Kal Ekush - A tribute to revolutionary poet Sukanta Bhattacharya

Sukanta Bhattacharya is synonymous with revolution in Bengali culture and literature. His fiery narratives and inspiring declamations on the decaying human society around him is incomparable. Considering all these voluminous works were within a diminutive 21 years of blazing existence - the extents he could have attained (if he lived longer) is well imaginable. But better not. Maybe age would have mellowed him down. Family responsibilities would have made him compromise more often. Maybe forever hammering of this boorish, 'bollywoodish' world we call exciting, would have made him docile and slaves of time - just like us, the way we are today. Quite clearly his relevance even to this day is unavoidable.

This is our tribute to his undying spirit, with which we seek to touch others'. Here is a little bit Sukanta, as we discovered, in all of us. We fought, got frustrated, gave it up, dared to compose own script and our own music (Yes! We have lent music to 3 poems of Sukanta. Please don't copy our music! Get inspired, everybody else does! :P) got back, tried hard and got this done. Thanks to everyone of us. Hope you enjoy it and get inspired.

Keep revolting every time!

*****
P.S: Bouquets and brickbats are earnestly invited. These will come in 5 parts -- so watch out for all! Cheers!

Sharon

Thousands of years I trod – as I tread this walk of life –
From the depths kissing the Lankan crest –
Far, further ahead into the darkning Malayan depths.
I have made the distance.
My feet has smelt the greying sands of Asoka's land, Bimbisaar.
I have walked through the darkness of Vidarbha.
A tired soul am I  –
All around me the froth, so lively, brims over.
But, for a moment’s breath you bequeathed unto me –
Suddenly, Sharon.

Her hair – lost, like lost day’s darkest nights,
Her face sculptured timeless – flawless, granite.
For puzzled Ulysses and his rudderless ship,
The tempt of the sirens, in his eyes –
Unto the green shores – deep inside the cinnamon island…

My eyes have touched her, thus – through the darkness.
And she has asked, “Where have you been so long?”
All, as she looked up through the naked forest of her dark eyelashes,
It was you, Sharon.

In the sound of dews – the night ascends.
The birds of prey shed feathers drenched of sunshine.
As The Light of world dims away –
The storybook comes alive.
Then unto the fireflies, nights glitter anxious.

The birds return home –
The rivers too –
Encore Life!

Darkness remains –
The face –
Sharon.

*****

(A relatively literal translation: My tribute unto the greatest work of Jibanananda Das – ‘Banalata Sen'. Some parts of it are twisted – based on my limited understanding. But with eons of languages apart, I guess it is important that the metaphors stand out starkly. However, this is nowhere close to the oceans of symbolism in his original. Add to that a few other gratifying suggestions as well! The bengali version follows.).

The Man Who Became God

The Man Who Became God

Sky full of suns and stars,
World full of life –
Amidst all of these,
I have found,
I – have found my space.
In wonderment –
Thus doth arise,
Arises, my song

On the unbound rhythm,
On destiny’s cradle,
On the ebb & flow of tides,
The Universe swings.
In my veins,
The flow of blood –
Hath flooded in outburst
In wonderment –
Thus doth arise,
Arises, my song

On grasses I have trod
On way to the forest
On fragrance of flowers
Struck with joy –
My heart has rejoiced.
Here lies scattered
Happiness’ gifts
In wonderment –
Thus doth arise,
Arises, my song
I have lent my ears,
I have opened my eyes,
On Earth’s breast
I have offered my soul.
Amidst the known,
I have sought the unknown.
In wonderment –
Thus doth arise,
Arises, my song
Sky full of suns and stars

– Rabindranath Tagore.

______________________________

It is a day of solitary reclusion. Self imposed state of assertion and collapsing inside oneself to have a clearer view of the outside.

Once in a Lifetime

Once in a Lifetime
(English translation of lyrics of a Bengali Folk song by Bhaba Pagla)
You’ll not be back here again.
You’ll not live a human all over again.
You’ll not be back here again.

Be so very careful my dear mind – keep your guard.
Your time ticks further away and beckons the dark.
Across your heart stretches the endless sky.
Bhaba says, “Open your eyes to look onwards.”

You’ll not be back here again.
You’ll not live a human all over again.
You’ll not be back here again.

Having been here, whatever you might have done,
Chitragupt – the accountant has put on record.
Equations will be drawn by the Great One.
Before Him, to whom, none can fake.

You’ll not be back here again.
You’ll not live a human all over again.
You’ll not be back here again...
*****