Heaven If You Are Not Here On Earth Questions & Answers

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Questions and Answers

Comprehension I

1. According to the poet, ‘heaven’ is

Ans: On earth

2. The poet finds god in

Ans: Nature

3. What does the line ‘Heaven lies all over’ suggest?

Ans: On earth in nature everywhere.

4. Who creates ‘heaven on earth’?

Ans: The poet

Comprehension II

Common Introduction

Kuvempu is the pen name of the greatest poet of the 20^th century Kannada literature, K.V. Puttappa. He rose to eminence with his pen name creating great literature. Kannada language, literature and heritage assumed prominence through his works. His work ‘Sri Ramayana Darshanam’ is regarded as revival of the era of Mahakavya (Epic poetry) in a contemporary form and charm. He has been honoured with a number of prestigious awards for his literary acclaim and academic excellence. The poem ‘Heaven If You Are Not Here On Earth’ demystifies the myth of heaven. It also celebrates the gift of the poetic genius.

1. Describe the beauty in nature that makes the earth a heavenly place.

Ans: Nature had enormous influence on Kuvempu throughout his life which is reflected in his works. As a child he was charmed by its magnificence and as a poet he worshipped Nature’s beauty. He tries to unravel its mystical character in his works. Heaven which is often thought to be imaginary and distant beyond our reach is served to us in real by the poet in his poem, ‘Heaven If You Are Not Here On Earth’. The presence of nature in varied images on earth makes it a real heaven. When the stream with its sparkling water rushes fast, as the waves after waves rolling back on the shore create beauty, the tender sunshine leaning on the lush green forests add splendor to the beauty while the gentle sun makes the earth a heaven. Kuvempu’s portrayal of sun-soaked nature at sunrise is always mesmerizing. The heaven is where the moonlight envelops the world in its majesty. This experience can never be anywhere but on the earth which is best experienced and expressed by the poet alone. Imbibing this opulence of heaven on earth the poet shares his song of sweetness. Anyone who feels this has the poet’s sensibility and discovers heavenly joy.    

2.       Why does the poet feel that earth is more beautiful than heaven?

Ans: Kuvempu is the most eminent poet in Kannada literature who has glorified the beauty of nature in his poetic works. He is known as nature poet; he celebrates nature’s beauty in all of his works. Here in the poem, ‘Heaven If You Are Not Here On Earth’ the poet creates heaven on earth through his beautiful portrayal of natural imagery. Besides, Kuvempu puts forward his rational perspective on heaven as something which is in our perception. The poet makes the earth look resplendent teeming with roaring streams and rolling surf of water. The tender sunshine and the gentle sun would make earth look a perfect heaven. It is best found in the splendor of harvest and of moonlight. Overwhelmed with this sweet experience the poet creates heaven on earth that looks more beautiful.    

Comprehension III

1.       How does the poet break the myth of heaven in this poem?

Ans: The poet Kuvempu was deeply awed by nature’s divine beauty as a child. As he grew up, he went on to discover different aspects of nature. No other poet celebrated Mother Nature as gloriously as Kuvempu did. For him, the very sunrise brings joy to the world. He has contributed to Universal Humanism through his works. In his poem, ‘Heaven If You Are Not Here On Earth’ demystifies the myth of heaven. It is commonly thought that one can go to heaven only after one’s death. Kuvempu differs to say that if we cannot find heaven on earth we cannot see it anywhere else! It does not exist beyond clouds and the sky. If we cannot become gods ourselves with our actions, gods cannot be found ourselves. If we are not nymphs ourselves there could be no nymphs in heaven.

Nature for the poet in its varied images makes the earth look like a real heaven. The roaring streams, rolling surf and tender sunshine are part of this heavenly experience. It is experienced best in the splendor of harvest and moonlight. Kuvempu who is overwhelmed with this sweetness shares it with the readers thus creating heaven on earth.

2.       How does the poem celebrate the power of the poet?

Ans: Kuvempu hails from the land of verdant gardens in Malnad of Karnataka. The rich diversity intrigued the tender heart of the poet from his childhood. His poetic talent and power of imagination conceived the greatest ideals in literary expressions. The poem ‘Heaven If You Are Not Here On Earth’ captures the power of his words that glorify nature. While singing the beauty of divine nature, he creates magic. This poem is short but rich in imagery. It gives a view of Kuvempu’s rationalization of heavenly beauty in nature. When the poet watches roaring stream and rolling surf, his spirit becomes one with them. The sunshine on the lush gardens gives him the heavenly experience. Kuvempu is overjoyed by the splendour of harvest and of moonlight. Here the poet draws the sweetest moments from nature and creates heaven for the readers. All of his works are proof of his immense talent as the most gifted poet with power of words that create not just magic but heaven!

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