CAGED BIRD -Manjeetha Kumar Where are those days When life was full of joy Wings waved at blue sky Dreams landed just true Where am I now Weeping at the wounds Whispering to myself The world turned upside down My boundaries are declared by selfish men Their greeds dominates my needs Their wishes surpasses my […]
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LIFE IS LIKE THAT -Ramachandra Rao Nanduri Nothing is permanent nor ‘nothing’ ever shall be Passes over the moment of glee or gloom in one beThe clouds give rain to become clouds againLife rolls on day and night till the curtain is drawnNo encores no repeat performances, it’s all one act showSome shine some drown and […]
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Tempest of time (poems) -Kondapalli Niharini Translated by Elanaaga 17. Time to Grow The sky is torturing. Let alone guarding the infinite universe, it’s crushing under its foot, the endangered faith. It is useful neither for dried coir nor for fire. How tiny your heart is amidst your henchmen, how senseless your conceit, is not […]
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Bruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani 18. Child Sacs Leading a hand-to-mouth life The day before yesterday We sold our drudgery Yesterday we pawned the pitcher and winnowing pan. For a gulp of gruel we sold The blood in our body Our kidneys, for a handful of space We pawn our hearts every day. […]
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Cup of tea -Sasikala Thanneeru They always look at my cup and began to search it’s speciality They always wonder about rhythm of my sips and music of my thoughts They always curious about the news I share with my tea They want to utilize that ten minutes miracle for their own It’s time for […]
Continue ReadingTempest of time (poems) -Kondapalli Niharini Translated by Elanaaga 16. Bonalu – Dazzlers of Art When devotees pour ‘five syllables’ in the vault of the heart and intelligence becomes a firmament of piety, they place faith on heads, turn themselves into a carnival. Hunger, food… they are not recent ones, but came into existence when […]
Continue ReadingBruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani 17. Black Mother While all sons became mother’s sons And all daughters, father’s daughters Just so to garland their fame with poetry, You never got any respect in life, Mother Only crowns of hardship. When I think of you, The stream of humiliation that you swam across Breaches […]
Continue ReadingTempest of time (poems) -Kondapalli Niharini Translated by Elanaaga 15. In this Battlefield She is a flutter that made virility smoulder in the field of war; the lustre of gems she is. She kindles the light of erudition, and the flourish of hard work. So she is not a policewoman, but a policeman! She completes […]
Continue ReadingBruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani 16. Postponement of Love Love poetry! What do you mean, my writing it? My lips have been trembling for ages With the fear of death To even utter the syllables of love, How can I write poems on my love! Who after all acknowledged There beats a heart […]
Continue ReadingTempest of time (poems) -Kondapalli Niharini Translated by Elanaaga 14. The Song of the Present It’s a song; it embraced a long silence, crossedthe tombs of hatred near the bonds of affection. A dwelling erected in our life struggle. It has seen not only the stars In the firmament, the ripples in the sea, and […]
Continue ReadingBruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani 15. Step Mother My Hindu step mother! When you excommunicated my touch To a nowhere place, the trisanku heaven* Tied a muzzle to my mouth Hung a broom down my backend made A strange animal out of me I became an alien in my own land. With not […]
Continue ReadingTempest of time (poems) -Kondapalli Niharini Translated by Elanaaga 13. Book is our Flag Like a mother who directs a crawling child Like the father who teaches his son how to run Like the teacher who dispels fear from the mind Like the temple that tells God is present in the heart of one and […]
