A Poetic Elegy: ‘Rabihara’ — Kazi Nazrul’s Ode to Tagore

Tagore’s Final Departure from Santiniketan (1941)

As monsoon clouds veil the sky with sorrow today, the 22nd of Shravana, we remember the 83rd death anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. On this same day, in the Bengali year 1348, Tagore had left the mortal world. It was a monsoon afternoon when the news of Tagore’s passing spread like a whisper in the wind, leaving a trail of sorrow and despair in its wake. The dark clouds gathered, mirroring the somber mood of the people, as if the skies themselves were mourning the loss of the great poet.

In the Jorasanko household, where Tagore had spent his final days, the atmosphere was heavy with grief, and all his admirers were left to grapple with the void that his passing had left behind. As the news spread, people from all walks of life began to gather outside the Jorasanko house, paying their respects to the departed poet. The crowd swelled, a sea of faces united in their sorrow, as they bid farewell to the man who had given them so much through his words and music.

The House of the Tagores at Jorasanko (1960s)

Reported the editor of the All India Radio Calcutta publication ‘Betar Jagat‘ (Year 12, Issue 16),

At around 12:15 minutes past noon, the authorities at All India Radio suddenly received news of Rabindranath Tagore’s demise. The employees of All India Radio were stunned for a while as they had been fortunate enough to have Tagore’s presence and broadcast his voice in the recent past.

It seemed unbelievable that the serene and calm personality, who had been pouring his youthful energy like a hundred streams, would suddenly become silent forever. His childlike smile, his conversations full of humor, would never again delight those around him — this thought filled our minds with sorrow. Yet, driven by duty, our representatives went to the Nimtala crematorium to record the events of his funeral procession.

With the station director’s permission, our special correspondent reached Jorasanko at around 2:30 pm and, with great difficulty, managed to enter Tagore’s residence. When the funeral procession started around 3:30 pm, the massive crowd of men and women made it difficult to move forward. If the funeral procession had been delayed, it would have taken a long time for the huge crowd to reach the crematorium, and many accidents would have occurred due to the pressure of the crowd.

Tagore’s Funeral Procession (1941)

We had received information about the procession route in the morning and made arrangements for our correspondent to cover each event along the way. The authorities at the crematorium allowed our correspondent to witness the final rites, but due to the crowd, they couldn’t see everything clearly. Finally, they climbed a wall and recorded the entire event with a microphone. They didn’t consider any danger as a hindrance. By 9:00 pm, they returned to the station with the complete recording, which was broadcast on the radio.

Kazi Nazrul Islam at AIR, Calcutta (Early 1940s)

The same day, the 22nd of Shravana, the heartbroken poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, who was then closely associated with the Calcutta Station of All India Radio as a lyricist, composer and trainer, composed a long poem ‘Rabihara’ (The Loss of Rabindranath), a heart-wrenching ode echoing the anguish of a nation, mourning the silence of Tagore’s voice, yet celebrating the eternal resonance of his legacy —

‘Rabihara’ (The Loss of Rabindranath)

[Bengali Words in Bengali Script]

দুপুরের রবি পড়িয়াছে ঢলে অস্তপথের কোলে,
শ্রাবণের মেঘ ছুটে এল দলে দলে,
উদাস গগনতলে।

বিশ্বের রবি, ভারতের কবি,
শ্যাম বাংলার হৃদয়ের ছবি,
তুমি চলে যাবে বলে।

তব ধরিত্রীমাতার রোদন তুমি শুনেছিলে না কি,
তাই কি রোগের ছলনা করিয়া মেলিলে না আর আঁখি?

[Bengali Words in Roman Script]

Dupurer robi poriyachhe dhole astapather kole,
Shrabaner megh chhute elo dole dole,
Udaas gagantale.

Bishwer robi, bharoter kobi,
Shyam banglar hridoyer chhobi,
Tumi chole jabe bole.

Tabo dharitrimatar rodon tumi shunechhile na ki,
Tai ki roger chhalana koriya melile na aar aankhi?

[An Interpretive Translation]

When the Sun sets in the west,
The monsoon clouds
Gather in the sky.

In the heart of Bengal,
A sorrowful cry,
Echoes by and by.

Your words, O Poet,
Our guiding star,
Were our shining light,

In your absence,
Darkness descends,
And the endless night.

Kazi Nazrul Islam’s bond with Rabindranath Tagore was rooted in profound veneration. In a heartfelt letter, Nazrul had once written, “I have not only revered Tagore, but have worshiped him with all my heart and soul, just as a devotee worships their chosen deity. Since childhood, I have kept his picture in front of me and offered incense, flowers, and sandalwood, paying homage to him every morning and evening.”

