PRELUSION : SKY IS THE LIMIT: BY RAJNI CHHABRA

 PRELUSION

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After soulful thanks to Almighty for His choicest blessings for successful completion of my Anthology of Poems, trans-verted from Rajasthani into English, I would like to extend my heartiest thanks to global readers for constantly devouring my all literary works.

'Sky is the Limit' is my eighth translated Poetry-book from Rajasthani into English as target language. Choicest poems of Twenty five luminaries of Rajasthani Poetry have been anthologized in it. Previlidged to announce that it is first Anthology of Poems of Rajasthani Poetesses ever translated into English. This English version offers a variety of emotions and thought processes of 25 Poetesses , contributing passionately for enrichment of Rajasthani Literature.

Translation helps literature to travel. It is a means through which writers can speak across generations and culture. Translation is perceived as communication between two languages; it acts as a bridge. It is necessary for spreading new information, knowledge and ideas across the world.

I have translated 14 books of solo-authors from Rajasthani, Hindi and Punjabi till date and this is my second Anthology of Poems from Rajasthani into English. Wide public response to 'Across the World' my First Anthology of Rajasthani Poems of 51 poets boosted my spirits and motivated me for a new venture for Anthology of translated Rajasthani poems of established as well as emerging poetesses. Fathoming hearts of all poetesses, their thought processes and perception was not a cake-walk for me , especially when they are bestowed with a flight of imagination and aspirations where sky is the limit.

Beautiful verses, tinged with picturesque effect, providing you doorway to peep into rural life-style, traditions, customs, fairs and festivals of Rajasthan, are a treat for mind. Recalling Summer-vacations, missing joys of childhood, reveries of by-gone days, community centers, gossips in evenings, natural surroundings, expressing concern for deserted villages, dry ponds, shattered bonds of affinity, love for mother-tongue, raising voice against femicide and social discrimination form basic frame of these poems. Aspiration to rise high and establish self-identity are the key-notes. All the poetesses are unique in their own way and leave us spell-bound with their philosophy of life.

Quoting a few lines of their compositions.

Abhilasha Pareek's Poem 'Rose' conveying message of purposeful life is exquisitely framed in simple words, yet leaves deep mark. "I bloom, prettify, smile/And become more refined/ Everyday/ Because, by each and every petal /I shed my fragrance and coolness/ I keep alive my smile                                                                                                                                                     

 'Bliss of Joy' poem of Sanghmitra Rathore is a beautiful description of innocence begets innocence and paves way to bliss of joy. They conquer this world/Not only with valour, but with their smile too.'

Poems of youth laureate Sapna Verma portray life of woman from D/O to W/O and Grass and Woman, in a very simple language, with profound depth of thought.

Poem of Anju "Lunar Eclipse' composed in a very soft-tone creates a wonderful note depicting affection of mother 'Worthy moonlight has not / Showered blessings on her yet/ God knows when this anguished earth/ Comes between scorching Sun/ And the moon/ Offering her cover/ Removes all her pain/ In pitch darkness of eclipse/ Caresses her softly

Eminent bi-lingual poetess Sharda Krishna creates in her poem a wonderful balance between art of making Roti and composing Poetry. 'Whether it be *roti or poem/Both require efficiency'

Just as both processes require meticulous efforts on the part of creator to make it presentable, translation too demands utmost attention. Translation is a medium to know about mind set up, sentiments, views of writers composing in other languages and involves liability on the shoulders of translator to retain original fervour. It widens literary corridors, especially, when it is translated into English, it opens wide avenues to get it further translated into regional languages and to transcend linguistic borders on international level too.  

Perfection of translation is in the essence of poem written in any language, reaching to readers who are reading it in translated version. When going through a Rajasthani poem in which a grown up person is missing bygone days when he used to relish home made butter, buttermilk and chapatis made on earthen stove or misses morsels of churma fed by grandmother with an extra helping of ghee, a reader from foreign lands starts missing mother passed several years ago, whose voice he still hears and the smell of fresh cakes baked by her, permeates his soul; the purpose of translation is fulfilled as it becomes a means to create bonds of affinity through picturesque effect of those words. It makes the world stronger for the true goal of peace, equality and bliss.

I hope, you will enjoy these poems; reviews and comments from voracious readers of poetry are always a precious treasure for me.

Lastly, I extend my heartful gratitude to the Publisher and his entire team for so aesthetically  crafting my dream-book  into reality.

Rajni Chhabra

Multi-lingual Poetess

Translator& Anthologist