Romance in all its forms has been defined and described by Robi Thakur in his lyrics and stories. Love is a prism and depending on which part the sun's rays lights it up, a different angle, a subtle nuance, a unique take on love is revealed. So it is difficult for me to really choose my favourite love lyric from Tagore's repertoire.
Yet this lover's offering of unconditional love to his beloved sends quivers to all that is romantic in me. Here is the lyric and its translated form.
'Bhalobeshe Sakhi nibhrite jotone; Amar namti likho--tomar moner mandirey Amar porane je gaan bajichey tahar tallti shikho--tomar chorono manjirey Dhoriya rakhiyo shohagey adore; amar mukhoro pakhi--tomar prashado pranganey Mone kore sakhi bandhiya rakhiyo amar haater rakhi--tomar konoko kokoney Amar lotar ekti mukul bhuliya tuliya rekho--tomar aloko bondhaney Amaro smarono-shubho-sindhuray ekti bindu enko--tomar lolato chondoney Amar moner moherey madhuri makhiya rakhiya diyo--tomar anga shourabhey Amar akulo jeebon-moron tutiya lutiya niyo---tomar atulo gourabhey'
TRANSLATED
'With love, my dearest, etch my name quietly and with care in the temple of your heart. The melody that chimes in my heart, imbibe its rhythm in the bells of your anklets. Encage lovingly and with caresses my singing bird in the courtyard of your palace. Remember to tie the rakhi of my love to your golden bangle. Pluck from my creeper a bud and place it casually in the strands of your coiffure. To remember me, place a spot of the pious vermilion on your sandal-coloured forehead. Smear the sweet delights of my heart into the fragrance of your body. Take completely the avid hunger of my life and death and merge them into the incomparable magnificence of your self.'
The translation, of course, loses out on the music of the original words and their meaning but that is the lacking in a translation. I have tried my best.
Copyright@Sutapa Basu. All rights reserved.
