Lyric and background history of song baje baje ramyabina

Parjaay: Puja (321)

Upa-parjaay: Aanondo

Taal: Teyora

Raag: Iman Kayan

Written on: 1908

Swarabitan: 27

Notation by: Kangalicharan Sen

Bhanga Gaan

Notes: This song, derived from a Punjabi song "Badai Badai Ramya Been", was published in spring,1909. This is, in fact a literal translation of a Sikh Bhajan that the poet had collected from Kshitimohan Sen.

Rabindranath used to deliver lectures regularly in the morning to the students and teachers of Shantiniketan for a period of time which are published as a collection named SHANTINIKETAN. He had referred to this song in his speech delivered on the 20th December 1908 (5th Poush 1315B) that had carried a heading 'Shona' (meaning - to hear). -

... My mind is obsessed by this song since yesterday evening - Baaje baaje ramyabeena baaje ...

Possibility is there that he might have sung the song to his audience. The mental condition of Rabindranath around this time needs to be studied in detail. The poet was particularly obsessed by a number of deaths of people around him and his family at this period of time. Losing people not only close but more importantly younger than him left deeply bereaved.

Death of Balendranath, his favourite nephew, had started the procession in 1899, followed by Nitindranath, another nephew in 1901, then Mrinalini Debi, better-half of the poet himself, in 1902. Second daughter, Renuka had died in 1903, Satishchandra Roy, one of his dearest followers and fellow comrade of Shantiniketan passed away in 1904. Debendtanath, the mentor-philosopher and father of the poet had died in1905 and finally death of his youngest son, Shomindranath in 1907 had completely shattered him. Moreover, scars of the separation with a friend like Dwijendralal Roy following a long and impolite altercations were still very much tender and heart-twitching. He was in search of some kind of relief and keen to engage himself into the service of god through his subtle creativity that would embalm his estranged heart. Study of the speech on that day should help us to reveal despite a bereaved heart, weak physique and the difficult financial condition how eager was the poet to becalm his soul by trying to unite with the supreme being and which had been, in fact, the background of the song. -

... Baaje baaje ramyabina baaje. Our great Master has given each of us a small Veena. He had wished we must try and learn how to accompany him. His affectionate desire was to see each one of us play along his grand symphony in his majestic courtroom. Although small in design but he has flamboyantly attached innumerable strings to it. Tuning all the strings to perfection is better said than done. If one appears to be done another goes wrong. If mind seems to support a thing the body won't. One fine day the string may sound dulcet, but on the next day it would loosen. There is no option to quit although. The target is to earn appreciation from Him - 'Nice, my son, it's wonderful!'. The Veena of life, thus should murmur near His feet all the critical movements to perfection. But, there is a precondition. All the strings must be tight enough and well-tuned - once loose and it would clamour. The task is to keep it tight and open as well - or it would simply squeak. Keep the strings clear from dust if you really wish to experience a clean melody - and offer your daily prayer at His feet - 'O' Master, bring me into the grand melody, bring me out of cacophony.