Like waves in the ocean, I’m at play!
In January 2016, while on a ‘Sadbhavana Yatra’ in north Gujarat organised by Sanjay-Tula of Vishwagram, I met Dhruv dada (well-known Sahitya Akademi awarded Gujarati writer, Dhruv Bhatt). As we travelled with him in his car, with great love, he shared with us those poems of his which come to him as songs (with tunes). We have so much enjoyed learning these songs of a modern/contemporary mystic poet, so to speak.
In this song, he speaks of the great bounty and benevolence of nature (kudrat ni rehem) and the joy of being alive. While walking along the banks of the river Narmada, he once came across an old farmer working in his field under a blazing sun. When he asked him how he was doing, the farmer turned to him with a thousand watt smile, and replied with no hint of self-pity, that he was full of joy! That moved something internally for Dhruv dada in his attitude to the farmer, as he realised that even he, who was pitying the farmer, didn’t have that joy which the farmer did. Soon after, this poem/song ‘came to him’.
This yatra, mooted and part-sponsored by him, was his gesture of commitment to a larger culture of tolerance and reverence in India, done very quietly, away from the noise and controversy surrounding the debate around ‘intolerance’.
I’m at play
I’m at play!
Many joyful, dancing waves
Even when alone
I’m in a carnival each day
In a tiny bundle
Which can never be locked
My treasure is as safe as day
Like waves in the ocean
I’m at play!
Water in the eyes comes and goes
But the moistness within never dries
The shore may keep accounts
Of less and more
The ocean doesn’t bother about such scores
The sun may rise and set everyday
The sky over me is always the same
Like waves in the ocean
I’m at play!
Translation: Vipul Rikhi
Supperrrrb
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Wah ..thnx for writing this and sharing
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Very good translation….Dhruv Dada fondly remembered you yesterday!
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વિપુલભાઈ ખુબ સુંદર કાવ્યપઠન અને અતિ સુંદર કાવ્યાનુવાદ માટે ધન્યવાદ સ્વીકારશો.
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I keep hearing the song non stop since sunday! Just fills the heart with a lot of joy and delight.
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Sir, Simply suberb.
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