While sorting through some old notes I stumbled upon the lines below. They were written in Bengali, obviously I have translated in English for non-bengali readers but as it often happens in translation the soul is lost but I think this one was very easy so it’s very close to the original.
Happy Birthday
Today, 17th Sraban your Birthday.
I still receive the email reminding your birthday every year,
You used to get annoyed on seeing the reminder for the biggest day of your life.
‘Can’t even remember this much’ you had said with a serious face,
And then added ‘This way you’ll forget me as well one day’
I used to smile and say ‘that’s why this eternal reminder’
So, even today I remember your birthday.
Another big date of your life 21st Boishak I remember too,
No! A reminder is not required for it though.
Note: I have not changed the dates from Bengali to English months as somethings should not be translated. FYI Boishak is one of the auspicious months for marriage in Bengal.
One more thing do you think the first and last 2 lines spoiled the poem? Reason for asking is they were not a part of the original, just added by me while posting.
Update: Before this post my blog had 997 total comments and Now it has 1K ! Yay! A milestone indeed …and I am Glad that it is Neha‘s comment which got me there 😀 …Thank you all for being so generous with your views here…So Now …10K comments ? 😛
Shilpa Garg
Jun 30, 2010 @ 20:18:50
Well, I guess, the original is beautiful!! 😛
Dhiman: Thanks …Well, the original is not that nice and the English one is very close so… you can guess 😛
Niveditha
Jun 30, 2010 @ 21:25:14
I don’t understand bengali, nor can I read, but by your translation I think it’s good.
Dhiman: I am Glad Niveditha that you find it good 😀 …thanks… and like I said Neha, you too can join the classes 🙂
Neha
Jun 30, 2010 @ 22:45:22
I wish I could understand bangali 😦 Mere dono dost log bekaar hai..sikha nai sakte kya?
Dhiman: Wow! Neha yours is 1000th comment on my blog… Glad that u were the one with that milestone … Now to your comment …Bangali is bhery izzi … u can learn phast… toh kab se suru kare classes 🙂
Neha
Jul 02, 2010 @ 00:52:54
wow D-man, congratulations 😀 I am so happy to be the one to post the 1000th comment.. 🙂
Dhiman: Imagine how good it felt ..when I saw the figure(1 K) and you were the one 🙂
Guria
Jul 01, 2010 @ 15:11:15
I am 1001st? That’s sounds nice too! 😀
As for what I just read…. didn’t read the English version…
But the original version…. moving!
Onek onek, onek beshi sundor o gobhir….. aro achhe? porbo! please! 🙂
Dhiman: Certainly 1001 has 1K in it right 🙂 …
Dhonnyobad ….aaro 😛 … banglay bodhay nei …. hindi…. inglish ey ache ….nischoi publish korbo…
😀
B K CHOWLA
Jul 01, 2010 @ 17:08:46
I cant read a word of Bengali. I would trust your translation
Dhiman: Thanks Chowlaji 😀
Lakshmi Rajan
Jul 01, 2010 @ 17:18:16
1003 😛
Dhiman : 😀 😉 🙂
Pramoda
Jul 03, 2010 @ 07:44:49
For sure..10 k is very near by, i see..
Not all thoughts can be expressed, but here i see, it is being done very nicely..
Keep it up..:)
Dhiman: Pramoda Thanks…. yeah I have done just literal translation ….Wish someone could do translate the feel too 🙂
Vineeta
Jul 10, 2010 @ 16:21:01
10K comments.. congratulations!! btw.. dont understand bengali but will do with translation 🙂
Dhiman: Thanks! its 1K comments 😀 … I hope you liked the English version …
Roshmi (Musings of an Unknown Indian)
Jul 26, 2010 @ 18:08:29
Wow! Wonderful… liked both the versions. Great milestones… Congratulations and celebrations!!!
Dhiman: ThankQ ! ThankQ 😀
Sidra
Jul 28, 2010 @ 06:53:11
the couplet probably has a certain romance to it, although we’ll never really be able to get it fully unless we learn baangali.
You translating it for us helped to at least know that this couplet existed in Baangali so kudos for that 🙂
You might like my post “Gulzar” if you get a chance do check it out.
Dhiman: Welcome here Sidra…. Thanks! 😀 you are right a good translation sometimes conveys the feelings…
Sharmishtha
Jul 06, 2012 @ 12:08:30
congratulations for 1000 comments. is 17th sraban your birthday?
Dhiman: Thank you! Nope 17th Sraban is not my birthday