Nail Sized Flicker Of Lamp Poem by Ch J Satyananda Kumar

(This lyric written by Dr. C. Narayana Reddy is from the Telugu film ‘Gorantha Deepam’ (1978) directed by Bapu. Composed by K V Mahadevan, it was rendered by SP Balasubrahmanyam and P. Suseela.)

English Translation: Ch J Satyananda Kumar

gOranta deepam konDanta velugu
chiguranta aaSa jagamanta velugu

nail sized flicker of lamp gives mount sized light
A shoot like hope makes the world glittery and bright

(1)
kari mabbulu kammE vELa merupu teegE velugu
kAru cheekaTi musirE vELa vEgu chukkE velugu
mati tappina kAkula rodalo mounamE velugu
dahiyinchE bAdhala madhyana sahanamE velugu

when dark clouds are gathered, a ray of lightning gives light
when deep darkness is hovered, the morning star gives light
In the cacophony of crazy crows’ cawing, silence is light
In midst of scorching afflictions, perseverance is light

(2)
kaDali naDuma paDava munigitE kaDa daakA eedAli
neeLLu lEni eDArilO kanneeLLaina tAgi batakAli
ae tODu lEni nADu nee neeDE neeku tODu
jagamantA dagaa chEsinA chiguranta aaSanu chooDu

when boat sinks in mid sea, one should swim till the end
in waterless desert, survive swallowing even tear drops
when there is no one as cohort, your shadow is your escort
Even if the whole world cheats you, perceive a sprout like hope