Lyric and background history of song shrabanaborisano par hoye

Parjaay: Prakriti (45)

Upa-parjaay: Borsha (20)

Taal: Ektaal (4-4)

Raag: Desh/Behag

Written on: 1924

Published in: Shantiniketan Patrika

Swarabitan: 30

Notation by: Dinendranath Tagore

Notes: This song was first published in the monsoon, 1924.

Nirmalkumari Mahalanabish, in her book ‘Kobir Songe Dakhinatye’, writes –

… Often Dinu-babu used to complain – ‘Rabi-da, you teach the same song with variations in tune to different people. When asked they argue to have learnt from the poet in person.

He would smile and answer – ‘Maybe, they forget what they learn and sing a different note and then accuse me. I am unable to raise my voice as I do not trust my memory. Moreover, both are my own compositions. What’s the catch if I compose another tune instead of one? You’re the only one who can ask me for a show-cause. …

The poet has admitted in front of Dinu-babu quite a few times – ‘For the newer songs I am unable to insist as I often forget the song that is composed the day before. When you reproduce it seems – Wow, it sound good! The interesting part is that I still remember the songs I have composed in my young age – I remember the lyrics and the tune for each of them. Hence, I do not accept a defeat when these songs are questioned by Dinu-babu. I say – You better ask Bibi (Indira-devi) – she happens to be another authority for me – you’ll realize that you have been unfair to me. I should say, despite Dinu-babu’s giggles, that his memories too, like me, has started to fade away. Although, he has his own arsenal, he can produce notations in support of his errors. In such case I have to withdraw for peoples’ sake. I can well remember the song ‘Shrabano-borishano Paar Hoye Ki baani …’ that once I had composed in Behag, is being sung by the girls in Mallhar. When I asked they replied – ‘Wow! We have learnt it the day befor yesterday from Din-da. He cannot make a mistake; you must have forgotten.’ Oh! It must be my evil star. The person who has composed it has no doubt, but they are not prepared to accept, as they have leart it from Din-da. They can rely more on Din-da than my sketchy poetic mind. … Dinu, in fact, has been able to create a reputation for himself, hence he has nothing to worry about. In the court-case against me he is sure to win.