BOOK REVIEWS
Devulapalli Krishna Sastry’s Poems: Tr. Kiranmayi; Dravidian University, Srinivasavanam, Kuppam, 517 425; pp 33;
Rs 100/US$ 10.
The Dravidian University,
set up with the object of inter-linguistic integration among the four major
Southern languages has been publishing classics in the languages translated into
English. This book is one such attempt–a translation of some of the earlier
Telugu poems of Krishna Sastry–popularly known as Andhra Shelley–“whose every
word in poetry carries a colour, taste and fragrance”. The underlining theme of
Krishna Sastry’s poetry in this book is dukha (sorrow) He advocated
platonic love, free from all its attributes. As some one rightly put it,
Krishna Sastry’s anguish is the world’s anguish.
“He built, as has been
rightly said, a vast and all encompassing metaphor of a huge tear drop around
every poem he has written”
It is therefore not an
easy job to attempt to translate the Telugu poems of this great writer into any
other language and bring out completely its nascent beauty. Ms Kiranmayi Indraganti
has ably attempted this and succeeded to a large extent.
Mention maybe made of the
use of “where” or “why” in ‘Song of Freedom’ (P9); the omission of ‘gedangi paducha’
(P 10) in translation deprives the full
beauty of the expression “apsaronganaanuraga veedhulu” are not merely skeyey
streets of heavenly damsels but something more; (p51); “anadha balika”
had better be ‘orphan girl’ than ‘unfortunate girl” (P65) among others. These
minor instances do not, however, affect the· brilliance of the translation.
The Dravidian University
would do well to bring Krishna Sastry’s later compositions also into English
for the benefit of the readers, in each of which the poet weighs every word used
carefully before settling on it ultimately chiselling each poem as a work of
art.
Vemaraju Narasimha Rao
My Baba - The Loving GOD by
M.S.B. Prasad, published by Mrs. L. Seshai, Lakkavajjala Bala Foundation, 101 ,
A-Wing, Neel Sidhi Towers, Sector 12, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, 400703, for Sai
Bangaru Centre, New Delhi. 2006, Pages 200, unpriced.
In this book the author
deals with his hoary ancestry, his family deities, his relatives, his pet dog
which had something to do with his past life, Naadi astrology, the community
work he did after retirement and his meeting Sri Satya Sai Saba at Puttaparthi
and other details. The main focus in the book is Baba.
The book is neither a
biography nor an auto-biography but a sincere and truthful account of facts and
happenings presented in a refreshing style in faultless English.
The author went to
Puttaparthi as a curious visitor but “remained to pray” as a devotee of Baba
having come under his spell. The book is an account of the experiences of the
author with Sri Satyasai Baba who is considered an Avatar, the incarnation of Shiridi
Sai Baba and as God by his devotees all over the world. The author describes
the helping hand extended by Baba guiding, leading, healing and protecting him,
the members of his family and his friends who are devotees of Baba. The author
gives dates and details, including the miracles performed and the innumerable
messages sent by Baba to him on various occasions.
It is said that God’s ways
are inscrutable and so are Baba’s too which science cannot explain, which the rationalists
do not accept as possible. Yet things do happen. The author is convinced that Baba
is a highly evolved soul and that he is a trikalgnani, one who knows the past, the present and the future of
himself and those of others including his devotees, one who is omnipresent. It
is astonishing to read that the divine mothers of the Scriptures, Kausalya and
Devaki, visit Baba, their son, at Puttaparthi in human form as sanyasins in their present birth and seek solace and
comfort from Baba whom they treat as their mother. The two sansyasins interact
with the devotees there as also with the author.
Apart form the super human attributes of Baba and the spiritual angle, the infinite love Baba has for him and every living creature makes the author surrender himself, heart and soul, in humble prostration, at His Lotus Feet.
The narration in the book is truthful, candid and devoid of pretensions. At the end of each chapter the meaningful sayings of Baba are printed in a box under the title “Sookthi Ratnakaram” (Ratnakaram Satyanarayana was Baba’s name before he attained his Avatarhood). A few pages of the manuscript of the book, blessed by Baba in His own hand, are printed at the end. The book makes pleasant and easy reading, a treat to Sai devotees and an unostentatious revelation to others. The details of a book of this sort should be read but not explained or described in a review, a book which Baba Himself approved and blessed, calling it a “beautiful book”.
D. Ranga Rao
Gender Game and Other Short Stories: Ko. Ku. (Kodavatiganti Kutumba Rao); Tr. Dr B. Indira; Dravidian University, Srinivasavanam, Kuppam, 517425; pp 110; Rs 60/ US $ 6/-
The Dravidian University set up to promote spirit of integration among the Southern languages has been doing commendable service in publication of well known classics in Telugu translated into English and has also started independent departments of all the four major Dravidian languages in Translation studies.
