Ekla Cholo Re

Sakhi, bhabona kahare bole?

discoveringtagore — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:52:34 +0000

At the age of 20, in the year 1881 tagore wote this natyogiti (drama song) from the drama broken heart (bhagno hridoy).(Lata Mangeshkar has been kind enough to lend this melody her sweet voice). I will find some more info on the movie this appeared in and update this post. Translation is pending…

Sakhi, bhabona kahare bole?
Sakhi, jatona kahare bole?
Tomra je bolo diboso-rajoni,
Bhalobasha, bhalobasha.
sakhi, bhalobasha kare koye?
Seki keboli jatona-moye?
Seki keboli chokher jal?
Seki keboli dukher saas?
Loke tobe kore ki sukheri tore, Aemon dukhero aas?
Aamar chokhe to shokoli sobhon,
Shokoli nobeen, shokoli bimol.
Suneel akash, shyamolo kanon
Bishodo jochona, kusumo komol.
Shokol amari moton.

Tara keboli hanshe, keboli gaye,
Hanshiya, kheliya morite chaye.
Najane bedon, najane radon.
Najane shader jatona joton.
Phool se hanshite hanshite jhore,
Jochona hanshiya milaye jaye,
Hanshite hanshite alok sagore,
Akashero taara ke aage paye.
Aamar moton sukhi ke aache?
Aaye sakhi aaye, aamar kaache
Sukhi hridoyer sukher gaan
Suniya toder judaabe pran
Protidin jodi kandibi keno,
Ek din noye hanshibi tora,
Ek din noye bishado bhuliya,
Shokole miliya gahibo gaan.

Madhugondhe Bhora

discoveringtagore — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 08:56:24 +0000

This song describes the seasonal monsoon winds which hit India each year. The song was composed in the year 1937 and is probably not all too well known. The version i have heard is the duet one which i liked.

Bengali:
modhugondhe bhora
mridu snigdho chhaya
neepo kunjo tole
shyaamo kaantee moyee
kon shopno maaya
fire brishtti jole
fire rokto aloktok dhouto paaye
dhaara sikto baaye
megh mukto shahassho shashanko kola
sheenthi praante jole
piye ucchalo taralo pralayo modira
uno mukhoro tarangini dhaay adheera
kaar nirbhiko murti torongo dole
kolomondrole
ei tara hara nisshimo ondhokare
kaar toroni chole

English Translation:
The soft and affectionate shadow in the “neep*” tree garden is filled with the smell of honey. (All around) it is dark yet charming, what dreamy infatuation does this rain water bring back! Washed in blood-red-lac, the moist stream flowing at my feet has returned. The smiling crescent glows in the parting of the cloud pearls. Intoxicated as if on doomsday, the surging waters of the clamorous river flow restlessly. Whose fearless statue is it which swings with the waves, in the grave and sonorous murmuring? In this infinite star less darkness whose boat is it that rows?

*The word “neep” refers to the “Kadamba” tree. The latin name of “Kadamba” is Adina Cordifolia which means, thickset foliage like the heart” i.e. “the tree with the heart-shaped leaves. The Kadamba is usually in full bloom by the time the monsoons strike India from the first week of june onwards every year.

Aamee Cheeni Go Cheeni

discoveringtagore — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 08:22:07 +0000

This song is from the movie Charulata (Lonely Wife) made by Satyajit Ray in the year 1964 based on a novel by Tagore by the name Nastanirh (Broken Nest) . It was sung by Kishore Kumar and features Soumitra and Madhabi as the main characters. A sweet melody with great lyrics which come together in perfect harmony to make this a romantic favorite. The song was written in the year 1895.

Bengali
Ami chini go chini tomare o go videshini
Tumi thaako shindhu paare o go videshini
Dekhechi sharodo-praate tomar
Dekhechi madhobi-raate tomar
Dekhechi hride majhare
O go videshini

Ami aakashe patiya kaan
Sunechi sunechi tomare gaan
Ami tomare sopechi praan
O go videshini

Bhubhon bhramiya sheshe
Ami ayeshechi nooton deshe
Ami otithi tomare daare
O go videshini

Ami chini go chini tomare
O go videshini.

English Translation:

The beauty in this song is in the melody and lyrics. Someday i might sit and translate it so that it sounds as well as it does in Bengali. Till then this section will remain blank.I wish i could link a midi file for the melody part.

Ekla Cholo Re (Walk Alone friend..)

discoveringtagore — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 07:29:30 +0000

My all time favorite song and the song that prompted me to try and learn more about tagore deserves the first post. “Ekla Chalo” was originally a set of lyrics penned by Tagore when Bengal was to be partitioned in 1905. One of Gandhiji’s favorites the song remains one of those great inspirational pieces which are timeless.In fact more than 100 years after the song was first written , the song is still as effective as it was back then

….Don’t despair in all your worries , don’t lose hope if you find yourself alone because then you must walk alone and alone you must overcome all the hardships in the path to your goal….

I am sure this song with Kishore’s voice and Tagore’s lyrics strikes a distinct chord in almost any person ,be it the simple peasants of bengal in 1905 or the hardworking common man today.

Bengali
jadi tor daak shune keu naa aashe tabe ekla chalo re
tabe ekla chalo, ekla chalo, ekla chalo, ekala chalo re

jadi keu kathaa naa kaya, ore ore o abhaagaa,
jadi sabaai thaake mukha phiraaye sabaai kare bhaya
tabe paraana khule o tui mukha phute tora manera kathaa, ekalaa balo re

jadi sabaai phire jaaya, ore ore o abhaagaa,
jadi gahana pathe jaabaara kaale keu phire naa chaaya
tabe pathera kaantaa o tui raktamaakhaa charanatale ekalaa dalo re

jadi aalo naa dhare, ore ore o abhaagaa,
jadi jhara-baadale aandhaara raate duyaara deya ghare
tabe bajraanale aapana bukera paanjara jbaaliye niye ekalaa jbalo re

The English translation:
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,

O thou of evil luck,
open thy mind and speak out alone.

If they turn away, and desert you when crossing the wilderness,
O thou of evil luck,
trample the thorns under thy tread,
and along the blood-lined track travel alone.
If they do not hold up the light when the night is troubled with storm,
O thou of evil luck,
with the thunder flame of pain ignite thy own heart
and let it burn alone.

The song “Ruk jaana nahin tu kahin haar ke” by kishore also expresses a similar sentiment but the Bengali one(by Kishore) is my personal favorite.