[amazon_link id=”B008C7OYUK” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ][/amazon_link]I recently reviewed the film Udaan at my Movie Review Blog. And one of the lovely things about the movie (among the other lovely things) was it’s heartfelt poetry.

Here is one poem (and here is another) by Amitabh Bhattacharya that I’ve managed to find on the internet (courtesy Abhijit Bhaduri’s blog). My rough translation follows :

Chhoti-chhoti chhitrayi yaadein

Bichhi hui hain lamhon ki lawn par

Nange pair unpar chalte-chalte

Itni door chale aaye

Ki ab bhool gaye hain ki

Joote kahan utaare the.

Aedi komal thi, jab aaye the.

Thodi si naazuk hai abhi bhi.

Aur nazuk hi rahegi

In khatti-meethi yaadon ki shararat

Jab tak inhe gudgudati rahe.

Sach, bhool gaye hain

Ki joote kahan utaare the.

Par lagta hai,

Ab unki zaroorat nahin.

Translation :

A few, scattered memories
Are spread across this garden of moments,
Bare-foot I walk upon them,
And have come so far,
That I have forgotten,
Where I had removed my shoes,
The soles of my feet were tender when I had come,
They are still tender now,
And will remain tender
Until the bitter-sweet play of memories,
Tickles them,
Truly, I have forgotten,
Where I had removed my shoes,
But, it seems,
That I do not need them now.