Even so, remember me (Tobu mone rekho)
`
Translated lyrics of Tagore's song "Tobu mone rekho":
`
Even so, remember me
Even so
Remember me.
Even if far away I stray
Remember me.
If old love gets slowly buried
Under the strands of a new love's mesh
Even so,
Remember me.
Even if I am just
Nigh
And yet you cannot see me;
I become like a shadow
Shrouded in doubt
Remember me.
If tears well up
And cloud your eyes
If tears
Well up
And cloud your eyes
If suddenly one day
The games come to a halt
On a lovely night
Even so, remember me
If suddenly one day
All work gets obstructed
On an autumn morn
Even so, remember me
If, remembering me,
If,
Remembering me
Tears do not well up
In the corner of your eye
Even,
So,
Remember me
Remember me, even so, remember me.
`
Notes on translation:
The phrase "mone rekho" translates in English to "remember". I have had to add 'me' ("remember me") to preserve meaning. However, it detracts from the open-ended sense of beauty of the original phrase.
The repetition of phrases and break-up of sentences into lines follows the manner in which the original is sung.
`
Translated lyrics of Tagore's song "Tobu mone rekho":
`
Even so, remember me
Even so
Remember me.
Even if far away I stray
Remember me.
If old love gets slowly buried
Under the strands of a new love's mesh
Even so,
Remember me.
Even if I am just
Nigh
And yet you cannot see me;
I become like a shadow
Shrouded in doubt
Remember me.
If tears well up
And cloud your eyes
If tears
Well up
And cloud your eyes
If suddenly one day
The games come to a halt
On a lovely night
Even so, remember me
If suddenly one day
All work gets obstructed
On an autumn morn
Even so, remember me
If, remembering me,
If,
Remembering me
Tears do not well up
In the corner of your eye
Even,
So,
Remember me
Remember me, even so, remember me.
`
Notes on translation:
The phrase "mone rekho" translates in English to "remember". I have had to add 'me' ("remember me") to preserve meaning. However, it detracts from the open-ended sense of beauty of the original phrase.
The repetition of phrases and break-up of sentences into lines follows the manner in which the original is sung.
`
I have come across other translations and yours is definitely by far the best....one which captures the essence of Tagore and the beauty and ethos of his words. Complimenti!
ReplyDeleteJust came across this translation when I was searching the net for one to post on Facebook. Indeed, a very good one.
ReplyDeleteA very moving translation of Rabindranath's best work!
ReplyDeleteVery good translation! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteremembering is an intellectual act. Mone rekho better translates as "keep me in your heart". So he is referring to a deep seated feeling that reminds one of a certain personality which is more pervasive than just the intellectual act of remembering.
ReplyDeleteLovely translation.. Very easy for a non-bengali also to decipher..
ReplyDelete