Ode On The Lungi

Poetry | Kaiser Haq

Ode On The Lungi Brief Questions

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Q: Who is the speaker of the poem?

A: The speaker is Kaiser Haq himself.

Q: Whom does the speaker address as “Grandpa Walt”?

A: He addresses the American poet Walt Whitman.

Q: Which poem by Whitman is mentioned?

A: “Passage to India.”

Q: What phrase inspires the speaker to think of Bangladesh?

A: “Passage to more than India.”

Q: What main issue does the poet discuss?

A: Sartorial equality, or equal rights for clothes.

Q: What does the poet say about society’s hypocrisy?

A: Society claims all clothes are equal, but treats some clothes better.

Q: Which common traditional garment is central to the poem?

A: The lungi.

Q: Where is the lungi commonly worn?

A: From East Africa to Indonesia and in South Asia.

Q: What does the poet say about the number of lungi wearers?

A: More people wear lungis at any moment than the population of the USA.

Q: Why can’t someone enter

the White House wearing a lungi?

A: Because of dress discrimination.

Q: Which Western garment is accepted but similar to the lungi?

A: The Scottish kilt.

Q: What larger conflict does the poet hint at?

A: A clash of civilizations.

Q: What does “sartorial hegemony” mean?

A: Power and control are shown through clothing.

Q: Who looks down on lungi wearers?

A: Brown and yellow sahibs in smart suits.

Q: In which country are designer lungis used as party wear?

A: Sri Lanka.

Q: Where do political leaders proudly wear lungis to meet guests?

A: Myanmar.

Q: What happens to the poet’s cousin in America?

A: His son feels ashamed and hides his father’s lungi.

Q: What does the speaker decide to become?

A: A “Lungi Activist.”

Q: What does the poet propose to celebrate the lungi?

A: Lungi parties and lungi parades.

Q: What international event does he suggest?

A: An International Lungi Day.

Q: Whom does he imagine wearing a lungi on that day?

A: The UN Chief.

Q: Which beach does the poet mention?

A: Cox’s Bazar beach in Bangladesh.

Q: What does the poet describe the lungi as?

A: A rectangular piece of cloth stitched into a tube.

Q: How can a dirty lungi be cleaned quickly?

A: By turning it inside out.

Q: What can a worn-out lungi be used for?

A: As a rag, floor wipe, or kantha quilt material.

Q: How can a lungi help in extreme rain?

A: It can be filled with air to make a small floating ark.

Q: How can a lungi be used in winter?

A: As a warm poncho.

Q: How can a lungi be used in heat?

A: As a headgear or turban.

Q: What does the poet call the lungi in short?

A: A complete wardrobe.

Q: What is the deeper symbolic meaning of the lungi?

A: It speaks for the common people and represents equality.

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From this writer
K
Kaiser Haq
Literary Writer
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