Not Only Your Words - Translation

This is my translation of a song by Rabindranath Tagore - Nobel-laureate Poet from India. I have rendered the song on You Tube video. Not only with your words, My Dearest Friend, My Darling, I want you sometimes, to touch my soul. My weariness of walking such a long journey.. I am thirsty after spending such a long day… don’t find a way how to quench my yearning, This darkness becomes fulfilled with your presence… let me know, My Darling! My heart wants to give…not only to receive, My heart carries all it has saved for so long! Please stretch your hand, and let me touch, I will hold, I will fill…I will keep with me for ever. The course of my lonely journey, Will turn into a mesmerizing one!

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Anil Deo

Date: 5/30/2022 10:46:00 AM

To touch acpersins soul, live& poetry can. My earlier comment never made it here, Malaji. Sorry. Love your work

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 5/27/2022 8:34:00 AM

That is a very fine translation for a wonderful poem!

Christuraj Alex

Date: 5/26/2022 11:19:00 PM

Your translations of Tagore brings to the readers his very spirit and feelings. Only one who has interiorized it can express it in such a beautiful way. Beautiful work. Congratulations!

John Watt

Date: 5/26/2022 2:46:00 PM

This is a beautiful expression of love, Mala. "I want you sometimes, to touch my soul" describes so well the spiritual side of love. "This darkness becomes fulfilled with your presence" is lovely and longing and romantic. "My heart wants to give…not only to receive" describes true love as a two-way endeavor of give and take in balance. Thank you for exposing us to this song of your childhood, translated for your English-speaking friends! Blessings ~ John

Valsa George

Date: 5/22/2022 6:42:00 PM

I don't know Begali.... ! Still I can tell this is a beautiful translation as I am familiar with Gitanjali.... its English translation and many of the great poet's poems ! A soothing serenity flows.... Beautiful poem, Mala.

Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 5/23/2022 7:05:00 AM

Dear Valsa, so delighted to see you visiting this page. I posted a few of my translations of long poems of Tagore at this site. I have the links posted on my biography page. This s just a short song - from my childhood, I am fond of singing his songs. Love and blessings, Dear Friend ~ Mala

Krish Radhakrishna

Date: 5/22/2022 4:24:00 AM

Lovely translation Mala! You do Tagore translations well because your heart is so much in it!! The greatness of his poetry is that unique thought that comes through! Here ‘ I want you sometimes to touch my heart’ not only with your words - but perhaps in person! That is a beautiful longing!! Keep doing this- Write a book of translation “Tagore through my eyes!”

Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 5/22/2022 6:28:00 AM

Thank you so much, Dear Poet. So delighted to see you back! Recently I have recorded and posted a few of Tagore's songs on my You Tube channel - thought of translating them to give listeners some idea what the song is about. Your suggestion of creating a book with Tagore's translations, is marvellous. The title you have suggested, is equally wonderful. We will talk about it. Best wishes ~ Mala

Tom Cunningham

Date: 5/20/2022 12:51:00 PM

A verse of longing and romance, its creative to interpret a book or a song and produce something new. Enjoyed the video, so peaceful. Hope you have an enjoyable weekend. Tom

Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 5/21/2022 6:16:00 AM

Dear Tom, Thank you for reading this translation, and listening to the song. Really appreciate. Best wishes ~ Mala