If worried are you, whom shall you rescue?

 আপনি অবশ হলি,

apni abosh holi,

If worried are you, whom will you rescue?

show up and show up again, don't let down you.

don't shy away, don't you be scared, get a grip on yourself--

then find those you seek will show up and come around.

if you chose to walk the walk, let the path be yielding too.

don't look back a timid soul again and again.

there is no fear in tri-universe, your mind is the source of fear--

recall the fearless feet and show up to you.

Don't you stop my wavering heart

 সংকোচের বিহ্বলতা নিজেরে অপমান

Shankocher biobholota nijere opoman

Don't you stop my wavering heart

Don't imagine the unhappy fact.

Master the path, free the fear and win your heart.

Care for small people, strike the ugly

you don't need more to be complete.

Master the stakes, don't you doubt you have what it takes.

When the bell goes, give all you have,

sweet and silent follow the path.

Master the fear, show your strength when courage is dear.

A rendition in English can be found here.

I won’t be scared, I won’t have fear

আমি ভয় করব না ভয় করব না
aami bhoy korbona bhoy korbona

I won’t be scared, I won’t have fear
I won’t quit in fright before it’s time
To sail my raft, I must face the storm
I won’t let go of the helm and oars
I won’t dissolve into tears
I have to practise that which is tough
I will stand with my head held high
I will not lurch into the slush
Wanting to take the easy road
My duties I will own, walk the straight road
If adversity comes my way
I won’t crouch into a corner

Fear not, fear not, victory will be yours

নাই নাই ভয়, হবে হবে জয়
naai naai bhoy hobe hobe joy

Fear not, fear not, victory will be yours
This locked door will be flung open
I know you will break free of your fetters
You lose yourself now and then
In the dormancy of a deep dark night
Time and again you will have to reclaim
Your own rights in this universe
To this earth you have been invited
Summoned to this society
She invokes you to sing each day
Of your joy, woe, fear and shame
Flowers and leaves, rivers and springs
Will join you in your melody
Darkness and light will pulsate to your beat

Letting diffidence overwhelm you is an insult to yourself

সঙ্কোচের বিহ্বলতা নিজেরে অপমান

Letting diffidence overwhelm you is an insult to yourself
Let not the anxiety of danger cower you down
Free yourself from fear
Seize the strength within you
Triumph over your own self
Defend the destitute
Vanquish the villainous
Never regard yourself as wretched, helpless
Free yourself from fear
Seize the strength within you
Never doubt your own self
When duty summons you with a clarion call
Wager your own life in humble silence
Free yourself from fear
Seize the strength within you
Let your worth be revealed in daunting tasks

another version by Anandamayee Majumdar (to be rendered in English)

Don't you stop my wavering heart
Don't imagine the unhappy fact.

Master the path,
free the fear and win your heart.

Care for small people, fight the ugly.
You don't need more to be complete.

Master the stakes,
don't you doubt you have what it takes.

When the bell goes, give all you have.
Sweet and silent, follow the path.

Master the fear,
show your strength when courage is dear.

Victory to the commander of India’s destiny

জনগণমন-অধিনায়ক জয় হে
jana gana mana adhinayaka jaya hey

You who rule the heart and mind of the people
Victory to You, the commander of India’s destiny
The lands of Punjab Sindh Gujarat Maratha Dravid Utkal Banga
The hills and mountains of Vindhya and Himachal
The rippling waters of the Yamuna and Ganga
The billowing waves of the Indian Ocean
Your auspicious name awakens them all
They sing your praise and seek your blessings
Victory, Victory, Victory to You

Your call is proclaimed night and day
We hear your benevolent voice
Hindus Buddhists Sikhs Jains Parsis Muslims Christians
All the people from east to west
Assemble around your august throne
A garland of love is woven
You who direct and unite all folks
Victory to You, the commander of India’s destiny
Victory, Victory, Victory to You

The road along which humanity walks
Down the ages through rise and fall
O Eternal Charioteer
The wheels of your chariot pave that way
Their thunder echoing through night and day
Your conch resounds through great revolutions
A clarion call and deliverance from woes and perils
You who lead us showing the way
Victory to You, the commander of India’s destiny
Victory, Victory, Victory to You

When the country lay ailing in excruciating pain
A dense darkness covering her in gloom
You remained watchful with your benevolent gaze
You came to the rescue O compassionate Mother
A comforting lap amidst nightmares and terrors
You who deliver us from trials and tribulations
Victory to You, the commander of India’s destiny
Victory, Victory, Victory to You

