Asha or Hope is a poem from Tagore’s collection, Kalpana (Imagination, 1900).
Art by Sohana Manzoor
HOPE
When the sun set on my life, You welcomed me, O mother of mine. Opening the doors of your inner sanctum, You planted a kiss on my temples, Lit a timeless lamp at my bedside. My neck Was with a string of thorny blooms decked To honour my songs. It hurt, it burnt — Till taking off the wreath, you plucked Each thorn off with your own hands, Washed the dust. That garland — With blooms now clean and white — You draped on me as your eternal child. My eyes opened as tears streamed. I woke up to find it was only a dream!
This poem has been translated from Bengali by Mitali Chakravartywith editorial input from Sohana Manzoor.
.
PLEASE NOTE: ARTICLES CAN ONLY BE REPRODUCED IN OTHER SITES WITH DUE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BORDERLESS JOURNAL
Poems of Longing by Jibananada Das homes two of his poems translated from Bengali by Professor Fakrul Alam. Clickhereto read.
Four cantos from Ramakanta Rath’sSri Radha, translated from Odiya by the late poet himself, have been excerpted from his full length translation. Clickhere to read.
Naramsetti Umamaheswararao takes us back to school. Click here to read.
Conversation
Ratnottama Sengupta talks to filmmaker and author Leslie Carvalhoabout his old film, The Outhouse, that will be screened this month and his new book, Smoke on the Backwaters. Clickhere to read.
The twenty fifth of Boisakh Draws my stream of birthdays Closer to death. Sitting on that wafting mat, an artisan is making a garland With small statuettes of Many mortal Rabindranaths.
Time travels on his chariot. The pedestrian lifts his bowl While walking, he gets a drink. When he finishes, he recedes into the darkness. His bowl is crushed to dust under the wheels. Behind him, Follows another with a new bowl. He savours a fresh flavour. Eventhough he has the same name, He is a different person.
Once I was a child. Within a few birthdays, An entity was sculpted Who no one recognised. The people who would have known him Are not around. The being of that child is non-existent, Nor does anyone remember him. He has disappeared with his little world. His past sorrows and joys Find no reverberations. The pieces of his broken toys Cannot be seen in the dust. He would sit and calf-like Gaze outside, with longing. His world was Framed by the opening in the window. His innocent glance Would halt at the Coconut trees along the fence. His evenings were steeped in fairytales. There was no insurmountable barrier Between the real and unreal. His mind would skip between The two effortlessly. In the gloaming of light and darkness, The shadows wrapped around spring, Drawing close with belonging. Those few birthdays, For some time, Were like a brightly lit island. But the past has sunk into the darkness of the ocean. Sometimes, during low tides, We can see that mountain peak. We can see a shoreline of blood-red corals.
Over time, The twenty fifth of Boishakh Assumed Vivid vernal hues. Youthfulness played a melody Of yearning on the ektara, Questing for intangible Invisible inspirations. Hearing that music over time, The celestial Lakshmi’s throne swayed She sent over Few of her ambassadors, To earth to spew colours On the palash woods, Enticing, alluring to forgetfulness. I have heard their voices speak softly. I understood some. Some I didn’t. I have seen dark eyelashes damp with wetness. I have seen lips tremble with unspoken agony. I have heard the tinkle of bracelets vacillate with eager surprise. Unbeknown to me, On the first conscious morning, Of the twenty fifth of Boisakh, They left behind a Garland of jasmines. My dream at dawn Was heady with their fragrance.
That birthday was youthful with Fairytales woven by communities and villages, Some we knew, some doubted. There, princesses with their hair undone Were sometimes asleep, Sometimes, they awoke in surprise Touched by magical golden wands. Over time, The ramparts that walled the Vernal pochisheBoishakh broke. The path laden with the sway of Bokul leaves Trembling shadows, Murmuring breeze, The lovelorn kokil’s pleading call That turns the morning to afternoon, The bees buzzing their wings Towards the invisible scent of nectar -- That grassy path arrived At the stone paved road of adulthood. The ektara that played the haunting melody In youth changed its old string for new. That twenty fifth of Boisakh, Exposed me To a rough road, Bore me like a wave to the ocean of humanity. Morning and night, I have woven tunes and Caste a net mid-river – Some have been caught, Some have fled the fragile net.
