Kamba Poems | Examples


List of Member Poems

Nitaolewa Kesho

Wasema subira yavuta kheri,
Kamba iliyovuta kheri yakatika,
Yakatika na Uzito wa huba, uliojawa na mahaba,
Na safari ya mapenzi, iliyojaza sheheni,
Kwake nimetia Nanga, sihitaji kivuko,
Nasema hivi, Nitaolewa kesho.
Haba na haba hujaza kibaba,
Kibaba kilichosheheni mapenzi ya Dhati,
Moyo ukafurika, kwa pepo za mapenzi yake,
Sihitaji feni zenyu, kwake upepo napata,
Nasema hivi, Nitaolewa kesho.
Safari ndefu ya mapenzi, iliyojawa machafuko,
Chombo alishikilia usukani, captain wa mapenzi,
Zake huba haziyumbishwi, kwa nyangumi au papa,
Nasema hivi, Nitaolewa kesho.
Hayawi hayawini sasa, yamekuwa na kunenepa,
Yanini kukondeana, wakati twashibana,
Sifurukuti hafurukuti, mapenzi Ndiyo nguzo yetu,
Nasema hivi, Nitaolewa kesho.
Yalianza kama chemichemi, sasa yafurika kama bahari,
Ilikuwa ni bahati, kufurika kwake hivi,
MUNGU AKITUJALIA, Hii ya kesho tatimia,
NASEMA HIVI, NITAOLEWA KESHO

Translation- Kamba Ramayanam

The peacocks dance
at grove near the cool pond;
and the lotuses brace
lamps like raised heads;

Nimbus clouds thrum
like loud drums;
and violet lilies scrutinize
the scene with bulbous eyes;

Hushed wavelets
array like curtains;
and the bees harmonize sweet songs,
like soothing tunes of (fish-shaped) harp;

Amidst this picturesque place,
the MARUDHAM is enthroned

*Marudham- The God of fertile land

The old Tamil literature describes the five species of lands,
kurunji-mountain land
marudam-cultivated land/farm land
mullai- forest land
neydal-beach/maritime tract
paalai- desert

This is my translation of a poem from Kamba Ramayanam

Kamba Ramayanam, is a Tamil epic that was written by the Tamil poet Kambar during the 12th century. Based on Valmiki's Ramayana (which is in Sanskrit), the story describes the life of King Rama.

Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.

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