The sculpture Bestowing form To a block of stone Needs to remain bemused By its own beauty Needs to address Humanity. Life Is greater than Death.
Translated by Krishna Dulal Barua
Nirmalprabha Bordoloi (b.1933-d.2004) was an Indian poet, lyricist and folklorist of Assam.
Krishna Dulal Barua is a prominent translator and writer based in Nagaon, Assam. He received the Katha Award for translation in 2005.
Be lured not by my charming looks -- My doting eyes on a comely face, Be lured not by my outer goodness, Be lured not by the glint of love in my heart ; All might end up along the path of vice -- However somewhere I'll crumble into bits ! Keep your eyes of doubt on my heart, Be immersed not fully in my affection, Love me if you feel inclined to, but without being dauntless Keep not your love for me all along.
Translated by Krishna Dulal Barua
Durgeswar Sarma (b.1882-d.1961) was an Assamese poet and playwright.
Krishna Dulal Barua is a prominent translator and writer based in Nagaon, Assam. He received the Katha Award for translation in 2005.
What burns in my heart! My woes, my joys What keeps it widening more! Within my feelings The buzz of your love Burns so briskly That its ashes overfill The inner and outer spaces of my heart. Perhaps your cheeky love Shall slowly burn me down into ashes.
Translated by Krishna Dulal Barua
Hiren Bhattacharya (b.1932-d.2012) was an Assamese poet and lyricist best known for his lyric poems.
Krishna Dulal Barua is a prominent translator and writer based in Nagaon, Assam. He received the Katha Award for translation in 2005.
If the sea asks me in the first fullmoon: "Why do you excite me So much from a distance?" "This foamy enthusiasm for poetry Has been woken up in your heart By my unseen kiss from far away. Is this union from a distance not sweeter than Pangs of separation that is near?" If the moon refuses Rabi Thakur will tell us.
Translated by Ananda Bormudoi
Navakanta Barua (b.1926-d.2002) was a noted Assamese poet, novelist and translator.
Your savoury fragrant Phalguna
Its breath's warmth, its stirring heat
The opulence of its lips and fingers
Its moist incorporeality and body
Send my mind's mist
My body's winter
Flying afar...
The gloss of the Mahua blooms
The honeyed voice
The soft bodily touch
The smile's swing on the chubby bosom
Melting and dissolving the woes of Paush
Cuddle me with songs and trillings...
Your Phalguna draws my Bohag
Closer and closer
..............................................
Phalguna : eleventh month of the Indian year (February-March)
Bohag : first month of the Assamese year (April-May) heralding spring
Paush : ninth month of the Indian year (December-January)
Translated by Krishna Dulal Barua
Kabin Phukan (b. 1946-d. 2011) was a noted Assamese poet and critic. He received Sahitya Akademi posthumously for his collection of Assamese poems Ei Anuragi Ei Udasi in 2011.
Krishna Dulal Barua is a prominent translator and writer based in Nagaon, Assam. He received the Katha Award for translation in 2005.
I've to finish writing Before my departure About certain issues through some other issues About certain issues Through the artifice of presenting some other issues Before my heart stiffens Before the moss of amnesia enters my mind I've to finish writing Before my departure. Because Therein I see the one who keeps beckoning me Where the Brahmaputra river meets the sky Turning into a whitened hue, turning into the thunder of clouds Turning into the stillness after a storm In the extreme west where a flock of crows freezes in flight I'm not prepared. I haven't Brought the map of Kamrup with me If summoned for an explanation, I've no deposition to show (In the middle of the Dwaipayan lake, boundary-stakes are fixed during moments of weakness : Why, after being acquainted with my creed, I remain Aloof from it !) Before my last breath I seek To write about my apathy for truth (Supreme truth is perceived only in absoluteness)
Translated by Krishna Dulal Barua
Ajit Barua was a modern Assamese poet, novelist, essayist and translator.
Krishna Dulal Barua is a prominent translator and writer based in Nagaon, Assam. He received the Katha Award for translation in 2005.
I am ignorant of the ignorant my lord I know not how I can adore you best. Unholy desires are so strong my lord Ram They never let me alone. Your maya has fascinated my mind my lord Ram Sprawling in the dark I find no way out. Your feet alone can offer shelter and I submit to them I sing your praise seeking light, my lord Ram. I know not how to worship, exalt and love you intensely None else is more ignorant than I am, my lord Ram. You are an ocean of kindness, my lord Hari Shelter me in the shade of your feet. Hari is the ocean of love, the friend of all lives He is motion, consciousness and lord Narayan. Singing Your praise is the greatest treasure of the bhaktas.
Translated by Ananda Bormudoi
Sri Sri Madhavdev (b.1489–d.1596) was a 15th–16th century Assamese poet, playwright, musician and social-religious reformer.
Have a good look at the corpses
Identify the near and dear ones of yore
No no
Not at all for retrieval
Identify them today to lose them in a better way
While the bomb was planted
Though none of the living ones were familiar
Now before taking them home
Identify the corpses
Translated by Krishna Dulal Barua
Hemanga Kumar Dutta is an Assamese poet. He has one collection of poems to his credit.
Krishna Dulal Barua is a prominent translator and writer based in Nagaon, Assam. He received the Katha Award for translation in 2005.
You know only too well This poet has nothing else anymore. Just a lone shirt that too with precarious stitches. Love surely is like this Opens up the covering to fill the heart.
Translated by Uttam Duorah
Hiren Bhattacharya (b.1932-d.2012) was an Assamese poet and lyricist best known for his lyric poems.
Uttam Duorah, the translator, retired as the HoD, English, Women’s College, Tinsukia and is based in Tinsukia, Assam.
Star-spangled is the Luit's sky The Dipawali of my blood on its banks Mother, shed no tears The lamp of blood is lit on the sacred altar By your sons and daughters The flame ignited during the days of Lachit Is yet to extinguish, O' mother The wick burns with spurts of blaze With fresher and newer blood Douse not the fire with your gushing tears Let the grim darkness melt away Star-spangled is the Luit's sky The Dipawali of my blood on its banks ........................... * Luit : another name of the Brahmaputra river * Dipawali : festival of light
Translated by Krishna Dulal Barua
Jyotiprasad Agarwala (b.1903-d.1951) was a noted poet, songwriter, playwright, filmmaker and freedom fighter of Assam.
Krishna Dulal Barua is a prominent translator and writer based in Nagaon, Assam. He received the Katha Award for translation in 2005.