Gandhi: A Tribute (Gandhi Smriti)

A translation of the poem "Gandhi Smriti" by Chandanani Basu

	An English lit translation: Gandhi: A Tribute
	O sooth speaker                                    Ever a Truth seeker Towards truth, you stride.
	O thou, great soul,                                You walk to your goal  With Dharma as your guide.
	Noble and ignoble - all are but one,    Then why do we have such division? In the knot of brotherhood, you wanted us to rejoice.
	Alas, they do not learn                         Alas, they do not turn From the violence in their voice.
	Mantra repetition,                                Physical purification All are done, yet I see their choice.
	The union of all hands                         In these lands Will that dream ever come true?
	Yes, we shall some day bow                To our non-violence vow And destroy the hate-violence brew.
	Sitapati Ram                                         Raghupati Mahatma, Now, no one shall your memory stain-
	O you who live forever,                       No one shall ever Insult you again.
	Siddhartha, you were reborn,              To help a world so torn, Live forever in the arms of the Lord.
	In the bonds of love,                            In the wings of the dove, Unite us all with peace and God.
	To India, victory!                                 To Swaraj, victory! To Dharma's triumph.
	Oh, let us all                                         Stand together and tall And over our fears, triumph!

Foreword to a poetry collection

My mother published a collection of poems - mostly written by Chandranani Basu, and some by her.

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Foreword to a poetry collection

by Chandranani Basu

Introduction to "Jugalbandi"

 My mother published a collection of poems - mostly written by Chandranani Basu, and some by her.

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Introduction to "Jugalbandi"

by Keya Basu

Oh the rains I have seen (Ami Bristi Dekhechi)

A translation of the song "Ami Bristi Dekhechi" by Anjan Dutta

Original (transliteration): Ami Bristi Dekhechi...	An English lit translation: Oh the rains I have seen...
Ami bristi dekhechi, bristir chobi enkechi Ami rodey poore ghure ghure onek kendechi, Amar akash kusum shopno dekhar khela thameni, Sudhu tumi chole jabe ami shopneo bhabini.	Oh the rains I have seen, the rains that pour in my drawin'. On sunburnt streets, I’ve walked 'n' walked with tears streamin' My daily daydreams, my airy castles were never empty, But that you’ll leave me, I’d never ever dreamt it...
Ami bristi dekhechi... Charte dewal manei noyto ghor, Nijer ghoreo onek manush por, Kokhon kiser taneo manush paay khuje bachar maane, Jhapsha chokhe dekha e shohor	Oh the rains I have seen... Four walls do not make a home. And e'en in one’s home, one can be all alone. Who knows in what 'n' when, men find their life’s meaning. Through watery eyes, this city have I known.
Ami onek bhenge chure, abar shuru korechi, Abar pawar ashay ghure ghure ghure ghure morechi, Ami onek here giyeo, har ta shikar korini, Sudhu tomay harabo ami shopneo bhabini	After breaking many a thing, I’ve started all over again, In the hope of finding, I’ve been walking, walking without stopping. I’ve lost many a time, but never did I lament it, But that I’d lose you, I’d never ever dreamt it.
Ami bristi dekhechi... Hariye geche tortajaa shomoy, Hariye jete koreni amar bhoy, Kokhon kiser taneo manush paay khuje bachar maane, Jhapsha chokhe dekha e shohor	Oh the rains I have seen... Lost are the great and glorious days, I was not afraid to be lost in the maze. Who knows in what 'n' when, men find their life’s meaning. Through watery eyes, this city have I known.
Ami onek shrote boye giye onek thokechi, Ami agun theke theke sikhe onek purechi, Ami onek koshte onek kichui dite sikhechi, Sudhu tomay biday dite hobe shopneo bhabini	Drifting down streams, I’ve been rocked many a time, Playing with fire, I’ve been burnt many a time. With pangs of pain, I’ve learnt to give up many a thing, But that I’d have to give you up, I’d never ever dreamt it.
Ami bristi dekhechi... Ami bristi dekhechi... Ami bristi dekhechi... Ami bristi dekhechi... Ami bristi dekhechi... Ami bristi dekhechi...	Oh the rains I have seen... Oh the rains I have seen... Oh the rains I have seen... Oh the rains I have seen... Oh the rains I have seen... Oh the rains I have seen...

