Centenary Tribute to Narayan Surve

Please Write Your Name

Teacher, write your name
Teacher, write...
Put your name only.
I swear, swear in the name of Goddess Maree-aai,
Please write ...
Look at his matted hair, teacher;
Don't they look like a cobra's hood?
He's God's gift, teacher,
God's gift.

Teacher, the soil may act rogue ...
May put on airs, but
without a plow,
without a seed,
Does a sapling sprout? Ever? Tell me.
Then how can you write my name in place of his father's?
And how can a child grow up without a father?
No, don't write any God's name.
Write the name of a man.
What has God done?
I conceived with a man, right?
Write your name only.
Don't ask caste;
Women like me do not belong to one man, teacher,
Nor do we belong to one home,
Never such luck ...
He was born here though.
Born early in the morning;
I delivered him alone;
No midwife, no one around to help,
I was fearful first ...then elated.
Go child.
Bow down.
Touch his feet.
Please teacher, write your name only.

When I Am Overcome With Emotions 

When I am overcome with emotions,
When I am overcome with…