One Hundred Poems of Chokha Mela (2015)
Curated, translated, annotated and introduced by Chandrakant Kaluram Mhatre
Selected translations from Dalit saint-poet Chokha Mela, attentive to poetic form
and to the performative, devotional, and anti-caste force of these abhang.
Featured Poem
धाव घाली विठु आता चालु नको मंद
Source Text
धाव घाली विठु आता चालु नको मंद ।
बडवे मज मारिताती काय झाला अपराध ॥१॥
विठोबाचा हार तुझ्या कंठी कैसा आला ।
शिव्या देती महार म्हणती देव बाटविला ॥२॥
तुमचे दारीचा कुतरा नका मोकलू दातारा ।
अहो चक्रपाणी तुम्ही आहा जीमेदारा ॥३॥
कर जोडोनी चोखा विनवितो देवा ।
बोलिलो उत्तरे परि राग नसावा ॥४॥
●🙙🙛●
Target Text
Rush forth, O Vithu, do not walk so slow
The priests beat me up, whatever my crime
“How has Vithoba’s garland reached your neck?”
They curse me, call me Mahar, “The Lord’s been defiled”
The dog at Your door, do not disown me, O Benefactor
Pray, Almighty Lord, you are responsible for me
With folded hands, Chokha entreats the Lord
By these my words, pray, do not get offended
●🙙🙛●