When I watched this beautiful video, was reminded of the great Rabindranath Tagore’s message through his song penned in 1905 when Bengal was to be partitioned:
Have tried to translate it in English with the help of Tagore’s English version and Nikhil Kulkarni’s blog, and the Hindi translation from the English one arrived at). The player below has the song in Kishore Kumar’s voice:
যদি তোর ডাক শুনে কেউ না আসে তবে একলা চলো রে। (2)
Jodi tor đak shune keu na ashe tôbe êkla chôlo re, (2)
जोदी तोर डाक शुने केउ ना आशे तॉबे एख्ला चॉलो रे (2)
(यदि तोरी डाक सुनके कोई ना आए तब अकेले चलो रे
If they answer not to your call walk alone)
তবে একলা চলো, একলা চলো, একলা চলো, একলা চলো রে॥ (2)
tôbe Êkla chôlo, êkla chôlo, êkla chôlo, êkla chôlo re. (2)
तॉबे एख्ला चॉलो, एख्ला चॉलो, एख्ला चॉलो, एख्ला चॉलो रे (2)
(अकेले चलो, अकेले चलो, अकेले चलो, अकेले चलो रे
walk alone, walk alone, walk alone, O walk alone)
যদি তোর ডাক শুনে কেউ না আসে তবে একলা চলো রে।
Jodi tor đak shune keu na ashe tôbe êkla chôlo re,
जोदी तोर डाक शुने केउ ना आशे तॉबे एख्ला चॉलो रे
(यदि तोरी डाक सुनके कोई ना आए तब अकेले चलो रे
If they answer not to your call walk alone)
যদি কেউ কথা না কয়, ওরে ওরে ও অভাগা,
Jodi keu kôtha na kôe, ore ore o ôbhaga,
जोदी केउ कॉथा ना कोए, ओरे ओरे ओ अभागा
(यदि कोई बात ना करे, अरे अरे ओ अभागा
if no one speaks to you, O you unlucky one)
যদি সবাই থাকে মুখ ফিরায়ে সবাই করে ভয়—
Jodi shôbai thake mukh firaee shôbai kôre bhôe—
जोदी शॉबाय थाके मूख फिराए शॉबाय कोरे भॉय (2)
(यदि सभी तोसे मुह फिराए सबको हो भय
if they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,)
তবে পরান খুলে
Tôbe pôran khule
तॉबे पॉरान खूले
(तब पूरे मन से
then wholeheartedly)
ও তুই মুখ ফুটে তোর মনের কথা একলা বলো রে॥
O tui mukh fuţe tor moner kôtha êkla bôlo re.
ओ तूई मूख़ फूटे तोर मोनेर कॉथा एख्ला बॉलो रे (2)
(ओ तू मुह खोल के तेरे मन की गाथा अकेले बोल रे
open what’s in your mind and speak up alone.)
যদি তোর ডাক শুনে কেউ না আসে তবে একলা চলো রে।
Jodi tor đak shune keu na ashe tôbe êkla chôlo re,
जोदी तोर डाक शुने केउ ना आशे तॉबे एख्ला चॉलो रे
(यदि तोरी डाक सुनके कोई ना आए तब अकेले चलो रे
If they answer not to your call walk alone)
যদি সবাই ফিরে যায়, ওরে ওরে ও অভাগা,
Jodi shôbai fire jae, ore ore o ôbhaga,
जोदी शॉबाय फिरे जाय, ओरे ओरे ओ अभागा
(यदि सब फ़िर जाएँ, अरे अरे ओ अभागा
if everyone turns away, O you unlucky one)
যদি গহন পথে যাবার কালে কেউ ফিরে না চায়—
Jodi gôhon pôthe jabar kale keu fire na chae—
जोदी गॉहोन पॉथे जबॉर काले केउ फिरे ना चाए (2)
(यदि गहन पथ में तेरे साथ कोई फिरना न चाहे
If they turn away, and desert you when crossing the wilderness)
তবে পথের কাঁটা
Tôbe pôther kãţa
तॉबे पॉथेर काँटा
(तब पथ के कांटे
then the thorns on your path)
ও তুই রক্তমাখা চরণতলে একলা দলো রে॥
O tui rôktomakha chôrontôle êkla dôlo re.
