Pages

Friday, July 13, 2007

Peace Talk

Came across this poem by Kunwar Narayan. Am not going to attempt a translation because this poem works primarily (for me) phonetically. It has to be read in Hindi, preferably read aloud. Please note that 'gun' in the first verse is the English word 'gun'.


Shanti Varta (Peace Talks)

- Kunwar Narayan

Allaho Akbar
Vintee hai bhagwan
Agar do to anu-bam
Na ye gun, na vo gun

Brahmastra daanam
Rocket mahaanam
Mahashoonya khaddam
Samajh gadd maddham

Ladaaku vimaanam
Na annam na vastram
Karein shaastra charcha
Magar hod shastram

Halaahal pachaye
Magar munh pe kheesam
Karein shanti vaarta
Magar daant peesam

Puraanam quraanam
Sabhi ko pranamam
Na saakhi na sabdam
Mahayudh tthaanam

Isa na islam
Marxam na buddham
Na mazhab na dhammam
Param satya yuddham

Parmanu bam bam
Tum tum na hum hum
Mitaane au mitna mein
Hum kum na tum kum

Na paschim na poorvam
Nakaaram bhavishyam
Visphot safalam
Niraakar vishwam!


Those who are more familiar with both languages, and better equipped than I am, are welcome to translate it.

8 comments:

  1. oops....I mean Acchi HAI.....

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful...sad, poignant.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous6:56 PM

    Wonderful poem- loved the concept, the humour, the cadences and the ultimate pathos. Hope this will not be the way the world ends(:

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good verse but wouldn't it have been better if you put the original in Hindi script as well.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hehehe..so funny and so true to life!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous4:50 PM

    Can somebody post the meanings of at least these words:
    khaddam
    kheesam
    peesam


    good. more effective when chanted like a Sanskrit shloka.

    regards,
    Jai

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous3:37 PM

    to Jai :


    khaddam ( from khaddaa) -- a pit or cavity

    kheesam (kheese niporanaa) -- to grin/smile

    peesam (daant peesanaa) -- to gnash tooth

    ReplyDelete