In the light and dust I find my freedom ..

We become truly free only when we transcend the limits of this little body and envelop the limitless. When we see ourselves as part of one big whole, nothing will feel alien to us. We will become one with everything there is ..the light, the dust and the grass. Our mind expands into the infinity of the universe and our thoughts become free to roam into its farthest corners.

The dust and light

Tagore, the philosopher poet sings of this freedom in his song Aamar mukti ..

My freedom is in the light of the sky
My freedom is in the dust, in the grass
Far beyond the mind and body I lose myself
My freedom soars in the melody of songs
My freedom is in the mind that is in everyone
Pain and danger made trifle by hard labor
My soul burns as a flame in the altar of the creator,
My freedom comes when I offer myself to thee

(Adapted from the translation by Ratna De) 

Aamar mukti aaloy aaloy ei aakashe,
Aamar mukti dhulay dhulay ghaase ghaase.
Dehomoner sudur paare haariye pheli aaponare,
Gaaner sure aamar mukti urdhe bhaase.
Aamar mukti sarbojaner moner maajhe,
Dukkhobipad-tuchchho-kara kotthin kaaje.
Bishwodhaatar jogyoshaala atmohomer bonhi jwaala -
Jiban jeno diyi aahuti mukti-aashe.

Finding Tagore's treasure trove

All of my leisure over the last few years were spent in savoring Tagore's poems and songs, yet there is more to unearth from the exquisite treasure trove of Rabindra Sangeet.

What a blessing that such a sensitive, creative and noble human being lived and walked on this earth leaving behind these immortal songs! Every poem is a gift that contains the distilled essence of life, nature, love, joy, beauty, humanity, friendship and more.

How insipid my life would have been without these songs that enliven every aspect of living. Having found this wealth, I am rich!

Tagore : Welcome life in its entirety

Each day we meet life in all its variety.  From fragrances to sights, sounds, touches, feelings and perceptions, our daily destinies, actions and interactions. Life also comes to us in the form of tranquility, rest, peace, sleep and ultimately death. Tagore, the poet wholeheartedly welcomes life in its entirety.

Come into my life in new and varied forms 
Come as fragrances, colors and songs
Come to me as the thrill of touch on my body
Come to my consciousness as joy eternal 
Come to my closed eyes as fascination
Come as pure and radiant light
Come as beauty, tenderness and serenity
Come, come in the variety of destinies
Come to my being as sorrow and joy
Come day after day as all my actions
Come also as the end to all my activities 

Tumi nabo nabo rupe eso praane.
Eso gondhoborone, eso gaane.
Eso onge pulakomoy poroshe.
Eso chitte amritomoy horoshe,
Eso mugdho mudito du-noyaane.
Eso nirmol ujjwala kaanto,
Eso sundoro snigdho proshanto,
Eso eso hey bichitro bidhane.
Eso duhkhe sukhe eso morme,
Eso nityo nityo sob korme;
Eso sokolo-kormo-obosaane.

Tagore: Eternally New

A new dawn

The birth of a child brings an extraordinary feeling of joy and amazement. In these rare moments in our lives we give ourselves up completely to the wonder of seeing a new creation.

If we observe closely, new birth is happening around us all the time. We must tune ourselves to see everything afresh, the new dawn, the new hues in the evening sky, the new buds, the fresh snowflakes each with a new design. Attuned to the eternal renewal around us, we can drink deeply from the wellspring of joy to refresh ourselves.

Hey nutan ..
Dekha dik aar baar janmer pratham shubhakhan  |
Tomar prokash hok kuhelika kori udghaton 
Surjer moton ||
Riktataar bakkha bhedi aapanare karo unmochan  |
Byakta hok jeebaner joy,
Byakta hok tomaamaajhe asimera chirobismay  |
Udayadigante shankha baaje,mor chittamaajhe
Chiranutanere dilo daak
Pnochishe boishakh ||

Oh the new ..
Reveal yourself yet again this auspicious moment of birth,
May your light shine, unveiled from mist,
As does the glowing sun,
From the emptiness of the soul, reveal yourself,
May the joys of life be revealed again,
May your creation be a never ending wonder in me,
As you ascend up the horizon, conch shells resound in celebration within my soul,
Calling out for eternal renewal of the heart,
This twenty fifth day of Spring

Tagore: The heart is made for love ..

Love for all things

The world is intricately woven with exquisite beauty. Life is filled with little glad tidings. From the garland of stars in the night sky to the soft breeze over new leaves. From the melody of bird songs at dawn to the flowers strewn on the ground. We must see, feel and be touched by them. Then a deep love for all things will blossom in our heart.

Jodi prem dile na prane
Keno bhorer akash bhore dile amon gane gane? 
Keno tarar mala gatha,
Keno phuler sayon pata,
Keno dokhin howya gopon katha janaay kane kane?

