Arunava Sinha's Blog, page 6

Incomprehensible: Rabindranath Tagore

The professor tried to explain the meaning of drama It grew beyond comprehension Let me talk about that play of mine The title is ‘Patralekha’ Kushalsen, its hero Bidding goodbye to Nabani he went abroad They would marry when he returned four years later Nabani threw herself on the bed to weep It felt like […]

From ‘The Mound of Khana-Mihir’: Bani Basu

The river Dhonnya was gurgling along. Some of the ground alongside was clear, covered in grass and small shrubs; beyond them lay the forest. Flowers bloomed. Flowers wilted. But at night? Nights were very dangerous. People were not safe during the day either. A variety of animals lay in wait. Just the other day a […]

Two fragments: Jibanananda Das

Once, I wanted her – her distant footsteps roused my thirst Still I’ll forget her – forget how to be awakened Perhaps I’ll think of those days before I sleep But this world’s winter-numbness Will numb me too I shan’t want her though I wanted her once ~ ~ ~ In some lake Some river […]

Self-contradiction: Nirmalendu Goon

I was born one melancholy monsoon But my favourite season is spring I was born one July morning But I love April afternoons I was born at break of day But I prefer silent desolate night I was born in a village nestling in shadows What I love is tree-less sunburnt Dhaka I cried copiously […]

‘Who’s your friend? Is it a sigh?’: Purnendu Pattrea

Who’s your friend? Is it a sigh? Mine too My emptiness can’t be measured Yours too? The seasons pass along a distant road They don’t come to my door when I call In vain I go out when the flute plays The wind just laughs at me with scorn You had a basket, not a […]

The Umbrella: Kaberi Roychoudhury

Just the one umbrella at home, and that too with about fifty holes in it. Finding its way through these holes, the sunlight flashed on the hair and face. When it rained, pearls dripped from the head. Losing an umbrella like this was bound to create anxiety and unhappiness at home. Which was just what […]

Heeng Kochuri by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay

We lived in a single room in Hari-babu’s bamboo-and-tile house. Several families lived in the same building. One room was occupied by a bangle-seller and his wife. His name was Keshab. I addressed him as Keshab-kaka. When water flowed in the pipes every morning, everyone would line up with their pitchers and bowls and cans […]

Two Poems: Purnendu Pattrea

The Letters The letters came together Yours and the income-tax one Both contained demands Down to the last penny I’ve paid the tax dues Learning I have to bring you a red lotus I woke the stars from their slumber And said, make the blood-knife even sharper * * * Sensing You touched me My […]

Every Sunday: Binod Ghoshal

Oooh, how scared I was at first, god! Don’t blame me, OK? Isn’t everyone a little scared on their first plane ride? When the plane suddenly left the ground and zoomed into the sky, I shrank back in fear and grabbed his hand tightly. I had taken the window seat so that I could look […]