Bondona (2022)

1. Aajke Shaadi

   Words & music by Kazi Nazrul Islam

   A song about getting everyone drunk and making merry at a princess's fancy wedding… but it's fine because it was written by the national poet of Bangladesh.

   • Aajke shaadi badshah jaadi Paan koro Shiraji shobey Paan koro Shiraji Neshar chokhe jhoke jhoke Kheluk atoshbaaji Paan koro Shiraji shobey Paan koro Shiraji Shamney mora jaake pabo Rongin pani paan korabo Mone khushir rong dhorabo Neche geye aaji Paan koro Shiraji shobey Paan koro Shiraji
   • Today is the princess's wedding Drink the Shiraz, everyone Drink the Shiraz In the stupor of drunken eyes May fireworks play Drink the Shiraz, everyone Drink the Shiraz Whoever we find before us We will give coloured water^* to drink We will fill their hearts with the colours of happiness Through singing and dancing Drink the Shiraz, everyone Drink the Shiraz. ^* Red wine

2. Ponkhi

   Words by Leesa Gazi, music by Sohini Alam & Oliver Weeks

   A girl asks a bird to experience the world so that she can live vicariously. She doesn't get to go anywhere but yearns to roam free. She asks the bird to leave its shadow behind to keep her company.

   • Ponkhi tumi ural dao Tomar chhaya koi Chhaya jhani thuiyya jao Ami praney shoi Ponkhi tumi ajob gari Ek lohomay diba pari Amar jawon nai Amar jawon nai Ponkhi tumi durey shari Bodol dekhi bhitor baree Amar ashon nai Amar ashon nai ‘Ku jhik jhik’ ponkhi jayey Pran Jomuna kholbolayey Hiya niruddesh Ashen gari, boshen gari Choira jabo bondhur baree Pother oboshesh
   • Little bird, take flight Where is your shadow? Leave it behind To soothe my soul. Little bird, you are a strange vehicle You travel great distances in an instant I don't get to go. I don't get to go. Little bird, you are a striped saree I see a change within me I don't get to come over. I don't get to come over. The little bird chugs along The river in my heart is restless My heart is lost. Come and sit I will ride you to my friend's home The rest of the way.

3. Riniki Jhiniki

   Words & music by Kazi Nazrul Islam

   The title is onomatopoeic, referring to the sound of ankle bells. The song is about a girl going into the forest in search of love.

   • Riniki jhiniki jhini rini rini jhini jhini bajey payela bajey Noulo kishori dhayey obhisharey Bhobono teyagi bono majhe Barono korey tayey lotika dhori payey Bhabo bilashini na maney guru jono bhoyo lajey Abeshey bihubolo elomelo kuntolo Chhaya notinin choley modhukoro gunjey Madhobi kunjey kushumo dipali joley Shey rupo heri hayey Murali thamiya jayey Potho bhola shoshi kanoney elo Radha shajey
   • ‘Riniki jhiniki jhini rini rini jhini jhini’ the ankle bells ring, they ring A newly adolescent girl goes on a love-quest Leaving home and into the wilderness. The vines cling to her feet to dissuade her Indulging in her emotions, she doesn't care about obeying her elders, or fear, or shame. Bewildered by her feelings with her tousled hair Shadow dancers move to sweet murmurs. Madhabi flowers glow in this love nest. The sight of such beauty gives Murali^* pause The lost moon Has come to the garden dressed as Radha^†. ^* flute-playing Krishna ^† Krishna's lover

4. Shedin Aar Koto Durey

   Words & music by Salil Chowdhury

   How long until we can be proud of the country we’ve built?

   • Shedin aar koto durey Jokhon praner shourobhey shobar gourobey bhorey robey Ei desh dhono dhanney shikkhayey gyaney manney Anondero gaaney gaaney shurey Shedin aar koto durey Koto na din koto rongin koto na jey shopon korey bopon Phirey choley gechhe koto na jono hayey Shei shopon phuley pholey dao bhorey Ey desh amar ey desh tomar Buker dhon koro joton Jeno na keu karey shei rotono hayey Bibhed bichchhed shesh dao korey
   • How far away is the day When the essence of our lives and everyone's sense of honour Will fill this land with a wealth of grain, of education, knowledge, standards, The music of happiness How far away is the day How many days, how colourful, so many dreams we have sown So many people have left Fill those dreams with the bounty of fruit and flowers This is my land, this is your land Your heart's treasure, take care of it So no one can snatch that jewel End all the differences and disconnection.

