The Lament of a Nature Lover

The lament of a Nature Lover: ( A commentary on the poem written by Sri. R. Bala Ganapathy Garu - K 604
The poet has beautifully brought out the power of nature and how seamlessly, the creation in the pristine and original form of Nature, intertwined with the lives of humans and almost always fulfilled the needs. In essence, the poem is both a tribute to nature’s lost glory and a passionate warning against the consequences of human greed and environmental neglect.
This poem reflects the deep anguish, concern, and environmental consciousness of the poet. Through vivid imagery, the poet first recreates a bygone world where nature existed in its purest form: crystal-clear streams, majestic waterfalls, lush forests, clean air, balanced seasons, fertile fields, and a life of contentment. Nature freely provided everything necessary for human well-being, without artificial interventions or commercial exploitation.
The poet’s mind is filled with admiration and gratitude for this harmonious relationship between humans and nature. He sees nature not merely as a resource but as a sacred benefactor that nurtured all living beings equally, irrespective of status or wealth.
The tone shifts sharply as the poet contrasts this idyllic past with the modern age. He expresses disappointment and outrage at humanity’s unchecked pursuit of progress, which has led to the exploitation of the five elements of nature. Human intelligence, instead of safeguarding creation, has become a force of destruction. Everything in nature has been commodified, polluted, and manipulated for profit. The poet laments that even the most basic gifts of nature now carry a price tag, while environmental degradation and diseases increasingly threaten human life.
• A lover and worshipper of nature.
• A critic of materialistic and exploitative modernization.
• A voice of social and environmental conscience.
• A nostalgic observer who longs for humanity’s lost harmony with nature.
• A reformer who calls for awakening and corrective action before irreversible damage occurs.
The concluding metaphor of removing the “evil eye” from nature symbolizes the poet’s hope that society will recognize the destructive forces at work and restore balance, respect, and reverence toward the natural world.
P. Vijaykumar
K 407

From The Nybr’s October 2026 edition, Hyderabad.