Kagga 403
D. V. Gundappa · from the Kannada original
Transliteration
hoLapu hoLapina naDuve biDuvinitu ratnadalibeLaku beLakina naDuve anitinitu neraLubeLasu beLAsina sAlu naDuve badi gaddeyaliuLigaLivina nereyo – MANKUTIMMA
Interpretation
The Universe has been designed by the Creator with several dichotomies visible here…to make it even more interesting, these dichomotic characteristics exist in a very strong symbiotic relationship with each other
One such is that between brilliance & the mundane…actually between anything meaningful & its anti-thesis…one cannot exist without the other
Mankutimma, look around you & see all the beautiful & meaningful things…a necklace; a beam of sunshine; rich crops in a field…all of these are brilliant to look at & very meaningful in their existence. However, on close observation, you will find that invariably, along with every such brilliant objects, it will be always accompanied by its anti-thesis. Think about this – gap of thread between two gems in a necklace, shadow that accompanies sunlight & gap between two rows of crops…not only do these elements of anti-thesis enhance the brilliance of the originals; but they are also functionally necessary for the originals to meaningfully perform their activities…else the brilliance would last only for a short time & not be remembered. Similarly, you need people with varied capabilities in the Universe…never neglect or oppress the meek.
Did this poetry & its translation speak to you?