Continue ReadingBruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani 14. The Black Sun Although he did not learn the alphabet He was a farmer who grew affection By churning life Although he did not know ideology and debate He was a true materialist who did not argue But made me write the alphabet with my left hand… […]
Continue ReadingTempest of time (poems) -Kondapalli Niharini Translated by Elanaaga 12. Monopoly It’s an indoor game that fell into the hands of tiny tots. Irrespective of the season it gives a yield of bucks unseen earlier. A nice game it is… that of e-business No great fascination or rapture in the distribution of intellect. Only a […]
Continue ReadingBruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani 13. Prohibited History Even as I took shape in My mother’s womb I was labelled untouchable Stamped low-caste Before I was born. The day I was born I bore the imprint of an unchaste woman Cast into the drainage of tradition The dustbin of custom. I became the […]
Continue ReadingTempest of time (poems) -Kondapalli Niharini Translated by Elanaaga 11. Corona, We Aren’t Afraid! We wage war individually, and fight the same single battle. We lie in wait separately. You are a microbial bomb, not an atomic one! So why do we fear you? We won’t tie you to stop you from touching us. We […]
Continue ReadingBruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani 12. Muddy Hands With the music of washed vessels. She wakes up the house. When the early cockcrows Piercing through thick darkness She lights the hut Feeds the children grains of rice. She arrives in the fields, porridge-vessel in hand The landlord welcomes her with abuses. As she […]
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THE UNTIRED English Translation: Penugonda basaveshwar Telugu Original : Sarasija Penugonda She’s been trying to erect a pillaras a mark of her self identity denied for decades by community Bricks of self-confidence are continuously kept wet with relentlessly shed sweat Sacrifices like a matchstick to ignite ,fire particles, a million n continue […]
Continue ReadingTempest of time (poems) -Kondapalli Niharini Translated by Elanaaga 10. Bell of Virtue In the flux of a scene where silence overflows, render your brain formless a bit. Meanwhile, it is not just your dreams, but heart’s burden that is emptied. In the darkness where fireflies emit light, inordinate sound brooks keep flowing. Many are […]
Continue ReadingBruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani 11. New Syllabus The same age-old stale lessons In all the leaves of the same old book White sheets blacken from The soot that is in his mind. Children’s rhymes go thus Rama is a good boy Sita is a good wife Come on my daughter! Grind the […]
Continue ReadingTempest of time (poems) -Kondapalli Niharini Translated by Elanaaga 9.Scissors Whena flame rages beneath the pan of half-cooked rice, I feel the pain of besieging taunts. Like the stories of paltry grains for hungry stomachs, in the shade of subject, object, verb amidst the disparities between rich and poor, I feel as if I got […]
Continue ReadingBruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani 10. Buffalo Nationalism A void at home The minds speak no words On the day when we sold Our pet buffalo A pet is not an animal But one of us, more than kith and kin We have no separate homes. She is my parents’ child, Along with […]
Continue ReadingTempest of time (poems) -Kondapalli Niharini Translated by Elanaaga 8.Homage of Syllables Whenever occasions don’t revert halfway, all the experience should listen, say, see the words of known people, things worth knowing, deeds to be divulged and become a journey not waited. When answerless questions come near, immerse in NEWS, play the game of four […]
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At the end of Index Finger English Translation: V.Vijaya Kumar Telugu Original : “Dukhapu Minnagu” by Dr K.Geeta For every intolerance The index finger Maneuvered at Only one side You rascals At last Hung us naked At the end of the index finger! Vengeance of […]
Continue ReadingBruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani 9. Need to Speak My dumbness reveals No human is seen to speak It took a long time Even to speak to myself True interaction with a man Is possible only after Leaving all inhibitions. It is indeed For the union of true souls The interaction between you […]