5. Bhorer Hawa Eley

   Words & music by Kazi Nazrul Islam

   Kazi Nazrul Islam sets dawn mood vibes.

   • Bhorer Hawa Eley Ghum bhangatey ki Chum heney noyono patey Jhiri jhiri dhiri dhiri kunthito bhasha Gunthi tarey shunatey Himo-shishirey maji tonu khani Phulo onjoli ano bhori dui pani Phuley phuley dhora jeno bhora phulodani Bishsho-shushoma shobhatey
   • Dawn breeze, have you arrived To wake me from sleep By kissing my eyelids? Onomatopoeic sounding, a hesitant language For a woman with her head covered? I rub my limbs with the cold morning mist Bring me a tribute of flowers to fill both hands Like a vase filled with flowers The earth appears a great beauty.

6. Ek Jomuna

   Words by Leesa Gazi, music by Sohini Alam & Oliver Weeks

   How to be strong-willed in the face of envy and ridicule.

   • Ek Jomuna pari dilam Aar Jomunar ashey Aamo gelop chhalao jey jayey Pother lokey hashey Haisho na go bandhob amar Koiro na go hela Mukhe tomar phulo chondon Chokkhu bhora jala Ek poraner goheen bhitor aar poraney chayey Jonom haush ghorer chhemayey Tarey jeno payey
   • I have crossed one river In the hopes of finding another I've lost my mangoes, the sack they were in, everything Now people on the streets laugh at me. Don't laugh, my friend Don't neglect me. Your words are flowers and sandalwood Your eyes are filled with burning envy. Deep in one heart is the desire for another A lifelong wish is to find it in the shadows of home.

7. Ghoro Ghono Ghota

   Words & music by Kazi Nazrul Islam

   Dark clouds gather as the Monsoon rain makes it seem like the earth is crying with grief.

   • Ghoro ghono ghota chhailo gogono Bhubono gobhir bishad mogono Bari dharey kandey chari dharo aaji Shoshiya shoshiya jhurichhe pobono Nahi robi-shoshi, nahi groho-tara Nikhilo noyoney Srabonero dhara Bishsho dubalo shoker plabono
   • Dark clouds cover the sky The world is sunk in grief. Rain falls like tears all around The surroundings cry tears of rain The wind gasps and withers. There is no sun or moon, no planet or star All of existence weeps flowing Srabon^* rain A flood of mourning drowns the Earth. ^* Second month of monsoon

8. Dhono Dhanno Pushpo Bhora

   Words & music by Dwijendralal Roy

   One's own land is the most beloved.

