Translation of Hason Raja’s Loke Bole Bole Re (Oh, They Say)

Oh, They say my house is no good,

But what can I build with nothing here?

I’ll erect a home.

Yet how long will I truly stay?

I gaze into the mirror,

Noticing the strands of grey in my hair.

Thinking of this, Hason Raja never built a dwelling.

Where will Allah take him? Where will he find rest?

This uncertainty brings him to tears.

If only Hason Raja had known his days,

He would have painted his rooms in vibrant hues.

Oh. They say my house is no good,

But what can 1 build with nothing here?

লোক বলে বলে রে

হাসন রাজা

লোক বলে, বলে রে— আমার ঘরটা ভালো না,
কিন্তু কিছুই নেই এখানে, কী দিয়ে বানাবো ঘর?
আমি তো ভাবি, একটা ঘর তুলবই।
তবু বলো— কতদিনই বা থাকব এখানে?

আয়নায় চেয়ে দেখি—
চুলে উঠে এসেছে সাদা রঙের রেখা।
এই ভেবেই হাসন রাজা কোনো ঘর বানায়নি।
আল্লাহ্ কোথায় নিয়ে যাবেন তাঁকে? কোথায় শান্তি মিলবে?

এই অনিশ্চয়তা তাকে কাঁদিয়ে তোলে।
যদি জানতেন হাসন রাজা, কতদিন বাঁচবেন,
তবে ঘরের দেয়াল রঙে রঙে রাঙিয়ে দিতেন!

লোক বলে, বলে রে— আমার ঘরটা ভালো না,
কিন্তু কিছুই নেই এখানে, কী দিয়ে বানাবো ঘর?

Theme: The poem explores the transience of life and the futility of material pursuits. Hason Raja reflects on his aging, his lack of possessions, and the uncertainty of his destiny, ultimately realizing that spiritual awareness and preparation for the afterlife matter more than worldly achievements. His emotional vulnerability shows how deeply he feels the impermanence of existence.

 কবিতার মূলভাব: এই কবিতায় জীবনের অস্থায়িত্ব ও মানবজীবনের অনিশ্চয়তা ফুটে উঠেছে। হাসন রাজা উপলব্ধি করেন যে, এই জগতে কিছুই চিরস্থায়ী নয়—না ঘর, না ধন, না জীবন। তিনি বয়সের ছাপ দেখে ভাবেন, কোথায় যাবেন, কোথায় বিশ্রাম পাবেন—এই অনিশ্চয়তাই তাঁকে কাঁদায়। যদি তিনি জানতেন তাঁর জীবনের সীমা, তবে হয়তো ঘরকে রঙিন করে তুলতেন। তাই, কবিতাটি জীবনের ক্ষণস্থায়ীত্ব এবং আধ্যাত্মিক উপলব্ধির প্রতি আহ্বান জানায়।

Summary of the poem: The poem reflects the deep sense of impermanence and inner struggle faced by the speaker, Hason Raja. Though others criticize his home, he expresses the difficulty of building something lasting when he has so little. He questions the point of constructing a house when life itself is uncertain. As he sees signs of aging, he becomes more aware of life’s fleeting nature. The poem reveals his emotional turmoil and spiritual contemplation—wondering where God will take him and where he will ultimately find peace. Regretful that he did not cherish his time more fully, he wishes he had made his life more colorful. Ultimately, the poem explores themes of transience, spiritual yearning, and regret.

কবিতার সারাংশ (বাংলা অনুবাদ):

এই কবিতাটি হাসন রাজার মনের গভীর অনিত্যবোধ ও আত্মিক সংগ্রামকে তুলে ধরে। অন্যরা তার ঘরকে তুচ্ছ মনে করলেও, তিনি বোঝাতে চান যে কিছু না থাকলে স্থায়ী কিছু তৈরি করাই তো কঠিন। তিনি ভাবেন, জীবনের এই অনিশ্চয়তার মাঝে ঘর বানানোর মানে কী? আয়নায় নিজের চুলে পাকা রঙ দেখে তিনি উপলব্ধি করেন, জীবনের সময় খুবই ক্ষণস্থায়ী। কবিতায় তার অন্তর্দ্বন্দ্ব ও আধ্যাত্মিক চিন্তা প্রকাশ পেয়েছে—তিনি ভাবেন, আল্লাহ তাঁকে কোথায় নিয়ে যাবেন এবং কোথায় তিনি শান্তি পাবেন। তিনি অনুতপ্ত যে সময় থাকতে জীবনের রঙ উপভোগ করেননি। তিনি ইচ্ছা প্রকাশ করেন, যদি সময়ের মূল্য আগে বুঝতেন, তবে নিজের জীবনকে আরও রঙিন করতেন। কবিতাটি মূলত অনিত্যতা, আধ্যাত্মিক আকাঙ্ক্ষা ও অনুশোচনার মতো গভীর বিষয়বস্তু নিয়ে কথা বলে।

