AN ATTEMPTED TRANSLATION OF 'MAMPAZHAM' - A POEM THAT LEFT KERALA IN TEARS

The translation attempted here is not word by word.......emphasis has been to capture the essence and transfer the feeling.......the intrinsic difficulty imposed by Vailoppilli's poetic brilliance combined with the poesy of Malayalam , along with translator's ineptness might have resulted in a drastic fall in beauty.......

Apologies to those who could read the original work......Only excuse are those who never did experience those magical words, which touched and moved every single heart, young and old alike and still continues to......



As the maiden fruit plucked itself from the tender twig
Warm droplets sprung from the gloomy red eyes
of the lonely mother

Four months ago, when that tree in the yard flowered
for the first time
The little kid plucked it in innocence and ran into mother's lap

The expected hug didn't warm the tender heart
Instead sharpness of words wiped of his delight

"One who should wait and pick up the fruit when it falls
If is nipping it in the bud, should get good whips" scolded the mother

The flower like face grew pale and drooped
In a whimper, like a soliloquy, the soft voice whispered
"I will not pick up those fruits"

From the mind that could hardly speak
Came those words like a prophecy
Yes...soon did his playground change
From the dusty earth to lofty heavens

As the first fruit plucked itself from the tender twig
Warm droplets sprung from the gloomy red eyes
of the lonely mother

In the midst of the hue and cry of the kids from
the neighboring yard
She walked unto that fruit lying unwanted in the dust

Burying it at the feet of her parted soul
Her sobbing heart requested
"Even when you went away annoyed, slowly with a mischief
Ain't you used to come back hiding, after a while
One last time more my beloved.....come...
To take this from your mother's hands......"

In the gentle breeze that ensued
The maternal heart felt his featherly touch.

mashoodkk