Sometimes, the day has been faint, Motivation disappointed, Sadness filled the mind. Unexpectedly, in the midst Of such depression, I found Inspiration in Amravati’s mortal idol. They beautify the world, Offering vessels of nectar To the weary. They insult fear with billowing Waves of laughter. They fan flames of courage From ash-smothered smouldering fires. They arouse celestial voices to ignite meditative words. They have lighted the flame in my nearly suffused lamp. They have given melody to the strings with their cool breeze. They have garlanded me with honour On the twenty fifth of Boishakh. My songs, my words, Still reverberate with their Magical touch.
From then, in the battle of life, Conflicts raged like Thundering clouds. I had to abandon the ektara. Sometimes, I had to pick up the trumpet. Under the hot mid-day sun, I had to take on A battle. My feet are injured with thorns, My wounded heart bleeds. The Merciless harshness of waves Have beaten my boat, left and right, Muddying with criticism, Drowning with transactions. Hatred and love, Envy and friendship, Music and courage, My world has been stirred By the mists of all these emotions.
In the midst of this revolutionary-crisis, As the twenty fifth of Boishakh grows older, You have all come to me. Do you know – Despite my attempts, much is still left unexpressed, Much is in disarray, much is neglected?
From inside and outside, Good and bad, clear and unclear, famed and unknown, A vain, complicated character, You have created an idol With your regard, your love, Your forgiveness. Today you have brought this garland, I accept this as a recognition of The aging twenty-fifth of Boishakh, As an acknowledgment of my years. Heartfelt blessings from me to you. As I prepare to take leave, my human idol Remains in your heart. As the future is unknown, I cannot be arrogant.
Then give me your leave In this lifetime from all relationships Strung with black and white threads. Lonely, nameless, solitary – Let me look for a melody amidst Many tunes, many instruments, In the depth of all songs.
*Ektara-Bengal folk instrument
Palash flowersKokils or Asian KoelsFrom Public Domain
Tagore celebrated his birthdays by the Bengali Calendar on Pochishe Boisakh with poetry. This poem was dedicated to Amiya Chandra Chakravarty (1901-1986), a critic, academic and poet. He was a close associate of Tagore. The Pochishe Boisakh arrived in late spring as he mentions in this poem.
From Public Domain: The long stringed instrument is an ektara and the other another folk instrument called dugdugi
This poem has been translated from Bengali by Mitali Chakravartywith editorial input from Sohana Manzoor.
.
PLEASE NOTE: ARTICLES CAN ONLY BE REPRODUCED IN OTHER SITES WITH DUE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BORDERLESS JOURNAL
Jibanananda Das’ poems on war and for the common masses have been translated from Bengali by Professor Fakrul Alam. Click here to read.
A Scene with an Aged Queen, a poem by Ihlwha Choi has been translated from Korean by the poet himself. Clickhere to read.
Tagore’sEsho Bosonto, Esho Aj Tumi(Come Spring, Come Today) has been translated from Bengali by Mitali Chakravarty. Click here to read.
Pandies’ Corner
For Sanjay Kumar: To Sir — with Love has been written for the founder of pandies’ theatre by Tanvir, a youngster from the Nithari village where pandies’ worked with traumatised victims. Over time, these kids have transcended the trauma to lead fulfilling lives. The late Sanjay Kumar passed on this January. This is a tribute to him by one of his students. It has been translated from the Hindustani original by Lourdes M Surpiya. Click here to read.
Esho Bosonto, Esho Aj Tumi (Come Spring, Come Today) was part of Tagore’s collection called Smaran (Remembrances) in 1903. Here is a translation of the poem.
