Sunday, 9 February 2025

MARATHI POEMS

21st February was declared International Mother Language Day by UNESCO. I am Maharashtrian, and my mother tongue is Marathi. I am participating in this blog hop where I can share about my MARATHI and some Marathi Poems.


Yes. मी मराठी. 


There are around 140 million people who are Marathi speakers. Nowadays, due to social media, most of the celebrities are pushing to talk in Marathi. And I think that is quite good. Otherwise people use mixture of language (half english - half hindi and half marathi) Yes, there are some apps for marathi stories and kadambari but very few which give quality literature. Nothing beats the Marathi Legends litrature work.


THINGS  I DISCOVER ABOUT MY MARATHI

I was surprised to see the status of MY Marathi language until I researched for this blog post.


"Marathi is the language of the Indo-European languages family."


"Marathi is one of the 22 official languages in India."


"Marathi is the tenth most spoken language in the world and the third most spoken language in India."


Okay. It is all about MARATHI. 


From school life, my favorite poet was Shanta Shelke. 

Shanta Shelke was an Indian Poet and Writer in Marathi language. Her work involved poems, stories, composition, translation and children literature. 


Though I didn't understand anything at that time, now as a woman I can understand and relate to every word of her poem. Sharing some of my personal favorite treasures of Shanta Shelke. Trying to translate it in English, not exactly, but yes, nearby.


Marathi Poems of Shanta Shelke


What is the birth time of flowers?

When the buds are blooming

Or when the petals are falling,

Looking at the vast blue sky

or mixing with the soil below?


Marathi Poems of Shanta Shelke


Marathi blog post : Marathi Corner


2) झाड ( TREE)


This is one tree that is related to me.

A single breeze passes over it and me.


I like the smell of its flowers.

Can sense the moist illusion.


Places the infant song

At first when it blossomed,


The tree is made from the soil; 

I belong to the tree, and 

then I will end up in the soil.


The lines on the leaves are on my palm.

The roots of the tree become loose.

And the tree is rooted in my blood.


Someday, I will be the tree.

And sing the familiar song 

through the leaves.


Marathi Poems of Shanta Shelke


3) आठवण ( MEMORIES) 

Sometimes memory is hidden in the close compartment of the heart.

Sometimes memory is hidden in the spring flowers.

Sometimes memory is hidden in the bottom of the blue ocean.

Sometimes it is hidden in the blossom of Chaitra months.

And the breath is moving all around them like a thick, moist fog.

And from this the smell of memories is spreading like cherry blossom.


Marathi Poems of Shanta Shelke


4)  शोध  (SHODHA)

As the outer realm is shrinking 

As the inner unknown realm is being explored,

And I realized I am unknown to myself.


I don't know my strength, my weakness, or my cowardice; 

constantly surrounded me and my quarrels with myself.

My loneliness in my closed company,

Unable to understand anything,

Only unbearable suffocating in the vast.


I am unfolding inside,

Expanding moment by moment,

Reaching the corner of the inner being,

And with that I am amazed, excited, hurt, and happy.


FINAL THOUGHTS:


Every Maharashtrian knows Shanta Shelke and her poems, and I wanted to introduce them to the non-Maharashtrian people. Hope you all liked it.

 

Reading this poem in Marathi hits differently, but translating it into English is quite difficult. I am glad that I shared it with you all, the Great Shanta Shelke poems. This is my small attempt to introduce one-fourth part of my Marathi literature to you all. 



Question of the day

Which poem touches your heart? Have you read Shanta Shelke poems earlier?



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Reference : Wikipedia and Google.

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This post is a part of ‘Embrace the Native Blog Hop’ hosted by Manali Desai and Sukaina Majeed under #EveryConversationMatters

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32 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  2. Marathi poetry has such a beautiful rhythm and depth! Appreciate how your post captures its essence.

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  3. They're poems with certain depth. I haven't read any Marathi poets, I think. Happy to meet one here.

