Nazrul’s Ashlo Jokhon Phuler Phalgun (When Flowers Bloom Spring) has been translated from Bengali to English by Professor Fakrul Alam
When flowers bloom spring, Gulbagh’s roses would rather leave.
On such a day though, why would one want to leave a friend behind?
Even before daybreak, a forlorn bulbul bird cried out in the flower garden,
Before their buds could bloom, flowers shed in the chilly breeze.
This is how it always was in old flower gardens! Men want fresh flowers,
But the cruel gardener keeps plucking away from the garden that is life!
The soil is where all golden body parts lie hidden, covered by dust,
Emperors and newly married brides too—everyone in the prime of life.
The world’s colourful blossoms may shed well before dusk descends
So sorry a sight it is to see souls leaving still young bodies to survive!
Tread thoughtfully dear wayfarer, for you’ll be treading on dead flowers
As the earth’s pathways are always strewn with dust blowing from graveyards.
It’s time for you, Hafiz, to give up all worldly desire and attractions,
Time to leave home for a spouse in a faraway world calling out to you!
Click here to listen to a rendition of the song in Bengali by the late Feroza Begum (1930-2014)
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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