Jaagorane jaay bibhabori was composed by Rabindranath Tagore in September-October 1918 but published in 1933, in Shapmochan. On October 25, 1886, Rabindranath’s first child Madhurilata, affectionately called Bela, was born in Kolkata. Tagore said about her: “my eldest daughter Bela… was exceptionally beautiful in body and mind.” In 1917, it became clear that Bela had tuberculosis. From his letters, it is learnt that Tagore visited her for a month in July that year, spending time next to her bed and reading. Tagore sang Jaagorane jaay bibhabori to Bela at that time. She died on May 16, 1918. This song evokes a sense of profound longing and emotional intensity, painting a vivid picture of the poet’s inner turmoil and yearning for someone who remains elusive. The music becomes a metaphor for the connection between the two souls, even in the absence of spoken words. The lyrics capture the essence of unrequited love and the depths of emotional longing. Through evocative imagery and heartfelt expressions, the poet conveys a sense of yearning, heartache, and the overwhelming impact of the beloved’s presence even in her absence. The song’s emotive power lies in its ability to resonate with the universal experience of longing and the complex emotions that accompany unfulfilled desires. It leaves the listener with a lingering impression of the complexities of love and the enduring nature of human emotions.
Bengali Lyrics: জাগরণে যায় বিভাবরী
জাগরণে যায় বিভাবরী
আঁখি হতে ঘুম নিল হরি,
কে নিলো হরি ? মরি মরি,
জাগরণে যায় বিভাবরী ।।
যার লাগি ফিরি একা একা
আঁখি পিপাসিত নাহি দেখা,
তারই বাঁশি, ওগো তারই বাঁশি
তারই বাঁশি বাজে হিয়া ভরি,
মরি মরি, জাগরণে যায় বিভাবরী ।।
বাণী নাহি তবু কানে কানে
কী যে শুনি,
কী যে শুনি তাহা কে বা জানে,
এই হিয়া ভরা বেদনাতে
বারি ছলছল আঁখি পাতে,
ছায়া দোলে, তারি ছায়া দোলে
ছায়া দোলে দিবানিশি ধরি,
মরি মরি, জাগরণে যায় বিভাবরী ।।
English translation (Lyrics): Jagorane Jay Bibhabori
The night passes in a state of wakefulness,
I wonder who has robbed my eyes of sleep.
I wander alone in search of her, my eyes pine for a glimpse,
but she’s out of sight,
The melody of her flute fills my entire being.
There are no words spoken, only whispers in my ear,
I know not what I hear.
The grief in my heart brings tears to my eyes,
Her silhouette sways before me all day and night.
Some useful information: Jagorane Jay Bibhabori
Song: Jaagorane jaay bibhabori
Written in: September-October 1918
Age of the poet: 57
Published in: 1933, Shapmochan
Parjaay (Category): Prem (Love)
Upa-parjaay (Sub-category): Prem-Boichitro (Love-Variety)
Taal: Kaharba
Raga: Behag
Swarabitan: Vol. 16
Notation by: Dinendranath Tagore
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.
