The crimson glow of dusk tinged that day of Chaitra

প্রহরশেষের আলোয় রাঙা সেদিন চৈত্রমাস
Prohor sheshe aaloy ranga

The crimson glow of dusk
Tinged that day of Chaitra*
I saw my ruination in your eyes

In routine rites of life
In daily interactions
In the crisscross of paths
Thousands of people
With their jest and jokes
Amidst all of that
My ruination in your eyes

Mango groves in efflorescence
Blooming trees, fallen blossoms
A familiar fragrance in the breeze
In the budded branches
On the wings of honey bees
Spring breathing in each moment
Amidst all of that
My ruination in your eyes

Chaitra* - last month of the Bengali year that falls in spring

We met on the way at the end of day

পথে যেতে তোমার সাথে মিলন হল দিনের শেষে
Pothe jete tomar shaathe

We met on the way at the end of day
When I went to look at you
In a trice, did the twilight fade away
I won’t grieve if I see you or not
Wait for just a moment
Let me cover your feet with my tresses

Silent is the night entranced by moonlight

নীরব রজনী দেখো মগ্ন জোছনায়
Nirob rojoni dekho magno

Silent is the night entranced by moonlight
Softly, softly, ever so softly sing
The night sings a sleepy lullaby
Let your voice blend in her’s

Charmed by the magic of night
Lulled by the sea of silence
Immersed is the world in sleep
Let no eager impassioned tune
Stir a ripple in tranquil seas

Still, so still is the river
She drifts into sleep
With each caress of the breeze
If by chance in her sleep
Touching the shore with a kiss
She is startled herself with the sound
So I say, softly, softly, ever so softly
Let your voice blend with the night

A venturer on new roads

নূতন পথের পথিক হয়ে
Nuton pother pothik hoye

An old companion comes along
As a venturer on new roads
The night lifts her veil at dawn
In that blessed moment of union
After everlasting estrangement

The one I acquire ever anew
By losing him time and again
If I sight him today at dawn
I will lay down afresh
My heart at his feet

Is it true, is it all true, my ever devoted friend

এ কি সত্য সকলই সত্য
eki sotyo, shokoli sotyo

Is it true, is it all true, my ever devoted friend!

The lightning glow of my eye
Evokes the darkness of the north-east monsoon
Is it true?

My honeyed lips are tinged with crimson
The flush of a newly-wed bride’s love
My ever devoted friend, is it true?

Untold beauty blossoms in me
My every step rings out with sweet melody
Is it true?

Night, when it cannot sight me
Sheds teardrops which glisten as morning dew
Dawn’s refulgent thrill is for me
Is it true?

The inflamed touch of my warm cheeks
Intoxicates the restless breeze
My ever devoted friend, is it true?

Nothing has come of it

কিছুই তো হল না
kichhui to holona
(audio)

Nothing has come of it
All the tumult
The laments of despair
The endless stream of tears
The heartache and the agony

I fail to find peace within
I have not what I wished for

I loved and was loved in return
And I haven’t stopped loving
Yet what is this emptiness

- April 1881

She sits there by the casement

ওই জানালার কাছে বসে আছে
Oi janalar kachhe boshe achhe

She sits there by the casement
Her head resting on her palm
Blossoms scattered on her lap
To wreathe she has forgotten

Sussurant the breeze blows by
What does it whisper to her
That she sits half-reclining
Musing on many a thing

Shadows flit across her eyes
Drifting clouds and birds in flight
Bakul petals wither and fall
As the hours go ticking by

Sweet languor a sweet stupor
On a sweetly smiling face
Deep within in pleasant dreams
Plays the flute a pleasing tune

Why this untimely appearance

বঁধুয়া, অসময়ে কেন হে প্রকাশ
Bodhuya oshomoy keno he prokash

Why this untimely appearance
Sweetheart! Tell me this is a dream
A shining star from distant skies
Did you lose your way to this earth
An error sure yet there you are
A joyous smile on a sea of tears

Friend what is this anxiety

সখী, ভাবনা কাহারে বলে

shokhi bhabona kaharey boley

Friend, what is this anxiety
Friend, what is this agony
What is this love, love, love
That you speak of night and day
Is it just full of agony.

Is it just a drop of tear
Is it just a sigh of woe
In pursuit of which happiness
Do folks indulge in such sadness

Beauty in all, my eye beholds
All is youthful all is flawless,
Blue skies, green woods
Milky moonlight, tender blossoms
All akin to me.

They only laugh, they only sing
In laughter and play, wish to end
Neither know sorrow, nor know tears
Not know agony of longing.

Blossom withers away smiling
Fades luminous moonlight in smiles
Smilingly surrender themselves
In ocean of light, stars in sky

Happy as me, who is
Come friend come, come to me
Joyous songs of a joyful heart
Harken and soothe your soul

If each day is only to weep
Let this be the one day you smile
To forget sorrow for one day
To sing together all of us

Let the flute resound

বাজো রে বাঁশরি বাজো
bajo re, baa(n)shori bajo

Let the flute resound
Adorn yourself, O beautiful one,
In this auspicious evening
With garlands scented with sandalwood

Such is this momentous day of spring
A time of arrival of the restless one
With the magnolia blossoms yet to blow
At the touch of the humming bee

Won't you adorn your hair and lace your arms
With the crimson spring flowers
Ankle bells chiming with your steps
In the fragrant, tranquil breeze
And euphonic songs of his grace playing
In enchanting premises