Silence is an ocean. Speech is a river. When the ocean is searching for you, don't walk into the river. Listen to the ocean
~Rumi~
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The following song points to a strong musical bond that exists between three countries of the Indian sub-continent – India, Pakistan and Bangladesh through a song in the Bangla language.
‘Amai bhasaili re’ is a Bengali song of the Bhatiali genre, sung by sailors/ fishermen/ boatmen in West Bengal and Bangladesh. They are well known folk songs handed over from generation to generation and are very popular for their simple tune and soulful lyrics. Google search shows this particular song ‘Amai dubaili re, amai bhasaili re’ was a collection of the Bengali poet Jasimuddin and made popular by Abbasuddin Ahmed, the singer from Bangladesh.
This song has simple words but intense meanings. The sailor complains to the river waves that your ups and downs drown me at one time and keep me afloat at another. It seems the shore is distant, however the boat which is broken should not drown. The shore has to be reached. Similar situations in our life makes us boatmen cruising through the turbulent sea of life where our ultimate redemption lies in reaching the end of our life - the death - the shore.
Sailors all over the world sing while rowing to keep off the drudgery. However everywhere their songs reflect the perennial flow of the river, the ups and downs of the waves and how it blends with human life.
Lyrics and translation:
Aamaay bhaashaaili re You have set me adrift
Aamaay á¸oobaaili re You are causing me to drown
Okool dauriaar boojhi kool naai re The river seems endless as if there were no shore
Chaahe aandhi aaye re
Chaahe megha chhaaye re
Hamen tu us paar leke jaana maajhi re
Even if a storm comes, or clouds cover the sky, please carry us to the other shore dear boatsman
Kool naai kinaar naai No border, no shore
Naai ko dauriaar paari The river has no limits
Shaabdhaane chaalaaiyo maajhi Steer it most cautiously, boatman
Aamaar bhaanga tori re This boat of mine with a broken rim
Okool dauriaar boojhi kool naai re The river seems endless as if there were no shore
Chaahe aandhi aaye re
Chaahe megha chhaaye re
Hamen tu us paar leke jaana maajhi re
Even if a storm comes, or clouds cover the sky, please carry us to the other shore dear boatsman
Na main maangoon sona chaandi, mangoon tose preet
I don't seek gold or silver, only your love
Balma maeeka chod gaye, yahi jagat ki reet
My beloved has left me at my mother's home, and this seems to be the way of the world
Saiyaan bina, saiyaan bina, saiyaan bina
saiyaan bina ghar soona
saiyaan bina ghar soona
