By N. V. Subbaraman from Chennai
Here is a beautiful poem by Mahakavi Subhramaniya Bharathiyar, one of the greatest national, patriotic poets from Tamilnadu , who lived in the early part of twentieth century. This poem deals with the importance of realizing that a thing or event which has gone by cannot be retrieved and there is no meaning in regretting over the spilt milk. Drawing the lessons, one has to carry one has to carry on as if he is born anew on this earth!. As usual his poem original in Tamil, its English transliteration and translation with comment are given hereunder.
Original in Tamil
சென்றது மீளாது!
சென்றதினி மீளாது மூடரே! நீர்
எப்போதும் சென்றதையே சிந்தைசெய்து
கொன்றழிக்கும் கவலையெனும் குழியில் வீழ்ந்து
குமையாதீர்; சென்றதனைக் குறித்தல் வேண்டாம்
இன்றுபுதி தாய்ப்பிறந்தோம் என்று நீவிர்
எண்ணமதைத் திண்ணமுற இசைத்துக்கொண்டு
தின்றுவிளை யாடின்புற் றிருந்து வாழ்வீர்
தீமையெலாம் அழிந்துபோம், திரும்பி வாரா.
~*~
TRANSLITERATION in ENGLISH
Senradhini meeLaadhu moodarae! Neer
Eppoadhum senradhaiyae sindhaiseydhu
Konrazhikkum kavalaiyenum kuzhiyil veezhndhu
Kumaiyaadheer; senradhanaik kuriththal vaeNdaam
Inrupudhi dhaayppirandhoam enru neevir
ENNamadhaith thiNNamura isaiththukkoNdu
ThinruviLai yaadinpur rirundhu vaazhveer
Theemaiyelaam azhindhupoam, thirumbi vaaraa.
~*~
TRANSLATION
GONE CAN’T BE RETRIEVED oh, fools! You
Brood not over what has already happened
Fall not into the pit of killing worry
Fret not; think not of the thing happened
Born we are today anew – realize it
Listen and sing this thought firm
Eat, play and live happily
All bad things will be gone, not to return!
Comment
Human life is never wholly good or bad; in the nature of things it is a mixture of both. Philosophically taking, there is no meaning in jumping with joy over the good happenings and sit in a corner worrying about the past happening for ever. Bharathiyaar in this small but great poem, says that keep not in mind the bad happening, brooding and worrying for long and spoiling mind and body. Take it that you are born today anew and enjoy the life. May be difficult to practice but there does not appear to be any alternative if we are to be at peace!.
Indian Periodical
Indian Periodical
This poem deals with the importance of realizing that a thing or event which has gone by cannot be retrieved and there is no meaning in regretting over the spilled milk.
Nice translation
Gone can’t be retrieved. Think of the present. It is the best present given by God. Live happily. Every day is a new life to a wise man. Best message of Bharatiyar in a small poem presented by nvsr sir.
Excellent verse by Bharathiyar, equally well translated by Subbaraman ji. Don’t worry or brood over what has happened in the past,which you cannot retrieve. You are born again today, the present. Enjoy the present.Today is a gift from the Almighty. Live today usefully and enjoy it.
Live the present is the call given by our Mahakavi Bharathi for a happy living!
The past is a cancelled cheque that lost its validity!
The past is gone, yet it can be taken as a guide for our future without the need for confusion, whatever!
The time lost in things that are gone by is better utilised productively in the next task on hand!
The wisdom words of the MAHAKAVI had their beautiful expression found in your nice translation!
Wonderful selection. Translation is fine.
Above all, poet’s advice not to ponder over the gone events and days.
Enjoy the present and think of the future goods deeds for which you come to this earth.
Wonderful selection. Translation is fine.
Above all, poet’s advice is not to ponder over the gone events and days.
Enjoy the present and think of the future goods deeds for which you come to this earth.
How could Bharathiar think this much deeply about our human life and the feelings of humans!
He presented this poem almost a century ago where the time was said to be a golden one. If Bharathiar lives today I think his verses could be of much deeper. God does not permit him to live long to see the sufferings.
It is a wonderful translation by you very precisely as if Bharathiar could sing in English language!
Really this has given me an additional boost to live the present day life very happily. He assures all the bad things got demolished now ! Start a fresh day ! With fresh thoughts !
It is the right time that you bring to our attention about the great thought of Mahakavi and appropriate translation !
Thanks a lot Sir !