Chalam has remained in my memory as one of the greatest writers ever (that I have read, I must add) who has explored the concept of love both carnal and discarnate in the same breath. Below is my abecedarian attempt at translating one of his emotive love letters.
(p.s: you have guessed it right. Thats why - "premalekhalu"!)
For you and me,
No, I cannot alter this itinerary of my relentless mind's odyssey of the unknown. Not even for your sake. Even as I try to loosen your grasp, you reign over my thoughts in a baffling gait, your timeless tunes lure me through a myriad dreams. I can neither find you nor lose hope -what am I but a vagrant, an eremite of love? I run hiter-thither seeking you in words that are lost to history.
My hope: Your voice that rings in my ears since time immemorial. The touch of your tresses in the distant realms of my dreams. A gently whispered promise of union on the other shore of time. Delusion or madness, my love?
I have no peace, no comfort, no joy. The very thought that perhaps there is no "you", that perhaps through these fathomless ravines of time- I have been in quest of myself, is harrowing. Tired in this quest for you, my vision has turned inward and my heart calls itself by your name. These stars in a moonless sky and the eight corners of mortal space all mock alike- my infatuation with the beauty of a mirage.
Your smile is the light that enlightens the yogi.
How can I reach for it? I, who seek thee in this world?
8 comments:
I dont think this is an accurate translation but it does capture the essense beautifully.
nice translation .
Do you have a complete translated copy of chalam prema kathalu ?
i admire ur work
Thanks a lot! Makes me want to get back to writing again!
Hi,
Good one... I finished reading Chalam "Premalekhalu" yesterday night and just googled for it. And your blog was the first result!!
I am surprised by the fierce individualism of Chalam. His is as fierce as Howard Roark's in The Fountainhead. And his courage in breaking away from the norms and customs, in that age... is amazing...
I am going to read more of him. Thanks for your post....
Amarendra, Thanks for visiting this blog. Yes Chalam was for fierce individulaism but dont you think he went beyond objectivity in his thought? Love for him was an ultimate sacrifice of the ego- not quite in line with the Ayn Rand brand of heros:) I love the fact that he was not bound by any "isms" and that he experimented with everything before conluding it didnt agree with him/ or it did- even spirituality. Have you read his letters to Souris?
I have not checked in here for some time as I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend :)
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