Jani Jani Priyo, Ea Jebone (I know my dear one, in this life) by Nazrul has been translated from Bengali by Professor Fakrul Alam
I know, know very well my dear one,
No desire of mine will ever be fulfilled
In my lifetime. Like a water-lily, I’ll shed
In a watery grave. Moon-like, from above
You’ll shed tears. Between us, my bride,
Forever will blow a wind of parting. Forever,
You’ll be heaving deep sighs. I won’t get to hold
Or grip you close to the heart. And yet,
The moon keeps slandering the lotus. Far away
That you are, how does honey still gush from you?
Stay within my reach, dear night moon of mine,
Though so out of my grip and so untouchable!
My empty heart cries out with desert-thirst.
Everyone says I’m the one you love. And yet,
By your providing balm to that shameful act
My anguish at parting has become sweet tasting!
Born in united Bengal, long before the Partition, Kazi Nazrul Islam (1899-1976) was known as the Bidrohi Kobi, or “rebel poet”. Nazrul is now regarded as the national poet of Bangladesh though he continues a revered name in the Indian subcontinent. In addition to his prose and poetry, Nazrul wrote about 4000 songs.
Fakrul Alam is an academic, translator and writer from Bangladesh. He has translated works of Jibonananda Das and Rabindranath Tagore into English and is the recipient of Bangla Academy Literary Award (2012) for translation and SAARC Literary Award (2012).
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