ಕರುಣಾಳು ಬಾ ಬೆಳಕೆ
I got a Christmas gift from a friend. I loved it. They wanted me to sing a Christmas song. That's something I can't do. Instead, I chose to recite the poem ಕರುಣಾಳು ಬಾ ಬೆಳಕೆ by BM Shree. Originally called Lead, Kindly Light titled "the Pillar of the Cloud" was written by John Henry Newman, an English priest. He wrote it during his difficult times.
"Lead, Kindly Light," by John Henry Newman (1801-90), was written when Cardinal Newman was in the stress and strain of perplexity and mental distress and bodily pain. The poem has been a star in the darkness to thousands.
Poems That Every Child Should Know
Belluru Mylaraiah Srikantaiah (B M Sri) translated many English poems to Kannada. I remember this from our school days and, for some reason, stayed with me. What an excellent translation this is. Better than the English version, in my opinion. The first stanza is my favorite.
ಕರುಣಾಳು ಬಾ ಬೆಳಕೆ
ಕರುಣಾಳು ಬಾ ಬೆಳಕೆ ಮಸುಕಿದೀ ಮಬ್ಬಿನಲಿ
ಕೈ ಹಿಡಿದು ನಡೆಸೆನ್ನನು
ಇರುಳು ಕತ್ತಲೆಯ ಗವಿ ಮನೆ ದೂರ ಕನಿಕರಿಸಿ
ಕೈ ಹಿಡಿದು ನಡೆಸೆನ್ನನು|| ಪ ||ಹೇಳಿ ನನ್ನಡಿಯಿಡಿಸು ಬಲುದೂರ ನೋಟವನು
ಕೇಳೆನೊಡನೆಯೆ ಸಾಕು ನನಗೊಂದು ಹೆಜ್ಜೆ
ಮುನ್ನ ಇಂತಿರದಾದೆ ನಿನ್ನ ಬೇಡದೆ ಹೋದೆ
ಕೈ ಹಿಡಿದು ನಡೆಸೆನ್ನನು|| 1 ||ಇಷ್ಟುದಿನ ಸಲಹಿರುವೆ ಈ ಮೂರ್ಖನನು ನೀನು ಮುಂದೆಯೂ
ಕೈ ಹಿಡಿದು ನಡೆಸದಿಹೆಯಾ
ಕಷ್ಟದಡವಿಯ ಕಳೆದು ಬೆಟ್ಟ ಹೊಳೆಗಳ ಹಾದು
ಇರುಳನ್ನು ನೂಕದಿಹೆಯಾ?|| 2 ||ಬೆಳಗಾಗ ಹೊಳೆಯದೆಯೆ ಹಿಂದೊಮ್ಮೆ ನಾನೊಲಿದು
ಕರುಣಾಳು ಬಾ ಬೆಳಕೆ - ಬಿ.ಎಂ.ಶ್ರೀ
ಈ ನಡುವೆ ಕಳಕೊಂಡೆ ದಿವ್ಯ ಮುಖ ನಗುತ(ನಗುವ)|| 3 ||
Lead, kindly Light
Lead, kindly Light, amid th' encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on;
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on.
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
Shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead Thou me on.
I loved the garish day; and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will: remember not past years.So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still
Lead, Kindly Light - John Henry Newman
Will lead me on
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost a while