Jodi prem dile na prene
Keno akash tabe amon choya chaay a mukher pane?
Tabe khane khane keno
Amar hridoy pagol heno
Tari sei sagore bhasaay jahar kul se nahi jane?

If the heart is not meant to love,
Why does the morning break its heart in songs?
Why are the stars strung into a garland?
Why this bed of flowers on my path?
Why does the south wind whisper its sweet little secrets?

If the heart is not meant to love
Why does the sky gaze at my face so ardently?
Why does the heart yearn so madly for someone? 
Why does this foolish heart recklessly launch its hope on the sea whose shore it does not know?

Tagore: Waves play on my heart ..

The weather outside plays intimately on my moods. Be it sunny, windy, cloudy, rainy, snowy or bitterly cold, every single day in nature brings forth new emotions. Only the genius of Tagore can capture these feelings into exquisite poetry and set them to song. "Bipulo tarongo re", is a song of the waves and the ripples they make on the heart.

Bipulo tarongo re, bipulo tarongo re  
Sab gagan udbelia magan kari ateet anagata
Aaloke ujyal jeebane chanchal eki ananda taranga   
Tai, dulichhe dinkara chandra tara,
Chamki kampichhe chetanadhara,
Aakul chanchal naache sansar, kuhare hridoybihanga

Oh these mighty waves, oh these mighty waves,
Sets the sky in delight, drowning the past and future.
Brightening the world, quickening life with every wave of joy
The sun, the moon, the stars all sway with the waves,
Sparkling and thrilling the stream of my perception,
The world dances in waves of excitement, my heart within coos

Some unseen fingers, like idle breeze, are playing upon my heart the music of the ripples.
- Tagore (Stray Birds)

Tagore: Honor the spirit within ..

A poignant song where the poet feels deeply remorseful for not honoring the spirit that dwells within. Even in the midst of all worldly activities, we must seek times of quiet solitude to recognize and honor the living spirit which makes everything possible.

Aamar hiyar majhe lukiye chile dekhte aami paai ni
Tomay dekhte aami paai ni.
Bahir pane chokh melechi,aamar hridoy pane chaai ni.
Aamar shokol bhalobashay shokol aaghat shokol aashay
Tumi chile aamar kaache,ami tomar kaache jaai ni.
Tumi mor aanondo hoye chile aamar khelay-
Anande tai bhule chile,keteche din helay.
Gopon rohi gobhir praane aamar dukkhosukher gaane
Sur diyecho tumi, aami tomar gaan to gaai ni.

You lie hidden within me, yet I failed to see you ..
Casting my eyes outward, I didn't look within
In all my adorations, all hurts, all aspirations
You were with me; yet I didn't come to you
You were the joy in all my plays
Oblivious in joy, I let the days fritter away
Buried deep in my heart, to songs of my lifes joys and sorrows
You gave the tune, and yet I sang not thy song ...

Tagore: Uplift my soul ..

Tagore, poet and sage 

Today I’m lost in the meditative hymn by Tagore ..Antaro mamo bikoshito karo. A sublime prayer in which the poet seeks to be uplifted ..to become pure, beautiful and joyful.

Lyrics
Antaro mamo bikoshito karo antaro-taro he
Nirmalo karo ujwalo karo sundaro karo he 
Antaro mamo bikoshito karo antaro-taro he 

Jagrato karo, udyhata karo, nirbhayo karo he
Mangalo karo, nirolaso, nishamshaya karo he 
Antaro mamo bikoshito karo antaro-taro he 

Yukta karo shobara shonge, mukta karo bondha
Sanchara karo sakhalo karme, shanto tomaaro chhondo
Antaro mamo bikoshito karo antaro-taro he 

Charan padme mamo chitta,nispondito karo he
Nondita karo, nondita karo, nondita karo he 
Antaro mamo bikoshito karo antaro-taro he 

Nirmalo karo ujwalo karo sundaro karo he 
Antaro mamo bikoshito karo antaro-taro he 

Meaning 
Uplift my soul, O Innermost One
Make me pure, radiant and beautiful
Uplift my soul, O Innermost One

Awaken me, raise me, make me fearless
Bless me, energize me, make me doubtless
Uplift my soul, O Innermost One

Unite me with everything, liberate me from all shackles
Let your peace permeate all my actions
Uplift my soul, O Innermost One

Keep my mind steady at your lotus feet
Make me joyful, joyful, joyful
Uplift my soul, O Innermost One

Make me pure, radiant and beautiful
Uplift my soul, O Innermost One

Tagore: Day after day, you fill with love, life and song ...

Tagore

No words can capture the sublime beauty of Tagore’s songs. They must be savoured in quiet solitude. The more one listens to his songs, the feelings go deeper and deeper and eventually touches the very depth of ones being. In this simple song, the great poet meditates on that eternal power that fills us day after day with renewed life, love and songs ..