   • ধনধান্য পুষ্প ভরা আমাদের এই বসুন্ধরা তাহার মাঝে আছে দেশ এক সকল দেশের সেরা ও সে স্বপ্ন দিয়ে তৈরি সে দেশ স্মৃতি দিয়ে ঘেরা এমন দেশটি কোথাও খুঁজে পাবে নাকো তুমি ও সে সকল দেশের রাণী সে যে আমার জন্মভূমি চন্দ্র সূর্য গ্রহতারা, কোথায় উজল এমন ধারা কোথায় এমন খেলে তড়িৎ এমন কালো মেঘে তার পাখির ডাকে ঘুমিয়ে উঠি পাখির ডাকে জেগে এত স্নিগ্ধ নদী কাহার, কোথায় এমন ধুম্র পাহাড় কোথায় এমন হরিত ক্ষেত্র আকাশ তলে মেশে এমন ধানের উপর ঢেউ খেলে যায় বাতাস কাহার দেশে পুষ্পে পুষ্পে ভরা শাখি কুঞ্জে কুঞ্জে গাহে পাখি গুঞ্জরিয়া আসে অলি পুঞ্জে পুঞ্জে ধেয়ে তারা ফুলের ওপর ঘুমিয়ে পড়ে ফুলের মধু খেয়ে ভায়ের মায়ের এত স্নেহ কোথায় গেলে পাবে কেহ ওমা তোমার চরণ দুটি বক্ষে আমার ধরি আমার এই দেশেতে জন্ম যেন এই দেশেতে মরি
   • Dhono dhanno pushpo bhora amader ei boshundhora Tahar majhey achhey desh ek shokol desher shera O shey shopno diye toiri shey desh sriti diyey ghera Emon deshti kouthao khujey pabey nako tumi Shokol desher rani shey jey amar jonmobhumi Chondro shurjo groho tara, kothay ujol emon dhara? Kothay emon kheley toreet, emon kalo meghey? Taar pakhir daake ghumiyey pori, pakhir daake jegey Eto snigdho nodi kahar, kothay emon dhumro pahar? Kothay emon horit khetro akash toley meshey? Emon dhaner upor dheu kheley jayey batash kahar deshey? Pushpey pushpey bhora shakhi, kunjey kunjey gahey pakhi Gunjoriya ashey oli, punjey punjey dheyey Tara phuler upor ghumiyey porey phuler modhu kheyey Bhai-er mayer eto sneho, kouthay geley pabey keho O ma tomar choron duti bokkhey amar dhori Amar ei deshetey jonmo jeno ei deshetey mori
   • Lush with grain and flowers as treasure is this Earth of ours. In the midst of this is a land beyond measure She is made of dreams, wrapped in memories. Nowhere will you find a land like this, She is the queen of all lands, she is the land of my birth. The moon, sun, planets, stars – where else do they have such brilliance? Where does the lightning play like this, among such black clouds? As the call of her birds put me to sleep, I wake to birdsong. Whose rivers are so soothing, where such majestic mountains? Where do such green fields blend into the sky? In whose land does the wind play in waves upon the paddy? Branches full of flowers, birds singing in every haunt. The bees arrive buzzing and chase each other in clusters. They fall asleep upon the flowers after drinking their nectar. So much affection from a mother, a brother, where can one go to find it? O Mother, I hold both your feet close to my chest. This is the land of my birth, may it be where I leave this Earth.

9. Lungi Bondona

   Words by Leesa Gazi, music by Sohini Alam & Oliver Weeks

   Khiyo’s tribute to the man skirt.

   • Lungi poren boro shaheb Lungi poren shukhey Kaajer chhora lungi pechayey Duru duru buke Nodir taaley nouka doley Majhi hayey hayey Lungi urey hawar torey Shoromer matha khayey Majh doriayey ke ba dekhey ki ba ashey jayey? Laal lungi, neel lungi Lungi bejayey fun Check lungi, chalu lungi Lungir joyogaan Dhoro lungir joyogaan Chhotoloke porey lungi Dekhley chokkhushul Shorok chai lungi mukto Lungi koro dur Arey babugiri maar khayey Lungi jodi poren Ghorer bhitrey porley lungi Babu khushi thaken Bairey porlei jaat jayey Jaater jaat tou dharen Laal lungi, neel lungi Lungi bejayey fun Check lungi, chalu lungi Lungir joyogaan Dhoro lungir joyogaan
   • The rich man wears a lungi He wears it in contentment The servant boy twists his lungi With a trembling heart The boat sways to the rhythm of the river The boatman is alarmed The lungi flies up over his head And drowns him in embarrassment. Who is watching in the middle of the river? And who cares? Red lungis, blue lungis, Lungis are a lot of fun. Checked lungis, trendy lungis, Hail the lungi in song! Hail the lungi in song! ‘The small man wears a lungi, It's an eyesore. The roads should be free of lungis, Get rid of them. Gentlemanly snobbery is crushed If you wear a lungi. If you wear the lungi indoors, Then the gentleman is pleased. It's when you wear them outdoors that you lose your prestige Be conscious of your status.’ Red lungis, blue lungis, Lungis are a lot of fun. Checked lungis, trendy lungis, Hail the lungi in song! Hail the lungi in song!

