"Bangamata" (Bengali: বঙ্গমাতা, English: "Mother Bengal"[1]) is a 14-line Bengali poem written by Rabindranath Tagore as part of his 1896 poetry book Chaitali.[2][3][4]
Bangamata | |
---|---|
by Rabindranath Tagore | |
Country | India |
Language | Bengali |
Genre(s) | Poem |
Publication date | 1896 |
Lines | 14 |
Tagore wrote the poem "Bangamata" during the British Raj period in India, during which he perceived the Bengali's cultural heritage being erased. Unsatisfied with British rule, he wanted to encourage fellow Bengalis to perform national duties for Bengal.[5][6]
Punye pape dukkhe sukhe patane uthhane
Manus haite dao tomar santane
He snehartha bangabhumi–taba grihakrore
Chirasishu k'are ar rakhiyo na dhare.
Deshdeshantar-majhe jar jetha sthan
Khunjiya laite dao kariya sandhan.
Pade pade choto choto nishedher dore
Bendhe bendhe rakhiyo na bhalo chele k'are.
Praan diye, dukkho s'ahe, aponar hate
Sangram karite dao bhalomanda-sathe.
Shirna shanta sadhu taba putrader d'hare
Dao sabe grihachara lakkhichara k'are.
Saat koti santanere, hey mugdha janoni,
Tagore's Bangamata has seen a resurgence in popularity among groups wishing to preserve Bengali culture.[7][8][9]