Ei korechho bhalo, nithur he is a soulful prayer to God, embracing suffering as divine grace that awakens the heart, dispels darkness, and leads the soul towards light. AK Nanda translates this immortal Tagore song from Geetanjali’s ‘Puja parjaay’.
Ei Korechho Bhalo, Nithur He
Written by Rabindranath Tagore
Ei korechho bhalo, nithur he Nithur he, ei korecho bhalo
You have done this well
Oh, merciless, so well
Emni kore hridoye mor teebro dahan jaalo – nithur he
May you thus raise in my heart
the sharp burn of fire, oh, merciless
Amar e dhoop na podale gondho kichhui naahi dhaale
My life, like an incense stick
emits no fragrance unless it burns
Amar e dweep na jaalale dei na kichhui aalo
Nor does it shed light
until it is set alight
Jokhon thaake aucheytaney, e chitto amar
When my mind
lies in stupor
Aaghat shey je porosh tobo, shei to puroshkaar
The hurt you inflict is your touch
That is my reward
Andhokare mohe laaje chokhe tomay dekhi na je
In the darkness, in my reticence
My eyes do not see you
Bojre tolo aagun korey aamar joto kalo
Burn as fire, in your strike of lightning
All my dark ignorance
A Fulbright Fellow, seasoned journalist and editor, A K Nanda had a long career in writing and editing, working in the areas of research and analysis in economic studies, population studies, corporate management and accountancy, to name a few. He lives in Delhi and spends his time now reading books on philosophy, spirituality and literature and answering the unending questions of his teenaged granddaughter.
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2 thoughts on “Ei Korechho Bhalo Nithur He — English Translation of Tagore’s Song”
NS Rajan
Nandaji. Namashkar.
I have no knowledge of Bangla. But who hasn’t heard of ‘Geetanjali’? it is an irony that when I was in College in 1952, I won two prizes in English; Essay writing and General English. One of the books presented to me was a very elegant looking Hard Bound Tagore’s Geetanjali (English). I was too young then to look deeply into it and absorb the contents. Reading your translation of “Ei Korechcho” this morning is for me the right time as such thoughts naturally occupy one’s mind at this age. I am also happy that this gave me an opportunity to look into Tagore Literature and its deep influence on Poetry.
Thank you.
Rajan Ji
I’m extremely grateful for your comments on my translation of Tagore’s poem of Geetanjali “Ei Korechho Bhalo”. I had to do this on the insistence of my daughter Antara, and as I started doing this, I found myself inadequate to the task, but kept on trying as best as I could. You have read it and liked it, it is my reward.
Thank you
Ei korechho bhalo, nithur he
Nandaji. Namashkar.
I have no knowledge of Bangla. But who hasn’t heard of ‘Geetanjali’? it is an irony that when I was in College in 1952, I won two prizes in English; Essay writing and General English. One of the books presented to me was a very elegant looking Hard Bound Tagore’s Geetanjali (English). I was too young then to look deeply into it and absorb the contents. Reading your translation of “Ei Korechcho” this morning is for me the right time as such thoughts naturally occupy one’s mind at this age. I am also happy that this gave me an opportunity to look into Tagore Literature and its deep influence on Poetry.
Thank you.
Rajan Ji
I’m extremely grateful for your comments on my translation of Tagore’s poem of Geetanjali “Ei Korechho Bhalo”. I had to do this on the insistence of my daughter Antara, and as I started doing this, I found myself inadequate to the task, but kept on trying as best as I could. You have read it and liked it, it is my reward.
Thank you