Art by Sohana Manzoor
O Spring, come today, Welcome to my world steeped In untidy darkness and emptiness. The flowers remain unplucked. Mock at the poverty And disarray if you must. Still O Spring, today, Do visit my home. Today, all my windows— all of them — are open. The day stretches without hindrances. There is no hope, no work. The heart swings as All the windows stay open In the empty house. For many days, laughter and tears Have not been heard here. Let them find freedom in your skies. Let them breathe your breeze. Let them be reborn with Blooms of bokul and champa. The past is over — all its tears and laughter. Revel with your festivities Amidst the wounds in my heart. Play your flute. Blossom in abundance. Let all the returning birds Sing in chorus. Celebrate your vernal festivals Tuning in with my pain. I will heal with the joy Of your celebrations. The heaven and Earth will Come together as you celebrate. They will laugh at death’s door Repeatedly. Such festivities Will heal, touch deep within My being to find closure.
Champa FlowersBokul Blooms From Public Domain
This poem has been translated from Bengali by Mitali Chakravartywith editorial input from Sohana Manzoor
.
PLEASE NOTE: ARTICLES CAN ONLY BE REPRODUCED IN OTHER SITES WITH DUE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BORDERLESS JOURNAL
Aparna Vats shares a narrative around female infanticide centring her story around a BBC interview and an interview with the journalist who unfolded the narrtive. Click here to read.
Dolly Narang recounts how she started a gallery more than four decades ago and talks of her encounter with world renowned artist, MF Husain. Click hereto read.
Ghoom, Darjeeling, is almost 2.5 km above sea level. Standing in the rarified air of Ghoom, you can watch the Kanchenjunga turn gold as it gets drenched in the rays of the rising sun. The phenomenon lasts for a short duration. The white pristine peak again returns to its original colour blending and disappearing among the white cirrus clouds that flit in the sky. Over time, it’s shrouded by mists that hang over this region. The event is transitory and repeats itself on every clear morning like life that flits in and out of existence over and over again…
Witnessing this phenomenon feels like a privilege of a lifetime as is meeting people who shine brightly and unusually, like the Kanchenjunga, to disappear into mists all too early. One such person was the founder of pandies’ 1 who coordinated the pandies’ corner for Borderless Journal, the late Sanjay Kumar (1961-2025). The idea of starting this column was to bring out the unheard voices of those who had risen above victimhood to find new lives through the work done by pandies’. In his book, Performing, Teaching and Writing Theatre: Exploring Play, published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing, he described his scope of work which in itself was stunning. His work ranged from teaching to using theatre and play to heal railway platform kids, youngsters in Kashmir, the Nithari survivors and more — all youngsters who transcended the scars seared on them by violations and violence. We hope to continue the column in coordination with pandies’.
Another very renowned person whose art encompassed a large number of social concerns and is now lost to time was the artist, MF Husain (1915-2011). This issue of Borderless is privileged to carry an artwork by him that has till now not been open to the public for viewing. It was a gift from him to the gallerist, Dolly Narang, on her birthday. She has written nostlgically of her encounters with the maestro who walked bare-feet and loved rusticity. She has generously shared a photograph of the sketch (1990) signed ‘McBull’ — a humorous play on his first name, Maqbool, by the artist.
Drenched with nostalgia is also Professor Fakrul Alam’s essay, dwelling on more serious issues while describing with a lightness his own childhood experiences. Many of the nonfiction in this issue have a sense of nostalgia. Mohul Bhowmick recalls his travels to Bhutan. And Prithvijeet Sinha introduces as to a grand monument of Lucknow, Bara Imambara. Lokenath Roy takes us for a stroll to Juhu, dwelling on the less affluent side. Suzanne Kamata describes her source of inspiration for a few stories in her new book, River of Dolls and Other Stories. A darker hue is brought in by Aparna Vats as she discusses female infanticide. But a light sprays across the pages as Devraj Singh Kalsi describes how his feisty grandmother tackled armed robbers in her home. And an ironic tone rings out in the rather whimsical musing by Farouk Gulsara on New Year days and calendars.
