Amma Poem by Tabish Khair -Notes & Poetic Devices

Get here Notes on the “Amma” Poem by Tabish Khair. These notes provide you here summaries in English and Hindi, Central Idea, Themes, message etc, and Poetic devices used in the poem “Amma’. Click here for stanza-wise explanation of the poem “Amma”.

Poem: ‘Amma’ by Tabish Khair

Down the stairs of this house where plaster flakes and falls,
Through the intimate emptiness of its rooms and hall,
I hear your slow footsteps, grandmother, echo or pause

As they used to through long summer afternoons spent within
The watered-down four walls of khus and fragile drinks
Of ice, mango or lemon, the circle of water-melon crescents.

Slowly you shuffle examining each new tear in the curtains
Which will have to be mended when the first monsoon rain
Provides a respite from sun, curtails the need for shade.

Slowly on arthritic joints you move from room to room
Marking the damage of the years, evaluating how soon
The past will collapse or how long the present last.

You never need glasses to mark the contours of your house
Though you can’t see grandsons at a distance, once wore a blouse
Inside out. Nothing has changed, grandmother, no, not yet;

Though your collected steps never turn the corner into you
In a starched and white sari, the fragrance of soap around you.
And all the curtains have long been taken down.

– Tabish Khair

Vocabulary Notes

1. Flakes and falls: Refers to pieces of plaster coming off the walls and falling, showing the house’s old and worn-down condition.
   • दीवार से प्लास्टर के टुकड़े झड़कर गिरना, जो घर की पुरानी और खराब स्थिति को दिखाता है।

2. Intimate: Refers to something close, personal, or familiar. In the poem, it suggests a deep emotional connection to the house.
   • घनिष्ठ या परिचित, जैसा कि कविता में घर से भावनात्मक जुड़ाव को दर्शाता है।

3. Intimate emptiness: A paradoxical phrase showing the familiar yet hollow feeling of the house. Despite being empty, it holds memories and connections.
   • परिचित लेकिन खालीपन; घर खाली है, फिर भी उसमें यादें और संबंध मौजूद हैं।

4. Echo or pause: Refers to the sound of footsteps either resonating (echoing) or stopping (pausing), symbolizing the grandmother’s slow and careful movements.
   • कदमों की गूंज या ठहराव; दादी के धीमे और सावधान कदमों को दर्शाता है।

5. Fragile drinks: Refers to delicate, refreshing summer drinks like mango or lemon juice. “Fragile” suggests their light and cooling nature.
   • नाज़ुक और हल्के गर्मियों के पेय, जैसे आम या नींबू का रस, जो ताज़गी देने वाले होते हैं।

6. Shuffle: To walk slowly with dragging feet, indicating the grandmother’s age and difficulty in walking.
   • धीमे-धीमे घसीटते हुए चलना, जो दादी की उम्र और चलने में कठिनाई को दिखाता है।

7. To be mended: To be repaired or fixed, referring to the curtains that need sewing due to wear and tear.
   • मरम्मत करना या ठीक करना, जैसे कि पुराने पर्दों को सिलाई की ज़रूरत है।

8. Respite: A temporary relief or break, here from the summer heat when the rains come.
   • अस्थायी राहत या विश्राम, जैसे बारिश के आने पर गर्मी से राहत।

9. Arthritic joints: Refers to the stiff and painful joints caused by arthritis, symbolizing the grandmother’s age and physical struggle.
   • गठिया के कारण कठोर और दर्द वाले जोड़, जो दादी की उम्र और शारीरिक संघर्ष को दिखाते हैं।

10. Evaluating: Assessing or judging, referring to the grandmother analysing the condition of the house.
    • मूल्यांकन करना या जांचना, जैसे कि दादी घर की स्थिति का निरीक्षण करती हैं।

11. The past will collapse or how long the present last: A metaphorical phrase reflecting the fear of losing old memories (past) and wondering how long the current situation (present) will continue.
    • पुरानी यादों के खत्म होने का डर (भूतकाल) और वर्तमान स्थिति कब तक टिकेगी, इस पर चिंतन।

12. Contours of house: Refers to the outline or shape of the house, showing the grandmother’s familiarity with every part of it.
    • घर की रूपरेखा या आकार, जो दादी के घर के हर कोने से गहरे जुड़ाव को दिखाता है।

13. Nothing has changed, grandmother, no, not yet: A reassuring statement that the love, connection, and memories tied to the grandmother and the house remain unchanged despite the passage of time.
    • एक दिलासा देने वाला वाक्य कि दादी और घर से जुड़ा प्यार और यादें समय के साथ नहीं बदली हैं।

14. Collected steps: Slow, deliberate, and measured steps, reflecting the grandmother’s calm and thoughtful movements.
    • धीमे, सावधानीपूर्वक और नपे-तुले कदम, जो दादी की शांत और सोच-विचार भरी चाल को दिखाते हैं।

15. Turn the corner: Literally means moving around a corner, but here it symbolizes moving forward or stepping into a different phase of life.
    • कोने पर मुड़ना, लेकिन यहाँ इसका अर्थ जीवन के किसी नए चरण में आगे बढ़ने से है।