A vagrant am I (Awara Hoon)

 A translation of the song "Awara Hoon" by Shailendra

Original (transliteration): Awara Hoon	An English lit translation: A vagrant am I
Awara hoon Awara hoon Ya gardish mein hoon aasman ka tara hoon Awara hoon Awara hoon Ya gardish mein hoon aasman ka tara hoon Awara hoon	A vagrant am I A vagrant am I Or a wand'rer am I, a star in the sky am I  A vagrant am I A vagrant am I Or a wand'rer am I, a star in the sky am I  A vagrant am I
Gharbaar nahi, sansar nahi Mujhse kisi ko pyar nahi Mujhse kisi ko pyar nahi Us paar kisi se milne ka iqraar nahi Mujhse kisi ko pyar nahi Mujhse kisi ko pyar nahi Sunsaan nagar anjaan dagar ka pyara hoon	No home have I, no family There's no one who loves me There's no one who loves me No dreams to meet someone on the oth'r side There's no one who loves me There's no one who loves me Deserted towns, empty streets love me dearly
Awara hoon Awara hoon Ya gardish mein hoon aasman ka tara hoon Awara hoon	A vagrant am I A vagrant am I Or a wand'rer am I, a star in the sky am I  A vagrant am I
Aabaad nahi, barbaad sahi Gata hoon khushi ke geet magar Gata hoon khushi ke geet magar Zakhmon se bhara seena hai mera Hansti hai magar yeh mast nazar Duniya ... duniya main tere teer ka ya taqdeer ka maara hoon	Unsettled am I, a waste am I But yet I sing songs of joy But yet I sing songs of joy Full of wounds is this heart of mine But yet there's a twinkle in my eye World ... oh world, your arrows or the Fates have killed me
Awara hoon Awara hoon Ya gardish mein hoon aasman ka tara hoon Awara hoon Awara hoon Awara hoon	A vagrant am I A vagrant am I Or a wand'rer am I, a star in the sky am I  A vagrant am I A vagrant am I A vagrant am I

We birds of the free sky (Hum panchi unmukt gagan ke)

A translation of the poem "Hum panchi unmukt gagan ke" by Shivmangal Singh "Suman".

Original (transliteration): Hum panchi unmukt gagan ke	An English lit translation: We birds of the free sky
Hum panchi unmukt gagan ke, Pinjar bandh na ga payenge Kanak-tiliyon se takrakar Pulkit pankh toot jayenge.	We birds of the free sky, In cages, we cannot sing. The gilded bars will break Each unfettered wing.
Hum bahta jal peenewale, Mar jayenge bhooke-pyaase Kahin bhali hai katuk nibori Kanak-katori ki maida se.	We who drink the flowing water Would rather die of hunger and thirst. Far better is the bitter berry Than flour in a bowl of gold-dust.
Swarn-shrinkhala ki bandhan mein Apni gati, udaan sab bhoole Bas sapnon mein dekh rahe hain Taru ke fungi par ke jhoole.	Tied in chains of gold, We've forgotten our flight, the breeze. Alas! In dreams alone we see The swings, on the twigs of trees.
Aise the armaan ki udte Neel gagan ki seema paane Lal kiran-si chonch khol Chugte tarak anar ke daane.	Our desires soared to reach Beyond the blueness of the skies. With beaks like reddish rays We chewed the starry grains of rice.
Hoti seemaheen kshitij se In pankhon ki horahori Ya toh kshitij milan ban jaata Ya tanti sanson ki dori	Against the endless horizon These wings would race with every breath. Oh, to be one with the infinite - Or embrace the stillness of death.
Need na hon, chahe tehni ka, Ashray chinn-bhinn kar dalo. Lekin pankh diye hain to Aakul udaan mein vign na dalo.	Take away my nest and bough, Destroy the shelters of my nights. But if I've been given these wings, Stop not my fervent flights.

Wild Wind (Pagla Hawa by Salil Chowdhury)

A translation of the song "Pagla Hawa" by Salil Chowdhury.

Original (transliteration): Pagla Hawa	An English lit translation: Wild Wind
Pagla hawa Ki amaro moto Tumio hariye gele Fulero bone Hajaro ronger melaye Surobhi roder khelaye Tari nahi pele Pagol hawa	O wild wind, Just like me, Are you too lost, In a flowery forest, Where a thousand colours dance, And fragrant sunbeams play, She is not to be found. O wild wind!
Bosonto jokhon Eshe deke jaye - amaray Ki jani ki ba roopay Shay ashay chupay-chupay Jodate chaye - amaray Bosonto jokhon...	When spring Comes to call - ah me! Who knows in what form She'll come - unseen, unheard, To embrace me - ah me! When spring ...
Bonay bonay tokhon - batashay Matali banshitay Ki kotha jaye bolay	In the woods, then- in the airs, In sensual notes, O what words she shares.
Ebar sango mon Hoyeche khela ghore bijoyini Jhora phulay pollobay E mala gatho tobay Poraye dao bijoyini Ebar sango mon	Now, playmate o' mine, The game's done, and you've won, With fallen flowers, Weave then the garland, Put it on me, O winner, Now, playmate o' mine.
Har mano haray - amaray Sajayo sojoni Bnadhon dao monay	My defeat I accept - ah me! Adorn me, paramour, Bind me with you.