Tagore’s poem dedicated to Kazi Nazrul (1923)

Reciprocally, Tagore held Kazi Nazrul in high esteem, showering him with affection and unwavering trust in his creative genius. Wrote Tagore, addressing Kazi Nazrul (Sphulinga-Samyojana, 19),

[Bengali Words in Bengali Script]

আয় চলে আয়, রে ধূমকেতু,
আঁধারে বাঁধ্‌ অগ্নিসেতু,
দুর্দিনের এই দুর্গশিরে
উড়িয়ে দে তোর বিজয়-কেতন।

অলক্ষণের তিলক-রেখা
রাতের ভালে হোক-না লেখা –
জাগিয়ে দে রে চমক মেরে
আছে যারা অর্ধচেতন।

[Bengali Words in Roman Script]

Aay chole aay, re dhumketu,
Andhare bandh agnisetu,
Durdiner ei durgashire
Uriye de tor bijoy-ketan.

Alokkhoner tilok-rekha
Raater bhale hok-na lekha –
Jagiye de re chomok mere
Achhe jara ardhhachetan.

[An Interpretive Translation]

Bring light to our darkness, oh celestial messenger!

Guide us through hard times with your fiery spirit.

Shake awake those who are numb, and inspire us to rise above adversity.

Illuminate our path, and empower us to transform our struggles into strength.

Tagore’s demise had plunged Kazi Nazrul into deep sorrow. During the funeral procession of Tagore, and his cremation at the Nimtala Crematorium, the whole of Bengal was overwhelmed by Birendra Krishna Bhadra’s live broadcast aired by the Calcutta Station of All India Radio.

Following the live broadcast, in the evening session, that day, Kazi Nazrul Islam recited his newly composed poem ‘Rabihara’ and also sang a newly composed song ‘Ghumaite Dao Shranto Robire‘ (Let the Poet rest in peace, do not rouse him, do not disturb his slumber) along with the singer Ila Ghosh and singer-composer Chitta Roy.

Kazi Nazrul with singers Ila Ghosh and Shaila Devi at the Calcutta Station of All India Radio (early 1940s)

Record of ‘Rabihara’ (released in September, 1941)

Soon, Kazi Nazrul Islam recorded ‘Rabihara’ with the Gramophone Company, creating a landmark recording that innovatively incorporated instrumental accompaniment, a pioneering feat in Bengali poetry recitation records. The record featured the song Ghumaite Dao Shranto Robire in Kazi Nazrul’s voice, accompanied by Ila Ghosh and her brother, the singer Sunil Ghosh.

The record, released in September, 1941, stands as a testament to the profound reverence and admiration that a younger poet, Kazi Nazrul Islam, held for his esteemed senior, Rabindranath Tagore, and the enduring inspiration he drew, like countless others, from Tagore’s legacy.

Listen to the recitation of ‘Rabihara’ by Kazi Nazrul Islam

More Must Read in LnC

Rabindranath Tagore and India’s First Electrical Recording

Sound Recording In India: Rabindranath, Rabindrasangeet (1904-1941)

Sakhi Bhaabona Kaahare Bole — English Translation of Tagore’s Song

The Music of Silence: Kanika Bandyopadhyay

Bipade More Rakkha Karo: The Prayer to Be Fearless (Translation of Tagore Song)

About the Author

Sounak Gupta ( 7 Posts)

Sounak Gupta, Assistant Editor, LnC, is a passionate collector and archivist of Indian Music on Gramophone Records, often eager to share treasures from his collections with enthusiasts and researchers on various platforms. As a self-directed researcher on music, he specializes in the History of Bengali Music, and Bengali Music on Gramophone Records. His writings on music, and the lives, and works of musicians have appeared in several magazines and news dailies, both in India and overseas. His literary pursuits have also yielded contributions to notable volumes including Blue Pencil's The Unforgettable Music of Hemant Kumar, written by Manek Premchand – co-authoring Antara Nanda Mondal on a chapter on Hemant Kumar's Bengali music, and Deys Publishing's Prithibi Amare Chay, among others. Beyond his musical interests, Sounak devotes himself to reading and reflecting on Literature and Education, while continually seeking new avenues of exploration through brainstorming. Amidst a diverse range of academic pursuits and experiences, his interests continue to evolve, informed by the confluence of music, literature, and history.
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