10. Mon Rey Krishi Kaaj

    Words & music by Ramprasad Sen

    Devotional song to the Hindu Goddess Kali. The song references hard work, asking for help, and having faith instead of simply praying for results.

    • Mon rey krishi kaaj jano na Emon manob jomin roilo potit Abad korley pholto shona Kali namey dao rey bera Phosholey tochrup hobena Shey jey muktokeshir shokto bera Taar kachetey jom gheshey na Adya kimba satab dantey Bajeapto hobey janona Emon apon ektarey mon rey o tui Chutiyey phoshol ketey nena Gurudotto bij ropon korey Bhokti bari shechey dena Eka jodi na parish mon Ramproshad ke shongey nena
    • My heart, you know not how to harvest This life lies fallow It would yield gold if planted. Build dams in the name of Kali And there will be no stealing of your harvest. The wild-haired one's dam is of such strength Yama^* cannot come close. Whether today or in a hundred years, There will be losses So, to the tune of your heart's ektara, Harvest your crops now. Sow the seeds of your ancestral teachings And water them with your devotion. If you cannot do it alone Dear heart, take Ramprasad with you. ^* The Hindu God of Death

11. Shona Bondhu Rey

    Words & music by Hemango Biswas

    Missing one's beloved can make even a narrow river feel like an ocean of distance.

    • Shona bondhu rey Ami tomar naam loiyya kandi Gogonetey daake deya Asman hoilo andhi rey bondhu Tomar baree amar baree Moddhey shoru nodi Shei nodike mone hoilo okulo jolodhi rey bondhu Uira jayey rey chokuwar ponkhi Poira roilo chhaya Kon poraney bidesh roila Bhuli desher maya rey bondhu
    • Beloved, I cry out your name Thunder calls in the heavens The skies become dark. Your home and my home In the middle is a narrow river That river seems like never-ending water. The bird flies away Leaving its shadow With what heart have you stayed away Forgetting the lure of your homeland?

12. Sharee Bondona

    Words by Leesa Gazi, music by Sohini Alam & Oliver Weeks

    Khiyo’s tribute to the saree.

    • Laal ancholey chabi ghurey Ey ghor theke o ghor Shomoy tokhon chhotto meyey Shareer hoyni bochhor Ek pecha theke kuchi sharee Shoto shotabdi pari Koto ronger sharee pindhon Konya monohari Kunchitey naam lekha ancholey porichoy Kichchha tumi bolo sharee jaar jemon hoy Baaro haater tero kahon Gai shareer gunogaan Dhormo gelo shareer bhajey Ulta mukher jobaan ‘Bondho koro beporda ei shareer bostar’ Shuney chintey thay obaak abohomaan Banglar shongshar Jominey golpo gantha ancholey porichoy Kichchha tumi bolo sharee jaar jemon hoy Anchol gothey poysha bandha shaat rajar dhon Mayer gondho shareer bhajey dowar moto aapon Puran sharee norom sharee kanthar moddhe baash Ashtey pishtey joriyey rakhey mayar nirjash Bunoney pran noksha ancholey porichoy Kichchha tumi bolo sharee jaar jemon hoy
    • Keys wander on the red anchal^* From this room to that Time then was a little girl Not yet of age for the saree From single-wrapped to pleated sarees Centuries have gone by So many colours of sarees worn By fascinating women. The name is in the pleats, the identity in the anchal. Saree, you tell the stories of the ones who wear you. Six yards that tell thirteen stories I sing the saree's praises Religion is lost in the folds of the saree Are the words of naysayers ‘Stop the spreading of this immodest sharee’ To hear and think of this shocks Bengali heritage. Stories woven into the body, the identity in the anchals Saree, you tell the stories of the ones who wear you. There is a knot in the anchal holding coins that are like the wealth of seven kings A mother's fragrance in the folds of the saree is as close to the heart as a prayer Old sarees, soft sarees, like living in a quilt Embraced by tenderness. Life designed in the weave, the identity in the anchal Saree, you tell the stories of the ones who wear you. ^* Decorated end of the saree

13. Abar Ashibo Phirey

    Words by Jibanananda Das, music by Sohini Alam & Oliver Weeks

    Khiyo’s musical setting of Jibanananda Das’ iconic poem describing a return to the homeland, whether in this life and form or the next.

