rangOli

Waking up before sunrise,
she used to clean the yard
and sprinkle water;
her lines used to be straight and orderly,
her motifs were flowers and creepers,
Always hopeful like the tendrils -
that was grandma.

Waking up at sunrise,
she used to sweep the yard
and draw the rangOlis;
her lines used to criss-cross,
and she was fond of colours;
her motifs were vegetable sprouts,
Always deep as the water table -
that was mother.

Waking up after sunrise,
stretching her hands and feet
she strikes the broom and sweeps the floor,
she puts some dots here
and some dots there
and connects them in a puzzling manner;
Always an enigma -
that is daughter.

- translated by Mr.J.K Mohana Rao from the original kannaDa of purushOttama biLImaLe