Author: Sitakant Mahapatra
Editor(s): Sitakant Mahapatra
Publisher: National Book Trust
Year: 2003
Language: English
Pages: 75
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8123740980
Description
The literary tradition of Oriya spanning many centuries has been particularly influenced by the prominent place that Lord Jagannatha occupies in their social, cultural and even political life. The worship of Lord Jagannatha, the rituals, his temple, His Rath Yatra and the many legends surrounding Him all form the subject matter of some of the most exquisite poetry ever composed in Oriya.
This selection, for the first time brings to you about 40 such poems composed by some of the greats of Oriya poetic tradition from 15 to 19 century. With its mix of anguish and anger, hope and despair, sorrow and supplication, ecstacy and passion expressed in consummate lyricism and charged idioms, this sensitively rendered translation is a must read for all lovers of poetry, particularly classical Indian poetry.
One of the most important writers of contemporary India, Sitakant Mahapatra's oeuvre includes poetry, essays, criticism and translation. Besides Mahapatra has done pioneering work in collecting and compiling tribal literature. Widely travelled, Mahapatra has been honoured with many awards including Jnanpith, Sahitya Akademi Award, Mahakavi Kumaran Asan Award, Sarala Award, Visuba Award, Soviet Land Nehru Award, Kabir Samman and Padmabhushan.
Contents
POETRY OF THE SOUL
SARALA DASA
Lord of the Blue Mountain, Victory to You
BALARAMA DASA
Please Get Along for the Braja Leela
Quietly He Sits in My Heart
MADHAVI DASI
O’ Round-eyed Srihari
JAGANNATHA DASA
Salutations to You
The Elephant Swings
Now on Do You Forget
He is the Lord, the Time
The Sun is His Two Eyes
Just as the Spider
ACHYUTANANDA DASA
O’Friend of the Poor
Four Extracts from Harivamsa Vol VII
The Ten Incarnations
Invocation of the Lord for Composing Volume Seven of the Harivamsa
The Savara’s Dilemma
From Forest to the Jewelled Throne
SALABEGA
Where, O’Whereto
O’Intoxicated Elephant
Let Us Go, Dear Friends
O’Lord, the Friend of the Universe
O’ Blue Mountain
The Devotee Alone is Your Life
RASANANDA NABAGHANA CHAND
The Flag Flutters
DINAKRUSHNA DASA
Five Extracts from Witnessing the Face of The Sea of Compassion
Dwell On the Dark Kanhai
Victory to You, Lord Jagannatha
UPENDRA BHANJA
Make Me Worthy of You
SARIA VIKA
O’ My Tired Mind
ARTA DASA
How Beautiful You Look!
BIRAKESHARI DEB
The Destitute-Saviour Banner
O’ Destroyer of Sorrows
NITYANANDA DAS
For Redeeming the Fallen
ABHIMANYU SAMANTA SINGHAR
Not Even a Day Without Sorrow
SADANAND KAVISURYA BRAHMA
Listen O’ Lord
BANAMALI DAS
Lord I Ask Nothing of You
O’ Friend of the Destitute
KAVISURYA BALADEVA RATH
Six Extracts from A Prayer for Lord Jagannatha
Seven Extracts from Prayers to the Lord, The Snake
CHANDANA HAJURI
To the Round-eyed One
GOUR CHARAN ADHIKARI
The Elephant Swings
Seated on the Celestial Bird
Notes on the Poets