RECOLLECTING OBLIETRATED: AUTHOR SPEAKS: KAVI ANURAG

VINCENT VAN GOG

 AUTHOR SPEAKS: KAVI ANURAG

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IN CONTEXT OF THE POETRY BOOK  'BHULA HUA SA YAAD KUCH' ' (RECOLLECTING OBLIETRATED')

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The world is rich with many great artists who are remembered for providing new heights to art, on dint of their original, distinct skills. But Vincent Van Gogh holds a distinct status. He is remembered as much for his contribution to Painting as for his sacrifice and dedication towards Art. In spite of sufferings, agony and failures on every step pf life, he was always associated with colors and canvas, even during his lunacy. Not even for a single moment, he nurtured any doubt for Art.

His craze for art provides energy and vigour to the artists even in present times. This attribute makes him distinct from other artists and this is a testimony to his dedication that he lost everything, even life in the end-- but did not leave colour and canvas till last breath.

This great artist was born on March 30, 1853, in Groot Zundert, in Holland. He was the eldest among his six brothers and sisters. His father Theodores was a Priest and his mother a very sweet natured lady, with aesthetic attributes.

Vincent was a special child since childhood. Due to his solitary and shy nature, he seldom played with other children. Often, he wandered in fields all alone. Any special record of his Schooling is not available. He studied till age of thirteen in school of his village. After that, he was sent to Zeven Bergen Boarding  School, fifteen miles far from his village. He had never been apart from his mother. So, parting from home was very taxing for him. Due to his shy temperament and inability to make new friends, loneliness haunted him. After two years, he was transferred to Tilburg. Finally, he was removed from school as he was very weak in studies. But, he was weak only in curricular studies. Besides, he studied other subjects a lot. From the letters written by him to his brother Theo, it was revealed that Religious books, Philosophy, fiction and poetry were his fields of study. He used to say that in order to become a good artist, it is mandatory to study all subjects.

After dropping studies, his uncle managed a job of 'Soaping Agent' for him in a painting shop. Impressed by his work efficiency, he was transferred to Landon. At this point, life of  tragedies and struggles started for Van Gog.  In the rented house in Landon, he came across Ursula, daughter of land-owner. For Vincent, in the prime of youth, it was his maiden experience of love, but it remained a one-sided affair. He got nothing from Ursula except disrespect and insult. Failure in first love shattered his life. He could not recover from this blow, throughout his life.

After this episode, he returned to his native land, Holland. Now, it seemed impossible to him to live without Ursula. So, in 1893, he came back to Landon. But, after Ursula turned him back, insultingly, he secured job of a teacher on honorary basis, in a private school, at Ramsgate, a little far from Landon. Only accommodation and food facilities were available over there. To remain at a close distance from Ursula, it was expedient. Just to catch a glimpse of Ursula, every Saturday, he went to Landon on foot, due to lack of funds.

After sometime, that school got shifted to Landon; Van Gogh was assigned task of collecting fees from children of slums. It was first chance for him to view city life of miseries and deprivation from such a close distance. He could not collect a single penny from them after seeing their plight. Spiritual inclination suppressed within him, rose. After Ursula's wedding somewhere else. he bade farewell to Landon permanently and moved to Amsterdam to become Spiritual Mentor. To fetch peace in life of  desolate masses and to lead to self-identity was aim of his life now. Due to his lack of perfection in art of delivering speeches, he was unsuccessful several times; but he believed that true service lies in serving people, not in indulging in religious discussions and sermons.

From Amsterdam, he shifted to Coal mines of Boerne in Belgium to become a Christianity Religious Preacher. People over there were leading a very miserable life. Condition here was worse then slums of Landon. He totally dedicated himself to serve them. He fully adopted the message of  Christ 'Give to the poor'. He gave all his possessions to help the poor, even his clothes. He started living with them, starved and  half clad. Seeing his passion for religion, his senior officials were dumb-found. He was dismissed on the plea that how can be he a decent Priest in such a status of labourers. For two year, he rigorously served them, starved and with unquenched thirst. He lost his health while serving masses lie this. At this juncture, his younger brother Theo helped him a lot and took good care of him.

A new resolution sprouted in him, after getting acquainted with life of miners. He recognized the artist hidden within him. After returning to his village, he dedicated himself fully to pursuit of art. He was moving speedily in field of art. During this phase, his distantly related cousin sister K, Wash stepped in his life. After break up with Ursula, he tried to retain a composed mind. This affair also proved one-sided. 'K' rejected him. Due to this episode, he faced some differences with his father. Annoyed father evicted Vincent from home. Leaving home, he moved to Hague. Van Gog was in grip of all sort of trouble. All were annoyed with him. In such a condition, only Theo was with Vincent and remained with him on every step life-long. He was like God to him. Such brothers are only exemplary in life. Theo started sending him a fixed monthly allowance and sent it throughout his life. Due to this support only, Van Gog could devote whole-heartedly to Art.

