Reviews

I Even Regret Night by Lalbihari Sharma

kjadoonath's review against another edition

5.0

I can’t even begin to put into words what it means to me to read a firsthand account of indenture like this. One that not only contends with the brutality of our history but also finds the beauty in our cosmic existence. I’ll be revisiting this volume frequently.

helenareadsbooks's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

I Even Regret Night: Holi Songs of Demerara was written by Lalbihari Sharma and translated by Indo-Guyanese queer poet Rajiv Mohabir. It is a translation of the only known first hand account of indentured life written by an indentured labourer in Guyana. It was published in India in 1915 and was originally written as folksongs to celebrate Phagua/Holi and bring joy. Many of the songs invoke the Ramayana and Hindu Gods. It is through these allegories and conversations with the Gods that we can glimpse the realities of indentured life.

My knowledge of Hinduism and the ancient Indian epics is limited, and so I was pleasantly surprised at how much of this poetry collection I could understand. Mohabir’s translation felt approachable. The translators note by Mohabir and afterword by Gaiutra Bahadur are insightful and provide more context.

The book reflects a common notion discussed in Bahadur’s book Coolie Woman, that indentured labourers tried to hold on to their traditions and beliefs while the indenture system and colonization tried to rob them of themselves. Even though indentured labourers faced harsh circumstances and the reality that most of them could not return to India, they still had their gods.

This translation is beautiful, and thinking about the skill and care that went into translating these folksongs into poems while capturing the original meaning of Sharma’s words makes this a truly magical reading experience. 

publiqfriend's review

4.0

Wow. Very revealing of guyanese inner life way back when; a lovely translation.