Original poem in Maithili by Gajendra Thakur Translated into English by Lucy Gracy from New York

Original poem in Maithili by Gajendra Thakur
Translated into English by Lucy Gracy from New York

Gajendra Thakur (b. 1971) is the editor of Maithili ejournal “Videha” that can be viewed at http://www.videha.co.in/ . His poem, story, novel, research articles, epic – all in Maithili language are lying scattered and is in print in single volume by the title “KurukShetram.” He can be reached at his email: ggajendra@airtelmail.in


The Sculptor

The sculptor of Balrajgarh
Belonging to the pond of Harari
The Buddhist caves of
Pastan Akaur and Naahar Bhagwatipur
The statue of Uchchaith,
Another form of Avalokiteshwar Tara
The goddess of Kali activated there
By hearing the melody of prayer sung by women
For thousands of years
The rise of Vaijayantipur-Janakpur
And the city of Mithilanagar
A land of defeating enemies
Where rivals were destroyed
The kingdom of general people
Land of the King Janak
The artworks of a lower caste
But who will appraise them now
Just worship their feet
Who kept on serving their motherland
With all dedication
After having such a bitter experience
Walked around Janakpur
Being a devotee of Kamala
A round tour of the great Mithila
Joined the group of untouchable
Established the gohbar for the community
Who sent them out of the village
But the sculptor of cuture
Made the cave of Buddha
Buddha is yours
Shiva, Ram, Krishan are yours
Since entry to temple was not banned
So didn’t quit the place
Bearing the discrimination of
Religion and caste
We must worship them
The sculpt of the statue of Buddha
Base of Brahma and Vishnu’s statues
When the construction collapsed
We all united to give them exile
Then prayer started to
The Deen Bhadari Chhechhan Maharaj
The Gareeban baba and the Lalmain baba
Amar baba, Moti bai, Gango devi
Krishana Ram Sahlesan and more
Made statues of them
The are respectful !