When it dawns
Blooms fifteenth August in the country
Our imprisonment ended
By bidding farewell to the White rule.
Tomorrow’s rays would touch sweetly
The tender cheeks of babies
The Cold breezes of tomorrow would touch pleasantly
The foreheads of babies.
Roses in garden would sway
More delicately than usual
Drums in Red fort would beat
More fiercely than usual.
More pleasantly than normal
Would fly the tri-colour flag tomorrow
More zealously than usual
Would unfurl the people’s heart.
It’s about ten to twelve years
Since we drove the Satan of slavery out
Since we had broken the shackles
Bound around our ankles.
Tomorrow Jayaharati would be given devotedly
To mother by Swarajya Bharati laughing happily
That is our festival of Independence That is Sarvodaya joyous in our hearts.
Heard are the delicate sounds of bracelets of victory
Blooming are golden flowers in my heart
The East is smiling to herself beautifully for reason secret
Giving the string of pearls in affection elusive.
Oh, lass who saw thirteen springs
Who are you?
Who would raise waves of peace in our hearts?
Oh, golden girl who stood in the shade of tri-colour flag
Who are you?
Oh, evergreen heroine who says “Satya meva jayate?”
Who are you Eswari
On coin minted of lions four
Who are you ,sister?
Who would radiate smiles galore?
Who are you, blissful girl?
In your eyes move
Red bright glitterings of eyes of Rana Pratap
Shining of prowess apt of Chatarpati Shivaji.
Who are you little sister ?
Your words radiate
Jhansi Lakshm’s heroism, Bahadur shah’s nerve
Mangal Pande’s sacrifice, Tantya Tope’s pride
Saliavhanas’ adventure, Kakatiyas’ temper.
Who are you woman of awareness?
In your eyes appear
Laughs sprinted in Yasodhara’s Palace of love
Flowers bloomed in Asoka’s garden
Lights lit by Vikramarka and Kalidasa.
I am girl of freedom and of ceaseless innovation
I am lass of Swaraj and evergreen super woman.
Dadabhai Nowroji’s glowing patriotism
Gopalakrishna Gokhale’s great love of freedom
Balagangadhara Tilak’s cleverness of comprehensive ideas
Lala lajpat Rai’s great ability of brightness
Sweet goodness of Madan Mohan Malaviya
Inspired awareness of Chitta Ranjan Das
Commander of Bardoli struggle our deputy PM spotless
Talent of Patel, the iron man of India A bright light who taught revolution peace
The Sun who gave Sankranti to luminosity
National hero, Mahavibhuti of freedom struggle
Matchless splendour of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
Gave me life and nourishment
Provided strength and propelled me to go ahead.
His word fifth Veda of cosmos
His call a blowing of conch to country
His fast Sri Rama Raksha to universe
His life uplifting of human race.
He’s a university strange
He’s a temple holy
A balance of truth and Ahimsa.
He’s no enemies, a great Rishi
He’s Yugapurusha , A Mahatma
His immortal hands
Gave me nectar and brought me up.
I am Laksmi of freedom,
Lakshmi of Swaraj
A goddess of prosperity
Giver of awareness to nation.
August revolution of those days
Unforgettable upsurge matchless.
That’s Mahasivaratri when Shiva took poison lethal
That day shook the earth and creatures all.
The chariot of awareness ran fast
The path of freedom accorded warm welcome
Arose, Awakened and marched nation great
Burnt were files in offices
Fell like vultures police caps
Went Trains on satyagraha
Opened doors Jails.
The White rule had been shaken
The tyranny of vested interests broken
The bells of temple of freedom resounded
The drums of freedom victorious heard aloud.
It’s yagna- complete mahayajna.
That was continuous Swaraj mahayajna.
Alluri Sitarama Rajus who brightened ages
Desabhaktas, Desoddharakas, Andhra Ratnas, Andhra kesaris
Warriors common, great, epical
Matchless heroes of prowess and courage
Anonymous heroes sacrificed their lives at platforms of yagas
Jumped in the tongues of great fires of war
Turned into dust in flames bright.
Turned cool the fire place of Swaraj
Drenched in rains of tears of mothers
Out of mud of the place
Born a flower most wonderful.
I am Bharat Bhagya Lakshmi born in mud
I am Laksmi of freedom,
Lakshmi of Swaraj
I am golden creeper of freedom-
My leaves are green
My shoots are red
I am dear symbol of tricolour
I am bath of nectar to Ashoka’s wheel beautiful .
(Broadcast as Telugu poem on AIR, New Delhi on 26-01-1961)
