Ami Shunechi ... (I have heard)

A heart wrenching Bangla song sung beautifully by Moushumi Bhowmick. The words, the pathos, the visual imagery and the melancholy touches you even if you don't know the language. Here are the words and a translation by Ritwick Banerjee.

Ami shunechhi sedin tumi,
sagor er dheu e chepe, neel jol digonto chhuye eshechho ...
Ami shunechhi sedin tumi,
nona bali teer dhore, bohu dur bohu dor hete esechho ...
Ami kokhono jaini jole, kokhono bhashini neel e,
kokhono rakhini chokh dana mela gangchile ...
Abar jedin tumi somudro snane jabe, amakeo sathe niyo, neboto amay ??
Bolo nebe to amay???


I heard that the other day you went to touch the blue horizon
riding the waves
I heard that the other day, you walked along the salty shores
for miles and miles
I have never seen the sea, never glided on blues
never caught a glimpse of the seagull's wings

Next time, when you'll go to the sea
will you take me along?

Will you?

Ami shunechi sedin naki
tumi tumi tumi mile, tomra sodol-bole sobha korechhile ...
Aar sedin tomra naki onek jotil dhnadha,
na bola onek kotha, kotha tulechhile ...
Keno shudhu chhute chhute chola,
eke eke kotha bola, nijer jonne bnacha, nijeke niye ??
Jodi bhalobhasha nai thake, shudhu eka eka lage,
kothay shanti paabo, kothay giye ??
Bolo kothay giye ???


I heard that the other day, you, you and you
in an ensemble, discussed many complex conundrums
and unspoken words.

Why this eternal rat-race?
Why endless series of monologues?

Living on, this self centered life
if there is no love
only empty loneliness

Where can I get a dollop of peace?

Where can I?

Ami shunechi tomra naki ekhono swopno dekho,
ekhono golpo lekho, gaan gao pran bhore ...
Manusher bacha mora, ekhono bhabiye tole,
tomader bhalobasa, ekhono golape phote ...
Astha harano ei mon niye ami aaj,
tomader kache ese du haat petechi,
Ami du chok er gohobore shunnota dekhi shudhu,
raat ghum e ami kono shopno dekhi na ....................

I have heard that you still dream, still write stories, and
chant music from bottom of your soul

The Saga of human existence still makes you think
Love still blossom like a rose in your heart.
Today I am here at your doorstep
with this faithless soul, open arms
and bending knees…

Only emptiness in deep of my eyes,
there are no dreams in my nights

Tai swopno dekhbo bole ami duchokh petechi,
Tai tomader kache eshe ami du haat petechi,
Tai swopno dekhbo bole ami du chokh petechi...

To dream I opened my eyes
to dream I opened my arms
towards you.

An MP3 version of the song is available here.