Writing about Akash Bhora Surjo Tara, poet Sankho Ghosh said: “The range is very different from Tagore’s earlier compositions that spoke of resistance in the face of death. These lyrics highlight the fulfillment of an individual’s potential in celebrating life. In fact, the song conveys that the enhancement of the self is a process of natural resistance, one that brings Tagore to the threshold of religion, not the kind of religion confined to the scriptures. His religion comprises a deeper consciousness, an intuitive bonding. Only those blessed with such a consciousness can rise up to sing this song.”
Lyrics:
আকাশভরা সূর্য-তারা, বিশ্বভরা প্রাণ,
তাহারি মাঝখানে আমি পেয়েছি মোর স্থান,
বিস্ময়ে তাই জাগে আমার গান॥
অসীম কালের যে হিল্লোলে জোয়ার-ভাঁটার ভুবন দোলে
নাড়ীতে মোর রক্তধারায় লেগেছে তার টান,
বিস্ময়ে তাই জাগে আমার গান॥
ঘাসে ঘাসে পা ফেলেছি বনের পথে যেতে,
ফুলের গন্ধে চমক লেগে উঠেছে মন মেতে,
ছড়িয়ে আছে আনন্দেরই দান,
বিস্ময়ে তাই জাগে আমার গান।
কান পেতেছি, চোখ মেলেছি, ধরার বুকে প্রাণ ঢেলেছি,
জানার মাঝে অজানারে করেছি সন্ধান,
বিস্ময়ে তাই জাগে আমার গান॥
English translation: (Translated by- Rabindranath Tagore)
My heart sings at the wonder of my place
in this world of light and life;
at the feel in my pulse of the rhythm of creation
cadenced by the swing of the endless time.
I feel the tenderness of the grass in my Forest walk,
the wayside flowers startle me;
that the gifts of the infinite are strewn in the dust
wakens my song in wonder.
I have seen, heard and lived;
in the depth of the known I have felt
the truth that exceeds all knowledge
which fills my heart with wonder and I sing.
Some useful information:
Written in: September-October, 1924
Age of the poet: 63
Published in: Bharti Publication (October 1924)
Parjaay (Category): Prakriti (Nature)
Upa-parjaay (Sub-category): Sadharan (General)
Taal: Dadra
Raga: Mixed Kedar
Notation: Santiniketan Patrika
Swarabitan: Vol. 30
Notation by: Anadikumar Dastidar
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.
