ANDHRA - 50 Years of India' Independence
Ramakrishna S. Pillalamarri (pkrishna@ARL.MIL)
Thu, 27 Feb 97 19:01:50 EST
Though I am using palana's subject-title, I didn't put a number, so as not
to mess up his numbering scheme.
When I was in middle school, I read Andhra-praSasti. The piece on
"vEgi kshEtramu" (I think that is the title) and especially the first
poem in that made a lasting impression on me.
The poet says - wandering in these bushes, I imagine that I am in some
great town of yore; even though I am under alien rule at thi stime, I
imagine myself to be a free bird in some ancient, free Andhra dESa.
ee podalan jarincucu naheena mahA mahimAnubhAvamou
nE pura veedhulando jariyincucu nunTi naTancu, pAratantr-
yA patitunDa nayyunu, purA mahadAndhramunan swatantruDou
nE purushunDanO yanucu, nee bhrama satyamugA talancedan
The last poem in the piece. He says - From SrIkAkuLam on, the mention
of any old Andhra kingdom moves my heart; if this were the result of
of some association in lives past, how long does this Andhra blood
flow inthese veins?
immuga kAkuLammu moda lee varakun gala pUrva yAndhra rAj-
yammula pEru jeppina hRdantaramElo calinci pOvu; nAr-
drammagu citta vRttula purAkRta nirNayamEni, yenni jan-
mammula kEni yee tanuvunan pravahincuno yAndhra raktamul!
There is another in the khanDika, but I am not sure if I remember
all of it. Let me try.
ee nA padArpita-kshONi nE rAju dharmAsanambunDi smRtyardha-maneno!
ee nA sareera man-divataLincina gAli yenta porAtanya mEcukoneno!
ee nA tanU pUrNmaina yAkASammu nE kratu dhwanulu Sabdincinaviyo!
............................................
(no, I don't remember the tETageeti that follows. Help!)
idi vinipintu nancu madi nenceda mitrulakun, gaLastha-gAd-
gadikamu, lOcanAnta-bahudhA-sruta bAshpa nadammu, spandanA-
spada hRdayammu, nA paniki cAlaka cEseDu, nannu nintagA
neda padilincukonnadidi yekkaDi pUrvapu janma vAsanO!
I mean to read this to my friends; but the lump in my throat, the
tears in my eyes, and the tremor in my heart, make me incapable for
the job; what unseen power from long ago is still influencing me!
I apologize for the quality (the lack thereof) of the translations.
Perhaps they weren't necessary. I would be glad if someone else
comes up with a good translation.
Ramakrishna