This song by Tagore welcoming the new year, Esho He Baishakh, is especially relevant because it talks of the New Year wiping away diseases that weaken and kill humanity. Here is a translation of the lyrics and renditions by popular contemporary voices and a video of a dance performance to this song.
Come O Boisakh! (A translation of Tagore's Esho He Boisakh, Esho, Esho, 1927) Hail O boisakh! Welcome. Blow away deadly diseases with your ascetic breath. May the debris from the old year disappear. Let go of old memories, let go of old melodies. May sorrows and tears evaporate. Wipe away slanders, wipe away infirmities. May the Earth be purified by fire. Wither obsessive unhealthy passions. Summon a storm with a conch call to Transfigure the misty webs woven by Maya*. *Maya is an illusory play of divine intervention.
Jayati Chakraborty Click here to listen.
Iman Chakraborty Click here to listen.
Lopamudra Mitra Click here to listen.
Sadi Mohammad Click here to listen.
New Year arrives in some parts of Asia every April, around 13th to 15th. India celebrates new year under various names and with many different traditions – such as Ugadi in Karnataka, Vishu in Kerala, Baisakhi among Sikhs and many more. Nepal observes Nava Varsha. Thailand celebrates Songkran, which is a bit like Holi in India as it involves water play and a bit like the Thingyan, the Myanmar New Year. Sri Lanka calls their festival Avurudu, which seems to have customs close to the Tamilian new year Puthandu or that of Karnataka. Bangladesh livens up with a national festival, called Pohela Boisakh, which is a bit different from the Polia Boisakh celebrations in the Eastern parts of India.
Intrinsic to all these is the joie de vivre of the festivities whether with water play, food, Bhangra dancing or with Rabindra Sangeet.
May we all have a glorious entry into our plethora of New Years!
Greetings again for all Asian New Years !
(Written and translated by Mitali Chakravarty)
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