Here below are two poems of Punjabi revolutionary poet Lal Singh Dil (1943-2007) published in 'Centres of Cataclysm' an anthology from MPT (Modern Poetry in Translation), a magazine founded by Ted Hughes and Daniel Weissbort in 1965, celebrating fifty years of publishing translations from the world over across time and space. The anthology is a selection from all the issues of MPT published since 1965. Here is a short extract from the present editors of MPT, David and Helen Constantine, on the founding principle of MPT:
MPT seeks a real diversity of voices:women and men equally, different centuries,countries, races, creeds, languages, cultures, ideas. The very essence of founding principle was: Your view is not the only one.
I am sure readers and admirers of Lal Singh Dil, as indeed readers of Punjabi literature, would be immensely pleased to find Dil among this select group of poets from all over the world.
http://www.mptmagazine.com/
The poem titled Nadeen uses the powerful imagery of trowel, although it weeds out flowers when they get stale, as a counter to the powerful sun, rains and winds. But the system is too powerful than the pains and sorrows of people and the cry of leader. The beauty of the poem lies in raising hope with confidence and vigour but ends on a sober note of sad realism.
ReplyDeleteThe second poem the outcasts is painful plight of the women workers. Their life description, although depressing, yet they dance, sing. But when they cry it is no longer bearable. In both the poems, the poet emerges as a poet of suffering, hope ending on painful realism. Moving, touching and great poems leaving a sense of profound sadness, nay helplessness, behind . Congratulations for your excellent and brilliant translation.
regards
yogesh