A GENTLE BREEZE
English rendering of original Marathi Poems
by
Kavi (Poet) Anil
(Atmaram Raoji Deshpande)
Born on 11th Sept 1901 at Murtijapur, a small town in
Atmaram Raoji Deshpande proceeded to
After his graduation he proceeded to
In 1956 he was made the
Director of the National Fundamental Education center at
While pursuing his career, he remained closely
associated with various literary fora, Marathi as well as All India, and
Presided over many Literary Conferences. His contribution has been recognized by
Sahitya Akademi the highest literary body in
Kavi Anil died on 8th May 1982 at
Phulwaat( Little Lamp) : 1932
“Phulwaat” (Little Lamp) is a
collection of poems dedicated to love and life. This collection was first
published in 1932 when Marathi poetry was passing through a stagnant phase.
This collection heralded the arrival of a young dynamic poet, Kavi Anil (
A.R.Deshpande),with a new vision, on the Marathi poetry scene. Easy
language, sweet lyrics set to tune and gentle growth of feelings are
specialties of his poems. The feelings expressed are strong not frivolous.
Depth of expression, variety in imagery and its expression, are some of his
strong points.
The
love for which the poet sings in this book is not only young love seeking
fulfillment, it is also the love for equality, brotherhood and humanity. To this
all encompassing love the poet sings through his poems
Bhagnamurti
(The Vandalised Statue): A long poem, 1935
This second book of poetry published in
1940,is a single long poem of about 1000 lines.Kavi Anil, who gained fame with
his first volume of poems “Phulwaat” with soft,lyrical love poems, shocks his
readers with this presentation. This is an elegy,not lamenting the loss of a
loved person ,but the loss of values, loss of the ancient arts and culture and
apathy of the society towards its heritage.
The poet describes the sad state of a
magnificient statue of ‘Trivikram Wamana’ at Ramtek, a hill temple town
about 50 kms from
This poem brought about a great change in
the flow of Marathi poetry. Not only because it was a poem which made its
readers think, but it set out a new path, diverting from meter and singabilty.
It is set in free verse which was,at the time this poem was published ,
something which shook the world of Marathi poetry.
Nirwasit
Chinee Mulas (To a Chinese Refugee Child): A long poem, 1943
This
long poem” To A Chinese Refugee Child”
was written by Kavi Anil in 1942. The Sino- Japanese war was at its height and the tales of
Japanese brutality were on the front pages of all news papers.
The poet was deeply touched by a photograph of
a forlorn scared Chinese child that
appeared in one of the newspapers and this poem was born.
Pertevha: A collection of poems, 1947
This is Kavi Anil’s fourth book of poems,
published in 1947, containing the poems written in the period 1932 to 1946. The
book has two distinct parts; first 39 pages have poems which continue the theme
of his first book, Phulwaat ,published in 1932, of love poems
bound in meter and rhyme. The other 64 pages are in free verse, which he
propounded with his free verse poem ” love and Life” (Prem aani Jeevan), which
created a storm in literary circles , also included in this book.
The
theme poem of this book is about the bird “Pertevha” (Common Hawk Cuckoo or The
Brain Fever Bird also known as ‘Pavashyaa’ in Marathi). This bird migrates to
Saangaati: A collection of poems, 1961
This book of poems by Kavi Anil was published
in 1961 and contains his work from 1946 to 1961. The volume also contains his
long elegy “ Nirwasit Chinee Mulas” (To a Chinese Refugee Child) published in
1943...
Anil
was not a prolific writer like many of his period. He wrote but a few poems,
each of these deep with meaning, inviting the reader to delve deep in his mind
as well as that of the poet.
In
his poems, Anil looks at various facets of life with love and tenderness. He
also reflects, a bit sorrowfully, on the degradation of values in the society.
He paints his vision in his descriptions of the marvels of nature, like the
wonderful world of clouds and the birth of the banana pod.
This
volume also contains some his most popular poems set to music by eminent
artists and singers like ‘Kumar Gandharva” and “Devaki Pandit”
Dashpadi: A collection of poems, 1976
This, the last volume of poems by Kavi Anil,
published in 1976, is the culmination of his work. His contribution to Marathi
poetry and Indian literature was recognized in1977 by the
The
volume contains a total of 39 poems
,bound in the new structure of ten lines ,composed of five pairs of two lines
,each complete in itself, but, unlike the ‘gazal’, integral part of the whole
poem of ten lines .
The
volume contains the work of the poet from 1959 to 1974. Some of the poems
published in his earlier volume of poems ‘Sangaati’ are included here as these
form a natural prelude to the new form.
Poems
in this volume though deep in their meaning are easy to read. There is no
cluttering of obtuse ‘isms’ or convoluted imagery. The poet expresses his
thoughts in simple, moving words which touch the heart.
Some
of the poems included , like ‘Anibani” expressing the strife and challenges of
life met and overcome,” Ekaki”(Lonely) the feeling of loneliness , are some of
the shining gems of the collection.
The
crowning glory of the collection is however the last poem” Tuzhyaawina” (
Without you).This ,the last poem ( excepting his last incomplete poem) penned
by Kavi Anil, after a long hiatus , wondering how time could pass without his
lost love, has been beautifully set to music and rendered in the latest album
“Tuzhyaawina” released recently.
Being Prepared
English Renderings of Marathi Poems by Kavi Anil
Presented here are some of the Poems in Marathi by Kavi Anil rendered in English
These are not translations as it is not possible to ‘translate’ a poem. To preserve the rhythm and balance of a poem some liberties have to be taken. It is the Renderer’s endeavor to keep as close to the original text as possible.
If you like and enjoy the renderings the credit is to the original poem and Kavi Anil. If you find the rendering wanting the fault is entirely that of the Renderer.
For each poem a link has been provided under the English Text which will bring up the original Marathi Text