Jyotiprasad Agarwala
1. All the songs that I’ve sung in life Having returned Those songs asked me For the new day Whom has my bard written Letting out a sigh Retorted the past I have written none No one have I written It’s you who—having returned Have written always For the new day I have neither sung any more songs Nor have written songs, too.
2. The meaning of my song is nothing but I myself Longing fervently to tell you I go searching for but you Returning from the edge after traversing forests I meet up with but myself. In my room Having seen you playing With my tunes I keep waiting and waiting For my parlance with you I watch you only dancing and singing With my tunes If perchance I get a scope to tell you Meaning of the song.
3. On the moonlit path of Vita nuova Who’re you that’s going Who’re you—moving Embellishing the beautiful nature O’ you lass of the verdant country Who’re you going on the moonlit path Who’re you going on the moonlit path Burns the ray of new day The new Chitralekha—with her novel rhythm Its you who belong to the new with new design Sing mellifluous song at dawn Who’re you moving on the moonlit path!
Translated by Uttam Duorah
Jyotiprasad Agarwala (b.1903-d.1951) was a noted poet, songwriter, playwright, filmmaker and freedom fighter of Assam.
Uttam Duorah, the translator, retired as the HoD, English, Women’s College, Tinsukia and is based in Tinsukia, Assam.