Of late I have been listening to audio , videos of Bharathiyar. This is ever refreshing....
The below is yet another novelty of Bharathiyar.
It is very typical for poets to portray they see their beloved in everything what they see.... The modern cinema ( at least Tamil ones ) often have songs based on the theme that the lover sees his/her beloved in every person seen.
Bharathiyar brings a totally different picture in our view. Oh alas... the lover had forgotten beloved's face... What kind of emotion would that be ? It requires a lot of integrity more than creativity or courage to bring such an imagination. An unique experience yet again...
Below my "crude" translation as usual and a layman commentary.... ( The song is written as a lamentation by lover girl of Lord Krishna. I read from some commentaries on Bharathiyar work that this song was written by Bharathiyar as his yearning for his mother though it fits more of a love relationship)
ஆசைமுகம் மறந்து போச்சே – இதை யாரிடம் சொல்வேனடி தோழி?
( Aasai mugam marandhu poachchae – idhai yaaridam solvaenadi thoazhi)
Alas.. the desirous face of my beloved had faded from memory...whom will i complain/share about this my friend...
நேசம் மறக்கவில்லை நெஞ்சம் – எனில் நினைவு முகம் மறக்கலாமோ?
(naesam marakkavillai nenjam – enil ninaivu mugam marakkalaamoa)
The love is intact in the heart , yet how can I forget that memorable face?
1. கண்ணில் தெரியுதொரு தோற்றம்- அதில் கண்ணன் அழகு முழுதில்லை;
(kannil theriyuthoru thotram - athil kannan azhaghu muzhuthillai )
There seem to be a distorted picture (of his).... but, the "bright and beauty" of his face is unfulfilled.
நண்ணு முகவடிவு காணில்-அந்த நல்ல மலர்ச்சிரிப்பைக் காணோம்
(nannu mugavadivu kaanil - antha nalla malarchirippaik kaanom)
when i attempt to bring his face in front of my eyes, that "flower blossoming" smile is missing....
2. ஓய்வு மொழிதலும் இல்லாமல்-அவன் உறவை நினைத்திருக்கும் உள்ளம்
( oyvu mozhithalum illamal - avan uravai ninaitthikirukkum ullam )
Un-intermittently - my heart is yearning for his relation
வாயும் உரைப்பதுண்டு கண்டாய்-அந்த மாயன் புகழினை எப்போதும்
(vaayum uraippathundu kandai - antha maayan pugazhinai eppothum )
My lips are always enchanting the praise of the "beloved"
3. கண்கள் புரிந்துவிட்ட பாவம்-உயிர்க்கண்ணன் உருமறக்கலாச்சு;
( kangal purinthuvitta paavam - uyirkkannan uru marakkalachchu )
It is the sin done by my eyes that the image of my beloved Krishna is lost from my memory;
பெண்கள் இனத்தில் இது போல-ஒரு பேதையை முன்பு கண்டதுண்டோ
(pengal inaththil ithu pola - oru pethaiyai mumbu kandathundo )
Have you ever seen such a stupid enough girl ?
4. தேனை மறந்திருக்கும் வண்டும் – ஒளிச் சிறப்பை மறந்துவிட்ட பூவும்
(Thenai maranthirukum vandum, oli Sirapai maranthu vitta poovum)
Honey bee that had forgotten the honey (that it strives on) ; A flower that had forgotten the sunlight (that blossoms it )
வானை மறந்திருக்கும் பயிறும் – இந்த வையம் முழுதுமில்லை தோழி
( Vaanai maranthirukum payirum, indha Vaiyam muzhuthum illai thozhi )
Crop that had forgotten the drizzle from sky (that lives it) - does not exist in this world, dear friend
( So, how could this happen that "I" who had forgotten my beloved might exist!!!!)
5. கண்ணன் முகம் மறந்துபோனால் – இந்த கண்களிருந்து பயனுண்டோ?
(Kannan mugam maranthuponal, intha Kangal irunthu payan undo )
If I forget the face of krishna, then what is the use of my eyes?
வண்ணப் படமுமில்லை கண்டாய் – இனி வாழும் வழியென்னடி தோழி?
(Vanna padamumillai kandaai, ini Vaazhum vazhi ennadi thozhi )
you see, there is no photograph (of his), how would I live (missing him totally)!!!
