Remarks:
This Bengali song was written in 1914 by Rabindranath Tagore, a year after he won the Nobel Prize for Literature. He wrote over 2,000 songs. One became the national anthem of India. Another became the national anthem of Bangladesh. Many of the rest became a style of music called Rabindra Sangeet that lasts down to this day.
I chose this video because it is the cover of “Tomar Khola Hawa” that has the most views on YouTube. It came out 2015 and has 4.4 million views at last count. In second place is the cover by Somlata & the Aces, which has 3.5 million views. That one is done in what seems to be more of a rock music style, guitar solo and all – or what the YouTube description calls “a fusion of traditional melodies backed up by modern instruments.”
See also:
Lyrics:
the original Bengali (in Roman letters):
Tomar khola haawa lagiye pale tukro kore kachi
Ami dubte raji achi ami dubte raji achi
Sakal amar galo miche, bikel je jai tari piche go
Rekho na ar, bedho na ar kuler kachakachi
Majhir lagi achi jagi sakol ratribbela,
Dhaugulo je amai niye kare kebol khela
Jharke ami karbo mite, darbo na tar bhrukutite
Dau cheye dau, ogo ami tuphan pele bachi
an English translation:
Touch my sail with your fresh gush of wind, break my anchor –
I do not even regret if I sink.
Morning has slipped away in vain; the evening seems to follow,
Please do not restrict me near the shore.
I keep myself awake through the night looking for the boatman,
The waves toying with me every now and then.
I wish to make friends with the storm, never be terrorised with,
Leave me alone, O dear, I am comforted if I catch wind.
Source: Geetabitan.com.
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