Continue ReadingTempest of time (poems) -Kondapalli Niharini Translated by Elanaaga 7.Farmer Couple He becomes a plough to till the land in sowing season; she transforms into a basket of cold food in the red hot sun. He becomes the toil of the tilling harrow in his field; she walks behind him to sow the seeds dexterously. […]
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Music of the heart(poem) Telugu Original: Mandarapu Hymavati EnglishTranslation: Syamala Kallury Handicapped -blind You need not sing songs of sympathy You need not play violin’s piteous sigh With sad note – Of all the senses eyes are primary One cannot have life without eyes Don’t push them into the wells of depression They have to […]
Continue ReadingBruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani 8. Morning Star Rising with the morning star Sweeping darkness away with a broom That girl draws patterns of brightness… As she washes dishes the sun rises from her beads of sweat. Amidst the chirping of birds. As she cleans everyone’s filth with her tender fingers That wonderful […]
Continue ReadingTempest of time (poems) -Kondapalli Niharini Translated by Elanaaga 6.Special Soldier He is a picture of opulence on the retina; a sacred figure without many hues. He won many a million hearts. Wherever his sweat falls, there germinates mother’s love, blesses. In the nights and afternoons when mud blossoms, at a time when the branches […]
Continue ReadingDeath Warrants (poem) Telugu Original: Mandarapu Hymavati EnglishTranslation: Syamala Kallury An endless joy it is After the head-bath, washing the hair For some the body feels comfortable Moves freely in the swing For some the head-bath itself is A ritual, that sends one to lands More comfortable, then it is an explosion! Yes, Hunger is […]
Continue ReadingBruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani 7. Mankena Flower Caught in bramble and thorn I am a struggling palapitta** Whichever way I move The thorns prick me These are not thorns of today But shackles of slavery That have bound me for generations. Caught between the devil and the deep sea Danger hisses about […]
Continue ReadingLet me be ME -Manjeetha Kumar Let me write Let me muse Let me be ME Just me for me I am a Girl Not a Caged bird To obey commands To just live a living Let me be free Let me feel the breeze Till my heart stops beating Till my soul feels soothing […]
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The City of my Life -Nagaraju Ramaswamy The songs are deep; multi-layered; word over word; A trilogy of memoirs; diffused lines; page over page. Hyderabad is the book of my life. Today I tread the streets; my gazes gauge the tides’ crests and ebbs my thoughts […]
Continue ReadingTempest of time (poems) -Kondapalli Niharini Translated by Elanaaga 5.Osmania, the Glowing Lamp Always, I throw a couple of old dreams in front of me. When searching for similarities, Osmania emits the echoes of peace songs and those of valour from its rocky walls. Conceiving spirit, shaping expression it keeps filling the voids of my […]
Continue ReadingBruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani 6. Untouchable Assault This is ‘untouchable Sunitha’ speaking: From long ago ― Forgotten by you all In this country, just as there is ― untouchable hunger untouchable exploitation, untouchable suicides untouchable rape too exists. I swear by my love for Yogeswar Reddy That mine is certainly an Untouchable […]
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The Soldier’s Mother -Mohan Das The phone was ringing and it was a regular feature Calling Doctor Parimala, disturbing her short leisure ! This time it was not for her treatment to a person suffering But to injure her with saddest news causing herself suffer ! It was from Army […]
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I wanna walk… -Jhansi Koppisetty I was flying like an angel.. But a great fall broke my ankle..! Till then I was fulfilling everyone's wishes.. Had to wake up to my senses with all the stitches..! Ankle broke three ways.. Added bonus dislocation sideways..! Plates and screws were all used.. Doctors pinned and stapled bones […]
