He grew up in the Niger Delta region, surrounded by the vibrant cultural traditions of the Ijo people. After completing his education, Okara worked as a journalist and later held positions in the civil service. In 1953, Okara published his first poetry collection, "The Fisherman's Invocation," which marked the beginning of his literary journey. One of his most notable works is the poem "The Piano and The Drums," which gained international recognition for its exploration of the clash between African and Western cultures. Throughout his career, Okara continued to write poetry and fiction, earning numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to literature. Besides his literary endeavors, he was also active in politics and social activism, advocating for issues of social justice and equality.

Gabriel Okara passed away on March 25, 2019, leaving behind a legacy as one of Nigeria's most influential literary figures. His writings continue to inspire readers worldwide and shed light on the complexities of African identity and experiences.

Pioneer of African Poetry in English:

Gabriel Okara is celebrated as one of the earliest poets from Anglophone West Africa to gain international recognition. His seminal poetry collection, "The Rainmaker," published in 1963, marked a significant milestone in the evolution of modern African poetry.

Okara's poetry is notable for its integration of African idioms, proverbs, and imagery, reflecting his profound connection to his Ijaw ethnic heritage. By infusing his work with these elements, he played a pivotal role in shaping a distinct African voice within the realm of English poetry. Throughout his literary career, Okara passionately delved into themes centered around African identity, culture, and the lasting impact of colonialism. His poetry served as a powerful platform to advocate for the acknowledgment and celebration of African heritage, offering an authentic portrayal of the African worldview and perspective.

Okara's Language Experimentation:

One of Okara's most distinctive characteristics as a poet was his innovative use of language. He adeptly merged Standard English with expressions and syntactic structures drawn from the Ijaw language, resulting in a poetic style that authentically captured the cultural diversity and complexity of his Nigerian upbringing. This linguistic experimentation further cemented Okara's reputation as a pioneering figure in African literature.

Awards and Recognition: 

Okara received several honors, including the Commonwealth Poetry Prize in 1979 and the prestigious Nigerian National Merit Award in 1988.

About Poem ‘The Piano and The Drums’ :

‘The Piano and The Drums’ is a powerful and evocative poem by Gabriel Okara that explores the themes of cultural identity, colonial influence, and the clash between Western and African traditions.

Structure and Form:

The poem is divided into two parts, each representing a different cultural symbol – the piano and the drums. This structure highlights the contrast and tension between the two opposing forces.

Imagery and Symbolism:

1. The Piano: 

As a symbol, the piano embodies Western culture, modernity, and the legacy of colonialism. Its portrayal as "modern" and "grand" underscores its prominence and refinement.

2. The Drums: 

The drums represent traditional African culture, heritage, and the rhythms of life. They are described as "ancestral" and “आगे पीढ़ियों से चली आ रही," emphasizing their deep-rooted connection to African identity.

Tone and Language:

In contrasting the expressions used to describe the piano and the drums, distinct tones and language choices emerge, providing valuable insight into the cultural contexts surrounding these musical instruments.

The depiction of the piano is characterized by a formal and sophisticated language, reflecting the perceived superiority of Western culture. Utilizing terms such as "dominants and subdominants," "fifths and semitones," and "flourish and cadence," the description evokes a sense of technical mastery and control, synonymous with classical music traditions. In contrast, the language employed to describe the drums takes on a more visceral and primal tone, mirroring the raw energy and emotional power intrinsic to African culture. With words like "mania" and "ecstasy," the description captures the intense, rhythmic essence of the drums, conveying their pulsating beats and evoking a profound sense of passion and vitality.

Through these contrasting expressions, the distinct characteristics and cultural influences of the piano and the drums are vividly illuminated, providing a window into the rich diversity of musical traditions prevalent across various societies and regions.

Themes:

1. Cultural Clash: 

The central theme of the poem is the clash between Western and African cultures, represented by the piano and the drums, respectively. Okara highlights the tension and conflict that arises when these two vastly different traditions collide.

