Two Poems by Ismail: English Versions

by Crazyfinger
 
Thanks to Purnima's introduction to this marvellous blog Pustakam.net, I am able to discover Telugu poets and Telugu literature all over again.  I confess I've never heard of the poet Ismail before, now I can't seem to get enough of him.  This article by Bolloju Baba got me going (Thanks Baba!).  The Telugu magazine Eemata was a terrific discovery (jeez...where was I all these years!).  

I was told I should really introduce the writers first while posting these pedantic English translations.  True.  But I don't like writing biographical background of the poet, it does a disservice to the poet and his/her influence.  I am still thinking how to introduce the poet to a new audience.  Anyone has ideas please express...:- )  For now, here is my English version of Ismail's Telugu poems: First - Maa Aavida: Telugu version here (4th poem from top).

My Wife

With one hand holds up the sky
With one hand caresses the earth
With a bird hand pecks the seeds of tears
With a cascade hand, comforting, smoothens the rocks
With one hand serves the meal
With one hand lulls the children
With a blazing hand drives away the darkness
With a starry hand welcomes the sun
With one hand stands against the fate
With one hand beckons the smiles

With hands every way as
Spokes of the wheel
Drives the carriage of life with verve

Second is - Nootilo Tabelu (Telugu version: very first poem in the above same link)

Turtle in the Well

Hearing that the turtle
Was found in the well
We ran like a monkey's herd
All the children
When we peered into
Only saw our own heads
The sky and the blue horizon
Picking stones and shards
We stirred all the water
Not only the turtle didn't float up
But even our heads disappeared

The sky's dark blaze 
Lighting up the well's rim
Turning into the pit
I stared still
At the water
Perturbed when 
Our heads have gone in
There...! Behind my eyes
Burrowed inside the skull
Sitting still, is the turtle

Comments

[anu]

Dear CF,

Thanks for sharing. Regarding poets intro, why do i hear a 'go google'? :)

Tonight's bedtime reading for the 8 year old will be these two poems. The magic of Nootilu Tabelu will need no explaining. Maa Aavida will help me emphasize again to him the importance of appreciation, and that multihanded aliens/women/godesses belong to the realm of lego.com, hindu mythology and poetic imagination :). 'Pitch your two little hands Dear son or you will be wearing dirty laundry from now until you write poems to your wife.' :)

[Crazyfinger]

Anu,

Now Ismail's poems have a new audience - 8 year old children, that works…:- ) For the poets introduction, I am barely feeling my way through my new discoveries and most of these poets have charged backgrounds and histories. Can't touch them until you really are sure what you want to say. That's the reason for deliberation. And I am pretty sure I will revisit all these English versions to work on them again, sometime in future months.

Crazyfinger

[nabina]

CF, loved the wife and the turtle... you captured the humor (there is, right?) pretty well in them. For more info/bkgrounder, google, wiki or post a hyperlink. One suggestion, pls don't center-align the poems... and how about some visual element with the posts?...a few people who read this new blog asked me to pass on the request. Thanks!

[Crazyfinger]

Nabina,

Yes, there is humor...:- ) Yes too for the backgrounder, more info. Just didn't get around to doing that, will do. And will not center-align the poem and will look for visual element...(gosh I am agreeing to all of the requests). Seriously, thanks a bunch for reading and commenting :-)

Crazyfinger