Swatantra

13/11/2023

The workers of Sivakasi are having a joyous Deepavali this year as 98% of the firecrackers manufactured for the festival have been sold. The campaign against them by central and state governments, who don't dare to touch the stubble burners, seems to be falling apart.

12/09/2022

"The bright light of Dharma that never goes out –/
May You kindle above all misery and doubt; /
That in crises, in difficult hours may he keep /
To Thy path – when him the tangled forests surround!

Fasten on his breasts Thine armour inviolable, /
That he may boldly fare, and in fear not tremble. /
May he be steadfast, even seeing the wicked gain – /
And forever in Thee his unflinching faith remain!"

Read the latest issue of "Worship: Tagore’s Bangla Devotional Songs in English Verse" for more:

Translated from the Original Bangla by Sreejit Datta é bhārote rākho nityo probhu (To listen to the original Bangla song, click here) To this Bhārata[i], Lord! May You every day grant – Thy blessings that are most benignant, The courage that issues from Thy hand, Thy Word immortal, unconquered...

31/08/2022

Remembering the contributions of Lokmanya Shri Bal Gangadhar Tilak in making Ganesh Chaturthi a grand public festival as we see it today.

25/08/2022

A parody of Tagore's famous poem "Puraton Bhrityo" ('The Loyal Manservant') by the poet Durga Prasad Pahadi

https://swatantramag.com/old-servant-parody/

[কবিগুরুর চরণে সহস্র সহস্র ক্ষমা প্রার্থনা ক’রে এই লালিকা বা প্যারডী প্রস্তুত করা গেল। আমার বিশ্বাস, গুরুদেব অপর.....

19/08/2022

On the auspicious occasion of Sri Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Sreejit Datta translates two Bangla devotional ('Puja') songs from Rabindranath Tagore's oeuvre, for the second issue of the Worship series

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Translated from the Original Bangla by Sreejit Datta Chawrono-dhwoni Shuni Tawbo Natho (To listen to the original Bangla song, click here) Thy footsteps, Dear Lord, I hear On these shores of my life – In the myriad silent solitudes, In the many spells of sweet breeze. Astride the vastness of the s...

19/08/2022

Sreejit Datta tries to capture in English verse the essence of two profound Bangla Kirtans on the Divine Mother in Her manifestation as Kali/Tara

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Translated from the original Bangla by Sreejit Datta 1. Bawdo Dhoom Legeche Hridi-Kawmole  (To Listen to the Original Bangla Song, written by Mahendranath Bhattacharya aka ‘‘Premik Maharaj’’, a nineteenth-century Shakta poet from Bengal, Click Here) In the lotus-seat of my heart,  A great ...

04/08/2022

That poetry can be moulded into political commentary is illustrated by this short, sharp ditty by Sreejit Datta, drawing upon recent revelations in West Bengal SSC teacher recruitment scam:

https://swatantramag.com/choti-kaa-ghaat/

ছিল কার মলিনচরণত্রাণ হয়ে, ততোধিক মলিন অনামা জুতোজোড়া – ধরমের কল বুঝি নড়েছে বাতাসে,     তাই       উড়ে এল তোদের দিক....

23/07/2022

On his birth anniversary, we look back at the thoughts of Lokmanya Shri Bal Gangadhar Tilak on education.
http://swatantramag.com/bal-gangadhar-tilak-speech-on-national-education/

14/07/2022

Two Bangla devotional songs of Tagore, evoking the substance of worship in , translated into English verse by Sreejit Datta. Read, discuss, and share:
https://swatantramag.com/worship-tagores-bangla-devotional-songs-in-english-verse-

Translated from the Original Bangla by Sreejit Datta I Protidino Ᾱmi Hé Jībono-svāmī (Click here to listen to the original Bangla song) Every day, O Lord of My Life! Shall I face Thee; Folded hands, O Lord of the Worlds! Shall I face Thee. Neath Thine endless skies, in solitude and seclusion, ...