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Over to Neruda in Hindi
POLITICS, ROMANCE and poetry are potent weapons in themselves but when they are mixed the potion thus formed is ethereal. Neftali Ricardo Reyes Bosoaloto or Pablo Neruda who chiselled the aspirations of Chileans through his singular concoction of views and verse, is back. This time in Hindi, in words that are simple but elegiac and at a time when the world is celebrating his birth centenary.
Eminent critic and translator Prof. Chandrabali Singh has come up with an anthology of Pablo's poems in Hindi released this week at the Chilean Embassy. Published by Sahitya Akademi, "Pablo Neruda: Kavita Sanchyan" includes major works of arguably the most read poet in the history. "Pablo's poetry is cosmic and covers all the facets of life. His love for his people and his country is legendary. Plus the simplicity with class that is present in his words inspired me to do the translation," says Singh, who has earlier translated Naazim Hikmat and Emily Dickenson as well.
Singh, who has been a part of the Progressive Writers Movement (PWP) and was the founder secretary of Janwadi Lekhak Sangh, which branched off from PWP after the latter allegedly showed a slant towards Indira Gandhi's autocratic policies feels that Pablo's work is very contemporary and a lesson to the young progressive poets that how one could catch the pulse of people without losing the simplicity. "I have consciously tried to use uncomplicated but rhythmic language keeping the Pablo's soul intact." Singh has translated the poems from English. Prof. Sachidanandan, Secretary Sahitya Akdemi who had himself translated Pablo's work in Malyalam in 1977 says, "Pablo has beautifully used the landscape of Chile as metaphors to communicate his ideas. His ode to the elements is legendary."
Also present was Raul Zeruta, recipient of Chile's National prize of Literature, who used Pablo's technique during the repressive regime of Augusto Pinochet. "Those were the times of censorship and most creative people had left the country but I stayed on for my people as I think poetry is something that can keep the hope alive. Use of metaphors helped as those in power could not make out what I wanted to say. Once they kept me in captivity for many days on a ship and analysed my work. Unable to understand the real meaning they threw my work in the sea."
ANUJ KUMAR
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