The period in modern Hindi literature known as 'Chayavad' marked the first blossoming of poetry in the language which, for its originality, depth, and technical resourcefulness, still remains unsurpassed. This anthology provides a sampling of the works of four major poets of this revival - Jayshankar Prasad, Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala', Sumitranandan Pant, and Mahadevi Varma.

Like the Romantic age in the West, Chayavad was marked with elements of symbolism and mysticism. Upanishadic teachings, the English Romantic poets, the French Symbolists, Rabindranath Tagore, Sanskrit aesthetics - all influenced tis genre. In Chayavad poetry, modern Hindi attained an incontestable brilliance and elegance of expression.

Chayavad poets are known outside India by the few available translations of their elegant, yet often baffling, short lyrics. This unique volume brings together translations of a few significant long poems - Prasad's Amsu (a poem of philosophical import) and Nirala's Ram ki Shakti-Puja (a short epic on the theme of war). Also included is a selection of the more typical short lyrics by all four poets, many of them previously untranslated.

About the Author :

Prasad (1889-1937) was the first of the Chayavad poets to attain fame. He gave a new direction to Hindi poetry and freed it from the traditions and conventions considered sacrosanct. His works include novels, essays, short stories, and dramas.

Nirala's (1899-1961) oeuvre includes novels, short stories, essays, and of course, poetry. He experimented boldly with free verse and innovative re-creations of epic subjects and devotional themes. His novels and stories were satirical attacks on the hypocrisy of and oppression by the upper castes.

Pant (1902-87) is best known for his romantic poetry celebrating love and nature. His works reflect his concern for the social conditions of his time, for the downtrodden, and for the poor.

Mahadevi Varma (1902-87) is a major figure in the renaissance of Hindi literature and is considered its finest woman poet. Unlike her contemporary Chayavad poets, her work is almost completely removed from everyday life. She created a series of highly refined, complex, though often obscure, lyrics.

David Rubin has been Visiting Professor at Columbia University. A widely published writer, his works include fiction and translations of Hindi prose and poetry.

Preface		vii
A Note on Transliteration		ix
Introduction		xi
PART ONE  Jayshankar Prasad
	Amsu - The Epigraph	3
	Amsu - The Book of Tears	5
Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala'
	How Rama Worshipped Shakti	39
	Woman in Love	51
PART TWO  Jayshankar Prasad
	First Dawn	59
	Heart's Pain	61
	Waiting for Spring	62
	Spring	63
	Dream World	64
	Heart's Beauty	65
	Open Your Door	66
	Anguish, Stay!	67
	Game in the Dust	68
	A Drop	69
	What Story does the bee tell	70
	Oh sea uniting blue with red	72
	Now awaken, dawn of life!	74
	Arrey, have you seen anywhere	75
Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala'
	Sleep in Awakening	77
	Poison in Nectar	78
	May God laugh when he meets me at the end	79
	A Look at Death	81
	The Cup	83
Sumitranandan Pant
	The Old Man	85
	Evening on the Ganges	87
	Your Doors Are Closed	89
	Cloudy Dawn	91
	Man's Shadow	92
Mahadevi Varma
	My dear how shall I find him?	93
	To Death	94
	That Cruel mirror is broken!	96
	Oh eternally silent!	98
	Let me light all the burns-out lamps!	100
Bibliography		103

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