Akaxi Ganga ('The Milky Way')

Bhupen Hazarika was arguably the greatest artist from my home state of Assam in India. While he is mainly known as a singer , he was also a fantastic poet and lyricist. Much of his writing was socio-political, a natural brew perhaps from  all the political unrest that ferments in our state. And much of it is inspirational : a visionary poet talking about keeping afloat the great ship of humanism no matter how stormy the political sea. But to me his personal songs (if a tad underrated) were special too.  

This one , Akaxi Ganga ('The Milky Way') is one of my all time favourites. The melody's rich and smoooth, the spare arrangement evocative of the elusive softness that the guy in the song is searching for. Like the best Indian songs of the past 50 or so years the lyrics are special ! 

I looked for translations online but couldn't find any. So inspired by my friend Meraj who does Urdu poetry in his blog and with more than a little help from my sister Bhaswati  I gave this one  a shot :

THE MILKY WAY

I am not looking for the Milky Way

Nor do I seek its treasure trove

In the struggle of this cruel life  

All I crave is a word of love.

Many waves of the many mighty oceans I have held at bay

And many a time in many mighty cities have I lost my way.

I've been chasing the flame of love for so long now
A shroud of darkness is all that has trailed in its wake.

I am not looking for the Milky Way.
I do not seek its gold.

A thousand admirers each day confer their respect upon me

Why is it then that I pine for the love of that special one only ?

I have driven my tired being into filling grand arenas with my voice.

I've brought smiles on the faces of the multitudinous millions to rejoice. 

But even in my briefest fleeting moment when lonely silence reigns

Who’s there to lighten the burden of my own pain?

I’m not looking for the Milky Way. 

I do not seek its gold.

Even the best translations must fall short of a good original and mine is as basic and unskilled as they come. Pity ! But if you care for soft old melodies and are okay with an unfamiliar language , you may want to check this out irrespective.