2. Identity Crisis: 

The poem explores the identity crisis faced by Africans who have been influenced by Western culture and struggle to reconcile their traditional roots with the imposed colonial values.

3. Colonialism and Resistance: 

Through metaphor, the poem unveils the colonial ordeal, portraying the piano as emblematic of Western dominance striving to suppress the drums, which stand for the resilience and defiance of African traditions.

Stanza-wise analysis of Gabriel Okara's poem "The Piano and The Drums":

Stanza 1:

"He played a forest leaving, leaving

Renewed the swarms's diminuendos

With a grand massacre of trees:

Gross blurting of apertures

Of lopped boughs swallowing

The embracing wildflowers;”

In the opening stanza, Okara vividly introduces the symbol of the piano through striking imagery. Phrases like "forest leaving" and "massacre of trees" hint at a destructive power, possibly symbolizing the intrusion of Western culture into traditional African ways of life. The music of the piano is portrayed as overwhelming the natural sounds, depicted as "swarms's diminuendos," disrupting the harmony of the environment.

Stanza 2: 

"His shocking outbursts of arpeggio

Scattered birds and shredded petals

On a bemused audience of trees

Still bristling from the Grand's grand entry.”

Continuing, this stanza elaborates on the forceful and disruptive nature of the piano. The "outbursts of arpeggio" and the scattering of birds and petals intensify the feeling of chaos and disturbance, highlighting the piano's supremacy over the natural world.

Stanza 3:

"But the mad man endured,

Endured the pangs of his malcontrived art,

Half bemused, half enrolled,

Enmeshed in the grandiloquent scoring

Of modern nature.”

In this stanza, Okara introduces the notion of resistance and resilience in response to the piano's dominance. The "mad man," possibly symbolizing African traditions, persists despite the challenges of his art, hinting at a struggle to preserve identity in the face of Western cultural imposition.

Stanza 4:

"The drums began their frenzy:

Речитативным тоном Answeringthe speechless shrill

Of ancestral speechlessnessIn drummanshlp, In mansMakingthe continent indwelling burden:

The timeless wordless utterances

Of love, of earth, of religion, of birth

Speaking to mankind.”

In this stanza, Okara shifts focus to the symbol of the drums, embodying African traditions and culture. The drums are depicted as "frenzy," "речитативным тоном," and "ancestral speechlessness," evoking primal energy and a profound sense of heritage. They are portrayed as conveying the very essence of African existence – "love, earth, religion, birth" – in a timeless and wordless manner.

Stanza 5:

"And came the mania

Of ecstasy and orgy

Visceral response giving

Unheeded vent

To inarticulate anguish

Of bereaved faith Salving, exorcising

The victim of loveless years.”

In this stanza, the poem delves deeper into the strength and fervor of the drums, portraying them as a "mania of ecstasy and orgy." They are described as a visceral reaction and a channel for expressing the inexpressible pain and shattered beliefs brought on by the intrusion of Western culture.

Stanza 6:

"The drums overwhelmed,

Took over the static revolution

Of the Grand's grand progress

And robbed him of his acreage

With the coup of their artillery

Of speech.”

In the final stanza, Okara suggests that the drums ultimately emerge triumphant over the piano, as they "overwhelm" and "take over" the "static revolution" of Western modernity. The drums are depicted as reclaiming their rightful place and stripping the piano of its dominance through the "coup of their artillery of speech."

Through this detailed analysis of each stanza, we can appreciate Okara's skillful use of contrasting symbols, vivid imagery, and evocative language to delve into the clash between Western and African cultures, the quest for identity, and the enduring strength of tradition in the face of adversity.

Conclusion:

In "The Piano and The Drums," Okara skillfully portrays the cultural clash and identity crisis faced by Africans during colonialism. Through the contrasting symbols of the piano and the drums, he vividly illustrates the tension between Western modernity and African heritage. Okara's rich language and imagery encourage readers to reflect on the intricacies of cultural encounters and the resilience of tradition amidst oppression. Overall, the poem serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring struggle for identity in the face of cultural domination.

Words - 1,535

Images - 2

Video - 3