The moon between the trees

On the advent of the World Indigenous Day, Star Weekend has translated a song by the late Kumar Samit Roy. Most of his songs were composed based on present-day Rangamati. Though his home was submerged by the infamous Kaptai Dam, its’ surroundings are ever-present in his simple but thought-provoking lyrics. This is our humble attempt to put forth his work in a manner that reaches even those who have not had the opportunity to explore the works of this great composer. We have taken minute liberties in our presentation, but have tried to stick to the original work as much as possible.

When the moon is between the tree, 

Do remember me? 

Look in your chest of memories,

If you look, you would find. 

20 years, 

Lost to the waters of a dam

Salil Roy, do you remember him? 

Do your ears still ring to the songs of Dola San?

Look in your chest of memories left behind,

If you look, you would find. 

Where are you today

I don’t know.

Haven’t seen you in a while,

Ever since the dam began to flow. 

During the full moon in the night, 

Our hands would intertwine. 

We would go to our shrine. 

Look in your chest of memories left behind,

If you look, you can find.  

A new year has come again, 

Past conversations have returned too.

Rangamati back then, 

That was beauty true. 

But the splendour washed away. 

Search in your chest of memories left behind,

And you can find.  

Source: http://www.kumarsamitroy.com

Chakma Translation by Trishila Chakma