Goodbye Party for Miss Pushpa T. S.

Introduction:

Nissim Ezekiel is one of the most important Indian poets writing in English. This poem is one of his most famous humorous (विनोदी) pieces. It is written in the form of a speech given at a farewell party for a colleague, Miss Pushpa.

The poem:

There is one farewell party in one office. Miss Pushpa T. S. is working in that office. She is going abroad in a couple of days. The speaker on this occasion expresses good words for Miss Pushpa, and gives wishes for her journey and future career.

According to the speaker, Miss Pushpa is a sweet and very cooperative girl. She is ready to help everyone. Her appearance in the office is pleasing. She belongs to one wealthy family. She comes from Surat. Her father is a renowned advocate.  The reference to Surat reminds the speaker how he had spent some days in Surat, and how the hostess was a good cook. Finally, the speaker requests the other colleagues to express their feelings, and announces that the function will be concluded by the speech by Miss Pushpa.

Analysis of the poem:

The overall tone of the poem is humorous. But the most striking thing about the poem is the use of Indian English. The poem highlights some common mistakes that are committed by the Indian speakers.  These mistakes are as follows:

1. The unnecessary use of continuous tense:

•  ‘you are all knowing’ (you all know); 

• ‘Miss Pushpa is coming from very high family’ (Miss Pushpa comes from a very high family); 

• ‘That is showing good spirit’ (That shows good spirit.)

2. The absence of articles:

• ‘Miss Pushpa is coming from very high family’ (Miss Pushpa comes from a very high family); 

• ‘Her father was renowned advocate’ (Her father was a  renowned advocate)

• ‘she is most popular lady’ (she is the most popular lady)

3. Incorrect use of sensory verbs:

• Some verbs do not take -ing form. For example, ‘I am remembering’ (I remember); ‘I am appreciating’ (I appreciate)

4. Incorrect use of conjunctions:

• ‘with men also and ladies also’ (with men as well as ladies)

5. Incorrect use of vocabulary:

• ‘departing’ (going)

• ‘In two three days’ (in a couple of days)

Conclusion:

“Goodbye Party for Miss Pushpa T.S.” is a light-hearted yet meaningful poem. Through humor, Nissim Ezekiel shows us how language, culture, and identity mix in modern Indian society. It's an easy and enjoyable read, but also gives us a lot to think about regarding how we speak, especially in formal situations.

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ही कविता निरोप समारंभात दिलेल्या भाषणाच्या रूपात आहे. मिस पुष्पा टी.एस. परदेशात जाणार असल्यामुळे त्यांच्या सहकाऱ्यांनी त्यांच्यासाठी निरोप समारंभ आयोजित केला आहे. एक सहकारी भाषण करत आहे, पण ते भाषण Miss Pushpa विषयी फारसं नाही, तर जास्तकरून स्वतःबद्दल आणि इतर विषयांवर आहे.

कवीने विनोदी शैलीत ही कविता लिहिली आहे. भाषणात इंग्रजी व्याकरणाच्या चुका, असंबंधित गोष्टी आहेत. हे भाषण वास्तवात फारसे अर्थपूर्ण नाही. भाषण करणारा व्यक्ती Miss Pushpa बद्दल खूपच सामान्य गोष्टी सांगतो – जसं की ती नेहमी हसतमुख असते, आणि कोणालाही कधी नाही म्हणत नाही वगैरे.

या कवितेमध्ये भारतीय इंग्रजी भाषेची शैली उघडपणे दाखवली आहे – जिथे व्याकरण चुकीचं असतं पण भावना खरी असते. कवीने भारतीय ऑफिस संस्कृतीवर हलक्याफुलक्या शैलीत टीका केली आहे. संपूर्ण कविता सामाजिक निरीक्षण आणि विनोद यांचं सुंदर मिश्रण आहे.

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The original poem:

Goodbye Party For Miss Pushpa T.S.

Friends,

our dear sister

is departing for foreign

in two three days,

and

we are meeting today

to wish her bon voyage.

You are all knowing, friends,

What sweetness is in Miss Pushpa.

I don't mean only external sweetness

but internal sweetness.

Miss Pushpa is smiling and smiling

even for no reason but simply because

she is feeling.

Miss Pushpa is coming

from very high family.

Her father was renowned advocate

in Bulsar or Surat,

I am not remembering now which place.

Surat? Ah, yes,

once only I stayed in Surat

with family members

of my uncle's very old friend-

his wife was cooking nicely…

that was long time ago.

Coming back to Miss Pushpa

she is most popular lady

with men also and ladies also.

Whenever I asked her to do anything,

she was saying, 'Just now only

I will do it.' That is showing

good spirit. I am always

appreciating the good spirit.

Pushpa Miss is never saying no.

Whatever I or anybody is asking

she is always saying yes,

and today she is going

to improve her prospect

and we are wishing her bon voyage.

Now I ask other speakers to speak

and afterwards Miss Pushpa

will do summing up.

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