The language issue has once again stirred the political landscape of Maharashtra. But I’m not going to delve into that here. Instead, I want to share something personal.
I consider myself fortunate to have done my schooling in my mother tongue, Marathi. This isn’t about flaunting linguistic pride or regional identity. Honestly, when it comes to the medium of education, children don’t really get to choose. Those decisions are made by parents. But I’m deeply grateful that my schooling introduced me to the rich literary heritage of Marathi.
Back then, as a student, I didn’t appreciate it much. The boring educational atmosphere left little room for genuine literary enjoyment. But everything changed once I stepped outside that framework and began exploring Marathi literature just for fun.
One such discovery was Balkrishna Bhagwant Borkar, fondly known as Bakibab.
माझ्या गोव्याच्या भूमीत, गड्या नारळ मधाचे||
These were the first lines through which we were introduced to Bakibab in school. This poem was a tribute to his beloved homeland, Goa. To help us memorize it, we set it to the tune of a popular Marathi film song—“काळ्या मातीत मातीत”. It fitted perfectly. Memorization was the primary goal back then, but today, I revisit these words with a different appreciation.
I am talking about him today because 8th July marks his death anniversary.
Bakibab wrote this particular poem while he was living in Pune, unsure of when he would next return to Goa. He chose the ओवी (Ovi) form; a traditional Marathi meter commonly used in जात्यावरच्या ओव्या (folk couplets sung by women while grinding grain on the जातं or grinding stone). Saint Dnyaneshwar famously composed most of his works in this same format.
The poem is quite long, so I’ll only touch upon a few lines here. I’m also sharing a link to a archival recording of Bakibab himself reciting this poem on Mumbai Doordarshan. Do give it a listen if you’re interested; his voice brings the verses to life in a way that no text ever can.
Tribute to homeland
माझ्या गोव्याच्या भूमीत, गड्या नारळ मधाचे
कड्या कपारीमधूनी घट फुटती दूधाचे
माझ्या गोव्याच्या भूमीत, वनश्रीची कारागिरी,
पानफुलांची कुसर, पशुपक्ष्यांच्या किनारी,
माझ्या गोव्याच्या भूमीत उन्हाळ्यात खारा वारा
पावसात दारापुढे सोन्या चांदीच्या रे धारा.
माझ्या गोव्याच्या भूमीत गड्या साळीचा रे भात,
वाढी आईच्या मायेने सोनकेवड्याचा हात,
माझ्या गोव्याच्या भूमीत लाल माती निळे पाणी,
खोल आरक्त घावात शुद्ध वेदनांची गाणी.
माझ्या गोव्याच्या भूमीत सारा माझा जीव जडे
पुरा माझ्या कवनाचा गंध तेथे उलगडे.
In my homeland of Goa, you get coconuts sweet like honey and you you will see fizzy milky waterfalls everywhere you look.
In my homeland of Goa, forest is an artist, there are gorgeous motifs of flora and lovely borders of fauna!
In my homeland of Goa, summer brings crisp sea breeze and monsoon showers gold and silver in my yard!
In my homeland of Goa, Jiresaal (जिरेसाळ) (local rice variety which smells like cumin) is in abundance, and it get served to everyone with love and care of a mother.
In my homeland of Goa, we have blue waters and red soil. But it’s not red just naturally, it has soaked into our blood and struggles. Our deep wounds sing songs of hard times.
It’s my homeland of Goa, which has captured my mind, there you will understand the true flavor of my poems!
This is my humble attempt to bring a part of this beautiful poem for you. Hope you like it.
This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
Fore more such posts, please click here.