Continue ReadingPeacock of the Rain (poem) Telugu Original: Mandarapu Hymavati EnglishTranslation: Syamala Kallury As when a poem that has not taken shape In the mind since long, emerges suddenly Opening the fan of raindrops, The peacock of the rain, breaks into a dance. As when some unseen goddesses Rain jasmines with cupped hands, Like the pearls […]
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Neem tree murder -Kandepi Rani Prasad Gives a flower to every Ugadi Neem tree of my house was cut down In time to brush your teeth in the morning Bending the branches improves health Subhakrit Ugadi gave me agony They killed my golden neem tree Cut into pieces with a […]
Continue ReadingDistress English Translation: V.Vijaya Kumar Telugu Original : “Dukhapu Minnagu” by Dr K.Geeta A viper lurking beneath life Unaware whenever it wakes up Nor slithers away no one knows Yet when it blows out It spews out The remnant hushed up woes Though slept under […]
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Sedative Serenity – Ramalakshmi Avasarala As I closed my eyes, I perceived the perpetual woods, Where the sound is dumb, Where even the taciturn, Searches curiously for words. Where only faint rustle of leaves, Enunciate the presence of life, Moonlight laying in patches that’s busy in […]
Continue ReadingTempest of time (poems) -Kondapalli Niharini Translated by Elanaaga Translator’s Note I have been trying to take some good Telugu literature into English for a long. In that process, I translated the stories of VattikotaAlwaruSwamy, Dasarathi Krishnamacharya, andKalojiNarayanaRao. Besides rendering such good fiction, I translated modern poetry as well. However, […]
Continue ReadingBruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani 5. Explosion Though every cell craves for sanctity of a filled pot incessant blasts only embrace me. My only desire to live like a pure, new born person innocently like a faint green sprout ― the concrete diplomacy that piled up around freezes it by the day. To […]
Continue ReadingOn the Morning It Rained (poem) Telugu Original: Mandarapu Hymavati EnglishTranslation: Syamala Kallury Early morning With sleepy eyes As soon as I come to the front door Lo, a wonderful visual poem I see That mesmerises the mind The hurried jobs of morning, job-related Drudgery of house and kitchen work forgotten, Relaxing in the green […]
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Bhagiratha’s Bounty and Other poems-29 English Translation: T.S. Chandra Mouli Telugu Original : Kandukuri Sreeramulu 29.Birth I watch this sky and these waves just before dawn— A bow like branch of tree if bent at one end, springs up the other side way lost at dusk searches dawn. Not everywhere is bright nor all is […]
Continue ReadingOh my Gold… English Translation: V.Vijaya Kumar Telugu Original : “Bangaramanti” by Dr K.Geeta Shh…Baby! Don’t disturb Dad Let him sweat toiling on Meetings and chattings The Herculean tasks At home Morning a cup of coffee A fistful breakfast A meal in lunch time Some […]
Continue ReadingTempest of time (poems) -Kondapalli Niharini Translated by Elanaaga I Go Along with Time Has my observation of society increased since poetry writing became a fond habit for me?I am unable to tell whether I am turning myself into poesy only from the observation of society. Yet I have no habit […]
Continue ReadingBruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani 4. Prohibited Dream My memory does not carry Colourful dreams that converse with my eyelids. In my dream, someone chases me, Always, as I keep running Insecure And towards an unknown destiny. In fact, life too is like a dream! I bundle up my identity and toss it […]
Continue ReadingOnce in a Month (poem) Telugu Original: Mandarapu Hymavati EnglishTranslation: Syamala Kallury The permanent address for my ATM card is always my husband’s pocket I forgot the pin numbers long time back Like the memory of ancient life In the days when the salary was Given in hand One day at least The salary baby […]
Continue ReadingBhagiratha’s Bounty and Other poems-28 English Translation: T.S. Chandra Mouli Telugu Original : Kandukuri Sreeramulu 28.Highway As one writes on sea having become a sea as one walks on rivers having become a river which boat should I board on Godavari highway? What I saw was a mature lady like new water as I lay […]