1. What do people say about Hason Raja’s house?
   They say his house is no good. This reflects society’s judgment on his simple or incomplete home.
2. Why doesn’t Hason Raja build a better house?
   He says he has nothing to build it with. This shows his sense of poverty or philosophical detachment.
3. What does Hason Raja think of building a house?
   He thinks of building one. But then he questions how long he will stay there anyway.
4. Where does Hason Raja look to reflect on himself?
   He looks into a mirror. There, he notices signs of aging like grey hairs.
5. What does he notice in the mirror?
   He sees strands of grey hair. This makes him think about aging and impermanence.
6. What do the grey hairs symbolize?
   They symbolize the passage of time. It reminds him that life is temporary.
7. What effect does this realization have on him?
   It makes him emotional. He cries thinking about life’s uncertainty.
8. Who is Hason Raja referring to when he says “Where will He take me?”
   He is referring to Allah. He wonders where his final resting place will be.
9. What emotion does Hason Raja express in the poem?
   He expresses uncertainty and sorrow. He is deeply moved by the transience of life.
10. Why does he cry?
    He cries because he doesn’t know where he will go after death. The uncertainty makes him feel helpless and lost.
11. What would he have done if he had known his days?
    He would have painted his rooms in vibrant colors. This means he would have lived more joyfully and fully.
12. Why does he mention painting his rooms?
    It symbolizes living with purpose and beauty. It’s something he might have done if he had more certainty about life.
13. What does the poem say about time?
    Time is short and uncertain. Hason Raja regrets not knowing how long he had.
14. What kind of tone does the poem have?
    It has a reflective and melancholic tone. The poet expresses regret and longing.
15. What spiritual question does the poet raise?
    He asks where Allah will take him. It reflects his thoughts on death and the afterlife.
16. What does the poet question about life?
    He questions the permanence of material things. He realizes he cannot stay in one place forever.
17. What is the poet’s attitude toward worldly possessions?
    He seems detached from them. He doesn’t see the value in building a grand house he can’t keep.
18. What is the meaning of “nothing here”?
    It means he has no wealth or resources. Or perhaps, it means worldly possessions feel meaningless.
19. How does Hason Raja view death?
    As a mystery and a certainty. He doesn’t know when or where it will come, but knows it will.
20. Why does the poet mention Allah?
    To show that his fate is in divine hands. He has no control over his life’s end.
21. What does the house represent in the poem?
    It represents stability, comfort, or worldly attachment.
    Its absence shows spiritual detachment.
22. How does the poet feel about his past choices?
    He feels regret. He wishes he had known how to prepare better.
23. What lesson does the poem teach?
    To value time and make meaningful choices. We never know how much time we have left.
24. What cultural values are reflected in the poem?
    Faith, simplicity, and spiritual reflection. It also reflects the mystic Bengali Sufi tradition.
25. What literary device is used in “grey in my hair”?
    It’s a symbol of aging. It connects personal appearance to inner awareness.
26. Why didn’t Hason Raja build a house despite thinking of it?
    Because he was aware of the temporary nature of life. He thought it was pointless.
27. What brings tears to Hason Raja’s eyes?
    The fear of the unknown future and death. He feels overwhelmed by the uncertainty.
28. When does Hason Raja reflect on these thoughts?
    Likely in his old age or during solitude. He looks back at his life and choices.
29. Who might be judging Hason Raja’s life?
    Other people in society. They criticize his home and way of living.
30. What is Hason Raja’s response to criticism?
    He reflects rather than reacts. He turns inward and questions his existence.
31. What is the significance of the mirror?
    It’s a metaphor for self-reflection. He literally and figuratively sees himself.
32. How does the poet view worldly criticism?
    He accepts it quietly. He focuses more on deeper, spiritual matters.
33. What does “building a home” symbolize?
    Creating permanence or worldly success. But he questions the value of that.
34. How does the poem relate to the idea of mortality?
    It directly addresses the limits of life. The poet is deeply aware of death.
35. Why might Hason Raja have avoided material comfort?
    He felt it was meaningless without spiritual peace. He preferred to live simply.
36. What is the main message of the poem?
    Life is uncertain, so live meaningfully. Time is short and we must reflect on our choices.
37. How does the poet express regret?
    By saying he would have painted the rooms. It shows he would have lived differently if he knew.
38. What does the vibrant color symbolize?
    Joy, life, and celebration. It’s what he missed by not knowing the value of time.
