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.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

आग Fire ਅੱਗ

आग 


परछायीओं को पकड़ने वालों  !
छाती में जलती आग की  - 
परछाई नहीं होती 

Fire


You, who are chasing shadows !
Fire burning in the breast
Casts no shadow

ਅੱਗ 


ਪਰਛਾਵਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਕੜਣ ਵਾਲਿਓਂ  !
ਛਾਤੀ 'ਚ ਬਲਦੀ ਅੱਗ ਦਾ  -
ਪਰਛਾਵਾਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ 

Aga 


parachāvi'āṁ nū pakaṛaṇa vāli'ōṁ  !

Chātī'ca baladī aga dā  -

parachāvāṁ nahīṁ hudā


aag 


parachhaayeeon ko pakadane vaalon  !

chhaatee mein jalatee aag kee  - 

parachhaee nahin hotee



No comments:

Post a Comment