Criticism
Som Ranchan is known for his elaborate style, mythical, mystical allusions, burrowing the deep layers of culture and personalities. His voice in his poetry is neither of an extrovert or an introvert but consists of the polyphonic echoes, predominantly of a centrovert. Ranchan claims that obscure poetry discourages “common reader” but is essential to sustain variety of “multi-culturism, mythical and archetypal reverberations and metaphysical experiences” (Kirpal Singh). Orrington Ramsay, Professor of English, California State University (USA), opines: “Som P. Ranchan’s lyrical tongue is the ultimate universal love of earth, of man, and of the gods…he incorporates the lush cadences of our own English verse and the mystic vision of India” (“Back Cover” Som P. Ranchan: A Poet of Many Voices, 1994). For the readers of Ranchan, a collection of papers by the most prominent scholars of India, Ved Sharma’s A Profile in Creativity(1992) is an ever illuminating endeavor. Usha Bande opines that” Som P. Ranchan’s ‘Blind Beggar’, sitting astride a Shimla road is perceptive enough to know the passers-by. He as the narrator, is quite intelligent and far from being a pathetic, stinking presence.” Citing some rhetorical questions, Kirpal Singh opines: “Is Ranchan’s poetry derivative or idiosyncratically original? Does it belong to any tradition?” Besides these, there is a long list of subsequent criticism and interviews:
Special issue on the poetry of Som Ranchan,Ken (Autumn 1990)
Ved Sharma, ”Representation of Self in Ranchan’s Poetry”
A.K. Srivastava, “Iconography of Experience: Poetry of Som P. Ranchan.”
Kirpal Singh,” Som P. Ranchan: The Poet of Eros.”
Kirpal Singh, Som P. Ranchan: A Poet of Many Voices
Anil Wilson,”The Poetry of Som P. Ranchan: An Overview”
Ranjit S. Sra,” Som P. Ranchan’s Lexical Journey to the Spirit”
Janesh Kapoor,”Relationships: A Note on Ranchan’s Anteros”
Lalit Mohan Sharma, “The Wounded Quester and Anteros”
B.M. Sagar,”Som’s Energy: Soul Making with Sri Aurobindo”
Sankaran Ravindran, “Magical-Religious Indian consciousness in America with Love”
R.S. Pathak, “Ranchan’sPoetry;Some Preliminary Observations”
A.N. Dwivedi,”Ranchan’s Short Verse”
Jaidev, “She: An Appreciation”
D.N. Verma, “Ranchan’s Psychedelia on Identity”
Read more about this topic: Som Ranchan
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