Author: Mahadevi Varma
David Rubin/
Translator(s): David Rubin
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: 2005
Language: English
Pages: 143
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0195675320
Description
The period in modern Hindi literature known as Chayavad marked the first blossoming of poetry in the language which, for its originality, depth and technical resourcefulness, still remains unsurpassed. This anthology provides a sampling of the works of four major poets of this revival-Jayshankar Prasad, Suryakant Tripathi Nirala, Sumitranandan Pant, and Mahadevi Varma.
Like the Romantic age in the West, Chayavad was marked with elements of symbolism and mysticism. Upanishadic teachings, the English Romantic poets, the French symbolists, Rabindranath Tagore, Sanskrit aesthetics-all influenced this genre. In Chayavad poetry, modern Hindi attained an incontestable brilliance and elegance of expression.
Chayavad poets are known outside India by the few available translations of their elegant, yet often baffling, short lyrics. This unique volume brings together translations of a few significant long poems-Prasad's Amsu (a poem of philosophical import) and Nirala's Ram ki Shakti-Puja (a short epic on the theme of war). Also included is a selection of the more typical short lyrics by all four poets, many of them previously untranslated.
Contents
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
I. Jayshankar Prasad:
1. Amsu-the epigraph.
2. Amsu-the book of tears.
Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala':
1. How Rama worshipped shakti.
2. Woman in love.
II. Jayshankar Prasad:
1. First Dawn.
2. Heart's pain.
3. Waiting for spring.
4. Spring.
5. Dream world.
6. Heart's beauty.
7. Open your door.
8. Anguish, stay!
9. Game in the dust.
10. A drop.
11. What story does the bee tell.
12. Oh sea uniting blue with red.
13. Now awaken, dawn of life!
14. Arrey, have you seen anywhere.
Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala':
1. Sleep in awakening.
2. Poison in nectar.
3. May God laugh when he meets me at the end.
4. A look at death.
5. The cup.
Sumitranandan Pant:
1. That old man.
2. Evening on the Ganges.
3. Your doors are closed.
4. Cloudy down.
5. Man's shadow.
Mahadevi Verma:
1. My dear how shall I find him?
2. To death.
3. That cruel mirror is broken!
4. Oh eternally silent!
5. Let me light all the burnt-out lamps!
BIBLIOGRAPHY