Notes On Translating Mirabai

Abstract

This article explores the complexities and challenges of translating the devotional poetry of Mirabai (16th century CE), a prominent Indian poet-saint. The author, a scholar of South Asia and a poet, reflects on her personal journey with Mirabai's texts, from initial encounters in translation to her own attempts at rendering the poems into English. A central theme is the elusive nature of a singular, authoritative Mirabai "original," acknowledging the fragmented manuscript tradition and the primarily oral, communal nature of her songs within the bhakti tradition. The article discusses key translational challenges, including maintaining fidelity to both sound and sense, modernizing archaic language, handling divine epithets, and addressing the oral tradition's refrains (tak). By comparing various existing translations of a single Mirabai poem, the author illustrates the diverse choices translators make and their impact on meaning, musicality, and historical context. Ultimately, the article posits that each translation is a unique "contribution" rather than a definitive "corrective," emphasizing the ongoing, iterative nature of poetic translation.