The Eligible Groom (Satpatra) by Sukumar Ray

Translation Acknowledgment

This is my sincere attempt at translating Sukumar Ray's Satpatra. I undertook this translation as part of my Bachelor's degree curriculum, driven by a passion for the work and a desire to share it with others. I want to emphasize that there is no intention to profit from this translation; it is purely an academic endeavor by a student.

Art associated with the Abol Tabol anthology by Sukumar Ray

From my visit to Posta, I heard – 

Of your daughter’s marriage first.

Found a groom out of Gangaram?

I’ll tell you about him in an epigram.

Not bad,

This groom hits the mark,

Though his complexion is dismally stark;

On top of that, his face’s shape 

Looks like an owl these days;

Schooling and wisdom? Let me tell –

Bless this boy’s perseverance!

Nineteen times in matric bruised

To stop finally, he made a truce.

Salary and finance? He is a poor fellow –

Pulls two ends to meet at one go.

His brothers couldn’t be called human –

One mad, one stubborn;

Another one committed treason,

Faked notes and went to prison.

The youngest plays the tabla,

Gets five rupees in Jatra.

Gangaram constantly suffers

From jaundice and liver troubles.

But they are of much fame,

Kansa’s is their last name!

Shyam Lahiri of Banagram

Is some relative of Gangaram. – 

Whatever it is, this time you got a groom.

What’s bad about him? Don’t think too soon.