The night gives way to dawn
The sun emerges from the eastern mountains
The birds burst into song
The morning breeze breathes in new life
In the warmth of your kind affection
India awakens from her sleep and bows at your feet
Victory to You, O Lord of all kings
The commander of India’s destiny
Victory, Victory, Victory to You

Let's wait no more

এখন আর দেরি নয়

Ekhon ar deri noy (audio link here)

গাইবার জন্য একটা অনুবাদ (A translation for rendition)

Let's wait no more.
Hold our hands
everybody here.
We got to come back to our own.
Unity is near.

The bell has tolled, it implores
The temple has opened its doors.
We don't wish to be late.
Let us give what we ask for.

Everything we have here,
Offer for salvation.
Surrender at the shrine
In our celebration.

We must receive,
as we must give.
What are we waiting for!
If we long to, let us live,
If we long to, let go!

We roam with your plaintive song

দেশে দেশে ভ্রমি তব দুখ গান গাহিয়ে
Deshe deshe bhromi tobo dukho gaan gahiye (audio)

We roam with your plaintive song
Cities, spaces, woods we walk
Weeping, people weep along
Heartache softens the icy rock.

Thousand hearts have come aflame
Thousand voices, a burning tear
Our eyes blaze, and thunder booms
People dumbstruck with their fear.

I've no brother or kindred soul
You alone I hold as near
You're my Mother, and Father too,
All my world, I find so dear

When you cry, I weep with you
Could make others as tearful too
I live and die, and gladly so
To lay my life down for you.

         
Translated by Anandamayee Majumdar
23.03.2018

দেশে দেশে ভ্রমি তব দুখ গান গাহিয়ে

          নগরে প্রান্তরে বনে বনে ।  অশ্রু ঝরে দু নয়নে,

              পাষাণ হৃদয় কাঁদে সে কাহিনী শুনিয়ে ।

          জ্বলিয়া উঠে অযুত প্রাণ,  এক সাথে মিলি এক গান গায়—

          নয়নে অনল ভায়— শূন্য কাঁপে অভ্রভেদী বজ্রনির্ঘোষে ! 

                  ভয়ে সবে নীরবে চাহিয়ে ।।

              ভাই বন্ধু তোমা বিনা আর মোর কেহ নাই ।

              তুমি পিতা, তুমি মাতা, তুমি মোর সকলই ।

           তোমারি দুঃখে কাঁদিব মাতা, তোমারি দুঃখে কাঁদাব ।

           তোমারি তরে রেখেছি প্রাণ,  তোমারি তরে ত্যজিব ।

                  সকল দুঃখ সহিব সুখে

                          তোমারি মুখ চাহিয়ে ।।

Who turns her face in tears?

কে এসে যায় ফিরে ফিরে  আকুল নয়ননীরে
Ke ese jay phire phire akulo noyon neere (audio)

Who turns her face in tears?
Whose gaze has longing dreams?
We dash her hopes with fears
My mother she is, it seems.

Whose words resound so sweet
But then we do not heed?
We ducked her living speech,
My mother she is, indeed.

Wo held us in her love
But now she is bygone?
Forgotten by her son
She is Mother, everyone.

Who lived in a humble hut?
Who fed us sacred grace?
We forgot her kindness, but
She is Mother, in her place.

Translated by Anandamayee Majumdar
23.03.2018

কে এসে যায় ফিরে ফিরে  আকুল নয়ননীরে ।
             কে বৃথা আশাভরে  চাহিছে মুখ’পরে ।
                   সে যে আমার জননী রে ।।

             কাহার সুধাময়ী বাণী  মিলায় অনাদর মানি !
             কাহার ভাষা হায়  ভুলিতে সবে চায় ।
                   সে যে আমার জননী রে ।।

             ক্ষণেক স্নেহ-কোল ছাড়ি  চিনিতে আর নাহি পারি ।
             আপন সন্তান  করিছে অপমান—
                   সে যে আমার জননী রে ।।

             পুণ্য কুটিরে বিষণ্ণ  কে বসি সাজাইয়া অন্ন ।
             সে স্নেহ-উপচার  রুচে না মুখে আর ।
                   সে যে আমার জননী রে ।।

A conch reverberates at Mother's gate

জননীর দ্বারে আজি ওই

Jononiro daare aji oi (audio: Srikanta Acharyya and Lopamudra Mitra)

A conch reverberates at Mother's gate

Will you not free yourselves from useless bustles,

Come away, with salvers of offering

Carefully light the lamp of devotion 

Arrive, laden with fresh buds  

Will you not spread the word, She calls.

