Of Love and War: A Chayavad Anthology

Of Love and War: A Chayavad Anthology

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Book Specification

Item Code: IDE896
Author: Trans. By: David Rubin
Publisher: Oxford University Press, New Delhi
Language: English
Edition: 2005
ISBN: 0195675320
Pages: 143
Cover: Hardcover
Other Details 8.8" X 5.8"
Weight 350 gm

Book Description

From the Jacket :

The period in modern Hindi literature known as 'Chayavad' marked the first blossoming of poetry in the language which, for its originality, depth, and technical resourcefulness, still remains unsurpassed. This anthology provides a sampling of the works of four major poets of this revival - Jayshankar Prasad, Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala', Sumitranandan Pant, and Mahadevi Varma.

Like the Romantic age in the West, Chayavad was marked with elements of symbolism and mysticism. Upanishadic teachings, the English Romantic poets, the French Symbolists, Rabindranath Tagore, Sanskrit aesthetics - all influenced tis genre. In Chayavad poetry, modern Hindi attained an incontestable brilliance and elegance of expression.

Chayavad poets are known outside India by the few available translations of their elegant, yet often baffling, short lyrics. This unique volume brings together translations of a few significant long poems - Prasad's Amsu (a poem of philosophical import) and Nirala's Ram ki Shakti-Puja (a short epic on the theme of war). Also included is a selection of the more typical short lyrics by all four poets, many of them previously untranslated.

About the Author :

Prasad (1889-1937) was the first of the Chayavad poets to attain fame. He gave a new direction to Hindi poetry and freed it from the traditions and conventions considered sacrosanct. His works include novels, essays, short stories, and dramas.

Nirala's (1899-1961) oeuvre includes novels, short stories, essays, and of course, poetry. He experimented boldly with free verse and innovative re-creations of epic subjects and devotional themes. His novels and stories were satirical attacks on the hypocrisy of and oppression by the upper castes.

Pant (1902-87) is best known for his romantic poetry celebrating love and nature. His works reflect his concern for the social conditions of his time, for the downtrodden, and for the poor.

Mahadevi Varma (1902-87) is a major figure in the renaissance of Hindi literature and is considered its finest woman poet. Unlike her contemporary Chayavad poets, her work is almost completely removed from everyday life. She created a series of highly refined, complex, though often obscure, lyrics.

David Rubin has been Visiting Professor at Columbia University. A widely published writer, his works include fiction and translations of Hindi prose and poetry.

CONTENTS

Preface vii
A Note on Transliteration ix
Introduction xi
PART ONE
Jayshankar Prasad
Amsu - The Epigraph 3
Amsu - The Book of Tears 5
Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala'
How Rama Worshipped Shakti 39
Woman in Love 51
PART TWO
Jayshankar Prasad
First Dawn 59
Heart's Pain 61
Waiting for Spring 62
Spring 63
Dream World 64
Heart's Beauty 65
Open Your Door 66
Anguish, Stay! 67
Game in the Dust 68
A Drop 69
What Story does the bee tell 70
Oh sea uniting blue with red 72
Now awaken, dawn of life! 74
Arrey, have you seen anywhere 75
Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala'
Sleep in Awakening 77
Poison in Nectar 78
May God laugh when he meets me at the end 79
A Look at Death 81
The Cup 83
Sumitranandan Pant
The Old Man 85
Evening on the Ganges 87
Your Doors Are Closed 89
Cloudy Dawn 91
Man's Shadow 92
Mahadevi Varma
My dear how shall I find him? 93
To Death 94
That Cruel mirror is broken! 96
Oh eternally silent! 98
Let me light all the burns-out lamps! 100
Bibliography 103


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