Everyone was at each other's throats, insistent that the world was ending. But I felt differently, as though I were just beginning, or just beginning again…
Poets, like visionaries across time and cultures, often see hope where others see despair. And humour always has that hum of hope. In a lighter tone, Rhys Hughes makes one laugh or just wonder as he writes:
I once knew a waiter who jumped in alarm when I somersaulted across his restaurant floor after entering the front door on my way to my favourite table: he wasn’t able to control his nerves and the meal he was bearing ended up on the ceiling with people staring as it started to drip down.
Translations feature poetry. Lyrics of Nazrul (1899-1976) and Tagore (1861-1941) appear together in Professor Alam’s translations of their love songs from Bengali. He has also transcreated a Bengali poem by Jibananada Das (1899-1854). Profoundly philosophical lines by Atta Shad (1939-1997) in Balochi has been rendered to English by Fazal Baloch for his birth anniversary this month. Ihlwah Choi has translated his poem from Korean, taking up the poignant theme of transience of life. A Tagore poem called ‘Kheya (Ferry)’, inspired by his rustic and beautiful surroundings, has been brought to us in English.
Huge thanks to all our contributors, the Borderless team for all these fabulous pieces. Thanks to Gulsara, Kamata, Bhowmick and Sinha for the fabulous photography by them to accompany their writings. Heartfelt gratitude to Sohana Manzoor for her cover art and to Dutta for her artwork accompanying her poem. Without all your efforts, this issue would have been incomplete. And now, dear readers, thank you for being with us through this journey. I turn the issue over to all of you… there is more as usual than mentioned here. Do pause by our contents page.
pandies’ was started in 1987. It’s spelled with a small ‘p’ and the name was picked by the original team. Read more about pandies’ by clicking here. ↩︎
Kheya (Ferry) by Tagore is the titular poem in a collection called Kheya published in 1906.
Art by Sohana Manzoor
KHEYA OR FERRY
Who are you traversing the shores, O boatman! I sit at my doorstep, And gaze, O boatman! As the haat* closes, People to the ghat flock. Then I imagine Myself among them O boatman!
In the gloaming, you row the boat To the other shore. My heart soars to sing As I gaze upon the scene, O boatman! The dark waters gurgle as the golden glow Spreads across the other shore. My teardrops flow With euphoria O boatman!
You have no words to express, O boatman! I gaze to read What your eyes speak, O boatman! Momentarily, if your gaze, Falls on my face, Then I imagine Myself among them O boatman!
This poem has been translated from Bengali by Mitali Chakravartywith editorial input from Sohana Manzoor
.
PLEASE NOTE: ARTICLES CAN ONLY BE REPRODUCED IN OTHER SITES WITH DUE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BORDERLESS JOURNAL
A discussion with Bhaksar Parichha, author of Cyclones in Odisha, Landfall, Wreckage and Resilience, published by Pen in Books.
While wars respect manmade borders, cyclones do not. They rip across countries, borders, seas and land — destroying not just trees, forests and fields but also human constructs, countries, economies and homes. They ravage and rage bringing floods, landslides and contamination in their wake. Discussing these, Bhaskar Parichha, a senior journalist, has written a book called Cyclones in Odisha, Landfall, Wreckage and Resilience. He has concluded interestingly that climate change will increase the frequency of such weather events, and the recovery has to be dealt by with regional support from NGOs.
Perhaps, this conclusion has been borne of the experience in Odisha, one of the most vulnerable, disaster prone states of India, where he stays and a place which he feels passionately about. Centring his narrative initially around the Super Cyclone of 1999, he has shown how as a region, Odisha arranged its own recovery process. During the Super Cyclone, the central government allocated only Rs 8 crore where Rs 500 crore had been requested and set up a task force to help. They distributed vaccines and necessary relief but solving the problem at a national level seemed a far cry. Parichha writes: “As a result, the relief efforts were temporarily limited. To accommodate the displaced individuals, schools that remained intact after the cyclone were repurposed as temporary shelters.
“The aftermath of the cyclone also led to a significant number of animal carcasses, prompting the Government of India to offer a compensation of 250 rupees for each carcass burned, which was higher than the minimum wage. However, this decision faced criticism, leading the government to fly in 200 castaways from New Delhi and 500 from Odisha to carry out the removal of the carcasses.”
