Poets Printery

Prabhatkiran Bose ( 25 February 1900 – 25 December 1960 ) was the doyen of Bengali literature of forties and fifties. An established children’s writer, a majority of his works are no longer available, they have now become a collector’s item. ‘Dokkhiney Hawa’ is a collection of lyrical poems which he wrote at the age of ninteen. The photocopy version of this book was given to me by his son and my cousin, Probal Basu for translation. The complete book of translated poetry is being published by the Poets Printery.

I would welcome your feedback on these translations:

Today I am trapped again by a westerly wind
Today whose celebrations stand against my door?
Who are you?
Who are you please?
Lost in the magic of a voice
Have you come to buy this music with love?

*

I would still say my love, Say something sweet
If only on hearing you I might get fulfilled
Like the roar of the river
Like the running of a stream
Like the bloom of a lotus
Like the bird who flew
Away.

• Further translations and more information at Desicritics.org