39. What question does the poem leave us with?
    Where will we go after this life? What should we do with the time we have?
40. What role does Allah play in the poem?
    As the final guide and decider of fate. The poet trusts that his future is in divine hands.
41. What does the poet say about preparation for life’s end?
    That he didn’t prepare. He regrets not knowing when or how to prepare.
42. How does the poet show spiritual awareness?
    By questioning worldly attachments. He contemplates life beyond this world.
43. How does society view Hason Raja?
    As someone who hasn’t achieved much materially. They criticize his humble home.
44. What is Hason Raja’s response to societal judgment?
    He accepts it without anger. Instead, he reflects on what truly matters.
45. How is nature of time portrayed in the poem?
    As fleeting and uncertain. The poet feels time slipped away unknowingly.
46. What is the emotional core of the poem?
    Regret mixed with spiritual longing. The poet is torn between worldly life and eternal truth.
47. Why is the poem still relevant today?
    Because it speaks of time, choices, and death. Everyone can relate to its themes.
48. What spiritual tradition influences this poem?
    Sufi mysticism. It focuses on inner life over outer wealth.
49. What does the poem warn us against?
    Ignoring the passage of time. And taking life for granted.
50. How can we live differently after reading this poem?
    By appreciating time and living meaningfully It teaches us to prepare for life’s bigger journey.
51. What does the speaker’s “house” symbolize?
    The house symbolizes the speaker’s life, legacy, or spiritual state. It reflects societal judgment and his inability to meet external expectations.
52. Why does the speaker say, “what can I build with nothing here”?
    He lacks material or spiritual resources to construct a worthy life. This highlights his helplessness and existential frustration.
53. How does the poem address aging?
    The “strands of grey” in the mirror signify mortality and time’s passage. The speaker regrets not living more vibrantly before aging.
54. What is the significance of the repeated line, “Oh, they say my house is no good”?
    Repetition emphasizes societal criticism and the speaker’s resignation. It underscores the conflict between judgment and reality.
55. Why does Hason Raja “never built a dwelling”?
    He rejects materialism, seeing life as temporary. Building a physical home feels futile in the face of divine uncertainty.
56. What does “Where will Allah take him?” reveal about the speaker?
    It reflects his anxiety about the afterlife and divine judgment. He questions his spiritual destiny and seeks reassurance.
57. Why does uncertainty bring the speaker to tears?
    Doubt about his fate and life’s purpose causes despair. He mourns his inability to control his spiritual journey.
58. How does the poem explore impermanence?
    The speaker acknowledges life’s fleeting nature through aging and death. Material efforts (like building a house) seem pointless.
59. What does “painted his rooms in vibrant hues” metaphorically mean?
    It symbolizes living a joyful, creative, or spiritually rich life. The speaker regrets not embracing beauty and passion.
60. Why does the speaker focus on societal judgment (“they say”)?
    Criticism represents worldly expectations that clash with his inner truth. He feels trapped by others’ opinions.
61. How does the mirror imagery deepen the poem’s theme?
    The mirror forces self-reflection on aging and mortality. It symbolizes confronting one’s impermanence and regrets.
62. Why is the poem cyclical (repeating the opening lines)?
    The repetition mirrors the unresolved tension between societal pressure and the speaker’s helplessness. It suggests a loop of doubt.
63. What role does contrast play in the poem?
    Contrasts like “house” (material) vs. “Allah” (divine) highlight spiritual vs. worldly conflict. Grey hair vs. vibrant hues show youth vs. decay.
64. How does the poem use rhetorical questions?
    Questions like “Where will he find rest?” invite reflection on existential uncertainty. They engage the reader in the speaker’s dilemma.
65. Why is the tone melancholic yet reflective?
    Melancholy arises from regret and mortality, while reflection shows spiritual searching. The duality captures human vulnerability.
66. How does Hason Raja’s Sufi background influence the poem?
    Sufi themes of divine love and detachment appear in rejecting materialism. The focus on Allah reflects mystical surrender.
67. What does the poem say about societal expectations in Bengali culture?
    It critiques pressures to conform to material success. The speaker rebels by embracing spiritual uncertainty instead.
68. Why is the “house” a metaphor for identity?
    In many cultures, a house represents social status and self-worth. The poem challenges linking identity to external validation.
69. How does the poem align with baulphilosophy?
    Like bauls, Hason Raja prioritizes inner spirituality over societal norms. The poem rejects materialism for divine connection.