    • Abar ashibo phirey Dhanshiritir tirey ei Banglayey Hoyto manush noy Hoyto ba shonkhochil shalikher beshey Hoyto bhorer kaak hoyey ei Kartiker nobanner deshey Kuashar buke bheshey ekdin ashibo ei kathal chhayayey Hoyto ba hansh hobo kishorir ghungur rohibey laal payey Sharadin ketey jabey kolmir gondho bhora joley bheshey bheshey Abar ashibo ami Banglar nodi maath khet bhalobeshey Jolangir dheu-ey bheja Banglar ey shobuj korun dangayey Hoyto dekhibey cheyey shudorshon uritechhey shondhar batashey Hoyto shunibey ek lokkhipecha daakitechhey shimuler daaley Hoyto khoiyer dhaan chhoratechhey shishu ek uthaner ghashey Rupshar ghola joley hoyto kishor ek shada chhera paley dinga bayey Ranga megh shatrayey ondhokarey ashitechhey nirey Dekhibey dhobol bok Amarei pabey tumi ihader bhirey
    • I will return To the banks of the Dhanshiri To this Bengal Perhaps not as a human Perhaps in the guise of a seagull or a shalik bird Perhaps as the dawn's crow In this autumn land of new harvest. Floating in the heart of a dewy fog One day I will return to the shade of this jackfruit tree Perhaps I will be a duck A young girl's ankle bells will be on her reddened feet I will spend the entire day floating on duckweed-scented waters I will return with love for Bengal's rivers and fields To this sorrowful green land that is wet from the waves of the Jalangi River. Perhaps you will see a hawk soaring in the breeze at dusk Perhaps you will hear a spotted owl hooting in the branches of a Shimul tree Perhaps a child will be scattering parched rice in a grassy courtyard. In the murky waters of the Rupsha, Perhaps a youth will steer his dinghy with its torn white sail. Reddish clouds will swim in the dark water The white herons will see it In all this, you will find me.

14. Amar Ei Rasta

    Words by Leesa Gazi, music by Sohini Alam & Oliver Weeks

    A Khiyo original song about roads taken, ones that meet, and ones that don't.

    • Nurir shopno dhulir chinho mati kadayey Jongla mon bhromon mohey ghurey beray Amar ei rasta milbey ki aar shei rastay Obon baul chhobi lekhen kobey kouthay Diner klanti mishey thake shondha hawayey Pother khoj meley ki aar pother chhayay Koho ei rasta milbey ki aar shei rastay Kouthay baree, baree kouthay, koutha tomar baash Bashar khoj nai rey bareer nitto baro maash Amar chhayao gelo kaal-o jey jayey mitthey mayayey Chhayar dekha payey na kaya ei duniyay Bujhi ei rasta milbey na aar shei rastayey
    • Dreams of gravel, tell-tale signs of dust, earth and mud; An untamed heart, captivated by travel, stands and turns. Will this road ever join the other? Obon Baul^* writes pictures when and where The day's weariness mixes with the twilight breeze. How do you find the path in the shadow of the path itself? Tell me: will this road ever join the other? Where is your home? Where is your home? Where do you live? The house has no knowledge of home twelve months a year. My shadows are gone and my days go by in false illusion. The body doesn't get to see shadows in this world. I understand that this road will never join the other. ^* Artist Abanindranath Tagore

Khiyo (2015)

Download lyric PDFs, with English translations:

1. Akashta Kanpchhilo Kyan
2. Doyal Tomaro Lagiya
3. Rum Jhum Rumu Jhumu
4. Nishi Raat
5. Amar Protibaader Bhasha
6. Murshidi (Kachhe Nao Na, Dekha Dao Na)
7. Koi Jao Rey
8. O Ke Udashi Benu Bajayey
9. Purbo Digontey
10. Hai Rey Amar Mon Matano Desh
11. Amaro Deshero Matiro Gondhe
12. Ek Shagori Rokter Binimoyey
13. Kotobaaro Bhebechhinu
14. Bareer Kachhe Arshinogor
15. Amar Shonar Bangla