Showing posts with label morning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label morning. Show all posts

Monday, July 16, 2007

Time to fill water



Ayi paniya bharan ki bela... That translates to "its time to fill water". Thus goes a phrase from the song "Bhor Aayi Gaya Andhiyara" in the Hindi film Bawarchi (1972). The lyrics are by Kaifi Azmi, and the music was composed by Madan Mohan.

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bhor ayi gaya andhiyara
sarey jag mey hua ujiyara
nachey jhoomey yeh man matwara...

ayi paniya bharan ki bela
laga jamuna ke tat par mela
mil ke bharlo e bharlo o sajni
boley chan chan key ghunguru madila...


Dawn's come, darkness' gone
The whole world's in light
This heart dances and swirls in intoxication...

Its time to fill water
Its like a fair on the Yamuna bank
Fill it up, O fill it up, dear companions
The dancing-bells ring intoxicatedly ...

Divine light, and fullness of Divine love are realised after the long, dark night of the soul... Like the dark night of the soul is likened to the pain of the separated lover, the Divine embrace is likened to the union of separated lovers. The lyrics resonate connotations of Radha's exultation at the return of her beloved Krishna.

A couple of lines by Rabindranath Tagore, in Bengali, say much the same thing:

eshechhey borsha, eshechhey nobino borsha,
gogono bhoriya, eshechey bhubono bhorsha


In my translation -

The rain's come, the new rain's come!
Filling the firmament, a universe of faith's come!

Water, rain - refers to love, with which one is awash, filled, when the dark night of the soul is at an end, and the light of Grace, faith, conviction emerges. Just as village women go out to fetch water in their pots at dawn, its now time to fill oneself with Divine love.

Bawarchi is a delightful film, from the golden days of Hindi cinema. Directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, it is the Hindi version of the Bangla film Galpa Holeo Satyi, starring the late Robi Ghosh (story and direction by Tapan Sinha). Its about simplicity, love, and living to bring joy to others.

Here's a YouTube clip of the song:

Saturday, August 26, 2006

Calcutta photoblog: Morning 4

I conclude today the series of morning images from Calcutta.

Baird Cornell, an artist from Germany, had as part of his current project lent digital cameras to the volunteer teachers of Talimi Haq School, Howrah, to take pictures, across the river, in Calcutta. All the pictures I have been posting were taken by them.

Delighted with the results, and to enable an ongoing creative engagement, Baird has generously donated a digital camera to the Talimi Haq School.

Thank you very much Baird!

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While these men are still asleep on the pavement …

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This little boy is already up, to see off his father leaving for work. The coal stoves are being lit, and smoke fills the atmosphere. Grandpa comes home with the packet of puffed rice he’s just bought for the family’s breakfast …

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This rickshaw-puller is already waiting for custom …

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And this monkey-man sets off for another day’s work with his two work-mates, after a quick meal of kabab-paratha and sweet, milky tea at a roadside eatery, savouring the final puff of his bidi.

Friday, August 25, 2006

Calcutta photoblog: Morning 3

More morning images from Calcutta.

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While this man rests in the Maidan, in the cool morning breeze ...

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These boys have finished a morning's round of football ...

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This former worker of a closed factory, who now sells rings and amulets, sets up "shop" on the streetside ...

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This man gets his tea shop ready for another day's business ...

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This man with his performing bear is already out on his rounds, trying to attract custom ...

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And these men are at their bath at a streetside tap, before setting off for work.

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Calcutta photoblog: Morning 2

Continuing with images (from Calcutta) – of sleeping and awakening in the city.

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While this lorry driver still sleeps inside the vehicle (having got in very late at night) …

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And while this lorry driver’s assistant too still sleeps on the roadside…

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This goatherd is already out, taking the animals to feed at the Maidan (open green)…

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These sugar-cane juice sellers are getting ready for a busy day, skinning the cane …

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This shoe-shine man is already waiting for custom, a cleaner finishes wiping an office entrance, pavement vendors are setting up their stalls …

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And these men are washing their clothes and bathing at a roadside hand-pump.