The following is a translation of a tribute to Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois written by the prominent 20th century Chinese writer Bing Xin (冰心) upon news of his passing on August 27, 1963. Bing Xin was a part of the New Culture Movement, a group of writers and scholars in the 1910’s who saw their struggle as against the corrupt Qing dynasty and imperialist powers … Continue reading “Mourning Dr. Du Bois” by Bing Xin
The DUA collective presents a translation of Ramaiyya Vastavaiyya, a song from Raj Kapoor and Khwaja Ahmad Abbas’s movie Sree 420. DUA collective is studying the works of the Progressive Writers Association and how they brought the message of socialism, humanity, and peace to the Indian masses. Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, an artist, freedom fighter and avowed communist, was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru … Continue reading Ramaiyya Vastavaiyya by Shailendra
Below is the translation of an essay by Indian writer Amrita Pritam on her exchanges with the great Vietnamese revolutionary Hồ Chí Minh. This is but one example of our rich history of shared struggle and search for truth and freedom.This translation was done by the DUA collective as a part of our study of revolutionary South Asian literature and culture. The original is in … Continue reading Raja-Yogi by Amrita Pritam
In his tale Parīkṣā, Munshi Premchand gives an account of the Persian conqueror, Nadir Shah’s infamous massacre of Delhi in 1738. Premchand richly describes the decadence of Delhi in those days as built on the exploitation of the provinces. He describes a civilization in moral, psychological, and political decay—a civilization in collapse, a civilization not unlike our own. Below is the Dua Collective’s translation followed … Continue reading Pariksa
The following is a set of dohās (Hindi rhyming couplets) by the great 15th century Indian weaver, poet, and revolutionary philosopher, Kabir. Kabir shows us the ability of the common man to produce art and music that emerges from but also transcends his material conditions, and presents a vision of a society based on love, selflessness and empathy. Kabir dohās present the wisdom of Kabir. … Continue reading Kabir Dohe
Organization for Positive Peace 