Indian English Poetry: Studying A. K. Ramanujan’s Poem "Self-portrait"

The following Indian English poetry is short and simple, yet conveys a reflective thought of one's existence.

Self-Portrait

"I resemble everyone
but myself, and sometimes see
in shop-windows,
despite the well-known laws
of optics,
the portrait of a stranger,
date unknown, often signed in a corner
by my father. "

A. K. Ramanujan is much simpler poet compared to Mahapatra. He often writes about his family, his being in abroad, and his feeling for his coming back in India.

Self-Portrait is an introspective poetry. By looking at the mirror, in fact the poet is looking at himself. He feels the loss of identity – who am I? – is the question arises from within. He does not recognize himself and poses as a stranger. His looking at the window or the mirror creates the picture of the portrait, like a painting of a stranger.

It is obvious that when a painter paints he would give the date to it. But here the date is missing! But the poet finds his father’s signature. The portrait of the stranger is prepared by his father. The poet’s parents are the artist, the creator of his portrait. His father “signed in a corner” of the portrait but still, still he feels the loss of identity. He visualizes an outsider, a stranger within.