This book is a collection of the Master story teller of yester years, Kodavatiganti Kutmubarao (Ko. Ku.) mainly written in the late Thirties and early Forties of the World War II days. His stories are in racy style, oral, colloquial and conversational. And are highly relevant and realistic of the times. He exposes the various anamolies and contradictions, the sham and shamelessness of the Brahmin bourgeoius with an under current of Marxist philosophy all through.
Dr
B. Indira has done an excellent job in translating Ko. Ku’s stories into
English in lucid and captivating style. One feels like reading the original
stories in English and that is no mean achievement. Stories like ‘The
Suspicion’ (Snehituni Bharya) can stand up to any story on the
International level.
Mention may be made of one or two inappropriate choices of words. ‘Let the authority lay with you’ had better be ‘lie with you’ (P 56). Family’s stiffling conservation may perhaps be conservatism.
The
speciality of Ko. Ku. was that it was he who introduced the literary form ‘galpika’
(sketch) popularised by the AIR and the journals, besides being an established
story teller.
Dr Indira deserves
congratulations on her very able translation of Ko. Ku. and the Dravidian
University, it may be hoped, would publish many more such titles. (They would
also do well to avoid printing errors)
Vemaraju Narasimha Rao
Verses of Vemana by B. Parvathi. Published by Andhra
University, Visakhapatnam. Price Rs.120, pp 84.
Vemana Padyalu (Vemana’s Verses) needs no introduction for any Telugu speaking person. And thanks to C. P. Brown’s English translation of twelve hundred and fifteen of them in 1829, the world at large has access to the sage poet’s unique thought process. This compendium of Ms. Parvathi contains one hundred and fifty verses, which, in the Foreword, Prof. Bhadriraju Krishnamurthi opines there are more verses representing the philosophical or mystical thought of Vemana than the didactic or satirical ones”. The ten page introduction by the author deals with the legend of the poet and the methodology of translation.
The structure of the work represents three parts, viz. the verse scripted in Telugu, the translated body and the explanatory note, both in English. Here are a few excerpts of translated verses from the work.
6. alpudepudu palku naadambaramuganu [A vain man talks pompously ever / A good man speaks mildly / Does gold ring the same way as brass.]
19. Uppukappurambu nokka Polikanudu [Salt and camphor are of one appearance / When tested traces of the tastes vary/ O’ sir among men in the virtuous are asunder.]
48. chlttasuddhi kalgi chesina punyambu [A good deed done with pure heart/Though small is not deficient/How big is the seed of a banyan tree]
125. maedi pandu juda maelimai undunu [A fig appears golden/Cut it open and lo in it are worms/The courage of a timid man hey is such.]
145. silanu pratima jesi Chekatintanu betti [Making an idol of stone and placing it in a dark chamber/Do not worship o’ ignorant fools/You know not the Brahman who dwells in your heart.]
The index at the end would help the readers navigate through the verses in the text.
B. S. Murthy
Candid Confessions: Anil K Sharma, Trans Publications, # 1575, sector 38-B, Chandigarh 160014, pp + 178, Rs. 100/-
In
Candid Confessions the reader witnesses the literary art form of the short-story
at its very best. Writing a meaningful short-story within a hundred lines and
yet complete in all respects, and that too with crystal clarity and surprisingly simple style, demands
exceptionally high literary caliber and skill. The book is a brilliant
rendering of 36 soul-stirring
short-stories full of life and power, and with a subtle coverage of the
numerous facets and complexities of life. Frankly fiction cannot be rendered
more realistic and thoughtprovoking.
The Atheist ... a satire on religious conversions based
on personal convenience and selfish motives; The secretive Genius...an
exposure of the hypocrisy behind ‘philanthropy’ and ‘popularity’ in modern
times; Affectionately yours... a satire on the ever increasing trend
among couple of opting for divorce, only leading to irreparable damage and
regrets; The Cobbler-Hiralal...a genuine concern for the downtrodden; Rajan
Dalal...unforeseen tragic twists in life and cruel exploitation of the
needy; Chhote Sarkar...ambition, wealth, and power in the hands of the
petty minded; Mission Dukhant...an exposure of the racket behind a
‘well-reputed’ orphanage, of its inter-state and intra-state marketing of the
destitute babies involving big monies; Dr Vatsalya ... a beautiful young
lady, the only child of a wealthy and influential ‘high society’ family, unduly
pampered by her father and her university professors with disastrous
psychological consequences; Chandchkora Stadinm ... a satire on god-men
and a sympathetic ought for the hungry masses; The Madamji ... a
momentary glitter in the hypocritical lives of sychophants in political circles; .... and so on.
Apart from reading
these short-stories for the mere ‘pleasure’ of reading them, the readers are
also benefited by the latest message that each of these short-stories carries
with it. Candid Confessions is a ‘must’ read book for all short-story lovers
and is undoubtedly a precious
addition to all libraries.
The author Anil K Sharma deserves hearty congratulations for his great efforts and
genuine literary achievement and success.
Kambhampati Krishna Prasad