Poetry at Sangam
Poetry at Sangam showcases poetry in English and translations as well as essays on poetics and news of new releases.
Translated from original Marathi by Anjali Purohit
Arey Krishna, arey Kanha, manaranjan Mohana!
Because the saint has come to your house, should you wear him out with your talk!
Because the sugarcane turns out sweet, should you eat it up root and stalk!
Because you are a beloved guest should you overstay!
Because you are the headman should you take the village to ruin!
Arey Krishna, arey Kanha, manaranjan Mohana!
Because you are possessed, should you blabber any old thing!
Because sandalwood is cooling, should you grind it all up and drink!
Because your father is angry, should you take his life!
Because he dons saffron robes, should a man have license to cheat the world!
Arey Krishna, arey Kanha, manaranjan Mohana!
Because the scorpion becomes a firefly, should you clutch it to your neck!
Because the elephant comes for free, should just anyone take him home!
Because you got the diamond for free, should you get it set in tin!
Because the interest on the debt piles up, should you let the principle sink!
Arey Krishna, arey Kanha, manaranjan Mohana!
Because the woman is beautiful should she be enjoyed by force!
Because the dagger is made of gold should you plunge it into your chest!
Because the slippers are velvet should you wear them on your head!
Arey Krishna, arey Kanha, manaranjan Mohana!
Because a sadguru is your relative should you lose all morality!
Because you get to meet god daily should you broadcast it to the world!
Because you are the owner of the lamp should you tie it to the well!
Says Eka Janardan god must be silently recognized within!
Arey Krishna, arey Kanha, manaranjan Mohana!
—
(page 597, ibid.)
This form is not a bharood but a gavlan, another traditional folk form sung also in lavani performances. This gavlan is performed by Keshavraj Bagde here
and here sung by Shahir Sable
← Sant Eknath
This site is designed and maintained by GONECASE