Showing results by narrator "Harish Bhimani" in All Categories

Hermann Hesse’s classic novel Siddhartha, takes place in ancient India around the time of the Buddha (6th century BC). Siddhartha and his companion Govinda set out in search of enlightenment. Siddhartha goes through a series of changes and realizations as he attempts to achieve this goal. Siddhartha joins the ascetics, visits Gotama, embraces his earthly desires, and finally communes with nature, all in an attempt to attain Nirvana.

This poem, written in simple, straightforward diction, presents the blood-smeared history of human cruelty, in the backdrop of which, despite hopelessness, there is yet enough sparkle of hope to make a man stand up again. Actually, it's the quality of our native tradition which has been conveyed through a unique mode of expression.

Introducing Saumitra's poetry to an English-relishing audience is like reliving its flavor a few years ago in Hindi when these very poems caught the print eye of an eminent publisher, Bharatiya Gyanpith. Saumitra’s selection was not only published from there but also bestowed the Navlekhan Award, and these poems have been expertly translated by Dhiraj Singh, who gives a Midas touch of his pen when moving from one language from another.

In the scorched lands of the Maharaan lives a dark-skinned girl soon to become a woman. Capable and strong, confident and caring; all she has known is peace, all she has known is purpose. All she will bring: Death. On the icy plains, beyond the Gadori forests, lies a dead boy. Forgotten by the world and himself, he is about to be given the hardest challenge of all: Life. In the center of Kasmah one sits above all, the Integra Divinitas. Beyond the trappings of the common, bound to mankind by responsibility.