Rain at Night by Sugathakumai
Sugathakumari was born on 22 January 1934 in Aranmula in Kerala. She was a celebrated poet and social activist.
Early Life: Sugathakumari pursued a Master's Degree in Philosophy.
Career: She served as the principal of Jawahar Balabhavan, Thiruvananthapuram, and was the editor of Thaliru magazine.
Literary Contributions: Sugathakumari authored several collections of poetry, including "Mutthuchippi," "Swapnabhoomi," "Pavam Manava Hridayam," and many more.
Activism: She was the founder and secretary of the Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi, an organization for nature protection, and of Abhaya, a centre for destitute women.
Awards and Honors: Sugathakumari received numerous awards, including the Kerala Sahitya Academy Award (1968), Sahitya Akademi Award (1978), Padma Shri (2006), and Saraswati Samman (2012).
Sugathakumari's life and work left a lasting impact on literature and social welfare, making her a revered figure in Indian society.
About the poem, "Rain at Night"
"Rain at Night" by Sugathakumari is a poem that combines feelings about feminism, humanism, and love for nature. It is also showing worries about nature, women, children, and Adivasis.
The poem talks about a romantic moment when rain suddenly falls while the speaker is in a sanatorium bed, feeling very ill. The rain makes the speaker feel comforted and less lonely.
Sugathakumari feels a strong connection to nature, seeing herself in the rain.
The poem feels sad and hopeless, showing how the speaker is struggling with illness and loneliness.
At the last part of the poem poet feel comfortable with the rain.
The poem was translated by Prof. B. Hridayakumari, who beautifully captures the feelings and meaning of Sugathakumari's poem.
Summary of Rain At Night.
"Rain at Night" by Sugathakumari is a poem that uses the imagery of rain to explore complex human emotions and experiences. The poem begins by comparing the rain to a young woman behaving unpredictably, weeping, laughing, and muttering continuously. This comparison creates a vivid and striking image, suggesting that the rain is not just a natural phenomenon but also a reflection of human emotions.
As the poem progresses, the speaker describes the rain as a comforting presence amidst the darkness and loneliness of the night. The rain is portrayed as a soothing companion, offering solace and understanding to the speaker. This portrayal highlights the deep connection between nature and human emotions, suggesting that the rain has the ability to empathize with human suffering.
One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of emotional healing. The speaker contrasts the physical removal of a diseased body part with the complexities of healing a deeply diseased heart. This comparison suggests that emotional wounds are not easily healed and require time and understanding.
Overall, "Rain at Night" is a powerful and evocative poem that uses the imagery of rain to explore themes of human emotions, nature, and healing. The poem's rich imagery and deep symbolism make it a poignant reflection on the human condition.
Line by Line Summary.
Rain-at-night,
The rain that falls during the night.
Like some young mad woman
Comparing the rain to a young woman who is behaving unpredictably or strangely.
For nothing
Without any apparent reason.
Weeping, laughing, whimpering,
The rain is described as making sounds like crying, laughing, and softly complaining.
Muttering without a stop,
Continuously making low, indistinct sounds.
And sitting huddled up
Describing the rain as if it is sitting closely wrapped up, like someone trying to keep warm.
Tossing her long hair.
Imagining or comparing the rain as a person with long hair moving about as if in restlessness.
Rain-at-night,
Referring again to the rain at night.
Pensive daughter of the dusky night
Describing the rain as the thoughtful daughter of the dark night.
Gliding slowly like a long wail lament
Moving slowly and smoothly like a prolonged sorrowful cry.
Into this hospital
Referring to the rain entering the hospital.
Extending her cold fingers
The rain is likened to having cold fingers reaching inside.
Through the window
Indicates that the rain is coming in through an open window.
And touching me.
Suggests that the rain is touching the speaker.
Rain-at-night,
Repeating the idea of the rain at night.
When groans and shudders
Describing the sounds of pain and fear.
And sharp voices
Referring to sudden, loud cries or sounds.
And the sudden anguished cry of a mother
Describing a mother's cry of distress.
Shake me, and I put my hand to my ears
The noises disturb the speaker, and they cover their ears with their hands.
And sob, tossing on my sick bed
The speaker cries and moves around in bed because of their sickness.
You, like a dear one
Referring to the rain as if it were a beloved person.
Coming through the gloom with comforting words.
The rain is seen as providing comfort in the midst of darkness and sadness.
Somebody said,
Indicates that someone else said something.
A diseased part can be cut and removed
Referring to the idea that a part of the body that is sick can be surgically removed.
But what can be done to the poor heart
Asking what can be done to heal a heart that is deeply troubled or sick.
Deeply diseased?
Emphasizing the severity of the heart's condition.
Rain-at-night,
Repeating the phrase to refer to the rain once again.
Witness to my love,
Describing how the rain has been present during times of love and happiness for the speaker.
Who lulled me to sleep
Suggesting that the rain helped the speaker fall asleep peacefully.
Giving me joy more than the moonlight did;
Implying that the rain brought more joy to the speaker than even the moonlight, which is traditionally seen as soothing and beautiful.
The bright moonlight
Describing the moon's light as bright and shining.
Which in my auspicious nights
Referring to nights that are considered lucky or fortunate.
Made me laugh
Suggesting that the moonlight made the speaker happy.
Made me thrill with joy.
Implies that the moonlight filled the speaker with excitement and happiness.
Rain-at-night,
Referring to the rain once again.
Now witness to my grief
Describing how the rain is now present during the speaker's time of sadness.
When I toss and turn
Describing how the speaker moves around restlessly in bed.
On my sweltering bed of sickness
Referring to the speaker's hot and uncomfortable bed due to their sickness.
In the sleepless hours of the night
Referring to the nighttime when the speaker cannot sleep.
And forgetting even to weep
Suggesting that the speaker is so distraught that they even forget to cry.
Alone, slowly freeze into a stone.
Implies that the speaker feels cold and numb, like turning into a stone, while being alone.
Let me tell you Rain-at-night,
Addressing the rain directly.
I know your music, kind and sad,
Saying that the speaker understands the gentle, melancholy sound of the rain.
Your pity and your suppressed rage,
Suggesting that the rain's sound expresses both compassion and hidden anger.
Your coming in the night,
Referring to the rain's arrival during the night.
Your sobbing and weeping when all alone;
Describing the rain's sound as if it were crying and sobbing when no one else is around.
And when it is dawn
Referring to when the sun starts to rise.
How do I know all this?
Asking how the speaker knows all these things about the rain.
Your wiping your face and forcing a smile
Imagining the rain as if it were wiping its face and pretending to smile.
Your hurry and your putting on an act:
Describing the rain's movements as if it were in a rush and pretending to be something it is not.
My friend, I too am like you
Comparing oneself to the rain suggests a shared experience or feeling.
Like you, rain-at-night.
Ending with a reaffirmation of the speaker's similarity to the rain at night.
Questions and Answers
How does the rain at night behave as a mad young woman?
The rain at night behaves like a mad young woman, exhibiting unpredictable behavior by weeping, laughing, whimpering, and muttering continuously without reason.
Who sits huddled up tossing the hair?
In the poem "Rain at Night" by Sugathakumari, the rain is metaphorically described as sitting huddled up and tossing her long hair. This imagery is used to personify the rain, portraying it as behaving like a person who is feeling restless or anxious.
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