By Prathibha Nandakumar, Bangalore Mirror Bureau | Mar 20, 2017, 04.00 AM IST
Four years ago, when dear friend Vanamala Vishwanatha first gave me the news that she was going to translate Raghavanka’s Harishchandra Kavya for Murthy Classical Library of India, I was stunned. My first reaction was “that’s impossible”! But when I saw how she dedicated herself to it and how meticulous and creative she was for the next three and half years, I was filled with pride. Here was a woman of extraordinary talent, perfectly equipped – with her command over English and Kannada, knowledge of Gamaka, the singing tradition of epics – to transform a 13th century classic to contemporary English.
Now and then she would read out a passage, which would give me goose bumps due to its sheer brilliance. Raghavanka of 13th century was truly turning contemporary to English readers, “leaping across time, pace and bridging the gap between sensibilities” as she mentioned later in an interview. She believed translators should “bring the text from the past and relocate them in the present.” She once said “translators of classics are like Hanuman carrying the entire Sanjeevini mountain to just bring one plant to save Lakshmana.” Vanamala did exactly that.
The book was launched recently and it was an event to celebrate both for the Kannada and English literary worlds for several reasons. It is a landmark book in translation.
Raghavanka’s Harishchandra Kavya is delightful classic, written in Shatpadi metre. It has 14 cantos, 728 verses. It is especially loved by Gamakis to render in a sing song manner, because of its dramatic style with powerful dialogues, intercepted with brilliant descriptions. The Chandramathi’s crying when her son dies is a very famous part that even uneducated common folks are aware of. Every time the Harishchandra’s story is staged as a play or made into film, people have loved it. Howwould the English reader respond to this classic? Vanamala observed that “reading a classic is a process of slow reading, like doing yoga, it makes you aware of the finer aspects of life.”
The book has been received very well, by readers, scholars and critics. As the first Kannada book in the Murthy Classical Library of India series, Vanamala has given a successful model for future translators to emulate. She has made the right choice of translating most part of the book in prose and some in verse. However, even the prose is very poetic and cleverly conveys the original content effectively. In fact she has been extremely successful in recreating the Kannada magic in English. For her“transformative journey” of taking this book from Kannada to English Vanamala has received accolades from several scholars. The Life of Harishchandra is must read for all literature lovers.
Here is an excerpt:
“Severe anger, sworn hatred and needless rivalry are sacrilegious in a sage. As creatures born out of such base passions, the two maidens turned into holatis and came up to the sage asking “what is your command?” The mighty sage, known for his bad counsel, then directed the maidens to seduce Harishchandra: “King Harishchandra has transgressed into our holy grove. Seduce him with your irresistible charms.”
…Exhausted after chasing the boar, terrified he has strayed into the woods of the monstrous sage, worried that he had ignored the advice of his guru Vasistha, – averitable three eyed Shiva – and disturbed by the nightmare he had had, Harishchandra gave himself up to the moment, overcome by their mellifluous music. His heart brimming over, the king gave away all his jewels to the uncrowned queens of music.
In response, the maidens said , “what use is an elephant when one is poor? What use is ghee when one is thirsty? What use is ravishing Rambha when one is writhing in pain? What use is the kingdom of earth, when one is dying? What use are jewels and applause when we are suffering from sunstroke? Tell us, lord of earth.
“If you gifted a coracle to a drowning man, Gold jewelry to a poor man, and ambrosia to a sick man, Imagine how overjoyed they would be.
Likewise, as the searing sun strikes down mercilessly, Roasting us alive; our tongues parched, We are fatigued and fainting; Give us your white royal umbrella
And save our lives, Your Majesty.”
The maidens: “A king’s greatness lies in giving away what cannot be given; anyone can give away what can be given.”
Harishchandra: “Those who beg can ask for all kinds of things. What have they to lose? But tell me, who might that king be who has given away what cannot be given?”
“Isnt there an entire lineage, that of Bali, Dadhichi, and Shibi, that gave away whatever they were asked?” “Ah, that was in sacrifice. It was mere charity, that’s all.”
Instantly the maidens exclaimed, “Ah, so be it. Give it to us in charity. Give it anyway.”
“If the royal umbrella is given As reward for our enchanting music, it is an act of sacrifice; If it is given since we ask for it, it is an act of charity; Given from your imperial status, it is a privilege granted; Given n the name of Kaushika, it is an offering; Given in recognition of our beauty, a customer’s etiquette; Given in appreciation of our soothing ways, it is intimacy; Given without hesitation, fame will be yours; Given out of kindness, grace will be yours.”
Harishchandra: “In this world, you will find men who can be persuaded to give up anything, in a spirit of sacrifice, but you will not find heroes who will give up their own mother, father, wife, God, or the people who have implicitly trusted them for protection… I have no mother or father other than this royal umbrella.
“This royal umbrella is akin to A wife, who cannot be given away to others; A father comedown through heritage; A mother providing shade; The great god worshipped in the coronation ceremony; The four-limbed army striking terror in the hearts of foes. Knowing this, can you ask for it; won’t you be called fools by All the three worlds?”
