Attoor Ravivarma (or Attur Ravi Varma) writes in Malayalam, the language of Kerala, spoken by about 20 million people. Among Indian states, Kerala had the first democratically elected communist government, and over the years Keralans vote either the Congress Party or the Communist Party into office. Ravivarma’s poem was translated from Malayalam into English by K. Satchidanandan, poet, critic and activist of world renown.
Ginealach
Thaitin an Union Jack
go mór le daideo
na stríoca is na cearnóga:
oifigeach sráidbhaile ab ea é.
D’ardaigh daid an trídhathach.
Trodaí ar son na saoirse ab ea é.
Ardaímse bratach dhearg san aer.
I lámha mo gharmhic
tá bratach Yaincí
lena leathch
