Thoughts and emotion channel into stories, poetry or essays. For a lull in your day, do stop by to read a piece or mull over some quotes.
English translation of Tamil poems by revolutionary poet Mahakavi Bharathiyar.
(Original poem by Bharaithyar)
On the wings of the raven Nandhalala1 – is manifest
The black of your hue, Nandhalala;
In all the trees that come into vision, Nandhalala – is manifest
The green of your hue, Nandhalala;
In every sound that is audible, Nandhalala – resonates
The music of your song, Nandhalala;
(Original poem by Bharaithyar)
Permeating wind O, Kannamma1 – Musing over your love makes me ecstatic Elixir fount your lips, Moon soaked brimming eyes, Smelted to purest gold – your body; In this world, for as long as I live – You satiate my mind, precluding distractions Transforming me into a celestial being, right here (on earth).Continue reading “Bharathiyar Poems – Kannama (3)”
(Original poem by Bharaithyar)
By banks of the sacred river, on the southern corner,Continue reading “Bharathiyar Poem Translation – Rendezvous Missed”
In the garden of Champaka1 (flowers),
Should I wait, you promised to come in the moon
Accompanied by a friend(chaperone).
You broke your word O, Kannamma!2
My heart is atremble!
Everywhere I look - your semblance
Emerge in everything;
Subramaniya Bharathi, was a 20th century Tamil poet, who lived and died in the Indian subcontinent – which at that time, was mostly colonized by the British.
He wrote poems in Tamil – an ancient language rich in literature. Like most of its contemporaries, such as Sanskrit or Greek, only the scholars could create and savor the beauty of these languages, because special training was required to read and comprehend these heavily ornate and complex works of literature. As such, the ordinary person was excluded from partaking in the literary feast, even though colloquial versions of these works existed. Continue reading “Introduction to, Bharathiyar Poem Translation”
(Original poem by Bharathiyar)
Why build an exquisite veena1,Continue reading “Bharathiyar Poem Translation – Besought”
Only to be heedlessly cast-off into dust?
Tell me O! Sivasakthi2 –
You, (who) created me with a scintillating mind
Grant me fortitude
To devote my life in welfare of this State
Tell me O! Sivasakthi – Would you let me
Become a burden to this land?
“தனி ஒருவனுக்கு உனவில்லை எனில் ஜகத்தினை அழித்திடுவோம்”, said Mahaakavi(Great Poet) Bharathiyaar who was born in Madras, India on this very day of December 11th in the year 1882.
Translation: “If one person goes hungry, let’s destroy the world.”
Born during the period of British occupation of India, his biggest rebellion was not just against the British, but against the evils of casteism – a malignant prejudice perpetuated by his fellow-countrymen against their own. He channeled his fury and anger into poems that came alive with these emotions in vivid imagery.
Quite eccentric genius, he poured out verses that ranged from social issues to philosophy to romance; in Tamil – an ancient language which shines rich in poetry.
Today the city he lived and flourished, renamed as Chennai is reeling from floods caused by excessive rains. This disaster could have been averted or mitigated if people were not blinded by avarice and corruption.
The city is in dire need of bold, honest voices like Bharathiyaar’s, to call out on the entrenched hypocrisy with the might of a pen.
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