In Hague, away from home, he was feeling very forlorn. In such a situation, he got acquainted with 'Sien' who was a whore. He started visiting her. Very soon, this relation turned into love. Both started to share same roof. 

Survival of Vincent was dependent on money sent by Theo. Now, burden of household and expenses were getting beyond him. In spite of meagre financial resources, he managed operation of Sien and took care of her. By and by, due to financial hardships, both were getting on bitter terms. Under such circumstances, Vincent planned to settle in another city Drenthe. Cost of living was cheaper there. But Sien imposed a condition of sending her 150 Francs per month towards household expenses. For Van Gog, bread was never a priority over colours and canvas. He could not compromise over it. Consequently, he had to part with Sien as well.

In 1884, he re -settled in his native village. Over here, he totally absorbed himself to Art. In early morning, he moved to fields with canvas and colours. In this period, he particularly portrayed life of farmers. In 1884, after demise of his father, leaving Holland, he moved to Paris.

Under pressure of circumstances and constant failures, he became eccentric by temperament. He started having momentary fits of madness. Now, leaving Paris, he moved to Aalars, situated in South of France. The Sun shines very brilliantly over there. He was very fond of painting the Sun. With utter dedication , he indulged himself in pursuit of Art. Here, for the first time, he realized  the Divine Bliss of Art. Over here, he became familiar with Rachell, a bar tenderer. One day, just in a jovial mood, she said to Van Gog, ''Your ear is very attractive". One night, Van Gogh cut his ear and gifted it to her. She fainted on seeing this. She had never cam across such a craziness.

Due to heat of the Sun in Aalars, his fits of madness started increasing. He hot admitted into an Asylum himself. He was afraid that he might lose his art due to these fits. His madness had a different trend. He faced fit of madness after every three months. Surprisingly, his attacks of madness did not leave any impact on his art. He made many paintings during his madness. During 1889, he did approximately 200 canvas.

Due to deteriorating health of Van Gogh, Theo left him in care of a Doctor. He constantly did paintings over-there. In 1890, he visited Paris to meet Theo. At that time, Theo was facing financial crisis, as his only son was sick. Van Gog was grieved to see this. His mental condition worsened. He came back Aalars. After this episode, he thought of putting an end to his life. It was not an abrupt thought, but had entered his mind by and by. Failure on every step of life---failure in love, failure in profession, failure in role of Priest and failure in art, for sake of which, he had left everything. He even put his life on stake; even then unsuccessful. Above all, deteriorating health and madness. He felt that why he is causing so much discomforts for Theo for his sake of himself, whereas, his work in field of art is accomplished. It was July 27, 1890. With intention of committing suicide, he moved towards fields with his revolver. After thinking a lot, he shot himself on chest. In blood-shed condition, he returned to his room. He remained in same condition overnight. Next day, his Doctor got him admitted to hospital and informed Theo. Next day, when Theo reached Aalars, Van Gogh was still breathing. He was in his senses. Both brothers conversed a lot. On July 29, 1890, Van Gogh breathed his last in arms of his dear brother Theo. The great artist departed from this world at age on 37 years only. Theo could not bear this tragedy. He lost his senses and six months after death of Van Gogh, departed from this mortal world.

Whatever, I have narrated is not a topic of history. This Poetry is an attempt to fathom depths of heart of the poet. He moved to fields with revolver in his hand on day of suicide. What was going on in his mind. What feelings were rushing in his mind--whom did he miss. Then, he survived two days after bullet-shot. Theo who was the most dear to him, reached him in his last moments and they were lost in reveries of childhood. Especially, five persons were most significant in his life--Theo, mother, Ursula, J and Sien. He recollected his whole life in pretext of them.

This Poetry is a humble attempt to portray emotional upheavals and mental condition of last three days of life of Wan Gog.

I am not able to ignore last episode of this writing process. The main obstacle in completion of this Poetry book was non-availability of collection of letters, written by Van Gogh to Theo. I was not able to secure these letters, in spite of o many efforts. I went to Delhi, Jaipur and many other places. Explored many great book fairs, then, contacted Holland Embassy and postal communication with Holland Van Gog Museum as well. Finally, had some discussions regarding it with Great Literary Icon, Dr. Nand Kishore Acharya. Moving back to memory lane, he said that he had one such book. He has purchased in Delhi, long ago. And one bio graphical novel 'Lust for Life 'in Shimla. He promised to try and find. Sparing his precious time for me, he managed that Collection of letters for me and provided me an opportunity to re recite these poems to him, after composing the book.

Famous story writer Mal Chand Tiwari stayed with me for two days and evaluated the manuscript. I am heartily obliged to him for his support and affection.

If my words are able to express will-power, dedication to art,  anguish and sufferings of the great artist, through my this Poetry Book ' Bhula Hua Sa Yaad Kuch' then, I will deem my efforts to be successful 

Anurag

Sardarshahar

July 1, 2005

My.Englishversion of Hindi write up by Poet Anurag