Raungo Witchcraft by Tagore Translation by Ranu

This is a poem of Tagore which shows him using words that are funny as well as satirical.You may view it differently.

This is how it begins:

This is quite a spell, quite a spell it is__

Show me four different sweets I will then go with you.

Sweet cheese,sweet tortuous folds,sweet red petal leaf,

sweeter than them, a daughter’s soft blow.

This is so enchanting, such a funny joke__

if you can display four white things    I will proceed with you.

White cheese,white butter, white sweet meat,

surpassing all  that will be your clear scolding speech.

Extremely colorful  is your jugglery,  colorful I must say__

reveal four incompatible items  I will then walk with you.

മലയാളം: പാവക്ക (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

bitter melon, bitter wick, bitter juice of neem tree,

overshadowing all   is your bitter  unspoken  speech.

It is so magical, and so much fun__

exhibit four harsh realities and I will travel with you.

Iron , thunder bolt, the bottom of untanned leather shoe,

even more difficult is to visit your parent’s home.

It is such a funny witchcraft,  a funny witchcraft it is__

disclose four untruths  I will surely walk with you.

Magical tricks, a ghost sneezing, fake glass emerald,

better yet will  be your crocodile tears.

Bestowal by R.Tagore translated by Ranu

sword (Photo credit: Guitarwarlord)

Bestowal   By Rabindranath Tagore

I thought I will ask you, I didn’t have the courage_

the garland you had around your neck in the evening

I did not have the courage to ask you for it.

Maybe I presumed when you leave your bed next morning

the severed garland would lie scattered on your bed.

Like a beggar I came early morning,

I still did not dare to ask for it.

This is not a garland my dear, this is your sword!

It seems to light up like a flame,  it is as heavy as thunderbolt,

this is your sword.

The early morning light came through the window     it spread all over on your bed,

the early morning bird asked in her song      ‘what did you get woman,’

it is not a garland,nor a dish, it is a perfumed water-can_

this is so— heavy.

This is why I sit and wonder,    is this your award____

where can I hide this,  I don’t have such a place.

Oh my dear ,  what kind of an award is this!

I feel weak with embarrassment,  can this ornament suit me,

I have a queer feeling in my chest  if I try to keep it  my heart aches my dear.

I will still carry it on my chest     to honour this pain__

I will take your award.

I will get rid of fear from my heart from this day,

from today all my work will sing your praise____

I will get rid of fear altogether.

You have left death in my house as my companion,

I will accept it happily and save it in my heart.

Your sword will gradually decrease my union__

I will release myself from fear.

I will not dress up for you .

It is okay if you do not come back anymore my dear,

I will not sit on the floor and weep for you     in this lonely house,

later in this house   I will not feel ashamed  of myself.

Your sword  has dressed me up today___

I will not dress up anymore.