Deception Part 1 Translation From Tagore

This is a translation from Rabindranath Tagore's (Nobel-laureate Poet From India in 1913) narrative poem - Phanki. We need to remember that this story is based on life at late nineteenth century Bengal, India. The original poem is written in Bengali, a regional language in eastern part of India. The poem being long to be posted, I have divided it in two parts. DECEPTION (PHANKI) PART 1 When Binu was twenty-three, she fell sick. With pills and doctors, there was more fuss than the sickness and the cure. Bottles with labels piled up, containers of various sizes. After being treated for one and a half year ending in brittle bones, Final Advice was – change the weather. The first opportunity for Binu to board a train, And leave the in-laws for the first time after getting married. Among a close-knit family we used to meet, secretly – With broken chats and conversations; Interrupted meetings, Hushed smiles, unspoken words. Today all of a sudden, the world with all its illuminated sky, Welcomed the bride and the groom. As if, with two large eyes on a sickly face, Binu was experiencing the subhadrishti (the auspicious first look) once again! Across the rail-track, When a beggar begged for money, Binu opened her purse Found whatever coins or bills she had in there, Folded in a paper, And threw to them. How could she bear her own happiness, Unless she could remove the sadness of everybody else? From the broken river-edge of our haven, Today is our journey in the flow of eternal love – That’s why today, with compassion and sacrifice, We have to fulfil that journey by bringing prosperity to the world. Binu’s mind is full with this idea – Today I belong only to her, No one else is around, Father or brother in front or in the back, in the right or in the left – The excitement make her shiver in happiness. Need to switch train at Bilaspore Station in a hurry Have to get off and rest at the waiting room for six hours. To me, that is such a big hassle! Binu says ” Why? This is so nice! “ There is no bound to her happiness today! The travel-music at her feet have made her restless – The journey and the destination are the same to her blissfulness. Opens the door of the waiting room and tells me – “See, see, how those horse-carriages are running”! “Have you seen – that calf, oh so cute, the body is so slim and smooth, Look at the affection in the mother’s deep eyes! In the high ground beside the pond, That little walled house under the Sishu-tree close to the railway track! The Station-master lives there! Oh my, how happy they must be! “ PLEASE FIND PART 2 OF THE STORY WHICH HAS BEEN POSTED. THANK YOU. Translated by Malabika Ray Choudhury Notes: Subhadrishti - first look by a bride at her groom. The word "Subho" in Bengali means - auspicious. "Drishti" means - eyesight.