Oh Papeeha, Papeeha-- a Tribute To Mrs.Sarojini Naidu Poem by Indira Renganathan

Oh papeeha, papeeha, papeeha
'Wouldst thou recall to my heart, papeeha, '
A 'koel voice' that sang a song of love
On a love gone far as dreams of delight..
With choicest words that meant the depth of love
A song of Parvati and Amarsingh
Sung by that great 'koel voice' long ago
'Wouldst thou revive in my heart, papeeha'

Like an alabaster box with frail art
Holding spice and scent, a delicate heart
Sang 'Of song and sorrow and life and love.'
From its spicy and scented memories
Oh dear papeeha, just that koel voice
'Wouldst thou revive in my heart papeeha'
The cry of a little mouse, little deer
And that little bride when their lords were dead..

Oh papeeha, papeeha, papeeha
How that koel voice quavered in sorrow
More sang 'He who holds the storm by the hair,
will hide in his breast our lives.'.. that koel
To the fishers with hearty interest
'LORD of the lotus, lord of the harvest,
Bright and munificent lord of the morn! '
As that koel voice sang the 'Harvest Hymn'

Wonderful! ..don't you feel it papeeha
'Wouldst thou revive in my heart, papeeha'
All that koel sang in great elation
Many, so many like these long ago
Some more to recall--The Bangle Sellers,
Palanquin Bearers and on India's
Sons, dancers, snake charmers and many more
'Wouldst thou revive in my heart, papeeha'

Life and events, love and stories she sang
Sang a lot of songs and hymns too so sweet
Oh, she's the Nightingale of our Bharat
Hers is that koel voice oh papeeha
The great Mrs.Sarojini Naidu
Poet and patriot of India
Wouldst thou revive for ever her verses
The bliss of poetry oh, papeeha

Reading her verses is like enjoying
A flight along the vast sky like a bird
Finding an oasis in the desert
Getting drenched in the sudden summer rains
Breezy moonshine gazing at the night's charm
Love at first sight of a boy and a girl..
Papeeha, wouldst thou revive those verses
Our Nightingale long ago sang for us