16. Though your collected steps never turn the corner into you: Refers to how the grandmother’s physical movements cannot bring back her younger, energetic self. It reflects the permanence of aging.
    • दादी के कदम उन्हें उनके युवा और ऊर्जावान रूप में वापस नहीं ला सकते; यह बुढ़ापे की स्थायित्व को दर्शाता है।

17. All the curtains have long been taken down: Symbolizes the passage of time and how old traditions or protective measures (like curtains) have disappeared over the years.
    • समय के बीतने और पुरानी परंपराओं या सुरक्षात्मक चीज़ों (जैसे पर्दे) के समाप्त हो जाने का प्रतीक है।

Summary of the Poem Amma by Tabish Khair

English Summary:

In Amma, the poet Tabish Khair reflects on the memory of his grandmother and the house where she once lived. Through detailed descriptions, he brings to life the image of his grandmother moving slowly through the old, aging house. The poet recalls her careful steps as she examines the curtains, the walls, and the small repairs needed around the home. The house itself holds memories of long summer afternoons, cool drinks, and the comfort of her presence. Even as her eyesight fades, she remains deeply connected to her surroundings. This poem captures the nostalgia for family bonds, the memories tied to a familiar home, and the inevitable passing of time. Though the house and his grandmother have aged, her memory and their shared connection remain strong in his heart.

Hindi Summary:

अम्मा कविता में कवि तबिश खैर अपनी दादी की यादें और उस घर की छवि को पुनः जीवंत करते हैं जहाँ वे रहती थीं। कवि अपनी दादी के धीमे-धीमे चलते हुए कदमों को याद करता है, जो उस पुराने घर में धीरे-धीरे मरम्मत का निरीक्षण करती रहती थीं। घर की दीवारें, खिड़कियाँ और पर्दे, जो कई वर्षों से उनकी देखरेख में थे, इन सबमें उनकी यादें बसी हैं। कवि को याद है कि कैसे गर्मी के दिनों में ठंडी पेय और उनकी दादी का स्नेह भरा साथ मिलता था। उनकी नजर कमजोर हो गई थी, पर घर के कोने-कोने से उनका जुड़ाव गहरा था। यह कविता परिवार, अपने घर से जुड़ी यादों और बीतते समय के प्रभाव को व्यक्त करती है। हालांकि घर और उनकी दादी बूढ़े हो गए हैं, पर उनकी यादें और उनका आपसी संबंध कवि के दिल में आज भी स्थायी हैं।

Theme of the ‘Amma’ Poem

The theme of the poem Amma by Tabish Khair centers on memory, nostalgia, the passage of time, and family bonds. Through the vivid portrayal of his grandmother and her daily routines within an old house, the poet expresses deep emotions tied to family and the memories that remain even as time changes everything. The house itself becomes a symbol of heritage and continuity, carrying the imprints of the past even as it ages.

Another key theme is aging and mortality. The poem reflects on how age affects both people and places, showing the grandmother’s slow movements and the house’s worn-down condition. Yet, despite these signs of time, the grandmother’s familiarity with the house highlights a lasting connection, suggesting that love, memories, and familial ties endure beyond physical decline.

Overall, the poem beautifully captures how places and people hold the memories of our lives, becoming reminders of the past and comforting us with a sense of belonging and continuity.

Central Idea of the ‘Amma’ Poem

The central idea of the poem Amma by Tabish Khair is the enduring connection between family, memory, and home. The poem highlights how certain places, especially family homes, hold cherished memories and keep alive the presence of loved ones, even after they have aged or are gone. Through the poet’s reflections on his grandmother’s movements and habits within the old house, the poem explores the comfort, warmth, and familiarity that family bonds provide.

Additionally, the poem conveys that while physical surroundings and people may show the wear of time, the emotional bonds and memories associated with them remain unchanged. This makes the poem not only a tribute to the poet’s grandmother but also a celebration of the lasting impact of love and shared family moments.

Message of the Poem ‘Amma’

The message in the poem Amma by Tabish Khair is that love, family bonds, and memories remain strong, even as time physically changes people and places. The poet conveys that although his grandmother and the old house have aged, the connection he feels with them endures, symbolizing the lasting impact of family and heritage.

The poem also suggests that true familiarity and love go beyond sight or physical closeness—his grandmother’s deep understanding of her home, despite her fading vision, reflects how places we cherish become a part of us. Through this, the poet reminds us of the importance of cherishing family and appreciating the simple, everyday moments that build meaningful memories, as these are what truly keep loved ones close, even as years pass.

Ultimately, Amma encourages readers to value family connections and memories as a source of comfort, continuity, and belonging in a changing world.

Key Points of ‘Amma’ Poem

Here are the key points of the poem Amma by Tabish Khair. These key points illustrate the poem’s exploration of family, memory, nostalgia, and the effects of time on both people and places.

