[*also posted this piece in Globe-Quoting]

-

Verses from a great Kannada poet Kuvempu (Kuppali Venkatappa Puttappa) [ 29th Dec 1904- 11Nov.1994]

To commerate his birthday - a selection from his poems - one which shows his acute observation of the evil nature of the genocidal islamist Timoor the Lame] and the other which celebrates the life-giving beauty of Mother Nature.

We can only hope that the beauty and love celebrated by poets and patriots will prevail in the face of the intolerant barbarians who are still rampaging the world today.

poem 1

"It was a day of blackest deed

When Delhi streets of fame

Did glitter well by cursed greed

Of harsh Timoor the lame."

----

poem 2

Munjane Manjinolu

Pasuralli nadevaaga
Anjisuva Sanjeyolu
Usirannu yelevaaga
Yele poove aalisuve
Naa ninna geeteyanu
Yele poove solisuve
Naa ninna preetiyanu!

(Amidst the early morning dew
Walking across the greenery
And in the evening that is scary
While taking a breath,
Oh flower, I listen to your Song
Oh flower, I defeat your love!)

Before Kuvempu wrote the poem, he had already written a Kannada couplet in his diary that meant "In me is the sky, in me lies the earth", conveying the message that one soul encompasses the entire world!

source: www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr252004

https://youtu.be/srMNkUZ2zPs