Will
you come becoming the light, Ayra ?
(Translation
of Vimal Kumar's Hindi poem “kya tum
roshni banker aaogi ayra?”)
Will you come becoming the light
here darkness is unfurled, Ayra
Will you envelop becoming the sky
here isn't any shelter, Ayra
Will you become a flower and bloom
here thorns are all over, Ayra
Will you become a bird and fly
here imprisons are all over, Ayra
Will you become a cloud and rain
here Earth is getting arid, Ayra
Will you become the sun and shine
here sun is veiled, Ayra
Will you become the text of your time
here inhumanity is increasing, Aira
Will you meet on this square tomorrow
here a procession is moving, Ayra
Will you remain silent, bearing the pain
or will come out of your dwelling, Ayra
-Translated
by Varsha Singh
Translated Verses of Vimal Kumar by
Varsha Singh
Temptation
(Translation
of Vimal Kumar's Poem ”Lalach”)
Why is this flaming desire
to touch the sky
to hold the stars
to bathe in river
to climb the peak
to pluck the flower
at this age?
Before demise
what sort of
temptation it is
to live
one's own life?
-
Translated by Varsha Singh
Love
Imprison
(Translation
of Vimal Kumar's Poem “Prem Kaid”)
Being a Goddess
You too are shackled in fetters
Never ever had I thought
enchained body of an idol
within any manacle
Devilish would
this thinking be
to seek freedom with love of thee
within the sorrowful flood
is you
How may I hope
joy from you.
-
Translated by Varsha Singh
A
Child
(Translation
of Vimal Kumar's Poem “Ek Bachchaa”)
Like a kid
at your glance
yearning I was
craving...
voicing...
to get that toy
At this age
of getting older by days
it is still alive
within me why
a child?
-Translated
by Varsha Singh
Love
in Fantasy
(Translation
of Vimal Kumar's Poem “Kalpana mein Prem”)
Remain in fantasy
it's better
stay hanging alike moon in the sky
don't land on the earth
this aura will bite you
you will be in pain
your face, your colour will change
you will not remain the same
as you look in imagination
your beauty will dust off
paying fees for the kid
paying bills for water, power supply
moving by bus for office
you will get old
one day, you would be colourless
you will not recognize your own
countenance
in mirror
That's why I beseech
to persist in fantasy
love from there
if you come here
love will finish as well
in this passage of domestication.
- Translated by Varsha Singh
"Remembrance
in my Bedhead"
(Translation
of Vimal Kumar's "Sirhaney mein
Yaad")
Languishing on bed
For days together
I know it well that
you won't come to see me.
Does Moon ever come on earth?
Do stars? Do clouds?
I made mistakes by
Adoring you as moon as stars as clouds.
Had I made you a bird
You'd have quickly come flying to me.
Had I made you a leaf
wind would have blown it to me.
Had I made you a letter
it too would have reached me in a day or two
But if you do not come
I won't be in remorse
as your memories stay ever with me.
I might get well
And start my life
My work afresh
In a day or two.
-
Translated by Varsha Singh
