Amrita Pritam

Amrita Pritam
This blog explores the poetry of Amrita Pritam. All her original poems are in Punjabi. I've translated them in Hindi. The Hindi translations are relatively straight forward and there are other authors who have translated her work in Hindi. In some cases, where I could, I have translated a few of her poems in English. This is an entirely different task from Hindi translation. I have major reservations and a few misgivings about any attempt to translate poems in general. All of those concerns apply here in full force. I consider these translations as my musings and explorations: they carry no weight and are no substitute for experiencing the poetry in Punjabi. I am acutely aware of the challenges this may pose to even Hindi readers, let alone English ones. I offer no recourse.

Saturday, November 22, 2014

ਕਿਸਮਤ किस्मत Fate


 

Annotation

There are three levels of imagery captured in Pritam's short stanza.

First, she establishes the physical action of lovers climbing together to reach higher ground. Within that, her image snaps the moment when he reaches out and lends her a hand to help her over a steep step.

Second, she creates the image of young lovers gazing in each other eyes as they talk and bare their hearts - and realize when innocence is lost, when childish talk gives over to adult desire.

Third, she deftly interlaces these images in a way that it marks the fateful moment of falling in love.



किस्मत  

नज़र तेरी नें हाथ पकड़ाया 
एक ही मुलाकात में बातें
उम्र की सीढ़ी चढ़ आयीं


Fate

Your gaze held my hand
          and in a moment's tide
          our conversation stepped
          over the years' divide

Alternate

Your gaze 
          pulled my hand
          up the stage
Our conversation 
          stepped up the ladder 
          to come of age


ਕਿਸਮਤ  

ਨਜ਼ਰ ਤੇਰੀ ਨੇ ਹਥ ਫੜਾਇਆ
ਇੱਕੋ ਮੁਲਾਕਾਤ ਵਿਚ ਗੱਲਾਂ
ਉਮਰ ਦੀ ਪੌੜੀ ਚੜ ਆਈਆਂ



[Excerpt from the poem किस्मत, Fate, ਕਿਸਮਤ ]



Kismat

nazara tērī nē hatha phaṛā'i'ā
ikō mulākāta vica galāṁ
umara dī pauṛī caṛa ā'ī'āṁ

kismat

najar teree ne haath pakadaya
ek hee mulaakaat mein baaten
umr kee seedhee chadh aayeen