In the introduction to Rabindranath Tagore: The Singer and His Song, Reba Som writes the question may arise why has Rabindrasangeet failed to make an emotional penetration in other Indian languages and foreign tongues. Is it too verbose, not enough tune-based? Is it translatable? She answers some questions by taking us on a musical journey of Tagore?s life and times, thereby giving an audience unfamiliar with Bengali a background and context to his 2,200-odd songs.
Born out of her fascination of historical research and her love for music ? Som has been singing Tagore songs since she was 12 ? it?s a veritable treasure trove of anecdotes, Tagore?s influences and, of course, his songs and music. Som includes 60 of his best known songs in the appendix with translations and the book ? this is a coup of sorts ? is accompanied by a CD with 45 songs, some sung by Som herself. In 20 deft chapters, Som takes us through his early beginnings, his muse and sister-in-law, Kadambari Devi, phases of his musical journey and so forth. For example, she writes that a song written soon after the death of his young wife showed how Tagore was able to rise above the pain of death.
She writes that his Baul-influenced songs often reflected the ?spiritual intensity of baul philosophy rather than the external form of their music. (I strain my ears to catch the sound that repeats itself/At the portals of my heart)?; and his songs on nature spoke of the impermanence of seasons and the spiritual presence in nature ?which was held in balance and harmony.? In one of his famous monsoon songs ? Tagore wrote a song for every season, every mood, every emotion ? that he loved to sing himself he said ?Clouds heap on clouds as darkness descends/Why do you keep me waiting all alone by the door?? To Bengalis, the translations may seem a trifle awkward, but Tagore songs shouldn?t be lost to others just due to the language barrier. In attempting this book, Som has delightfully re-introduced Tagore to the outside world.