Lyric and background history of song tomar binay gan chhilo

Parjaay: Prem (244)

Upa-parjaay: Prem-Boichitra

Taal: Dadra

Style: Kirtan

Anga: Kirtan

Written on: 1923 (23 Chaitra 1329)

Published in: Shantiniketan Patrika

Swarabitan: 30

Notation by: Dinendranath Tagore

Notes: This song was written on 6th April, 1923, probably at Surat.

Rabindranath had written in a letter to Shyamaprosad Mukhopadhyay three weeks after penning this song –

… I write small songs and sing them in order to provide relief for myself from my extremely hectic life. I send you one such song; you may send it for printing if you find it suitable.

Tomar beenay gaan chhilo aar –

Songs devoid of melody is like a lamp without light – I consider it not fit for publication – acoustic stuffs must never be used as pieces for reading. I offer you this song, although for not having anything else, as a gift for the New Year. ...

The letter is dated 15th Boishakh, 1330B. The song was published in ‘Banga-baani’, with Shyamaprosad Mukhopadhyay as its editor, in the same year. Rabindranath was in Surat while this song was written, travelling across the western part of India, busy in delivering lectures for collecting money for Shantiniketan. The letter was written from Shillong. Within these three weeks he had moved to Shillong via Shantiniketan to spend the summer vacation.

‘Jiban-maran’, the famous film produced bt the new theatres was released in 14th October, 1939 at Chitra Cinema Hall. This song in the film had been sung by Kundanlal Saigal. Pankjkumar Mullick, in his book ‘Aamar Jug Aamar Gaan’ had written about an incident that involved this song –

… this film had Kundanlal Saigal the hero and the part of heroine had been enacted by the famous dancer and actress Mrs. Leela Desai. The songs in Kundan’s voice had been exceptional hits. ‘Paakhi aaj kon kotha koy shunis kire’, ‘Ei peyechhi anol-jwala taarei shudhu chaai’ (lyricist – Ajoy Bhattacharjee) and ‘Tomar Beenay Gaan Chhilo’ by Rabindranath are a few examples.

I had seen the poet, after the preparation of the film, with the recording of the song for his permission. When the song was being played to him he listened to the first line of the second ‘Antara’ for a couple of times and then asked me – ‘Phul phuralo diner sheshe’ – how is that possible?’

I was dumbfounded and referred to the book where it was printed – ‘Phul phuralo’. His eyes gazed at a distance and in a depressed voiced he said – ‘I do not know how it had happened, however, it should have been ‘Sur phuralo diner sheshe’, isn’t it!’

The film was ready by then as the recording had been finalized on the disk. There was no scope for rectification, hence. The poet happily approved the song. Though, a little unhappiness appeared to hang on for the little word in his song. ...