The drift today enjoys it's dewy crispness,

The bud relishes it's newborn smell.

Hold your head high, brighten up

Join the somber new wave of music

Dress yourselves with blooming wreathes
Transform this moment

With a whiff of newness 

Where beauty burgeons, benevolence sprouts.

What will hold, what has to sway?

রইল বলে রাখলে কারে, হুকুম তোমার ফলবে কবে
Rolio bole rakhle kare (audio, Dohar)

What will hold, what has to sway Since you command just that way? Your tug will dwindle in the end What stays on, was meant to stay. Your law, your wish is final call You flex your muscles and death befalls The Heart which senses every pain Knows when to stop that rolling ball You have the wealth, you have the ties You have the means and device To make the world turn and dance But that won't happen one fine day One fine day, as you wake What never happened will happen away.

O my heart, do keep the faith

নিশিদিন ভরসা রাখিস
Nishidin bhorsha rakhish

O my heart, do keep the faith
What you wish, will surely be
What you pledge, you’ll surely keep

Those who lie inert as stone
Spring they will to life anew
Mute who are will speak for sure

Time it is, O time it is
For each one to lift your load
The woe you take upon yourself
You can endure it for sure

When the bells ring out and toll
Come and join will one and all
To walk in grand unison
Marching on a common road

Here comes the tide to silted shores

এবার তোর মরা গাঙে বান এসেছে 
ebar tor mawra gange baan eshechhe

Here comes the tide to silted shores
Aflood is the river in deluge
Time to wish Godspeed and set sail

Where is the helmsman, where is he
Call out for him with all your force
Take up the oars, cut off the lines
Lift up the anchors and set sail

Your debts have risen day by day
You’ve traded not at the marketplace
Not a penny there is in your pockets

Your days go by moored to the shores
How will you stand tall in this world
Cut off your lines, hoist up your sails
Throw caution to winds, come what may
Whether you sink or stay afloat

(another translation for rendition by Anondo ) (audio link)

The dry riverbed is flooded over,
let us thank our stars and set afloat.

Ahoy, navigator, where is he?
Call him to take the lead.
Let's grab the oars, everyone,
free the ties, let us set to go.

Everyday we owe a little more.
Friends, none of us have made a trading score.
So we are short of money.

We are moored from the start
How can we now face our hearts?
Let's sail away come what may,
whether we may drown or float.

We all rule as kings in the kingdom of the King

আমরা সবাই রাজা
*Amra shobai raja (audio)

We all rule as kings in the kingdom of our King.
Why else would we join hands with him?
(We are all kings)

We do as we please, our pleasure blends with His.
We are not enslaved to any trepidity
Why else would we join hands with his?
(we are all kings)

The King honors us -- receives it back at once.
Never are we tantalized by any fantasies.
Why else would we join hands with his?
(We are all kings)

We travel free and wide, yet fall back on His stride.
We will not be teased by futilities.
Why else would we join hands with his?
(We are all kings)

*an attempt has been made to restore the original measures of the song, to be able to sing in English

Sacred motherland

ও আমার দেশের মাটি
O amar desher mati (audio)

Sacred motherland
I kiss your earth with awe.
My existence emerges,
My world evolves, here.

You and I, contain each other
In our inseparable lives
Your lush, loving image
Endlessly etched in my heart

You raised me as a child
And what can I hope for
Than to die in your arms
That formed my playhouse
Of suffering and joy

You nourished me
With your elements,
You shouldered me,
You suffered all my grief
Like a supreme matriarch

In return, I depleted you
Receiving, with hungry hands
Offering you pure emptiness

I have lost myself
To useless stints,
I have buried myself in a niche --
I have rendered fruitless
The strength you ever gifted me

Be that you speak not words

ওরে তোরা নেই বা কথা বললি

ore tora nei ba kotha bolli

Be that you speak not words
Standing amidst the mart,
Be that you rouse not streets
Futile is your furore
In vain your words galore
They only look and laugh
Be that you burn alone
Igniting your own heart
What lies deep within you
Be that you spread it not
Belittled in rumours
Be muffled the drumbeats
March forward in silence
Work if there is, go work
Shame there is, remove it
Who, when says what to you
Be not ruffled by that

Go forth alone

যদি তোর ডাক শুনে কেউ না আসে

jodi tor dak shune keu  na ashe (audio link)

If no one steps forth to your call, go forth alone
Go forth alone, go forth alone, go forth alone.

