Captain Kunal Narayan Uniyal’s latest collection of Hindi poetry “Main Tula Hun” expresses the poet’ constant effort to understand the material and spiritual worlds and maintain a balance between them. “Tula”, the libran sign, shows a balancing scale and stands for a balance in life. Besides being his sign, Tula becomes the symbol of his way of looking at the world and at life.
Talking to The Pioneer, Captain Uniyal (a mariner) said that the conflict between these two worlds had always interested him and had stayed with him while penning the poems in this collection which was released by Chief Minister Harish Rawat on July 31, 2016. “I am learning to keep a balance within me as far as these two worlds are concerned. I have come a long way but still have a long way to go”, says this young poet who is an alumnus of St Thomas College, Dehradun.
His earlier poetry collection “Kuchh Khwaab Saagar Se” also mirrored his spiritual leanings and was very well-received. Regret, love, passion, compassion, social inequality and spirituality are the themes of the poems that Uniyal has included in this slim volume of verse.
In his poem “Kash Kuchh Kadam Chal leta”, the poet regrets his lack of will and action at a time when just a bit of effort may have helped him attain his lady love. In the poem titled “Mujhe Jeenay ka Haq toh De”, he speaks on behalf of a labourer who says (whie addressing the rich) “Mere bachchey hain din bhar loha peet tay. Kambakhton ko ek daana toh de/chamchamaati gaadiyon mein bhaley school na ja sakein ,ek kitaab ka sahaara toh de…beemaar parha main, dard mein dooba/ aspataal na sahi, mujhe ek nazar toh de”. This observation and empathy is a special quality of the poet and takes us right into the heart of the pain felt by the underprivileged .
In these days of consumerism and materialism ,it is difficult and rare to come across writers , especially among the new generation, who can sensitively express the spiritual aspects of life .Kunal Uniyal is one of these people who has this special sensibility to feel others’ pain and give it words.His use of Hindi is dexterous and his symbolism rich and diverse.
Introspecting, he writes “Main Hun Kya , Kuchh Nahin..Kiske liye Jeer aha ,kiska vaibhav bhog raha/chauraahe pe khada, apni raah ke ganit ko suljhaata/pal pal apne hi banaya jaal mein ulajhta. main hun kya, kuchh nahin”. Though there is a thread of romance in his poems, it is not so prominent as the other threads.In the title poem “Main Tula Hun”, he writes “Haathhon mein liye bhaagya ki rekhaayein. Hun logon ko waqt ke paimaaney pe tolta,unhein sikhaata sambandhon ki prakriti mein ,khud ko vibhakt karne ka paathh.”
Though self-reflection is his habit, he extends this towards the world outside and to his relationships with others.He aims at making use of his contemplation to improve his understanding of the world and people around him. At times ,the poet and the sailor becomes one –when he uses symbols of the ocean, its waves, its storms and its tranquility.
It can be said that this poet’s journey has just begun. He is sure to enter the depths of the ocean of words, sail on the sea of poetry and reach the heights of poetic expression. “Main Tula Hun” helps any reader look into his or her heart and find eternal truths hidden there. It is philosophical, spiritual, lyrical and gives one food for thought besides the pleasure of enjoying poetry