ओ तूई रॉक्तोमाखा चॉरोनतॉले एख्ला डॉलो रे (2)
(ओ तू रक्त सने चरण तले दे के अकेले डोल रे
O you trample them under your feet and travel alone with your blood-soaked feet)
যদি তোর ডাক শুনে কেউ না আসে তবে একলা চলো রে।
Jodi tor đak shune keu na ashe tôbe êkla chôlo re,
जोदी तोर डाक शुने केउ ना आशे तॉबे एख्ला चॉलो रे
(यदि तोरी डाक सुनके कोई ना आए तब अकेले चलो रे
If they answer not to your call walk alone)
যদি আলো না ধরে, ওরে ওরে ও অভাগা,
Jodi alo na dhôre, ore ore o ôbhaga,
जोदी आलो ना धॉरे, ओरे ओरे ओ अभागा
(यदि दिया न जलाये, अरे अरे ओ अभागा
If they do not hold up the light, O you unlucky one)
যদি ঝড়-বাদলে আঁধার রাতে দুয়ার দেয় ঘরে—
Jodi jhôŗ-badole ãdhar rate duar dêe ghôre—
जोदी झॉड़-बादोले आधार राते दुआर दऐई घॉरे (2)
(यदि घोर बादल में आधी रात में रौशनी दूर हो घर की
When its the middle of the night with stormy winds and clouds, and the light of your house is far)
তবে বজ্রানলে
Tôbe bojranôle
तॉबे बोज्रनॉले
(तब दुःख की वज्र ज्योति से
then with the thunder flame of pain)
আপন বুকের পাঁজর জ্বালিয়ে নিয়ে একলা জ্বলো রে॥
Apon buker pãjor jalie nie êkla jôlo re.
आपोन बुकेर पाजोर जालीये नीये एख्ला जॉलो रे (2)
(अपने मन में ज्योत जला के अकेले जलो रे
ignite your own heart and let it burn alone)
যদি তোর ডাক শুনে কেউ না আসে তবে একলা চলো রে।
Jodi tor đak shune keu na ashe tôbe êkla chôlo re,
जोदी तोर डाक शुने केउ ना आशे तॉबे एख्ला चॉलो रे
(यदि तोरी डाक सुनके कोई ना आए तब अकेले चलो रे
If they answer not to your call walk alone)
In Day 36 of his blog, Amitabh Bachchan acknowledged a poem written by the grandfather (Shri Krishna Mittra) of one of the 494 commentators on his previous day entry (where Amitabh had described the person his father, the well-known poet, Mr Harivanshrai Bachchan was).
The poem by Shree Krishna Mitra is indeed beautiful. I believe it brings forth the purpose of our lives and can serve as an inspiration, as it was to his granddaughter Vibhuti.
श्रीकृष्ण मित्रा द्वारा लिखी गई कविता (उनकी पोती ‘vibhuti love’ ने अमिताभ बच्चन के Day 35 ब्लॉग के comments में post किया)
आँख जिनकी नहीं उनकी आंखें बनो aankh jinki nahin unki aankhein bano (those who don’t have eyes, become their eyes) पंख बिन कुछ परिंदों की पंखें बनो pankh bin kuch parindo ki pankh bano (become wings of those birds who are without wings) जिनको चलने में होती हैं कठिनाईयाँ jinko chalne mein hoti hai kathinaayeian (those who have difficulty walking) बन सको तो बनो उनकी परछाईयाँ ban sako to bano unki parchaiyaan (if you can, become their shadows) जिनके बाजू को थोड़ा सा बल चाहिए jinke bazoo ko thoda sa bal chahiye (those whose arm requires a little strength) या जिन्हें ज़िंदगी में पहल चाहिए ya jinhein zindagi mein pehal chahiye (or those who need to get ahead in life) उनके हर काम में तुम सहारे बनो unke har kaam mein tum sahaare bano (become their support in whatever they do) रौशनी के लिए चाँद तारे बनो roushni ke liye chaand taare bano (to spread the light, become the moon and the stars)
In the same vein, I’m reminded of the lines of the song of a Hindi movie I watched years ago on Doordarshan as a kid…(which incidentally I listened today after all these years. I remember Ashok Kumar singing to a group of kids. Somewhere, I’ve been affected by the beautiful lines. Looks like its from the movie ‘Anurodh’ and sung by Manna Dey (the 89-year old legend lives in Bengaluru) and chorus. The lyrics (by Anand Bakshi) speak for themselves:
तुम बेसहारा हो तो किसी का सहारा बनो (२) tum besahaara ho to kisi ka sahaara bano (2) (if you are helpless, become somebody’s support) तुमको अपने आप ही सहारा मिल जायेगा tumko apne aap hi sahaara mil jaayega (you will automatically get help and support) कश्ती कोई डूबती पहुँचा दो किनारे पे kashti koi doobti pahunch do kinaare pe (take a drowning boat to the shore) तुमको अपने आप ही किनारा मिल जायेगा tumko apne aap hi kinaara mil jaayega (you will automatically find the shore) तुम बेसहारा हो तो किसी का सहारा बनो tum besahaara ho to kisi ka sahaara bano (if you are helpless, become somebody’s support) तुम बेसहारा हो तो tum besahaara ho to (if you are helpless…)
