Rabindranath Tagore: Gitanjali and more…

Who does not know Rabindranath Tagore [an English transliteration of ‘Thakur’]? The master storyteller, poet and painter – a polymath! ‘Gitanjali’ (Offering of Songs), a collection of poems whose English translation won him a Nobel. It has been more than 100 years since Gitanjali was published, yet the thoughts flowing through its words still resonates true. The spiritual yearning, the conflict within and with the material world are true for any seeker of truth.

It would be best to read any classic work in its original language. But we all have our limitations when it comes to learning a new language with enough proficiency to understand the nuances of deep thoughts. Rabindranath made it easier by translating his own work from Bangla to English. This translated version has an introduction by W.B. Yeats, one of the greatest poets of the 20^th century. He says, “Rabindranath Tagore has stirred my blood as nothing has for years.”

Two interesting translations of Gitanjali in Hindi…

There are many translations of Gitanjali. The Hindi translation of Gitanjali by Shri Hanskumar Tiwari is worth reading. The translation, metre and rhyme are close to the original Bengali. The only lacuna in this book, also noted by the author in his Introduction is that he wanted but could not provide the transliteration in Hindi. Since, many Bengali words are similar to Hindi in meaning, with only pronunciation being different, the charm of being able to read the Bengali words would have added to the experience of following the translation. Therefore, if I have to rate it, it will be 4.5/5_{see my rating scale}

Here, notable is the translation by Sanjayacharya. It has all the three version: the original Bengali script, transliteration in Hindi and also a translation in Hindi, which makes it very easy to follow.

Some of the masterpieces of Rabindranath other than Gitanjali..

Gitanjali is not the only gem in Rabindaranath’s treasure! He wrote more than 2000 songs and composed their soulful music, ‘the Rabindra Sangeet.’ A prolific writer, he wrote innumerable short stories for children and adults alike. Many novels, dramas, and poems are masterpieces. Be it the sorrow of Rehmat ‘Kabuliwala’, when Minni did not recognize him, or of turmoil of “Gora“- and of British India, to the complexities of human relationships in ‘Chokher bali’. These are not mere stories, but different shades of life and human emotions.

From children rendering ‘Phule phule..’ (The flowers sway in the breeze..), to the friendly reunions with ‘Purano shei diner kotha’ (Can one forget the old days? Those sights, those meetings and hearty conversations, can anyone forget those?) – to inspirational ‘Ekla cholo re..’ (Even if no one responds to your call, walk alone..), to celebrating nature in ‘Ei Akashe amar mukti, aaloye aaloye..’ (In this light of the sky, lies my liberation..- Here is the hindi version of the same), to the tussles of a contemplative mind in ‘Megh bole che Jabo Jabo..’ (The cloud says, It is time to go…) – he has poems and songs for everyone and every mood. The composer of the national anthems of two countries, on getting the Noble, humbly sang ‘Ei monihar amay, nahi saje...’ (This jewelled necklace doesn’t suit me, It hurts when worn, and they tinkers while breaking..)

He soulfully yearns in ‘Asha jaoar pather dhare..’, where he asks, “On the wayside, I have spent my days singing songs; At the time of departure, with whom shall I leave my musical instrument, ‘the Been’, that played within my heart?” He can be assured that his legacy is cherished and celebrated in millions of hearts across the globe.