Sur's Ocean: Classic Hindi Poetry in Translation

John Stratton Hawley's translation of Hindi verses by Surdas, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, combines erotic and divine qualities of Krishna with a vivid world of prayers, crocodile earrings, spiritual longing, and love-struck bees. Surdas' fame rests on his retelling of the narrative of Krishna and Radha in elegant and approachable lyrics, known as the Sūrsāgar. This translation reconstructs the early tradition of Surdass verse, showcasing his clarity and uniqueness.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2023
Publisher: Harvard University Press

The poems in this collection are arranged in chronological order,reflecting the development of Surdass poetic style over time. They range from the early,more traditional hymns to the later,more experimental and innovative works. Thematically,the poems explore a wide range of subjects,including love, devotion, spirituality, and social justice.

Surdas was born in a village in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in 1474. He lost his sight at a young age,but his love for poetry and his deep knowledge of the Hindu scriptures enabled him to continue to write and compose poetry. He is best known for his poem "Krishna," which tells the story of the god Krishna and his lover Radha. The poem is known for its beautiful language and its depiction of the love between Krishna and Radha.

Surdas was a blind poet,but his poetry was not limited to the themes of love and devotion. He also wrote about social justice, spirituality, and the nature of the human soul. His poems are known for their elegance and simplicity, and they have been translated into many languages, including English, French, and German.

This award-winning translation of Surdass poetry is a valuable addition to the literature of India and the world. It provides a new perspective on the work of one of Indias greatest poets and allows readers to appreciate the beauty and power of his poetry in a new way.

Surdas was born in a village in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in 1474. He lost his sight at a young age,but his love for poetry and his deep knowledge of the Hindu scriptures enabled him to continue to write and compose poetry. He is best known for his poem "Krishna," which tells the story of the god Krishna and his lover Radha. The poem is known for its beautiful language and its depiction of the love between Krishna and Radha.

Surdas was a blind poet,but his poetry was not limited to the themes of love and devotion. He also wrote about social justice, spirituality, and the nature of the human soul. His poems are known for their elegance and simplicity, and they have been translated into many languages, including English, French, and German.

This award-winning translation of Surdass poetry is a valuable addition to the literature of India and the world. It provides a new perspective on the work of one of Indias greatest poets and allows readers to appreciate the beauty and power of his poetry in a new way.

Surdas was born in a village in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in 1474. He lost his sight at a young age,but his love for poetry and his deep knowledge of the Hindu scriptures enabled him to continue to write and compose poetry. He is best known for his poem "Krishna," which tells the story of the god Krishna and his lover Radha. The poem is known for its beautiful language and its depiction of the love between Krishna and Radha.

Surdas was a blind poet,but his poetry was not limited to the themes of love and devotion. He also wrote about social justice, spirituality, and the nature of the human soul. His poems are known for their elegance and simplicity, and they have been translated into many languages, including English, French, and German.

This award-winning translation of Surdass poetry is a valuable addition to the literature of India and the world. It provides a new perspective on the work of one of Indias greatest poets and allows readers to appreciate the beauty and power of his poetry in a new way.

Surdas was born in a village in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in 1474. He lost his sight at a young age,but his love for poetry and his deep knowledge of the Hindu scriptures enabled him to continue to write and compose poetry. He is best known for his poem "Krishna," which tells the story of the god Krishna and his lover Radha. The poem is known for its beautiful language and its depiction of the love between Krishna and Radha.

Surdas was a blind poet,but his poetry was not limited to the themes of love and devotion. He also wrote about social justice, spirituality, and the nature of the human soul. His poems are known for their elegance and simplicity, and they have been translated into many languages, including English, French, and German.

This award-winning translation of Surdass poetry is a valuable addition to the literature of India and the world. It provides a new perspective on the work of one of Indias greatest poets and allows readers to appreciate the beauty and power of his poetry in a new way.
Surdas, a blind poet from India, is widely regarded as the epitome of artistry in Hindi verse. Born in 1474 in Uttar Pradesh, he lost his sight at a young age but continued to write and compose poetry, drawing inspiration from the Hindu scriptures. His most famous work is the poem "Krishna," which tells the story of the god Krishna and his lover Radha. The poem is renowned for its beautiful language and its depiction of the love between Krishna and Radha.

Surdas' poetry explores a wide range of themes, including love, devotion, spirituality, and social justice. He was deeply influenced by the teachings of the Hindu saint Kabir, who emphasized the importance of devotion and the unity of God. Surdas' poems are known for their elegance and simplicity, and they have been translated into many languages, including English, French, and German.

This award-winning translation of Surdas' poetry is a valuable addition to the literature of India and the world. It provides a new perspective on the work of one of India's greatest poets and allows readers to appreciate the beauty and power of his poetry in a new way. The poems are arranged in chronological format, reflecting the development of Surdas' poetic style over time. They range from the early, more traditional hymns to the later, more experimental and innovative works.

Thematically, the poems explore a wide range of subjects, including love, devotion, spirituality, and social justice. Surdas' poetry is deeply personal and reflects his own experiences and struggles with the world. He was a social reformer who advocated for the rights of the underprivileged and the poor, and his poems often address issues of inequality and injustice.

Despite his blindness, Surdas was a prolific writer and composed hundreds of poems. His fame spread throughout India, and he was celebrated for his poetic prowess. He was even honored by the Mughal emperor Akbar, who invited him to his court and gave him a pension.

Surdas' poetry has had a lasting impact on Indian literature and culture. His work has inspired countless poets and writers, and his message of love, devotion, and social justice continues to resonate with readers today. This award-winning translation of Surdas' poetry is a testament to his enduring legacy and provides a new perspective on the work of one of India's greatest poets.

In conclusion, Surdas is a blind poet from India who is widely regarded as the epitome of artistry in Hindi verse. His most famous work is the poem "Krishna," which tells the story of the god Krishna and his lover Radha. Surdas' poetry explores a wide range of themes, including love, devotion, spirituality, and social justice. He was deeply influenced by the Hindu saint Kabir and was a social reformer who advocated for the rights of the underprivileged and the poor. This award-winning translation of Surdas' poetry is a valuable addition to the literature of India and the world and provides a new perspective on the work of one of India's greatest poets.

Dimension: 203 x 133 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674290174