Two Telugu Folk-Songs
Rendered by PROF. RAYAPROLU SUBBA RAO
(The Osmania University, Hyderabad, Dn.)
[These simple songs, in homely honeyed words, release an imagery that is strikingly beautiful and pleasing. The moon is addressed as ‘Uncle’ and asked to fetch the Milk of Moonlight and fill in the baby’s Golden Cups, i.e. the eyes, to help him to soothing sleep. R.S.]
I
In the Blue Mountains is the Broadway of Mirrors;
In the Broadway of Mirrors is a beautiful White Palace;
Beyond the Palace, a shining Lake of Milk;
In the Lake of Milk the flowers dance on the waves;
Ah! the flowers are brimming over with honeyed milk
Uncle Moon! Bring it with Thy Silver Hands
And fill my Baby’s Golden Cups!
II
Shepherd Uncle! Where dost Thou haste, with turban-fringes flying,
Running swiftly, as though Something Precious is lost?
Your wife is gone to sell curds: she is away from Home!
Stop, stop awhile, I have something to tell.
Art Thou afraid that we will drink up thy Pot of Milk?
Thy Palace of Pearls is not drowned in the Flood,
Nor has Thy milk-bearing herd broken loose from the Fence.