If no one speaks to you, o wretched one
If in fear they turn away their face
Open up your heart, speak out your mind
Alone, let your spirit tell it’s own tale

If they all turn back, o wretched one
If on deep dark dense paths, they do not look behind
Alone, let your blood stained feet crush all thorns.

If no one holds a light, o wretched one
If in dark stormy nights, doors are closed shut
Then in lightning fire, light up your own ribs
Alone let your heart go forth burning bright


Another version by Anandamayee Majumdar (a rendition in English is given here)

If all they do is disregard, won't you walk all alone
Traveler, solitaire, walk away, fly on your own.

If the people do not speak, make you feel apologetic
if they turn away, are truly meek
release your heart
make your voice big and energetic, voice all alone

when they turn a blind eye, leaving you solitary
'neath the dour sky
embrace the path
with its suffering and wounded sigh, walk all alone

if they do not hold a light, shark away in dire fright
they shut the door in the stormy night
Burn your heart
Let your blazing breath make the light, a light of your own

My life meets its fruition

সার্থক জনম আমার
sharthok jawnom amar jonmechhi ei deshe

My life meets its fruition
My motherland,
In having born to your soil
Fulfilled so am I
In having loved you

What do I care
That you are not wealthy like a queen
This I only know
That my limbs are replenished
When I take shelter in your soothing shades

Where could I find
The sweet fragrance of your flowers
Such that offers exquisite bliss?
Where could I gaze at such moonlight
That would stroke my soul like a gentle smile?

From your heavens streamed down
The first rays of the sun
I witnessed in birth
The same light will put me to rest
When I depart.

My golden Bengal

আমার সোনার বাংলা
amar shonar Bangla (audio)

I love you dearly, my golden Bengal
Your skies and your air forever
Fill my heart with the resonance of a flute

The wondrous smells
Of the mango orchards thrill me in spring
And in the harvest
I behold the lush paddy fields
Sway like gentle smiles

I have witnessed such beauty, depth
And tenderness in you
In the shades that you gently spread
Across the river banks
And beneath the mighty trees!

And when you speak,
Your words enchant my being
And when you cry,
I can not withhold my tears.


(Another version by Rumela Sengupta)


I love you dearly, my golden Bengal
Your sky, your breeze play on my breath
Play evermore the flute of bliss


O mother,
In spring, fosters fervent frenzy
Fragrance of your mango blossoms
O mother,
In autumn, what is it I glimpse
Sweet smile in your fields of plenty



What grace, what shades,
what affection, what compassion
Which blanket spread have you
Beneath the banyan trees,
Besides banks of rivers.



O mother,
like music to my ears
are words from your mouth
O mother,
if unkempt be your form
aflood am I in tears.


Spent my childhood have I
in your kindergarten
Bathed in your soil and dust
Honoured has been my life


At end of day, in dusk's twilight
What lamps you light in home and hearth
Then leaving all my play
O mother, I run to your lap


In your fields where cows graze
In your quays that ferry across
In your umbrageous village roads
That resound with bird song all day
In your courtyard lush with paddy
Pass the days of my life.


O mother
my kin and brothers all
Your cowherd, your farmer
O mother
I bow my head to you
Bless me with dust from your feet
Let it be the jewel of my crown


O mother
Little treasure of this poor self
Bequeath all will I at your feet
Buy will I not at foreign hands
In guise of ornaments,
a death noose for your neck.

Another version by Anandamayee for rendition:

My golden Bangla 
I love you devotedly.
Forever your sky, your sigh, 
in my heart
Mother, melodies, they make for me!

Mother, Spring brings an orchard 
full of flowers
Smelling of joy
I could die, in ecstasy!
Mother, Autumn -- your golden harvest,
smiling face,
Your smiling face for me to see.

Your shadow, your grace,
Your love, your face,
what a cool shade you spread 
across the land
and below the mighty trees.

Mother, when you speak,
your words sound like honey, to me.
I could die, in ecstasy!
Mother, when you cry, 
it breaks my heart, I weep.
It breaks my heart to see you weep.

Translated - 2019 04 03