Rabindranath Tagore’s artistic genius was part of a rich creative legacy within the Tagore family. In the 1800s, Dwijendranath Tagore’s Brahmasangeet Aji ki harasha samir, composed in Tritaal and raga Paraj-bahar, gained recognition while echoing elements of Khayal. A number of Rabindranath Tagore’s songs dedicated to spring draw inspiration from this musical tradition, including Aji ei gandhobidhur samirane. The poetic metre of this song in Geetanjali raised inquiries, prompting Tagore to address them in a letter to Dilipkumar Roy dated October 18, 1929. He emphasised the necessity of a defined metre but also pointed out that Geetanjali contains numerous poems that were later adapted into songs, thus requiring a set metrical rhythm. Therefore, readers well-versed in metre may adjust the rhythm to suit the song’s structure. Tagore suggested that the poem should ideally be read in a simple metre. However, its adaptation into song required a different metre to suit the melody. In Sangeeter Mukti, Tagore suggests that the universe perpetually resonates with melodies, transcending rigid rhythmic bounds, and transforming personal expression into an universal feeling. As a result, the fluid adaptation of poetic metres to suit melodies reflect the boundless nature of art. Tagore likened the raga Paraj-bahar, which influences Aji ei gandhobidhur samirane, to the lingering drowsiness felt after a weary night’s sleep. This interplay between the raga’s melodic essence and the lyrical depiction of spring elevates the song to the status of a masterpiece.
Bengali Lyrics: আজি এই গন্ধবিধুর
আজি এই গন্ধবিধুর সমীরণে
আজি এই গন্ধবিধুর সমীরণে
কার সন্ধানে ফিরি বনে বনে॥
গন্ধবিধুর সমীরণে
আজি এই গন্ধবিধুর সমীরণে
আজি ক্ষুব্ধ নীলাম্বর মাঝে, একি চঞ্চল ক্রন্দন বাজে।
আজি ক্ষুব্ধ নীলাম্বর মাঝে, একি চঞ্চল ক্রন্দন বাজে।
সুদূর দিগন্তের সকরুণ সঙ্গীত লাগে মোর চিন্তায় কাজে–
আমি খুঁজি কারে অন্তরে মনে
গন্ধবিধুর সমীরণে
আজি এই গন্ধবিধুর সমীরণে
ওগো, জানি না কী নন্দনরাগে, সুখে উৎসুক যৌবন জাগে।
ওগো, জানি না কী নন্দনরাগে, সুখে উৎসুক যৌবন জাগে।
আজি আম্রমুকুলসৌগন্ধে, নব পল্লবমর্মর ছন্দে,
আজি আম্রমুকুলসৌগন্ধে, নব পল্লবমর্মর ছন্দে,
চন্দ্রকিরণসুধা সিঞ্চিত অম্বরে অশ্রুসরস মহানন্দে,
আমি পুলকিত কার পরশনে
গন্ধবিধুর সমীরণে
আজি এই গন্ধবিধুর সমীরণে
কার সন্ধানে ফিরি বনে বনে॥
গন্ধবিধুর সমীরণে
আজি এই গন্ধবিধুর সমীরণে ||
English translation (Lyrics): Aji ei gondho bidhur
Today, amid this fragrance-laden breeze,
In search of whom am I wandering from forest to forest?
Today, amid the disgruntled expanse of azure, a restless cry emanates.
The pensive melodies from the far horizon pervade my thoughts and chores,
Whom do I seek, within my heart, amid this fragrance-laden breeze?
Oh, I know not what celestial tune
Awakens euphoria in youth,
Today, in fragrant mango blossoms, in the crunchy sound of new leaves
The sky bathed in moonlight, in tearful ecstasy,
I delight in whose touch?
This fragrance-laden breeze.
Some useful information: Aji ei gondho bidhur
Song: Aji ei gandhobidhur samirane
Written in: February-March 1910 (Phalgun 1316)
Place: Bolpur
Age of the poet: 48
Parjaay (Category): Prakriti (Nature)
Upa-parjaay (Sub-category): Basanta (Spring)
Taal: Tritaal
Raga: Paraj-Basanta
Collection: Geetanjali
Swarabitan: 38
Notation by: Bhimrao Shastri
Purpose of the presentation
———————————
Tagore’s music resonates with people from all walks of life. His songs are performed at cultural events, religious ceremonies and social gatherings, reflecting their enduring popularity. In an effort to bring home this treasure trove to the non-Bengali population and Bengalis around the globe, Brainware University offers a selection of Rabindrasangeet in this presentation. It is enriched with details on the songs and relevant anecdotes.
Sung By
————–
Sri Phalguni Mookhopadhayay
Chancellor, Brainware University
Phalguni Mookhopadhayay is the founder-Chancellor of Brainware University, founder-Chairman and Managing-Director of Brainware Consultancy Private Limited and founder-Chairman of Webguru Infosystems Private Limited. He did his schooling at Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya, Narendrapur, and graduated with honours in Economics from St Xavier’s College, Kolkata. He completed his masters in Economics from Calcutta University and MBA from IISWBM, before joining Hindustan Lever as a management trainee. He worked as a market planner for the ABP group for nearly a decade before striking out on his own and successfully launching two private limited companies and one University. Phalguni Mookhopadhayay is a self-taught digital artist, a versatile photographer, a filmmaker and a weekend singer who has already recorded 78 songs and is now immersed in a project to popularise Tagore songs among a global audience.