He goes on to tell us: “The international community came together to provide much-needed support to the recovery efforts in India following the devastating cyclone. The Canadian International Development Agency, European Commission, British Department for International Development, Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit, and Australian Government all made significant contributions to various relief organisations on the ground. These donations helped to provide essential aid such as food, shelter, and medical assistance to those affected by the disaster. The generosity and solidarity shown by these countries underscored the importance of global cooperation in times of crisis.” They had to take aid from organisations like Oxfam, Indian Red Cross and more organisations based out of US and other countries. Concerted international effort was necessary to heal back.
He gives us the details of the subsequent cyclones, the statistics and the action taken. He tells us while the Bay of Bengal has always been prone to cyclones, from 1773 to 1999, over more than two centuries, ten cyclones were listed. Whereas from 1999 to 2021, a little over two decades, there have been nine cyclones. Have the frequency of cyclones gone up due to climate change? A question that has been repeatedly discussed with ongoing research mentioned in this book. Given the scenario that the whole world is impacted by climate disasters — including forest fires that continue to rage through the LA region in USA — Parichha’s suggestion we build resilience comes at a very timely juncture. He has spoken of resilience eloquently:
“Resilience refers to the ability to recover and bounce back from challenging situations. It encompasses the capacity of individuals, communities, or systems to withstand, adapt, and overcome adversity, trauma, or significant obstacles. Resilience involves not only psychological and emotional strength but also physical resilience to navigate through hardships, setbacks, or crises.
“Resilience is the remarkable capacity of individuals to recover, adapt and thrive in the face of adversity, challenges, or significant life changes. It is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, disappointments, or failures, and to maintain a positive outlook and sense of well-being despite difficult circumstances.
“Resilience is not about avoiding or denying the existence of hardships, but rather about facing them head-on and finding ways to overcome them. It involves developing a set of skills, attitudes, and strategies that enable individuals to navigate through difficult times and emerge stronger and more capable.”
He has hit the nail on the head with his accurate description of where we need to be if we want our progeny to have a good life hundred years from now. We need this effort and the ability to find ways to solve and survive major events like climate change. Parichha argues Odisha has built its resilience at a regional level, then why can’t we? This conversation focusses on Parichha’s book in context of the current climate scenario.
Bhaskar Parichha
What prompted you to write this book?
Odisha possesses an unfavorable history of cyclones with some of the most catastrophic storms. People suffered. My motivation stemmed from documenting this history, emphasising previous occurrences and their effects on communities, infrastructure, and the environment.
What kind of research went into this book? How long did it take you to have the book ready?
The idea for the book originated more than a year ago. It was intended for release to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the 1999 Super Cyclone and the cyclones that followed. Having witnessed the disaster first-hand and having been involved in the audio-visual documentation of the relief and rehabilitation initiatives in and around Paradip Port after the Super Cyclone, I gained a comprehensive understanding of the topic. The research was largely based on a thorough examination of the available literature, which included numerous documents and reports.
Promptly after you launched your book, we had Cyclone Dana in October 2024. Can you tell us how it was tackled in Odisha? Did you need help from the central government or other countries?
Cyclone Dana made landfall on the eastern coast on the morning of October 25, unleashing heavy rainfall and strong winds that uprooted trees and power poles, resulting in considerable damage to infrastructure and agriculture across 14 districts in Odisha. Approximately 4.5 million individuals were affected. West Bengal also experienced the effects of Cyclone Dana. After effectively addressing the cyclone’s impact with a goal of zero casualties, the Odisha government shifted its focus to restoration efforts, addressing the extensive damage to crops, thatched homes, and public infrastructure. The government managed the aftermath of the cyclone utilizing its financial resources.
Tell us how climate change impacts such weather events.
Climate change significantly influences weather events in a variety of ways, leading to more frequent and intense occurrences of extreme weather phenomena. As global temperatures rise due to increased greenhouse gas emissions, the atmosphere can hold more moisture, which can result in heavier rainfall and more severe storms. This can lead to flooding in some regions while causing droughts in others, as altered precipitation patterns disrupt the natural balance of ecosystems.
