A low temple keeps its gods in the dark.
You lend a matchbox to the priest.
One by one the gods come to light.
Amused bronze. Smiling stone. Unsurprised.
For a moment the length of a matchstick
gesture after gesture revives and dies.
Stance after lost stance is found
and lost again.
Who was that, you ask.
The eight-arm goddess, the priest replies.
A sceptic match coughs.
You can count.
But she has eighteen, you protest.
All the same she is still an eight-arm goddess to the priest.
You come out in the sun and light a charminar.
Children play on the back of the twenty-foot tortoise.
About the Poet: Arun Kolatkar
Arun Kolatkar (1932–2004) was a bilingual Indian poet who wrote in both Marathi and English. He is widely known for his keen observation, minimalistic style, and ability to capture the essence of everyday life through simple yet profound imagery. His most famous work, Jejuri (1976), won the Commonwealth Poetry Prize and explores themes of faith, skepticism, and the intersection of modernity and tradition. Kolatkar’s poetry is marked by a deep engagement with Indian culture, folk traditions, and an unpretentious, conversational tone that makes his work accessible yet deeply layered.
Background of the Poem
A Low Temple is one of the poems from Kolatkar’s celebrated collection Jejuri, which presents a poetic travelogue of a pilgrim’s visit to the temple town of Jejuri in Maharashtra. The collection reflects the poet’s exploration of spirituality, questioning of religious structures, and observations of people and places. A Low Temple specifically focuses on a small, unassuming temple, juxtaposing its simplicity with the grandeur often associated with religious structures.
Summary of the Poem
The poem A Low Temple describes a modest temple, far from the grandeur of large shrines. It is physically unremarkable, possibly neglected, yet it carries a distinct spiritual essence. The speaker notices its physical decay and the ordinary yet striking details of the temple’s setting. The presence of an idol within—depicted not in its traditional divine form but as a simple, rustic, perhaps even humorous figure—adds to the contrast between expectation and reality.
The poem subtly critiques blind faith while also acknowledging the beauty of unpretentious devotion. It raises questions about where the divine truly resides—whether in the grand structures built by human hands or in the everyday simplicity of faith and experience.
Main Themes
1. Religious Skepticism vs. Faith
- The poem reflects Kolatkar’s nuanced perspective on religion—he neither outright rejects nor wholly embraces traditional faith. Instead, he presents a personal and observational approach to spirituality.
2. Contrast Between Grandeur and Simplicity
- The ‘low temple’ stands as a metaphor for unnoticed, small-scale faith, contrasting with larger, more elaborate places of worship.
3. Perception vs. Reality
- The poem challenges preconceived notions about religious spaces and deities, highlighting how expectation can differ from actual experience.
4. Folk Tradition and Local Spirituality
- Kolatkar often explores local and folk traditions rather than institutionalized religion, shedding light on grassroots spirituality.
Poetic Devices Used in the Poem
1. Imagery
- The poem vividly describes the temple’s physical state, allowing readers to visualize its modesty and simplicity.
2. Irony
- There is an underlying irony in how the temple defies traditional expectations yet retains its significance.
3. Symbolism
- The ‘low temple’ symbolizes overlooked or understated forms of spirituality, emphasizing that divinity is not confined to grand places of worship.
4. Minimalist Language
- Kolatkar’s simple, conversational style allows profound ideas to emerge without unnecessary ornamentation.
Essay Questions for Further Exploration
- How does Kolatkar use irony in A Low Temple to challenge conventional notions of faith and divinity?
- Discuss the significance of the temple’s physical description in shaping the poem’s meaning.
- Compare A Low Temple with another poem from Jejuri. How does Kolatkar’s depiction of religious spaces evolve across the collection?
- How does Kolatkar’s use of language contribute to the poem’s impact?
- In what ways does A Low Temple reflect the tension between modernity and tradition?
Multiple Choice Questions with Answers
- Which of the following best describes Arun Kolatkar’s poetic style?
a) Highly ornate and elaborate
b) Minimalist and observational
c) Romantic and emotional
d) Abstract and surreal
Answer: b) Minimalist and observational - What is the primary setting of A Low Temple?
a) A grand palace temple
b) A small, unimposing shrine
c) A busy city square
d) A deserted monastery
Answer: b) A small, unimposing shrine - Which literary device is most prominently used in the poem?
a) Hyperbole
b) Alliteration
c) Imagery
d) Sonnet form
Answer: c) Imagery - How does Kolatkar portray the idol inside the temple?
a) As a grand, awe-inspiring deity
b) As a simple and almost humorous figure
c) As a supernatural entity
d) As an unidentifiable abstract form
Answer: b) As a simple and almost humorous figure - What is a major theme of A Low Temple?
a) The grandeur of religious architecture
b) The power of mythological gods
c) The contrast between expectation and reality
d) The importance of historical preservation
Answer: c) The contrast between expectation and reality