1. Memory of the Grandmother: The poem is a reflection on the poet’s grandmother and her life within an old, familiar house. Her actions and movements evoke deep, nostalgic memories.
2. Setting of the Old House: The house is depicted as aged and worn, with peeling plaster and old curtains. It holds memories of past days, symbolizing family heritage and continuity.
3. Nostalgia and Summer Memories: The poet recalls childhood memories of summer afternoons spent in the house, with cool drinks and the smell of khus (a traditional cooling screen). These details paint a vivid picture of simpler, cherished times.
4. Aging and Fragility: Both the grandmother and the house show signs of age. The grandmother’s slow steps and arthritic joints mirror the wear and tear on the house, emphasizing the passage of time.
5. Deep Connection with Home: Despite her failing eyesight, the grandmother knows every corner of the house, symbolizing her deep familiarity and bond with it.
6. The Passage of Time: The poem touches on how time affects people and places. The grandmother’s routines, such as mending curtains and observing small repairs, reveal her care and connection to the past.
7. Themes of Continuity and Love: The poem suggests that love and memories endure despite physical aging. The house and the grandmother’s routines symbolize how family ties and memories provide a lasting sense of belonging.

Poetic Devices: Amma Poem

The poem Amma by Tabish Khair uses several overarching poetic devices to convey themes of nostalgia, memory, and the passage of time. Here’s a look at the major poetic devices present throughout the entire poem:

1. Imagery

• Definition: Imagery uses descriptive language to create vivid pictures in the reader’s mind.
• Example in the Poem: Images such as “plaster flakes and falls,” “watered-down four walls of khus,” and “starched and white sari” evoke a sense of place, age, and nostalgia, helping readers visualize the old house and the grandmother’s actions.
• Effect: The imagery creates a rich, sensory experience that makes the grandmother’s memory feel tangible, bringing the setting and the poet’s emotions to life.

2. Symbolism

• Definition: Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.
• Example in the Poem: The house symbolizes family heritage, familiarity, and memories, while the “first monsoon rain” symbolizes relief and change. The “starched and white sari” symbolizes purity, tradition, and the grandmother’s grace.
• Effect: The symbols give depth to the grandmother’s character and connect the physical setting with the emotions of memory, loss, and continuity.

3. Personification

• Definition: Giving human qualities to inanimate objects or abstract ideas.
• Example in the Poem: The house is personified through phrases like “intimate emptiness” and “marking the damage of the years,” which make it seem almost alive, sharing in the family’s history and age.
• Effect: Personifying the house creates a sense of intimacy and connection, as if the house itself holds memories and emotions alongside the family.

4. Metaphor

• Definition: A metaphor is a direct comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as.”
• Example in the Poem: The line “The past will collapse” metaphorically suggests the loss of heritage or memories fading with time.
• Effect: Metaphors deepen the emotional impact, expressing complex feelings about time, memory, and aging in a relatable way.

5. Alliteration

• Definition: The repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of nearby words.
• Example in the Poem: “flakes and falls,” “watered-down walls of khus,” and “slowly shuffle” use alliteration to add rhythm and draw attention to specific images.
• Effect: Alliteration adds musicality and flow, helping to create a soothing, reflective mood that mirrors the slow passage of time.

6. Enjambment

• Definition: When a line of poetry continues without a pause or punctuation into the next line.
• Example in the Poem: “Marking the damage of the years, / evaluating how soon / The past will collapse” flows across lines without stopping.
• Effect: Enjambment creates a flowing, almost wandering rhythm that mirrors the grandmother’s slow, steady movements through the house and the lingering nature of memories.

7. Irony

• Definition: Irony often involves saying one thing but meaning another, or highlighting a contrast between expectation and reality.
• Example in the Poem: There is a touch of irony in “You never need glasses to mark / the contours of your house / Though you can’t see grandsons at a distance.” The grandmother knows her home well despite her failing eyesight, which shows her deep familiarity with her surroundings.
• Effect: The irony adds a gentle, affectionate tone, emphasizing the grandmother’s connection to her home and hinting at the fading nature of her memories with age.

8. Nostalgic Tone

• Definition: Nostalgia is a longing for the past, often seen in a sentimental or wistful manner.
• Example in the Poem: The entire poem conveys a nostalgic tone, from descriptions of “long summer afternoons” to the memory of the grandmother moving slowly through her home.
• Effect: This tone creates an emotional depth that invites readers to reflect on their own memories, family bonds, and the passage of time.

9. Contrast

• Definition: Contrast involves highlighting differences between two elements.
• Example in the Poem: There is a subtle contrast between the “present” and “past” in lines like “how long / the present lasts” and “Nothing has changed, grandmother, no, not yet.”
• Effect: The contrast between past and present highlights the theme of continuity amid change, showing that while physical aspects may deteriorate, memories and connections remain strong.

10. Symbolic Repetition

• Definition: Repetition of certain words or phrases to emphasize themes.
• Example in the Poem: The repeated reference to time and age, such as “damage of the years” and “arthritic joints,” keeps reminding readers of the effects of aging.
• Effect: This repetition reinforces the themes of memory, aging, and family, helping readers feel the weight of time on both the house and the grandmother.