70. What is the significance of tears in the poem?
    Tears symbolize raw, honest emotion and spiritual longing. They contrast with societal masks of strength or success.
71. What does “nothing here” imply about the speaker’s resources?
    He lacks wealth, time, or spiritual clarity. The phrase underscores existential emptiness and futility.
72. How does the poem critique materialism?
    Building a “house” (material success) is futile against life’s impermanence. True fulfillment lies beyond possessions.
73. Why does the speaker reject building a home?
    He sees earthly life as temporary and illusory. Investing in permanence distracts from spiritual growth.
74. What does “Where will he find rest?” suggest about the afterlife?
    Rest symbolizes peace in divine union. The speaker fears being lost in spiritual limbo without Allah’s grace.
75. How does the poem blend personal and universal struggles?
    The speaker’s doubt mirrors human anxiety about purpose and death. His questions resonate with anyone facing existential crisis.
76. How does the poem portray regret?
    Regret emerges in lines like “Had he known his days…” It reflects mourning lost opportunities for joy and meaning.
77. What emotion dominates the poem?
    Melancholy from aging and doubt, mixed with defiance against societal judgment. Spiritual yearning tempers the sadness.
78. Why does the speaker feel trapped by societal opinions?
    External criticism (“they say”) creates pressure to conform. He resents being judged by shallow standards.
79. How does the poem address fear of death?
    Grey hair and “Where will Allah take him?” show dread of mortality. The speaker seeks reassurance about the afterlife.
80. What does the poem suggest about self-worth?
    Self-worth is undermined by societal judgment. The speaker struggles to find value beyond others’ opinions.
81. How is the “house” both literal and metaphorical?
    Literally, it’s a physical dwelling criticized by others. Metaphorically, it’s his life, soul, or legacy deemed inadequate.
82. What does “vibrant hues” symbolize?
    Vibrancy represents a life lived with passion, creativity, or spiritual richness. The speaker regrets a monochrome existence.
83. Why is the mirror a powerful image?
    It forces confrontation with aging and truth. The mirror reflects inner turmoil, not just outer appearance.
84. How does “strands of grey” connect to the poem’s themes?
    Grey hair signifies aging and the passage of time. It triggers regret over unfulfilled potential.
85. What does “painted rooms” contrast with “nothing here”?
    “Painted rooms” symbolize effort and beauty, while “nothing” shows emptiness. The contrast highlights wasted potential.
86. What does the poem say about human purpose?
    Purpose is obscured by societal pressure and mortality. The speaker seeks meaning in spirituality, not materialism.
87. How does the poem view societal norms?
    Norms are stifling and superficial. True fulfillment requires rejecting external validation for inner truth.
88. Why is divine uncertainty (“Where will Allah take him?”) central?
    It reflects the human fear of the unknown afterlife. Faith and doubt coexist in the speaker’s spiritual journey.
89. How does the poem balance hope and despair?
    Despair arises from regret and aging, while hope lies in spiritual surrender. The duality mirrors human experience.
90. What ethical message does the poem convey?
    Prioritize inner growth over societal approval. Authenticity matters more than material success.
91. How does this poem compare to Western existentialist works?
    Like Camus or Kafka, it explores futility and doubt. However, it roots resolution in spirituality, not absurdism.
92. How does Hason Raja’s mysticism differ from Rumi’s?
    Both seek divine union, but Hason Raja’s tone is more melancholic. Rumi celebrates love; Hason Raja laments uncertainty.
93. What makes this poem uniquely Bengali?
    It incorporates baulphilosophy, rural metaphors (house, village life), and Sufi-Islamic themes specific to Bengal.
94. How does it contrast with Tagore’s works?
    Tagore often celebrates nature and humanism; Hason Raja focuses on spiritual angst and societal critique.
95. Why is this poem still relevant today?
    Modern society’s materialism and anxiety about purpose mirror the speaker’s struggles. Its themes are timeless.
96. How might the speaker’s life change if he “painted his rooms”?
    He’d embrace joy and creativity, rejecting societal judgment. His focus would shift from doubt to self-expression.
97. What advice would you give the speaker?
    Seek inner peace over others’ opinions. Embrace impermanence as a path to spiritual freedom.
98. How does the poem inspire personal reflection?
    It asks readers to evaluate their own “house”—life choices, regrets, and societal pressures.
99. What musical style would suit this poem?
    A baulfolk tune with raw, emotive vocals. The melody would mirror the poem’s cyclical rhythm and melancholy.
100. How does the poem redefine “home”?

“Home” becomes a spiritual state, not a physical space. True rest lies in divine acceptance, not material comfort.