A translation of a folk song sung by Abbasuddin Ahmed. Lyricist and composer, Polli Kobi (folk poet) Jasimuddin
Abbasuddin Ahmed was born in Cooch Behar, British India (1901 – 1959). Jasimuddin was born in East Bengal’s Faridpur district, British India (1903 – 1976) Abbasuddin Ahmed, an illustrious folk song composer and singer. He is revered for his Bhawaiya songs that are popular in the district of greater Rangpur and Cooch Behar.
Polli Kobi Jasimuddin was a poet, composer, and collector of folk literature. He is well known for his celebrated poem ‘Kabar’ (The Grave).
By Zeenat Khan
The river has no banks, nor an edge
From which edge to which other edge
(Of eternity) should I go –?
Who do I ask?
On the other side — lightning, roaring clouds
The river flows in between, with abandon
I saw this golden painting, then no more
I see that eternal form, then no more
The river flows with ferocity, waves crashing
And yet I paddle (on) this decrepit boat of life
With hope perpetual to reach the end to see you,
Oh Merciful God!
End notes: For all the Bengali speaking people Polli Giti (folk songs) have a different appeal. It cannot be any truer when one combines the one and only singer, composer, and lyricist Abbasuddin Ahmed and poet Jasimuddin together. They are legends in their own rights. Abbasuddin and Jasimuddin’s interaction and collaboration brings folk songs into a different level. It heightens the listener’s experience to pure bliss as one attends to such songs.
The rivers are considered the pride of Bangladesh. As a listener and fan of folk songs since my childhood I find this particular song – the duo’s creation as mesmerizing, uplifting, sad, and soulful at the same time. My love for all the rivers that flow through Bangladesh might have a lot to do with how I feel about such songs. A lot of my first twelve years of childhood memories centers on the water, specifically when I was in grade school. From the classroom window I saw the enchanting Shitalakshya River flowing gently and the diverse ecosystem along the river bank. Sometimes I will see the waves rising and that used to give me a glimmer of hope that perhaps one day I will go to the opposite side of the river riding a wooden boat. From then on, the river is something engraved in my thoughts. I love hearing songs about rivers and knowing about all the different rivers that flow everywhere.
Many writers use river symbolism as it represents life, changes, hopes, dreams, fears, excitement, and the passage of time. A river also signifies how one responds when faced with adversity. My childhood encounters with the majestic Shitalakshya River is a metaphor for the rhythm of life and my very existence in navigating the course of life.
Being near water boosts one’s creativity. Even now most of our getaways in the summer revolve around a lake or a river. Nowhere else in the world do I feel relaxation and serenity of mind that I experience by a healthy river or a pristine lake.
I am well aware of how human activities are destroying our rivers. The rivers are getting polluted and ruined by open sewerage where liquid wastes are getting mixed in water and ultimately reaching the water bodies. River water now is fully contaminated because of this practice. Climate change, urbanization, solid waste industrial dumping, oil spillage and encroachment are other culprits. Those are a different topic that I had written about before and have plans to delve into in more detail in the near future.
Often, I get the annoying question as to why I am so emotionally invested in Bangladesh’s rivers especially when I do not get to visit home frequently.
My current geographical location has no bearing on how I feel about the folk songs, the rivers, my culture, heritage, language, family history, abundance of childhood recollections and so forth. The Shitalakshya River and everything in and around it is still very vivid in my memory. The childhood teachings of my parents and later the American nuns at Holy Cross School and College had instilled the right values in me. Those learned values have given me a solid foundation in building my character. As a result, I am immersed in my culture and tradition and draw inspiration from it. I am never too far away from my roots and the country of my birth.
Zeenat Khan is based in Maryland, USA