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  4. Thank you for introducing non-Marathi speaking speakers to Shanta Shelke's soulful poems. Loved the poem Shodha.

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  5. This is my first time reading Marathi poems and I loved the flow and the depth. Thank you for introducing Shanta Shelke's work. All the poems hit differently but my personal favourite would be the 3rd one: memories.

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  6. I have recently started exploring marathi literature, all thanks to social media and blogs like yours. A salute to Shanta Shelke, a poet ahead of time.

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  7. To answer your Question Neeta, Shodha is really deep and I liked it the most, and no I hadn't heard of Shanta Shelke before but I am glad that you introduced us to her. I think you have done a great job with the translations.
    I loved these lines from Jhaad:
    Someday, I will be the tree.
    And sing the familiar song
    through the leaves.
    So beautiful!


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  8. The interpretation of Shanta Shelke's poems is beautiful. I loved the first poem on the birth time of flowers. I remember watching Marathi movies when we were in Deolali. Some of those actors were such powerful orators as well.

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  9. I got introduced to Marathi in Bombay. I flunked it and went away and never tried it again. But back then I knew a few words. And I still remember that heavy L that Marathi and Kannada have.

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  10. Your post transported me back to school, when I studied Marathi as a language. Though born and brought up in Mumbai and now living in Pune since 19 years, my Marathi is terrible. I sound like a Bombaiyya. The poems are so deep and insightful. I loved the poem Aathvan/Memories by Shanta ma'am; truly brought back so many hidden memories.

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  11. I understood some marathi from my Bombay days , even watched a few movies but never read a complete work. Maybe I should take up the challenge and discover more of the great Marathi literature.

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    Replies
    1. May be. But watching movie or series do the work.

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    2. Feel free to get in touch with me if you need any reccommendation / help with marathi literature! I would be happy to talk endlessly about it!

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  12. Thanks so much for sharing such beautiful poems with us and introducing us to Shanta Shelke. Very profound.

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  13. These poems are so beautifully translated ✨ I wonder their essence in Marathi for those who understand the language. Thank you for sharing about the author’s writing.

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  14. Marathi is my favorite language. Some day I hope to learn it. I watch a lot of Marathi movies as they showcase values. Lovely poems and thanks for bringing them to us through the translations.

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  15. Havent read anything in Marathi yet. Thanks for sharing these wonderful verses with us.

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  16. This was such a heartfelt tribute to Marathi literature and the legendary Shanta Shelke! Your love for your mother tongue shines through, and the translations, though challenging, still carry the beauty and depth of her poetry. I especially loved the poem Tree—it captures such a profound connection between nature and life. Marathi literature is truly rich and deserves more recognition. Thank you for sharing these gems with us! And to answer your question, I hadn't read Shanta Shelke before, but now I'm eager to explore more of her work!

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  17. This is a beautiful post and thanks for introducing us to Shant Shelke.I loved the poem based on memories.( Chinmayee Gayatree Sahu )

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  18. शांताबाई माझ्या सर्वात लाडक्या कवयित्री. त्यांची गद्य लेखनाची ताकददेखील तितकीच तोलामोलाची. तुम्ही निवडलेल्या कविता देखील खूपच कमाल आहेत.

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  19. I totally get the bit about understanding the essence of a piece of poetry as we grow older. Thanks for the introduction to Shanta Shelke's poetry. So profound. Looking forward to exploring more of her works.

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  20. Amazing collection of verses that capture the beauty, emotions, and cultural essence of Marathi poetry. Thanks for sharing it.

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  21. Amazing collection of verses that capture the beauty, emotions, and cultural essence of Marathi poetry. Thanks for sharing it.

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  22. I like Shodha poem. As it connects with the soul and its integration with eternity.

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  23. Thank you for those English translation cuz my understanding of Marathi is very basic and based on your translations, to answer your question I think Jhaad was my favourite of those you've shared here

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  24. these poems are certainly something that make you think and contemplate. Glad to know about marathi literature through your post.

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