This is the second part of the book review titled ‘The Poetical Works of Tiruluka Sitaram with Translation and Notes’. This book consists of 55 poems by the great Tamil poet Tiruluka Sitaram duly translated into English by Dr. Sikizhar Adi-Podhi- Dr. T. N. Ramachandran.
Gandharva Ganam, The Landlord Lord, The Birds’ Nest, The Umbrella of Fame, An Aubade, The Impish Boy, The Riddle of Eriodendum are some of the titles of the poems.
Tiruluka Citraram has also written articles in Tamil with lucid style.
Welcome the new year with an appropriate song like this:
The morning star hits the east.
The wheel of fire roams the sea.
Gentle Notus Eke doth drift
on top of a rolling stream.
The first line is comparable to Shakespeare’s line “Bright, dear, like a distant flower in its brilliant field”. The second line refers to the Apollo car as the “wheel of fire”.
As he is very attracted to the great English poets, he has translated some interesting poems in Tamil language. Notable are Longfellow’s The Arrow and the Song, T. Hood’s, The Bridge of Sighs, GMHopin’s, and A Sonnet.
How does he create poems? Professor TRKuppuswami answered this question.
Professor Kuppuswami narrates his experience with Tiruluka Sitaram as follows:
“Poetry is under his direction and calls. Between wearing betel leaves, correcting proofs, answering a telephone call or conversing with clients and friends, he scribbles a few lines. The poem piles up in fits and starts and never receives revision. Once I dared to ask him if the continuity had not been spoiled by his commas “Nothing of the kind. I pick up the pen whenever I want and the poem is formed.”
He is also noted for his translation of the poems into Tamil:
“His genius has another glittering face. Translation, especially of poetry, is an impossible job. To present believers in a different language with all the soul and beauty of an intact original is a utopian dream. But he is an exception. To him it is child’s play.”
Ramachandran who has translated all the Tamil poems into English has done a commendable job. His vast knowledge gained over the years helped him craft this book.
It was Johann Wolfgang von Goethe who said, “Every day we should hear at least one little song, read one good poem, see one fine picture, and, if possible, speak some sensible words.”
This is a book that will give you a lot of good poems, if you want to take Goethe’s advice.