Eminent Kannada writer and poet – Kuvempu (K V Puttappa 1904 – 1994) was born on this day – Dec 29. He’s considered to be one of the greatest Kannada writers. Sharing an English translation of one of his most famous poems – “Aniketana” (A Free Spirit).
Among other things, Kuvempu wrote about his vision of a “Universal Man” and his message as a writer was that we should transcend all divisions like caste and religion. He believed that all men are born “universal” or similar to each other, but get bound later on by petty divisions that limit our advancement and development. His message of “Vishwa Maanava” or “Universal Man” is still relevant today, when we see constant attempts being made to divide people on the basis of caste, religion or language.
English translation of his poem “Aniketana“:
O my spirit! Set roots nowhere, O my spirit!
Grow beyond the myriad forms, go beyond the countless names,
When the heart is overfull, inspiration bursts forth
O my spirit! Set roots nowhere O my spirit!
Winnow the chaff of a hundred creeds,
Stretch beyond the stifling philosophies,
Rise, immense and endless as the cosmos,
O my spirit! Set roots nowhere O my spirit!
Rest nowhere on the unending road, never build a binding nest,
Never touch the boundary, Remain infinite and boundless!!
O my spirit! Set roots nowhere, O my spirit!
Infinity has no end, endless is the quest you apprehend,
You are that infinity, become that boundless,
Ascend, ascend, ascend, ascend!!
References:
http://kuvempu.com/en/vishwamaanava.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuvempu
ಭಾಷಾಂತರ ತುಂಬ ಚನ್ನಾಗಿ ಬಂದಿದೆ.
From this website: http://kuvempu.com/en/vishwamaanava.html