Nishidin mor parane priyotomo mamo

Kato na bedona diye barota pathale 

Bharile chitto mamo nitya tumi preme prane gane hai

Thaki arale

Meaning:  

Day after day in my life,  O beloved of mine..

You send messages in the form of pain..

and fill my mind, ever with love, vitality and song ..

Alas, you remain concealed.. 

Rupa Ganguly's rendition of this song is unparalled ..

Tagore: O enchanting mother of earth ..

Tagore loved the earth as a beloved son loves his mother. He worshiped her with tender affection all through his life.. 

Oyi Bhubano Monomohini  
Oyi bhubano monomohini ma

Oyi nirmalsurjakarojjal dharoni janakjanonijanoni

Nilsindhujaldhautocharontal, anilbikampito-shyamal anchal

Amarchumbito bhalo Himachal subratusharo kiritini

Pratham prabhate udoy tabo gagone pratham samrob tabo tapobone

Pratham pracharito tabo banobhabone gyandharmo kato kabbokahini

Chirokalyanmoyi tumi dhanno desh bidheshe bitoricho anno 

Janhobijamuna bigolito karuna punnopijusstannobahini ..

Meaning:

O my enchanting mother of earth, mother o mother ..

O mother earth, bathed in the bright, pure glow of the sun, o mother of all ..

Blue waters of the ocean washes your feet, billowing in the wind is your green protective veil

Kissing the blue sky, the snowy white peaks of the Himalayas adorns your crown  

The very first dawn arose in your skies, the very first prayer echoed in your forest

You the harbinger of knowledge, you brought enlightenment and wisdom

Forever prosperous you are my blessed mother, nourishing the world with food

Overflowing compassion of your rivers quenched thirst for eons as streams of nectar flows from your breasts

O my enchanting mother of earth ..

Tagore, the greatest son of Mother Earth ..

I am immersed in the exquisite songs of Tagore, the greatest philosopher, naturalist and creative genius of the last century. The more I listen the more I am drawn deeper into this vast ocean of songs. No son of Mother Earth has ever loved her as Tagore did! He has sung countless songs of her days, nights, her seasons and all her playful moods. Listening to his songs makes me love this world as much as he did!

Thus at last my day has ended and now in the evening, 
I sing my last song to say that I have loved thy world.
In my songs I have voiced thy spring flowers, 
and given rhythm to thy rustling leaves.
I have sung into the hush of thy night and peace of thy morning
The thrill of the first summer rains has passed into my tunes, 
and the waving of the autumn harvest
Let not my song cease ..

Tagore's: Nabo Anande Jago Aaji

Tagore

Another timeless song on the arrival of a brand new day!

Nabo aanonde jaago aaji nabarabikirane

Shubhra sundaro preeti ujyalo nirmalo neebane.  

Utsarito naba jeebannijhar uchhasito aashageeti,

Amritapushpagandha bahe aaji ei shantipabane.

Meaning

Let this day break with joy afresh, riding the rays of the sun.

To a life that is beautiful, bright and pure with love.

Let the fountain of life erupt and breathe songs of hope

Today, the fragrance of nectar laden flowers floats in the serene breeze  

 

Tagore's Tumi Rabe Nirabe

Tagore

Can a mother relish the tastiest food without saving some for her children?  When I enjoy something so much, be it a poem that touched my heart or a sight that thrilled me or an insight that sets a train of thoughts in me, I write on my blog as a way to share my joy ...especially with my children ..who may otherwise never understand the depth in some of the beautiful poetry of our homeland in our native languages. Today as I listen to Hemanta Mukherjee's mesmerizing rendition of Tagore's song ..Tumi Rabe Nirabe ..I am  transported to an entirely different world  ..

Tumi rabe nirabe hridoye mamo
Nibiro nibhrito purnima nishithi nisamo.
Mamo jibano joubano mamo akhilo bhubano
Tumi bhoribe gourabe nishithi nisamo.
Jaagibe ekaaki tabo karuno aakhi,
Tabo anchalochhaaya more rohibe dhaaki.
Mamo dukhobedono mamo saphalo swapano
Tumi bhoribe sourabhe nishithinisamo.

Meaning
Thou shalt dwell in silence in my heart
Like the full moon in the summer night.
My life, my entire world
Thou fills with grace and pride, like a calm night
Thy compassionate eyes alone stays awake watching over me
The protective shadow of thy veil comforts me
Thy breath like the full moon in the summer night shall hover about my sadness and pains and all my dreams making them fragrant..

Translation by Tagore
Thou shalt dwell in silence in my heart like the full moon in the summer night.
Thy sad eyes shall watch over me in my wanderings.
The shadow of thy veil shall rest upon my heart
Thy breath like the full moon in the summer night shall hover about my dreams, making them fragrant.