Continue ReadingThe house without your presence English Translation: V.Vijaya Kumar Telugu Original : “Nuvvu leni Illu” by Dr K.Geeta The house without your presence Sobered by evening Ears stick out attentive to receive When will be the garage opens And when your footsteps audible from office […]
Continue ReadingTempest of time (poems) -Kondapalli Niharini Translated by Elanaaga Lustre of Erudition Surrounds Her If people born in a family of great tradition hold the flag of defiance, it causes some surprise. If they follow the same path of rationalism and struggle throughout their life without retreating to the destination, it […]
Continue ReadingBruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani 3. Water Just as water knows the ground’s incline, It knows the generations-old strife Between village and wada Like dampness on the well’s edge that never dries, It knows that untouchability never disappears. Water knows everything. It knows race The difference between the woman from Samaria and Jesus, […]
Continue ReadingHorsely Hills (poem) Telugu Original: Mandarapu Hymavati EnglishTranslation: Syamala Kallury Like a Hurricane lantern Hung to the hook of the sky Slowly climbing the ladder of the Peaks of mountains, the morning Sun Like the bright red hibiscus Like a yellow chrysanthemum Like a fully blossomed jasmine This Lotus lover Is cool handsome god of […]
Continue ReadingBhagiratha’s Bounty and Other poems-27 English Translation: T.S. Chandra Mouli Telugu Original : Kandukuri Sreeramulu 27.Marina Beach Marina beach, Marina beach how beautiful you are how many people are cajoled in your lap and charmed by you, falling in love with you as we walked to see you the coach we came by left leaving […]
Continue ReadingTempest of time (poems) -Kondapalli Niharini Translated by Elanaaga ‘A preview ‘ Poetry mirrors life. It’s a true reflection of life in discernible hues. Therefore, it is aptly said that poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash(Leonard Cohen). Covid-19 pandemic […]
Continue ReadingIn the Desert sans words (poems) Telugu Original: Mandarapu Hymavati EnglishTranslation: Syamala Kallury After a day of stressful pressures, many and varied After I return home on lifeless evenings Like a dried branch of Amaranthus I intend to lean on your shoulder and rest Washing my limbs in the still waters of a quiet pond […]
Continue ReadingBruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani 2. An Ethnic Dream The criss-crossed entangled forest seemsTo have gathered its hair neatly into a knot.Swallowed by a corporate whaleThat spits them out in the centre of Shilparamam*Small huts in deep sleep amidst green treesAppear doll houses with lime patternsAlluring. Nose studs, beaded necklaces, mirror blouses ofThe […]
Continue ReadingBhagiratha’s Bounty and Other poems-26 English Translation: T.S. Chandra Mouli Telugu Original : Kandukuri Sreeramulu 26.Visakha! Oh my Visakha! You are a city like a hut beneath a hill What is so special about you Visakha to stay with you? Except Surya Sikha’ room in R.S.Hostel where we stayed what is so great about you? […]
Continue ReadingBruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani 1.Rain Rain means Memories – Flying termites That shed their wings from The wet anthills of the mind Rain means A paper boat that I fasten To plunge into the pond of infancy When I look at this rain I remember my damp thatched house That woke us […]
Continue ReadingBhagiratha’s Bounty and Other poems-25 English Translation: T.S. Chandra Mouli Telugu Original : Kandukuri Sreeramulu 25. Wild Dance of Waves When visiting sea at Kothapatnam won’t new thought germinate? No wonder when Koteswar Rao’s car halts at Kothapatnam is it a horse to swim in sea ? Those that land from car compose poetry but […]
Continue ReadingGift of Mom English Translation: V.Vijaya Kumar Telugu Original : “Amma Bahumati” by Dr K.Geeta Oh, my sweetheart! Walking away from infancy Now flourished into a mature girl! I just bless you on your 18th B’day With my ever-longing spirit Of letters of my […]