हंस कर ज़िंदा रहना पड़ता है hans kar zinda rehna padta hai (we have to smile and live/survive) अपना दुःख ख़ुद सहना पड़ता है apna dukh khud sehna padta hai (we have to bear our pain/difficulties ourselves) रस्ता चाहे कितना लंबा हो rastaa chahe kinta lamba ho (howsoever long the path might be) दरिया को तो बहना पड़ता है dariya ko to behna padta hai (the stream has to keep flowing)
हो ho तुम हो एक अकेले तो tum ho ek akele to (if you are all alone) रुक मत जाओ चल निकलो ruk mat jaao chal niklo (don’t stop, come on, get up) रस्ते में कोई साथी तुम्हारा मिल जायेगा raste mein koi saathi tumhara mil jaayega (along the way, you’ll meet some friend/companion) तुम बेसहारा हो तो किसी का सहारा बनो tum besahaara ho to kisi ka sahaara bano (if you are helpless, become somebody’s support) तुम बेसहारा हो तो tum besahaara ho to (if you are helpless…)
ला ल ल ल ला (२) laa la la la laa (2) ल ल ला (२) ला la la laa (2) laa ल ला (३) la laa (3)
जीवन तो एक जैसा होता है jeewan to ek jaisa hota hai (life is the same) कोई हँसता कोई रोता है koi hansta koi rota hai (someone laughs/smiles someone cries) सब्र से जीना आसान होता है sabra se jeena aasaan hota hai (to live with patience/perseverence is easier) फिक्र से जीना मुश्किल होता है fikra se jeena mushkil hota hai (to live with worry is difficult)
हो ho थोड़े फूल और कांटे हैं thode phool aur kaante hain (there are a few flowers and a few thorns) जो तकदीर ने बांटे हैं jo takdeer ne baante hain (that destiny has distrubuted) हमको इनमें से हिस्सा हमारा मिल जायेगा humko inmein se hissa hamaara mil jaayega (we will get our share from these) तुम बेसहारा हो तो किसी का सहारा बनो tum besahaara ho to kisi ka sahaara bano (if you are helpless, become somebody’s support) तुम बेसहारा हो तो tum besaaraa ho to (if you are helpless…)
The sad version has an additional paragraph:
ना बस्ती में ना वीरानों में na basti mein na veeranon mein (not in the village, not in the wilderness) ना खेतों में न खलियानों में na kheton mein na khaliyaanon mein (not in the fields) ना मिलता है प्यार बजारों में na milta hai pyar bazaaron mein (neither can you find love in the markets) न बिकता हैं चैन दुकानों में na bikta hai chain dukanon mein (nor is peace of mind sold in shops) ढूँढ रहे हो तुम जिसको dhoond rahe ho tum jisko (the one you’re looking for) उसको बाहर मत ढूंढो usko baahar mat dhoondo (don’t search outside) मन के अन्दर ढूंढो प्रीतम प्यारा मिल जायेगा man ke andar dhoondo preetam pyara mil jaayega (search within your mind, you’ll find your dearmost lover) तुम बेसहारा हो तो किसी का सहारा बनो tum besahaara ho to kisi ka sahaara bano (if you are helpless, become somebody’s support) तुम बेसहारा हो तो tum besahaara ho to (if you are helpless…)
Today, a reader Pissu Perera mailed me asking for the English translations of 2 Hindi songs from one of my favourite movies - Rang de Basanti.
"hi, nice blog. i’ve been looking for the english translations of khoon chala and roobaroo with no luck so far.. is there anyway you can help me out? thanks"
"The DVD I got doesn’t have subtitles for the songs and while I can more or less understand dialogues the meanings of songs are above me. The film struck a chord in me so I was just wondering what they meant. I managed to find the translation of Luka Chupi and it is heart breaking."
"PS - your post on RDB and the critiquing contest gave me goosebumps just like the film did. Great post."
As the translations were not be found anywhere, I decided to translate the two songs and to post them here for others as well.
Thanks Pissu, I enjoyed listening to the songs with an understanding of the meaning of the lines - they’re beautiful!
