The Send-off



BY HIRALAL GODIWALA

(Rendered from a Gujerati folk-Song)



(Here is a translation of the Gujerati song sung on the occasion. It is impossible to bring out in English the fascinatingly sad melody of the original song. The rendering given below conveys the bare sense and that too inadequately.)



Issuing out of Pavagarh, Mother,

You came and made your home in the city, Bhawani

Little bells they jingle round the feet of Bhawani.



Where shall I have your mogra planted, Mother?

In the flower-garden shall I have your mogra planted, Bhawani!

Little bells they Jingle round the feet of Bhawani.



If you stay on, Mother, I shall cook some sweet, rich, half-ground wheat for you;

If you go, some fine white macaroni in ghee, Bhawani!

Little bells they jingle round the feet of Bhawani;



If you stay on, Mother, we shall have a festive car fashioned for you;

If you go, I shall dress you up in rich garments from the South, Bhawani!

Little bells they jingle round the feet of Bhawani.



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