By D. R. BENDRE

(Translated by V. K. Gokak from the original poem in Kannada)

With war of words we were weary.

Our cheerless life was dreary.

Master! You gave us light

And songs of deep delight.

Such grand, prophetic utterance

And song of deep deliverance

Are God’s gift to you.

Your peers there are but few.

You have frolicked like a child.

You have warbled like a bird.

Star-like you saw life un beguiled.

Like a wind harp your heart was stirred.

You have drunk sunlight from the sun

And are a sun-flower, the only one.

Master! You gave us light

And songs of deep delight.

You tossed like blades of corn in the wind.

You danced like a laughing child in rain.

You basked in the sun and were pleased with the moon.

Winter’s cold kiss you would not disdain.

Master! You gave us light

And songs of deep delight,

An eastern star, you spanned the west.

You were one with south and north in their quest.

You sang and ripened with singing.

You worked to raise man, O. sky-high.

You are the world’s seeing eye.

The earth with your praise is ringing.

Master! You gave us light

And songs of deep delight.