Badaga Poems

One of the enchanting aspects of Badaga Language is its disarming simplicity. But though the sentences are swathed in sweetness of simple words, it can contain deep expressions of emotions conveyed in the proper usage of rhymes [holla – alla] or pair words [huttu – nattu] apart from other attributes. When the sweetness of this language is combined to carry the human expressions in the form of a poetry, it is a great pleasure to indulge oneself in a world of sheer bliss.

When I came across the following poem, my first reaction was, ‘how beautifully the love of a mother has been brought out’. That set me thinking that there may be many other ‘unsung’ poets among ourselves. How nice if their poems in BADAGA could find a wider audience? I am not talking about some KAVITHAI in Tamil or a poetry in English. BUT ONLY BADAGA POEMS. By the way what is the word in Badaga for poem & poetry? I am sure it is not kavithai or kavi . Cannot be kadhe (song) too. Then……..??

This poem titled ‘My Mother’ by Mohan (hope he reads this and sends more of his creations) beautifully describes the filial bond and eternal love a mother has for her son even in very adverse, trying and difficult situations. She could not find any fault nor found anything demeaning, in the one whom she had brought into this world,nurtured, carried on her hips, cared for and brought up even when the rest of world rejected and rediculed him. I have attempted an English translation and hope I have captured the essence of the deep feelings expressed in the poem.The author has really ‘ played’ with the rhyming Badaga words and forcefully brought out not only the sadness and silent suffering of a son but also the uncompromised love of a mother.

Enna Awai
by B.Mohan [of Kunna Bikkatti]

(From ‘Mandhadha Maathu’ – Published by Badaga Welfare Association, Madras, issue dated 1-4-93 (Hannu 3,- Hoo 10)

Kettu Muridhu Naa Kerio Kulibaneyu
Huttu Nattu Enna Hollandhu Hegoneyu
Hethu Thathi Saakidha Awai Enna
Hollandhu Hegule Maathi Allandhu thallule
Goonu bhuddu Naa Cooli Geevaneyu
Huttu Kettu Naa Maasi Kulibaneyu
Pattu Beetha Batte Ikkoneyu
Kettandhu Hegule Awai Enna Mattandhu Thallule
Kottage Huggi Naa Geria Baakoneyu
Araya Kulidu Naa Danava Mesoneyu
Horia Thookki Naa Hotte Kaibeneyu
Kore Ondhu Hegule Awai Ondhu Ariandhu Nudivile

என்ன அவ்வை

[ பி .மொஹன் – குன்ன பிக்கட்டி]

(மந்தத மாத்து, படக வெல்ஃபெர் அசொசியெஷன், மெட்ராஸ்,1-4-93 ,(ஹண்ணு 3, ஹூ 10)

கெட்டு முரிது நா கேரியோ குளிபனெயு,

ஹுட்டு நட்டு என்ன ஹொல்லந்து ஹெகொனெயு,

ஹெத்து தத்தி சாக்கித அவ்வை என்ன,

ஹொல்லாந்து ஹெகுலே, மாத்தி அல்லாந்து தள்ளுலெ.

கூனு புத்து நா கூலி கீவனேயு,

ஹுட்டு கெட்டு நா மாசி குளிபனெயு,

பட்டு பீத்த பட்டே இக்கொனேயு,

கெட்டுண்டு ஹொகலி எந்து அவ்வை

என்ன மட்டாந்து தள்ளுலெ.

கொட்டகே ஹுக்கி நா கொரெய பாக்கோனெயு,

அரய குளிது நா தனவ மெசுவொனெயு,

ஹோரிய தூக்கி நா ஹொட்டே கைபெனெயு,

கொரெ எந்து ஹேகுலெ அவ்வை

ஒந்து அரியாந்து நுடிவிலெ

*+*+*+*

My Mother

[English Translation of the above poem by Bellie Jayaprakash]

Even when I was down with poverty and sat at the front court yard,
Even when the near and dear ones despised and deserted,
My mother who gave birth, cared for and brought me up,
Did not blame me and did not reject me- her son, as bad

Even when I toiled as a Cooli with a bent back,
Even when I sat down with my looks dulled and dirty
Even when I wore patched up old clothes
My mother never said that I was down ; never rejected me as poor !

Even when I swept the stables to clean the cow dung,
Even when I sat on the rock to tender the cows,
Even when I lifted loads so as to suppress the hunger with the earning,
My mother never found any fault ; never scolded me as ignorant.

(Read more in http://www.badaga.co/badaga-poetry)

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