Pastoral songs

Pastoral songs

P K Routray

At this twilight days,

sixty years hence when I gaze

many things I find missing from sight

only reminiscence for you here I cite.

During a bridal farewell

befitting to the melancholic spell

compose the ladies folk close to the bride

lyrics which to day can be sung with pride.

Then the ladies were illiterate by education

but they created by experience and observation.

Videography of each occasion would have drawn applause today.

Nothing like that I see today. Excellent were they that I must say.

When an untoward incident happens deviating from the tradition

small books of poems depicting the incidents were put on circulation

marketing the booklet while singing the lyrics on tunes of a harmonium.

In market places or a ceremonial congregation they were sold maximum.

The authors were illiterate village folk with inborn talent

Sweet, charming melodious were the lyrics depicting the content.

Those songs and lyrics from the mouth and hearts of untrained illiterate village folks

still tuned within me paling the DJ music of the day which seems to me as hoax.