Continue ReadingBruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani ‘ Memory as an Ideology ‘ Challapalli Swaroopa Rani uses memory not only as a technique but also as an ideology. Her selective memory carefully constructs the people and the milestones in her life and collates this personal memory with her memory of […]
Continue ReadingBhagiratha’s Bounty and Other poems-24 English Translation: T.S. Chandra Mouli Telugu Original : Kandukuri Sreeramulu 24. Marine Congregation Oh my Visakha Sea! To extend to the sky how long you did tapasya,meditation like a maharshi? Absorbing great rivers of processions frighteningly massive public meeting today. But for enormous depth, immense capability, total transformation, how can […]
Continue ReadingBruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani ‘ THE PAIN OF BEING A PART APART ‘ This collection of 35 poems written by Prof Challapalli Swaroopa Rani now translated in to English, are eye-openers into the unspeakable experiences of Dalits not only in Andhra but all over India. These poems […]
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Nothing like a so-called failure -Sri sreya kurella They speak a lot When you are at the lowest point of your life. They comment a lot about your past actions,And try to form the reasons for the pain you are facing, They try to depress you with their words,To make you feel low at the hardest phase of […]
Continue ReadingAfter meeting my childhood friend English Translation: V.Vijaya Kumar Telugu Original : “Chinnanati Mitruralni Chuseka” by Dr K.Geeta Meeting childhood friend After a long time I recalled those carefree dragonfly days Slept happily tucked in bed Closed under blanket overhead Whenever wished, how long […]
Continue ReadingBhagiratha’s Bounty and Other poems-23 English Translation: T.S. Chandra Mouli Telugu Original : Kandukuri Sreeramulu 23. River Bhima Placidly flows like blood in arteries Bhima river, a perennial river till the other day that was like a snake that shed skin crawls like an earth worm today. Where is water for oars to steer a […]
Continue ReadingBruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani My Word By and large the feminist movement in India has been about patriarchal oppression, experienced by dominant castes and middle class educated/urban women – gender discrimination: unequal man-woman relationships; undemocratic family system; burden of child-rearing and hardship of domestic chores as women […]
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Dayee-Papayee English Translation: V.Vijaya Kumar Telugu Original : “Dayee-Papayee” by Dr K.Geeta Both of them Live in their world as if they have just emerged Like a baby garden lizard clutches the trunk of a tree That kid always hangs on Dayee For baby […]
Continue ReadingBhagiratha’s Bounty and Other poems-22 English Translation: T.S. Chandra Mouli Telugu Original : Kandukuri Sreeramulu 22.My Man Green shoots sprout on earth rain dances down from sky sprouts never look at heavens drops of rain reach not earth. East and west never meet not known why friends turn into foes for feuding groups in legislature […]
Continue ReadingLITTLE PUPPY -Kandepi Rani Prasad “Little Puppy ! Little Puppy ! Where have you been ? “ “I have been to Ramoji Film city “ “What have you seen in Ramoji Film City ?” “I have seen film shootings there. “ “What have you done after Seeing the shootings ?” […]
Continue ReadingFour-legged room English Translation: V.Vijaya Kumar Telugu Original : “Nalugu Kalla Gadi” by Dr K.Geeta A four-legged room around me Displayed scenes after scenes Setting sun gulping rocks Heavy rain never smacks Series of retreating trees Scorching summers turned cool breezing sprees Shivering colds […]
Continue ReadingBhagiratha’s Bounty and Other poems-21 English Translation: T.S. Chandra Mouli Telugu Original : Kandukuri Sreeramulu 21.My Path I listen sleeping on this ground breathing the same air on ground inside earth so many reverberations nothing is clear. I am also advised to sleep blissfully in a trice earth covers me at once whirl wind wakes […]
Continue ReadingYESTERDAY – TODAY Singing -Kandepi Rani Prasad “Come chandamama ! come Jabillee !”When mother feeds riceChinni refuses to eat –“I don’t want Amma ! ““See there ! in the dark demon coming !”When says Amma“oh ! i am afraid !” saysAnd gulps down the rice at once…Chinni of Yesteryears. In the […]
