Sri Aurobindo

Letters of Sri Aurobindo

Volume 2. 1937

Letter ID: 1991

Sri Aurobindo — Nirodbaran Talukdar

July 7, 1937

You said that it was fashionable, but hinted that you don’t like the fashion: “If you liked or rather if J liked, if at all” – don’t they mean that?

Nonsense, sir. Where on earth did I hint anything? Where did I write that? I said it must be done by André if at all – which had to do with the person who was to do it, not with anything else. For the rest I said if J consents, you can try it. Where the hell in that simple phrase is there anything about either my disliking or your liking or anything else that you have put into it? Really now!

For S, this time we hadn’t tried charcoal, but yesterday we began it and are continuing it. Yes, the letter is blood curdling and his symptoms too, if they are true... God knows how to cure him.

If he does, send him a telephone!

I am almost sure you will howl this time, seeing my poem. But I can’t help it.

I won’t howl, but only sigh.

By the way, I am reading Harin’s lyrics. But I find that his influence does not suit me. My poems become, according to you, sentimental, romantic; while when I read Amal’s poems, there come in unconsciously some lines high and lofty and you smile and say “Aha, ha! This fellow has done something!” How is this? Is there some affinity as far as our Inspiration goes? Amal seems to think so, do you?

Certainly, your real inspiration is nearer Amal’s than Harin’s – the inspiration that makes you write strong and original things. Under H’s influence you seem to become secondhand and reminiscent of past poetry. There is however a lyric vein of another kind which came out in your dream-poems – it is that that sometimes tries to come out in your lyrics – but it is not like Harin’s.