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Poems on the MRT

போகப் போக புதியன காணல் / New Meanings by V. Sutherman

 

போகப் போக புதியன காணல்
வை.சுதர்மன்


மூக்கு வரை மணம்
நாக்கு வரை ருசி
குடல் வரை உணவு
கொள்வது எவ்வளவு
மனம் வரை அளவு

பிழைக்கத்தான் இந்த உலகம்!
படாத பாடு சண்டை
துன்பப் போர் புரட்சி

நீதி நியாயம் மானம் மரியாதை
மகிழ்ச்சி வளர்ச்சி வாழ்வியல் தொடர்ச்சி
போகப் போகப் புதியன காணல்!


New Meanings
Written by V. Sutherman
Translated by Sulosana Karthigasu

Aroma tickles the nose
Taste dances on the tongue
Food fills the stomach
But how much to eat –
The mind decides

In this world of ours
We endure
Endless wars
Rebellions, misery

Yet still we seek
Justice, honour, integrity, respect
Happiness, growth, and rebirth
As life moves on
We find new meanings

Published in சுழலும் உலகில் சுற்றுகின்ற வாழ்க்கை (2000)


Mr V. Sutherman began his writing journey in 1946 and has published 14 works, including poetry, essays, travelogues, and memoirs. Born in Tamil Nadu, India, in 1928, he completed his education in Malaya and speaks five languages: Tamil, English, Malay, Chinese, and Hindi. A leader in the Malaya Trade Union and a member of the Indian National Army, he witnessed a significant period in Southeast Asian history. His accolades include the Kanaiyazhi Literary Award in 2011. At 96, V. Sutherman continues to write, reflecting a lifelong dedication to literature.

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Poems on the MRT is an initiative by the National Arts Council, in partnership with SMRT and Stellar Ace. Produced by Sing Lit Station, a local literary non-profit organisation, this collaboration displays excerpts of Singapore poetry throughout SMRT’s train network, integrating local literature into the daily experience of commuters. Look out for poems in English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil in trains on the East-West, North-South and Circle Lines, as well as videos created by local artists and featuring local poets in stations and on trains. The Chinese, Malay, and Tamil poems are available in both the original languages and English. To enjoy the full poems, commuters may read them on go.gov.sg/potm.


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