if worried are you, whom will you rescue?

apni abosh holi..
আপনি অবশ হলি

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..

সঙ্কোচের বিহ্বলতা..
sankocher.. bihwalata..

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..

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..

জনগণমন-অধিনায়ক জয় হে.
(janaganaman adhinayak).

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.. Himachal..
The rippling waters of the Yamuna.. Ganga..
The billowing waves.. of the Indian Ocean..
Your auspicious name.. awakes them all.
They sing.. your praise.. and seek.. your blessings.
Victory, Victory, Victory forever 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.. unite all folks.
Victory to You, the commander of India’s prospect..
Victory, Victory, Victory forever to You..

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

Let's wait no more..

ekhon ar deri noy..

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 bhrami taba)

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

Thousand-hearts.. come aflame..
Thousand-voices.. are flaming teardrops..
the eyes blazing.. thunder booms..
People.. are dumbstruck.. with 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..
Can make others.. as tearful, too..
I live.. die.. gladly so..
To lay.. my life.. down.. for you..

         
(23.03.2018)

who turns her face in tears?..

কে এসে যায় ফিরে ফিরে..
ke.. ese jay phire phire 

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.. we do not heed?..
we ducked.. her living speech..
my mother she is.. indeed..

who 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..

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..

আমরা সবাই রাজা
amra sabai raja

We all rule.. as kings.. in the kingdom.. of the King..
What else.. would make us.. join hands with him..
(We all are kings..)

We do as we please.. the pleasures meet with ease..
We will not be enslaved, by fear-mongering,
What else.. would make us.. join hands with him..
(we all are kings..)

The King.. honors us.. receives back at once..
We aren't taken back.. with any fantasies..
What else.. would make us.. join hands with him..
(We all are kings..)

We travel free and wide yet meet up with the stride.
We are not ambushed, with futilities,
What else.. would make us.. join hands with him..
(We all are kings..)

****an attempt to render in English..

Sacred motherland

(o amar desher mati) ও আমার দেশের মাটি, 

Sacred motherland
I bow down to you in awe.
Through you, I find the universe 

I find a seat of the Mother-creator. 

You have blended with my body..
You have blended with my life.. my thoughts..
Your lush, loving image
Endlessly etched in my heart..

You raised me as a child
And what more can I hope for
Than to die in your arms.
This that forms my playhouse
Of suffering and joy.

You have nourished me, 

You have offered me cool waters
You have sheltered me
Suffered my grief, like a supreme matriarch.

I ate from you, Mother--
I received from you, 
But what did I ever gave back to you, Mother!

I have lost myself to useless stints,
I have buried myself in a niche --
I wasted the strength 

you have ever given 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.. fruition..

সার্থক জনম আমার
(sarthak janam amar)

My life.. meets.. fruition..
My motherland..
having born.. to your soil..
Fulfilled am I..
having loved you..

What do I care..
That you are not wealthy.. like a queen..
This I know..
my limbs.. replenish..
beneath your soothing shades..

Where could I find..
The aroma of flowers..
Such that offers.. exquisite bliss..
Where could I gaze at the moonbeam..
Such that lightens.. my soul..

From your heavens.. streamed down..
The first..sunlight..
caressed me.. when I arrived..
The same light.. will peacefully.. put me to sleep..
When.. I depart..

My golden.. Bangla..

আমার সোনার বাংলা
amar sonar Bangla 

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..
Honored.. 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 possible rendition in English 

My golden.. Bangla..
I love you devotedly..
Forever your sky.. your sighs..
in my heart..
Mother.. a lyric they make for me!

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

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

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