Continue ReadingBaby’s Birthday -Kandepi Rani Prasad Parrots ! oh Parrots !Draping yourselves in green sareesPainting your beaks redCome to our house today !It’s our baby’s Birthday !Bless our golden girlWith your sweet words. Cuckoos ! Oh cuckoos !Drink warm black – peppered milkFill your voices with honey today !It’s our baby’s Birthday […]
Continue ReadingBhagiratha’s Bounty and Other poems-20 English Translation: T.S. Chandra Mouli Telugu Original : Kandukuri Sreeramulu 20.Plateau Three fourths water one part land world map hangs on wall between many countries separating several continents water occupies as oceans and sea yet water problem became global issue. *** It is not about one part land about three […]
Continue ReadingThe Streaming Dawn English Translation: V.Vijaya Kumar Telugu Original : “Pravahinche Suryodayam” by Dr K.Geeta Received dawn you sent yesterday I’ll hand it over to you by tomorrow mornl Birds set out to a flight The lonesome jungle crow cawing hopefully- Something she’s reciprocated […]
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Eye opener Poem -Anuradha Bandi Flow with things, Be friendly with thoughts, Imagine people and scenarios. Flow with signs of love, live with emotions and Finally, Flow with ur feelings. Baby trace life as it is. In middle go through the interior of your heart and the exterior of your facts. sometimes you’re infant, you’ll […]
Continue ReadingBhagiratha’s Bounty and Other poems-19 English Translation: T.S. Chandra Mouli Telugu Original : Kandukuri Sreeramulu 19. Snapped Strings Walking across a dry lake needs no magic. When it was brimming with water to stand on the island like land all swimmers competed. Where is it? Expansive lake like green fields where is it? A dry […]
Continue ReadingTHE SNOW BAT English Translation: V.Vijaya Kumar Telugu Original : “Manchu Gabbilam” by Dr K.Geeta In bone-biting cold In the sixth street dustbin lane Amidst the stack of carton pieces a wrapped shape in the husk Like the thoughts excruciating even in sleep jolts […]
Continue ReadingWhen life is happening -Sri sreya kurella When life is happening just like I dreamt of,It happens…A big distraction,A big disaster,A big heartbreak,Which I can never believeThis happened to me,It takes a lot of time to digest the happening,It takes a lot of courage for my inner self to take a step,And this may happen […]
Continue ReadingMischievous Poem -Anuradha Bandi When I crawl into east,Sun starts walking.He smiled dramatically. When sky of East start changing shades accordingly to Sun,I suspected clouds may be falling in love. Colours varies like my mindset vary.So I visualize each in flow of life. Fixed programming of East to West isInteresting daily Drama for me,so that I live in […]
Continue ReadingBhagiratha’s Bounty and Other poems-18 English Translation: T.S. Chandra Mouli Telugu Original : Kandukuri Sreeramulu 18. Rebecca To reach Manginapudi beach via Chilakalapudi if one starts from Bandar by bus sky becomes entrance of the home frolics standing on the way like a slant pot sea appears. Beauty— sea naughtiness— sea health— sea youthful life […]
Continue ReadingAGE OF MESSAGE English Translation: V.Vijaya Kumar Telugu Original : “Message Yugam” by Dr K.Geeta Our house-keeping girl’s arms and legs never keep idle She fills her belly with dust on the floor Spinning round and round The washerman of our house has no […]
Continue ReadingGARDEN -Kandepi Rani Prasad Jasmines, We the JasminesOur bodies whiteSymbol of peaceIn enchanting flower plaitsScents and fragrancesEquals to us, none China Roses ! We the China RosesOur bodies blood redSymbol of consciousnessGive grandeur even singlyTo temple deitiesNone, to compete with us. Chrysanthums ! We the ChrysanthumsOur bodies all yellowSymbol of auspiciousnessFor Festoons […]
Continue ReadingBhagiratha’s Bounty and Other poems-17 English Translation: T.S. Chandra Mouli Telugu Original : Kandukuri Sreeramulu 17. Expansive Sheet of Water Stands undressed before me– I too am likewise– whether I adore or amalgamate but taste honey of experience. Just as the entire forest turns into a tree like disc of sun extending across the sky as […]
