Partha Basu, in his book Gayak Rabindranath, recounts that in 1933, during the performance of the recently written play Banshari (or The Flute) in Darjeeling, Maitreyi Devi wrote: “Rabindranath is reciting, not just reciting, the entire play comes alive and his singing adds even more enchantment. On that day, his rendition of Byartho praner aborjona and Pinakete lage tankar were truly delightful.” There were other songs in the play, but if truth be said, the 72-year-old poet was more comfortable with fast-paced, high-pitched songs. Written in November-December 1933, Banshari features the song Byartho praner aborjana that is sung by the character Somshankar in the second scene of the second act of the play. It was based on the story named Lalater Likhon, published in the magazine Bharat Varsha. Maitreyi Devi assumed that most of these were written in Darjeeling.
Bengali Lyrics: Byartho praner aborjona
ব্যর্থ প্রাণের আবর্জনা পুড়িয়ে ফেলে আগুন জ্বালো।
একলা রাতের অন্ধকারে আমি চাই পথের আলো ॥
দুন্দুভিতে হল রে কার আঘাত শুরু,
বুকের মধ্যে উঠল বেজে গুরুগুরু–
পালায় ছুটে সুপ্তিরাতের স্বপ্নে-দেখা মন্দ ভালো ॥
নিরুদ্দেশের পথিক আমায় ডাক দিলে কি–
দেখতে তোমায় না যদি পাই নাই-বা দেখি।
ভিতর থেকে ঘুচিয়ে দিলে চাওয়া পাওয়া,
ভাব্নাতে মোর লাগিয়ে দিলে ঝড়ের হাওয়া
বজ্রশিখায় এক পলকে মিলিয়ে দিলে সাদা কালো ॥
English translation (Lyrics): Agun Jalo Agun Jalo
Set fire to the wasted heap of a failed life, ignite the fire!
In the loneliness of a dark night, I seek a light along the path
Who has begun to strike on the kettle-drum?
The rumble begins to resonate on my chest.
A fleeting glimpse of the evil and good of slumberous nights
Did the missing wayfarer call out to me?
Even if I cannot see you, it does not matter.
From within, you have sorted out the desires and accomplishments,
You have infused the gusty winds of a storm into my thoughts,
In a flash of a thunderbolt, you have merged the white with the black.
Some useful information: Byartho praner aborjona
Written in: October- November 1933
Tagore’s Age: 72
Published in: The Flute (October- November 1933)
Parjaay (Category): Homeland (Swadesh)
Upa-parjaay (Sub-category): NA
Taal: Dadra
Raga: Baul
Notation: Swarabitan
Swarabitan: Vol. 52
Notation by: Anadikumar Dastidar
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.
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.
