Poem Analysis - The Plea Of The Simla Dancers

Introduction: A Lament for Lost Gaiety

Rudyard Kipling's "The Plea Of The Simla Dancers" is a spirited lament delivered by the dancing community of Simla, India, against the encroachment of officialdom upon their beloved ballroom. The poem begins with a sense of resignation, then quickly transitions to outrage and passionate entreaty. It blends nostalgia for past joys with a potent threat, ultimately seeking to reclaim a space deemed sacred. The tone shifts from sorrowful acceptance to defiant accusation and culminates in a supernatural curse, highlighting the depth of their despair and determination.

Kipling, Colonialism, and Simla's Social Scene

Rudyard Kipling, writing from the heart of British colonial India, often explored the tensions and contradictions inherent in that society. Simla, the "summer capital" of British India, was a hub of social activity for the British elite. It was a place of balls, dances, and romantic encounters, a world removed from the daily realities of colonial rule. "The Plea of the Simla Dancers" can be read as a commentary on the changing face of this society, as bureaucratic concerns begin to overshadow the frivolous pleasures that defined it. The poem also reflects a certain class consciousness, lamenting the loss of refined entertainment in favor of the mundane work of "babus" and "office drudge[s]."

Theme 1: The Desecration of Beauty and Joy

One of the central themes is the desecration of beauty and joy. The dancers view their ballroom as a "temple," a space dedicated to "merry, musical, and meet" activities. The arrival of "docket, duftar, and office drudge" is portrayed as a sacrilege, polluting a place of elegance with ink and files. The imagery used emphasizes this contrast: "polished teak" becomes a surface for spilling ink, and "desecrating desks disgust the stars." This theme highlights the dancers' belief that the bureaucratic functionaries are incapable of appreciating or understanding the value of their cultural space.

Theme 2: The Power of Memory and Nostalgia

The poem heavily relies on the power of memory and nostalgia to bolster its plea. The dancers evoke the "witchery of flying feet," "glamour of foredone delights," and "dim verandas and soft replies" to create a vivid picture of the ballroom's past glories. These memories are weaponized in the curse, where echoes of laughter, kisses, and love affairs are promised to "plague" the new occupants. By invoking the ghosts of past revelries, the dancers attempt to exert a psychological pressure, making the ballroom uninhabitable for those who fail to appreciate its history.

Theme 3: A Clash of Worlds: Art vs. Bureaucracy

At its core, the poem presents a clash between two fundamentally different worlds: art and bureaucracy. The dancers represent the world of art, beauty, and frivolous pleasure, while the office workers embody the world of practicality, duty, and governance. Kipling uses strong language to characterize the two, describing the dancers' past as “lightsome wiles” set against the “staid official thought”. The poem suggests an incompatibility between these realms, implying that the intrusion of bureaucracy inevitably stifles creativity and joy. The desperation in the dancer's plea highlights their sense of powerlessness against the inexorable advance of the bureaucratic machine.

Symbolism: The Ballroom as a Microcosm

The ballroom itself serves as a powerful symbol for a way of life, a microcosm of the British social scene in Simla. Its "smooth dancing floor" represents the polished facade of colonial society, while the dances symbolize the lighthearted pursuits that occupied the elite. The usurpation of the ballroom signifies the disruption of this established order, perhaps hinting at the eventual decline of the British Empire's cultural dominance. The "deodars" mentioned symbolize the natural beauty of India, contrasted with the artificiality of the British social scene, which is being encroached upon.

Concluding Remarks: A Poignant Protest

In conclusion, "The Plea Of The Simla Dancers" is more than just a complaint about a lost ballroom; it is a poignant protest against the encroachment of the mundane upon the beautiful, a celebration of memory, and a lament for a disappearing world. Through vivid imagery, impassioned pleas, and a touch of the supernatural, Kipling crafts a memorable and resonant poem that explores the tensions between art and bureaucracy within the context of colonial India. The dancers' curse, while seemingly whimsical, underscores the profound emotional investment they have in their cultural space and their determination to resist its desecration.