Amar khela jokhon chhilo tomar sane was written on May 17, 1910, by Rabindranath Tagore when he was 49 years old. The Rabindrasangeet was published in 1914 in Dharmasangeet. The song reflects on the innocence and freedom of childhood, contrasted with the complexities and responsibilities of adulthood. The song begins with the assertion that during the carefree days of play, the poet didn’t bother to question or know the identity of the person with whom they shared such joyous moments. There was an unspoken bond of trust and camaraderie, where shyness and fear were non-existent, and life was filled with exuberance. The lyrics capture the universal theme of growing up and leaving behind the simple joys of childhood. It explores the bittersweet nature of nostalgia, where memories of carefree days are juxtaposed against the seriousness of adulthood, leaving the poet in a state of wonder and perhaps even melancholy. Tagore’s lyrical and emotive language, along with his skilful use of imagery, allows the listener to connect deeply with the themes of the song. Amar khela jokhon chhilo tomar sane is a timeless composition that invites one to reflect on the passage of time, the beauty of innocence and the inevitable changes that come with growing up.
Bengali Song Lyrics: Amar khela jokhon chhilo
আমার খেলা যখন ছিল তোমার সনে
তখন কে তুমি তা কে জানত।
তখন ছিল না ভয়, ছিল না লাজ মনে,
জীবন বহে যেত অশান্ত |
খেলা যখন ছিল তোমার সনে |
তুমি ভোরের বেলা ডাক দিয়েছ কত
যেন আমার আপন সখার মতো,
তুমি ভোরের বেলা ডাক দিয়েছ কত
যেন আমার আপন সখার মতো,
হেসে তোমার সাথে ফিরেছিলেম ছুটে
সে দিন কত-না বন-বনান্ত |
খেলা যখন ছিল তোমার সনে |
ওগো, সেদিন তুমি গাইতে যে-সব গান
কোনো অর্থ তাহার কে জানত |
শুধু সঙ্গে তারি গাইত আমার প্রাণ,
সদা নাচত হৃদয় অশান্ত |
ওগো, সেদিন তুমি গাইতে যে-সব গান –
হঠাৎ খেলার শেষে আজ কি দেখি ছবি–
স্তব্ধ আকাশ, নীরব শশী রবি,
হঠাৎ খেলার শেষে আজ কি দেখি ছবি–
স্তব্ধ আকাশ, নীরব শশী রবি,
তোমার চরণ-পানে নয়ন করি নত
ভুবন দাঁড়িয়ে আছে একান্ত |
খেলা যখন ছিল তোমার সনে |
তখন কে তুমি তা কে জানত।
তখন ছিল না ভয়, ছিল না লাজ মনে, জী
বন বহে যেত অশান্ত |
খেলা যখন ছিল তোমার সনে |
English translation (Lyrics): Amar khela jokhon chhilo
Tagore’s Translation:
When my play was with thee I never questioned who thou wert.
I knew nor shyness nor fear, my life was boisterous.
In the early morning, thou wouldst call me from my sleep
like my own comrade and lead me running from glade to glade.
On those days I never cared to know the meaning of songs thou sang to me.
Only my voice took up the tunes,
and my heart danced in their cadence.
Now, when the playtime is over,
what is this sudden sight that is come upon me?
The world with eyes bent upon thy feet stands in awe with all its silent stars.
Some useful information: Amar khela jokhon chhilo
Song: Amar khela jokhon chhilo tomar sane
Written in: May 17, 1910
Tagore’s Age: 49
Published in: 1914, Dharmasangeet
Parjaay (Category): Puja (Worship)Upa-parjaay (Sub-category): Bandhu (Friends)
Taal: Dadra
Raga: Sahana
Notation: Geetalipi
Swarabitan: Vol. 37
Notation by: Surendranath Banerjee
Purpose of the presentation
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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.
Rabindrasangeet Sung By
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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.