Continue ReadingThe Rhythm of Rail English Translation: V.Vijaya Kumar Telugu Original : “Railubandi Raagam” by Dr K.Geeta My childhood train still coos chuk…chuk When the sound heard the trails in me jolt and run Grandma! Tell me first not those princess fables But why does […]
Continue ReadingMOM’S SHAWL English Translation: V.Vijaya Kumar Telugu Original : “Amma Saluva” by Dr K.Geeta Value multiplies in thousands when it gets lost We can’t redeem in life the value for negligence Though it has years elapsed since I left my home-town The warmth of […]
Continue Reading(FLOOD) OF TEARS STREAM -Kandepi Rani Prasad It’s not raining season evenWhere is thisFlood of water from?An ant askedAnother antEscaping from the flooding flow of waterAnswered the other Ant“There opened a new schoolIn this street yesterdayIt is the flow of tear dropsOf little onesBeaten by their teachers“ My god !It […]
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Into a broom, into a bucket of excrement…transformed..I Telugu Original : Jupaka Subhadra Because of the crime of my birth on this soil Because of the bad luck written on my forehead I am the childhood That is pulling a cart of garbage I am the barren land where The […]
Continue ReadingBhagiratha’s Bounty and Other poems-16 English Translation: T.S. Chandra Mouli Telugu Original : Kandukuri Sreeramulu 16.Wattles of Goats When Ganga surges no matted locks of barrages stand. After a heavy down pour slides on soil, rushes to reach ocean bed moves away beyond reach of anyone; gentlemen, strive not to turn back the drained water […]
Continue ReadingUNDRIFTED LAKE TAHOE English Translation: V.Vijaya Kumar Telugu Original : “Manchu Takani Lake Tahoe” by Dr K.Geeta As if the sky glued moonlight Patches and patches on land Everywhere the snow As if whole water on land pooled Into frozen snow The tips […]
Continue ReadingOut-of-Coverage Areas English Traslation: Pulikonda Subbachary Telugu Original : Jupaka Subhadra We ploughed the land And shared the food The sky danced in our palms Now, we are half the sky In that half, we are pushed Out-of-Coverage area We search Not knowing where we are Scorpions at home, snakes […]
Continue ReadingBhagiratha’s Bounty and Other poems-15 English Translation: T.S. Chandra Mouli Telugu Original : Kandukuri Sreeramulu 15.Hyderabad Whenever I visit Machilipatnam I am happy. I wear headscarf and sweater as it is chill here even before dawn It is humid there. Whenever I go to Machilipatnam I move happily due to its proximity to the sea. […]
Continue ReadingDEPENDENT FACE English Translation: V.Vijaya Kumar Telugu Original : “Dependent Swargam ” by Dr K.Geeta I keep looking at my face in the mirror every day No change- Will the dependent face change? Lethargy froze as if the heap of clothes for iron […]
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War -V.Vijaya Kumar War is the creation of deadly greed Cremation of humane breed A fair of warheads trade Opponents dug in deficit Bigwigs behind its benefit Commoners made scapegoats War is not simply… Bombshells, broken wings of drones Heaps of debris, fallen trees n’ cranes Sirens of warning bells […]
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In the midst of the no-moon nights English Translation: Pulikonda Subbachary Telugu Original : Jupaka Subhadra I am the miller (Mixer) which mixes cement and stone In my pouring tears My hamlets of untouchables Roaming in the city in hunt of food They stand in addas* with hungry eyes Looking […]
Continue ReadingTREE’S ANGUISH -Kandepi Rani Prasad “ So Lucky you areTo collect the smilesOf milky cheeked tiny tots!Why do you look so anguished then ?”A tree asked it’s neighbour tree“I am in the schoolI thought and bloatedBloomed heavilyI wanted to becomeA carpet under the tiny feetBy dropping all my bloomsBut by the grace of the teachersI […]
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War a hearts ravage-15 English Translation: P. Jayalakshmi & Bhargavi Rao Telugu Original : “Yuddham oka Gunde Kotha” by Seela Subhadra Devi Fury or summit when two outraged sharp twin-horned beasts challenge each other angrily; some with arrogance blown heads, some others, mad of religion; when twin-headed serpents, twin-tongued crawling reptiles with their great hissings […]
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