Telugu Original : Devarakonda Balagangadhara Tilak
English Translation: Ch J Satyananda Kumar
Pilupu
Raatri janani gunde meedi
Yuddhapu korakanchula yerrani ravvalu
Meerevarainaa choosaara?
Kanneerainaa vidichaara?
KOti kOti sainikula oodipadina
Kanu grudla addalalO pratiphalinchE nijaalanu
Mee repudainaa chusaaraa?
Kanneeraina vidichaara?
Daridruni nOrulEni kadupu
Terachukonna naaluka boodidalO vraasukunna maatalu
Meerevarainaa choosaara?
Kanneerainaa vidichaara?
Kaalam virigina bandi chakramlaa kadalalEka padipOtE
Mondi chEtula maanavatvam tellabOyina deenadrusyam
Meerevarainaa choosaara?
Kannerainaa vidichaara?
Muduchukunna kagitapu gundelu chirigi pOkapOtE
ANachukonna nallani mantalu aakaasaaniki rEgakapundE
Meeripudaina mElokontaaraa?
Cheekati teralanu cheelustaara?
Prabhaata vipanchika palikistaaraa?
–(1944)
The red sparks jumping up from the smouldering embers of war
burning on mother earth’s bosom
The truths reflected in the mirrors of the fallen eye balls of
millions and millions of soldiers
Have any one of you seen ?
Have any one of you shed tears at least?
The tongue of the poor man’s speechless stomach
opened up and scribbled syllables on cinders
Have any one of you seen ?
Have any one of you shed tears at least?
The sad sight of bumbling humanity
when the time could not move and fallen like an awe struck broken wheel of cart
Have any one of you seen ?
Have any one of you shed tears at least?
If the folded paper hearts are not torn away
before the repressed black flames climb-up to touch the sky
Will you wake up at least now?
Will you rip the dark drapes?
Will you play the harp of new dawn?
