Guna’s evocative poem for Different Truths, explores the enduring magic of Chitralekha, an artist and companion in Mahabharata, who mysteriously disappears leaving behind a beautiful garden.

Having painted on both eyes
suddenly vanished
Chitralekha the enchantress
 
She planted
in heart
the garden of Babylon
 
It is swaying 
in heart
heavenly flowers are  blooming

Everyday  we hear
melodious calls of painted birds
 
You are the gardener
of the hanging garden
I know you won’t come back again
 
Yet amidst the clouds
will be shining
the radiant smile of the sun

Note: Chitralekha was the boon companion of Usha, the daughter of the King Baan of the Sonitpur kingdom in Assam (India) of the Mahabharata era. Chitralekha had magical skills at painting and portraiture, in particular.

Original Assamese poem titled Chitralekha. Translated from Assamese into English by Nirendra Nath Thakuria.

Picture design by Anumita Roy

Guna Moran

Guna Moran is a renowned Assamese poet and book reviewer, with over 300 published poems in international magazines and journals. He won the Creator of Justice Award 2020, and his work has been translated into several languages. Moran has published three poetry books and participated in poetry programs in the USA, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Mumbai, and in Indian cities, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, West Bangla. He participated in the VI Open Eurasian Literary Festival ‘Lift’ (2022).

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