Chokher aaloy dekhe chhilem chokher baahire was written by Rabindranath Tagore on March 5, 1915 at Surul. It was published in Falguni in the category of Puja (or worship) and the sub-category of Antarmukhe, meaning introspective.
Sita Devi, a disciple of Abanindranath Tagore and Nandalal Bose, in her memoirs of Tagore, mentions the play Falguni which was composed in early 1915. “The acting by the artistes in Falguni was engrossing. The stage was completely covered with flowers, there were two swings on either side. Just as the forest resounds with the chirping of birds, the auditorium reverberated with the singing of the boys. Rabindranath played the role of Andha Baul, while Dinendranath, Santosh Majumdar, Ajit Kumar Chakraborty and Asit Kumar Halder were in the ‘Gharchhara team’. The songs by Andha Baul still ring in my ears.”
Tagore sang Dheere, bandhu go, dheere dheere and Chokher aaloy dekhechhilem chokher bahire in the play quite memorably. Tagore starts the Rabindrasangeet by capturing the transition from a state of external focus to turning inward. Here, the metaphor of light symbolizes external distractions, while darkness represents a state of solitude and self-exploration. This song encapsulates a profound journey of self-discovery and inner exploration. It invites listeners to reflect on the significance of finding solace and fulfilment within one’s own soul.
Lyrics:
চোখের আলোয় দেখেছিলেম চোখের বাহিরে ।
অন্তরে আজ দেখব, যখন আলোক নাহি রে ॥
ধরায় যখন দাও না ধরা হৃদয় তখন তোমায় ভরা,
এখন তোমার আপন আলোয় তোমায় চাহি রে ॥
তোমায় নিয়ে খেলেছিলেম খেলার ঘরেতে ।
খেলার পুতুল ভেঙে গেছে প্রলয় ঝড়েতে ।
থাক্ তবে সেই কেবল খেলা, হোক-না এখন প্রাণের মেলা
তারের বীণা ভাঙল, হৃদয়-বীণায় গাহি রে ॥
English translation:
When there was light, my eyes gazed outside
Now amid the darkness, it is time to look into my soul.
When the world cannot get hold of you, my heart brims over with you within
Now it is time to behold you in your own aura.
I played with you in my playhouse,
The storm destroyed my dolls.
Now that the playtime is over,
Let your being alight on my soul
The strings of the veena have snapped,
I will sing with my heartstrings
Some useful information:
Song: Chokher aaloy dekhe chhilem chokher baahire
Written on: March 5, 1915, at Surul
Age of the poet: 53
Published in: Falguni
Parjaay (Category): Puja (Worship)
Upa-parjaay (Sub-category): Antarmukhe (Introspective)
Taal: Dadra
Raga: Yaman (Iman)
Notation: Swarabitan
Swarabitan: Vol. 7 (Falguni)
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.