So, here are the lyrics and their translations:
Song: Roobaroo Roshani (face-to-face with light) Film: Rang de Basanti (Paint me Yellow) Singers: A. R. Rehman, Naresh Iyer
Three concurrent music reality shows happened in India - Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Star Plus’ Voice of India and Sony’s Indian Idol. All were designed to discover singing talents through public voting. There are a few salient features of these shows: a) Some real talent and extremely good singing comes to the forefront b) Big names in the music industry come as judges and show people that they can quarrell too c) People can vote any number of times paying a premium on the telephone calls/SMS d) Voting is not based on singing capabilities alone but who people can identity with e) A combination of community pride and unlimited voting ensures that the organizers smile their way to the bank f) Girls almost never made it to the very top People feel a personal sense of involvement in these shows, as they play ‘king-makers’. In India, a country of diverse communities - these shows have contributed to accentuation of regional and community pride and a chance to make the local boy or girl a part of the national mainstream. Indian Idol was won by Prashant Tamang - who managed to unite all Nepali-speaking people from parts of India, Nepal and overseas into voting for him and feeling a shared joy of ethnic pride. Sony’s Voice of India contest is still continuing. In my view, some of the contestants of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa are way above competition. They are trained, seasoned singers with an ability to mesmerize. My favourite in the show was Raja Hasan of India, followed by Amanat Ali of Pakistan. Raja’s performances such as Piya Haji Ali, Vande Maatram, Allah Ke Bande , Padharo Mahre Desh, Omkara and Naina Thag Lenge left me spellbound. Some of the memorable performances by Amanat were Tujhse naaraaz nahin zindagi, Ye housla kaise jhuke, Mitwa, Albela Sajan, Tori Lachke and Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa. In the finals on October 13, votes got divided into India and Overseas. In the Indian voting, Raja stood 1st, while Amanat 3rd - Aneek Dhar of India stood 2nd. In the overseas voting , Amanat stood 1st while Raja 3rd, with Aneek 2nd. Because the votes of Raja and Amanat getting divided, the ultimate winner was Aneek. Despite being a good singer, he had lost a lot of goodwill because of the excessive promotion by his mentor Himesh Reshammiya. In many ways, he won because of Himesh. In many ways, he won despite Himesh. Below are the tabulation of the votes.
दम दारा दम दारा म्स्त म्स्त Dum dara dum dara mast mast दारा दम दारा दम दारा म्स्त म्स्त Dara dum dara dum dara mast mast दारा दम दारा दम दम Dara dum dara dum dum ओ हमदम िबन तेरे क्या जीना (२) Oh humdum bin tere kya jeena (2) Oh my love, what’s living without you Its one piece of music one hears and gets instantly mesmerized by. This piece by AR Rehman is, as a blogger wrote somewhere, ‘divine’. Listen to the song below:
Watch a short video version below:The lyrics (by Gulzar), can be found here Rehman is said to have been inspired by a rendition by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan ‘सानू इक पल चैन न आवे, सजणा तेरे िबना’ (I’m not at ease even for a moment without you my love) when composing this song. The inspiration here is not in the sense of copying. The final version is a masterpiece in its own right. The NFAK piece is simple and beautiful. I used to love the Tabla piece in the beginning. Listen to सजणा तेरे िबना below:
Sometime last month, came across the picture of the child Hanuman in the then, to-be released animated movie Hanuman. Both Archana and I thought that was the cutest depiction of Hanuman ever. Today, just thought we’ll see some clips from the movie. Saw the trailers Were mesmerized by the video clip featuring the energetic song Mahabali Maharudra sung by Shaan, Sonu Nigam, Palash Sen (Euphoria, Myari), Kailash Kher (Allah Ke Bande Hans de), Madhushree, Sneha Pant and Sapna Mukherjee (Trailer 3 at India FM). Not since I first heard Kabhi to Nazar Milao, Dil Se Re, Tadap Tadap Ke or Allah Ke Bande Hans De have I loved a song so much. Archana and I watched the clip almost 15-20 times back to back. It appeared like an India coming of age..the new mixing with old to create a lasting reverberation of harmony. If religion is to be taught to the new generation, this is the way….not by forcing it down people’s throats…like the reaction of a child coming out after watching the movie in the theatre, "No superman, batman for me…only Hanuman" Like saying, "I love you..I love you too…I love you three..I love you to the power infinity…I love you to the power Hanuman" The music overall is excellent, including the Hanuman chalisa, akdam bakdam, Jay Hanuman, Jay Bajrangbali… Okay..akdam bakdam..back to padhakam..exam in 1 weekam..
Today, just thought we’ll see some clips from the movie. Saw the 
