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Singing to the Goddess: Poems to Kali and Uma from Bengal
This vibrant collection presents 145 brief Bengali lyric poems dedicated to the Hindu goddesses Kali and Uma. These poems--many of which are presented here for the first time in English translation--were written from the early eighteenth century up to the contemporary period. They represent the unique Bengali tradition of goddess worship (Saktism) as it developed over this period. Included are forty poems by the most famous of all Sakta poets, Ramprasad Sen (c.1718-1775) and ten lyrics by the renowned 20th-century poet Kaji Najrul Islam. McDermott's lucid introduction places these works in their historical context and shows how images of the goddesses evolved over the centuries. Her lively translations of these poetic lyrics evoke the passion and devotion of the followers of Kali and Uma and shed light on the history and practice of goddess worship.
"1101402536"
Singing to the Goddess: Poems to Kali and Uma from Bengal
This vibrant collection presents 145 brief Bengali lyric poems dedicated to the Hindu goddesses Kali and Uma. These poems--many of which are presented here for the first time in English translation--were written from the early eighteenth century up to the contemporary period. They represent the unique Bengali tradition of goddess worship (Saktism) as it developed over this period. Included are forty poems by the most famous of all Sakta poets, Ramprasad Sen (c.1718-1775) and ten lyrics by the renowned 20th-century poet Kaji Najrul Islam. McDermott's lucid introduction places these works in their historical context and shows how images of the goddesses evolved over the centuries. Her lively translations of these poetic lyrics evoke the passion and devotion of the followers of Kali and Uma and shed light on the history and practice of goddess worship.
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Singing to the Goddess: Poems to Kali and Uma from Bengal

Singing to the Goddess: Poems to Kali and Uma from Bengal

by Rachel Fell McDermott
Singing to the Goddess: Poems to Kali and Uma from Bengal
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Singing to the Goddess: Poems to Kali and Uma from Bengal

Singing to the Goddess: Poems to Kali and Uma from Bengal

by Rachel Fell McDermott

Overview

This vibrant collection presents 145 brief Bengali lyric poems dedicated to the Hindu goddesses Kali and Uma. These poems--many of which are presented here for the first time in English translation--were written from the early eighteenth century up to the contemporary period. They represent the unique Bengali tradition of goddess worship (Saktism) as it developed over this period. Included are forty poems by the most famous of all Sakta poets, Ramprasad Sen (c.1718-1775) and ten lyrics by the renowned 20th-century poet Kaji Najrul Islam. McDermott's lucid introduction places these works in their historical context and shows how images of the goddesses evolved over the centuries. Her lively translations of these poetic lyrics evoke the passion and devotion of the followers of Kali and Uma and shed light on the history and practice of goddess worship.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780198030706
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication date: 03/01/2001
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
File size: 2 MB

About the Author

Rachel McDermott is Assistant Professor of Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures at Barnard College.

Read an Excerpt

Is my black mother Syama really black?
People say Kali is black,
but my heart doesn't agree.
If She's black,
how can She light up the world?
Sometimes my Mother is white,
sometimes yellow, blue, and red.
I cannot fathom Her.
My whole life has passed
trying.

She is Matter,
then Spirit,
then complete Void.

It's easy to see
how Kamalakanta
thinking these things
went crazy.

Kamalakanta Bhattacharya


Oh Mind, you don't know how to farm;
your human field has fallen fallow.
Cultivate it, and the crops you'll grow
will gleam like gold. Fence it round with Kali's name
so your harvest won't be harmed.
The Wild-Haired One is strong;
Death won't come near that fence.
Don't you know? Your crops will never fail--
not in a day, a year, or a century.
So apply yourself, Mind;
work to reap your harvest.
The Teacher sowed the mantra;
now water his seed with devotion's showers.
And oh, if you can't do it alone, Mind, take Ramprasad along.

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Related Subjects

Poetry
Asian Poetry
Indic & South Asian Poetry
Poetry
Asian Poetry
Indic & South Asian Poetry

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