The moving love song – Amar jibanpatra uchhalia madhuri korechho dan – from the dance drama Shyama by Rabindranath Tagore. Its best recording is by Hemanta Mukherji. The original may be seen at http://www.rabindra-rachanabali.nltr.org/node/4990.
The meaning of the lines quoted is very transparent and there is no contradiction. This is the song sung by Uttiya on his way to his execution. He loved Shyama secretly and silently. His love was unrequited and was therefore a sort of pain. Death was sweet because it would give him relief from that pain. I would request Dr. Mallick to read the original if possible and hear the wonderful recording of Hemanta.
TagoreBlog 13-Dec-2010 18:31 PM
At my death, so sweet, Let me offer my life at your feet. You never knew me Let me put an end to the night Of my silent secret pain.
The last line here contradicts the concluding line. When 'death' is sweet, should it give at the same time any 'pain'!
