Translations of some Indian songs

Listen to Tumi Asbe Bolei

Since your arrival was imminent

Hearing your arrival is imminent the rainclouds have withheld the water and the flame tree has held on to her leaves. The blind beggar is delaying his song, and today, the cop at the intersection, has let the bribes pass. When the maestro found out about your coming he fumbled his rhythm, and when the prime minister found out, he made time to make love to his wife. Golden dreams are crowding my mind For never before has a new day peeped. Now my questions are resisting the lure of resolution, and the nation is resisting plague, all in the hopes of your coming. And behold the forces of evil are folding their paws, and many mediums and conmen are leaving their craft. But young folks are restless still for darkness gathers in the far ends. Yet, nearby, that young scoundrel, on the verge of making trouble, has hesitated since your arrival is imminent. Since your arrival is imminent, I haven't sold my pen.

Listen to Tumi Aghat Korechho Jare

A glossary for the Bengali, before the original and the translation:

• Poritrata — purifier
• Tonu — body
• Rudhir — blood
• Pinko — mud
• Sholil — water
• Kallheri — calvary
• Shir — head
• Toron — gateway
• Onutap — repentance
• Deenota — poverty
• Jeerno — decayed

Original

Tumi aghath korecho jare – she je tomarei muktidata Tumi apoman koro jare – se je tomarei poritrata Oi shundor tonu rudhir dharay bhashe Jeno shukhe komol ponko sholile hashe Kalbheri shire shononi ki tumi moha jiboner gatha Tumi aghath korecho jare – she je tomarei muktidata Tumi apoman koro jare – se je tomarei poritrata Mrittu toron paar hote Jodi chaav Krusher barta he pothik shune java Onutap loye bolo shudhu ekbar “Khoma koro probhu deenota khoma aamar” Jeerno jibone pushpito hobe prem boshonto lota Tumi aghath korecho jare – she je tomarei muktidata Tumi apoman koro jare – se je tomarei poritrata

Translation

Listen to Phir Le Aya Dil

My heart was compelled to come again

My heart was compelled to come again, I couldn't help it. This distance it couldn't stand, And I couldn't help it. The heart pleads To seize for once That unfinished word And that fading recollection. Yes I admit now, that I couldn't help it, and I slipped and failed for I couldn't help it. The heart pleads To nudge again That repressed yearning And that smothered flame. If this is to be, Could we help it? Could we meet again With that lost ease of plain habit? The heart pleads To ever endure That road that got stuck And the longing that now lay in pieces.

Listen to Bahu Manaratha

With so much hope

Dear friend, with a lot of hope I dressed up for this journey. A blue dress, kohl in the eyes, paint on the lips, and flowers in the hair. Because this journey, do you hear, was for my lover. All the joy that you ever desire, where else would you find it if not in love?

The banks of Yamuna have dense dark forests. My lover, that’s where he waited for me. He waited inspite of the pain he suffered. This journey, do you hear, was to those banks. The prolonged wait was finally going to end in our union. Friend, this is the joy that you desire, where else would you find it if not in love?

But dear friend, I was unfortunate. I’ve always been so. I spent the entire night on the banks; awake and alone. My lover didn’t show up. Every bit of the anticipation was now replaced with the weight of exhaustion. Perhaps, this always had to be.

Could I ever tell you what this journey cost me? The adveristies, the struggle, the sacrifices? And the hopes? That night, as the Kajal flowed down my face like dark streams of tears, I burned in anger and shame. Mohan, I despise you. Why did I ever embark on this journey? Is this what love is for — bearing disappointment and shame?

Dear friend, I still dress up everyday. A blue dress, kohl in the eyes, paint on the lips, and flowers in the hair. I dress up without hope. Everyday I set on the same journey to the banks of Yamuna. Mohan has perhaps moved way beyond these dense dark forests. But my friend, all the pain that you ever desire, where else would you find it, if not in love?

Listen to Many Days Alone

Many days alone

The carnival that you hosted  was where I first saw a radio and I just couldn't get over it.  Your house was so warm towards the left side  of the little lake. But I kept thinking about this radio ever since I saw it.  It utterly became my obsession   and the obsession has made me dull  and has even stunted my growth.  Even today it's on my mind! Later in the carnival  I was aimlessly wandering —  so many colors, so many sounds, so many faces  overwhelmed my hungry brain. It was there I first met your eyes   and what eyes I met!  I swear nobody else can pull off the blink that  you had blinked.   Nobody!  Then one day just like that I gave up my all to you  and at the same moment somehow borrowed from you   this life's load of debt. But that's all an aside.  It's the radio that I saw   in the carnival,    in your unsually warm house.     I just can't get over it.

Listen to Amar Mon Mojaiya Re

Sailor take me

Oh Sailor see ruins abound this house that I've built on shaky ground. My fragile place, delicate brace, already looms the looters' call. Any day now I shall fall. Sailor come, before I fall far away. Hear my psalm, bring hope to this stray. Sailor, take me Your way. Oh Sailor see this boat now leaks. And in the east a great storm peeks. No old skill can save its keel from sailing on to the brink. Water rises with every blink. Sailor come, before I drift far away, hear my psalm bring hope to this stray. Sailor, take me Your way. Jesus, take me Your way.