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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
ऊस डोंगा परी रस नोहे डोंगा
Source Text
ऊस डोंगा परी रस नोहे डोंगा ।
काय भुललासी वरलीया रंगा ॥१॥
कमान डोंगी परी तीर नोहे डोंगा ।
काय भुललासी वरलीया रंगा ॥२॥
नदी डोंगी पर जळ नोहे डोंगे ।
काय भुललासी वरलीया रंगा ॥३॥
चोखा डोंगा परी भाव नोहे डोंगा ।
काय भुललासी वरलीया रंगा ॥४॥
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Target Text
Sugarcane misshapen, but the sap is not
Why be charmed with mere appearance?
Bow misshapen, but the arrow is not
Why be charmed with mere appearance?
River misshapen, but the water is not
Why be charmed with mere appearance?
Chokha misshapen, but the faith is not
Why be charmed with mere appearance?
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SELECTED PoemS
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