A Brief Poem by Kumaran Asan

Written by Mahakavi Kumaran Asan, circa 1910, the poem titled "Kuttiyum Thallayum" (Child and Mother) is in simple language, setting out an imaginary dialogue between a toddler and mother. This work was part of a collection of poems published under the title "Pushpavadi" (Floral Garden).

In a question-answer format, the poet symbolizes a child's fantasy, of flying high to play with butterflies, and contrasts it with some of the unachievable feats that we expend our youth hoping to achieve; in a Universe where our knowledge is belittled by our relative insignificance.

In just eight short verses, the mother-child dialogue turns interestingly philosophical, as much as it is enchanting.

Knowing well that the charm of the original cannot be fully brought across from one language to another; here I have translated the verses into English, observing poetic diction as far as possible. This is primarily for the benefit of the younger ones who might get to appreciate the poem a step further.

Child and Mother

Look Mother!, it's this vine from where,

now lush-blossoms fly, off into the air!

Mistaken! you are, O'little one today, all

pretty butterflies these are, for sure I'd say.

See, what a glory in the sky, O'Mother,

they're simply soaring, one above another!

O'what a shame! Play-not I can, amid them there,

all because — fly nor can I; [pity me Mother!]*

O'little one, you keep counting feats you

cannot meet - whilst ye beauty simply fleets!

Ah! playful toddler aren't you? Little jasmine,
could you even walk? [Then so to fly?]*

O'tell me why [can't I fly]* is that so? A kiss I

can spare you, Mother, should you tell me why.

Belittled here is knowledge, yours and mine,

Sweetie, the rest remains a mystical-will divine.

*[Implied]

Expressional translation: Sujit Sivanand

29 June 2009

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