A Brief Poem by Kumaran Asan

Written by Mahakavi Kumaran Asan, circa 1910, the poem titled "Kuttiyum Thallayum" (Child and Mother) is in simple language, setting out an imaginary dialogue between a toddler and mother. This work was part of a collection of poems published under the title "Pushpavadi" (Floral Garden).

In a question-answer format, the poet symbolizes a child's fantasy, of flying high to play with butterflies, and contrasts it with some of the unachievable feats that we expend our youth hoping to achieve; in a Universe where our knowledge is belittled by our relative insignificance.

In just eight short verses, the mother-child dialogue turns interestingly philosophical, as much as it is enchanting.

Knowing well that the charm of the original can not be fully brought across from one language to an other; here I have translated the verses to English, observing poetic diction as far as possible. This is primarily for the benefit of the younger ones who might get to appreciate the poem a step further.

Child and Mother

Look Mother!, t'is this vine from where,
now lush-blossoms fly, off into the air!

Mistaken! you are, O'little one today, all
pretty butterflies these are, for sure I'd say.

See, what a glory in the sky, O'Mother,
they're simply soaring, one above an other!

O'what a shame! Play-not I can, amid them there,
all because, fly nor can I; [pity me Mother!]*

O'little one, you keep counting feats you
can not meet - whilst ye beauty simply fleets!

Ah! playful toddler aren't you? Little jasmine,
could you even walk? [Then so to fly?]*

O'tell me why, [can't I fly]* is that so? A kiss I
can spare you, Mother, should you tell me why.

Belittled here is knowledge, yours and mine,
Sweetie, the rest remains a mystical-will divine.

*[Implied]
EXPRESSIONAL TRANSLATION: SUJIT SIVANAND

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