trans-lesson

Tagore is therapeutic to most Bengalis and I am no exception. I have been listening to many Tagore songs lately, and they help me cope in general. This particular one, and I am attaching the link below, I have been very carefully listening for the past few days and trying to understand. Needless to say, each session is opening out new heights and depths. I think this is the best possible version of the song and I suppose you'd like it too, in case you have not heard this version already.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHD9L8wmNnM&feature=related

As has become my wont in recent months, I diffidently attempted a translation. There are a few versions available on the net but they are all uniformly verbose. I am aware of the Sahitya Academy trnslations but have not read them. I am sure they are going to be less syrupy than these amateur versions on the net. Anyway, here goes my version. Read if you like. Or skip if it does not interest you. I had fun doing it and that is good enough for me.

Shudhu Jaoa Asa

Merely keeping to the flow,
Back and forth,
Day and night,
In happiness and sorrow.


Merely a glance,
Or a caress, a warm embrace,
That last, craving look,
Eyes moist, that trance,
Then lets off the hook
More daring wishes,
Leaving by the wayside,
This one little chance.


Dreams so many, but
with wings Clipped,
even sincere efforts
see ends undercut.
A broken, lone, boat
Amid the vast sea float,
Emotions voices seek,
attempt, struggle, turn meek.


Hearts, with tales still untold,
The tryst not climaxed yet,
Grope, in fear and anticipation old,
For hope; love only in half they get.