Nala and Damayanti and Other Poems

A devoted son’s tribute frames this graceful entry into ancient Indian verse, inviting listeners to hear the timeless echo of Sanskrit poetry rendered into English. The translator, a former Oxford professor of poetry, shares how a scholarly curiosity led him from dusty grammars to the vivid worlds of the Mahabharata and Ramayana, seeking the “Homeric simplicity” that lies beneath their exotic veneer. His careful, modest approach promises faithful renditions that retain the original’s lyric beauty while opening the poems to modern ears.

Among the selections, the love saga of Nala and Damayanti shines as a tender, yet heroic tale of devotion, destiny, and the trials of the heart. The verses capture the delicate interplay of longing and duty, allowing listeners to feel the emotional currents that have moved readers for centuries. With insightful notes that illuminate cultural nuances, this collection offers a rare, accessible glimpse into a poetic tradition that remains both mysterious and profoundly human.