What made people in Odisha think of starting their own NGOs and state-level groups to work with cyclones?
The impetus for establishing non-governmental organisations and state-level entities in Odisha is fundamentally linked to the region’s historical encounters with cyclones, which have highlighted the necessity for improved community readiness. Through the promotion of cooperation between governmental agencies and civil society organisations, Odisha has developed a robust framework that is adept at responding to natural disasters while simultaneously empowering local communities.
What are the steps you take to build this resilience to withstand the destruction caused by cyclones? Where should other regions start? And would they get support from Odisha to help build their resilience?
Building resilience to withstand the destruction caused by cyclones involves a multi-faceted approach that encompasses infrastructure development, community engagement, and effective disaster management systems. Odisha has established a robust model that other regions can learn from. Odisha’s experience positions it as a potential leader in sharing knowledge and best practices with other regions. The state has demonstrated its commitment to enhancing disaster resilience through partnerships with international organisations and by sharing its model of disaster preparedness with other states facing similar challenges. Odisha can offer training programs and workshops based on its successful strategies, guide in implementing early warning systems, building resilient infrastructure and also collaborating with NGOs and international agencies to secure funding for resilience-building initiatives in vulnerable regions.
You have shown that these cyclones rage across states, countries and borders in the region, impacting even Bangladesh and Myanmar. They do not really respect borders drawn by politics, religion or even nature. If your state is prepared, do the other regions impacted by the storm continue to suffer…? Or does your support extend to the whole region?
Odisha is diligently assisting its impacted regions through comprehensive evacuation and relief initiatives, while adjacent areas such as West Bengal are also feeling the effects of the cyclone. The collaborative response seeks to reduce damage and safeguard the well-being of residents in both states. Odisha’s approach to cyclone response has garnered international acclaim.
Can we have complete immunity from such weather events by building our resilience? I remember in Star Wars — of course this is a stretch — in Kamino they had a fortress against bad weather which seemed to rage endlessly and in Asimov’s novels, humanity moved underground, abandoning the surface. Would you think humanity would ever have to resort to such extreme measures?
The idea of humanity seeking refuge underground, as illustrated in the writings of Isaac Asimov, alongside the perpetual storms on Kamino from the Star Wars franchise, provokes thought-provoking inquiries regarding the future of human settlement in light of environmental adversities. Although these scenarios may appear to be exaggerated, they underscore an increasing awareness of the necessity for adaptability when confronted with ecological challenges. The stories from both Kamino and Asimov’s literature act as cautionary narratives, encouraging reflection on potential strategies for human resilience in the future.
With the world torn by political battles, and human-made divisions of various kinds, how do you think we can get their attention to focus on issues like climate change, which could threaten our very survival?
A comprehensive strategy is crucial for effectively highlighting climate change in the context of persistent political conflicts and societal rifts. Various methods can be utilised to enhance public awareness, galvanise grassroots initiatives, promote political advocacy, emphasise economic prospects, frame climate change as a security concern, and encourage international collaboration.
Can the victims of weather events go back to their annihilated homes? If not, how would you suggest we deal with climate refugees? Has Odisha found ways to relocate the people affected by the storms?
Individuals affected by severe weather events frequently encounter considerable difficulties in returning to their residences, particularly when those residences have been destroyed or made uninhabitable. In numerous instances, entire communities may require relocation due to the devastation inflicted by natural disasters, especially in areas susceptible to extreme weather conditions. Odisha’s proactive stance on disaster management and community involvement has greatly improved its ability to address challenges related to cyclones. The state’s initiatives not only prioritise immediate evacuation but also emphasize long-term resettlement plans to safeguard its inhabitants against future cyclonic events. For instance, residents from regions such as Satabhaya in Kendrapara district are being moved to safer locations like Bagapatia, where they are provided with land and support to construct new homes. This programme seeks to reduce future risks linked to coastal erosion and flooding.
Thanks for your book and your time.
(This review and online interview is by Mitali Chakravarty.)
Borderless 