In 1941, it was incorporated into the "Swadesh" ("Homeland") section of Gitabitan, the complete anthology of Tagore’s music. "Eka" was first included in Tagore’s song anthology Baul in 1905. Titled as "Eka" ("Alone") the song was first published in the September 1905 issue of Bhandar magazine. It was one of the 22 protest songs written during the Swadeshi period of Indian freedom movement and along with "Amar Sonar Bangla", it became one of the key songs for the Anti-Partition Movement in Bengal Presidency in 1905. Jodi jhor-badole adhar rate duar dee ghore-Įkla Chalo Re" was written at Giridih town in modern-day Jharkhand, India. Jodi gohon pothe jabar kale keu fire na chae, jodi gohon pothe jabar kale keu phire naa chaai. Jodi shobai fire jae, ore ore o obhaga,shobai phire jai O tui mukh fute tor moner kotha ekla bolo re. Jodi shobai thake mukh firaee shobai kore bhoe, jodi shobaai thake mukh phiraae shobai kore bhoi. Jodi keu kotha na koe, ore ore o obhaga,keu kothana koi Jodi tor dak shune keu na ashe tobe ekla cholo re, Jodi tor dak shune keu na ashe tobe ekla cholo re, Jodi tor dak shune keu na ashe tobe ekla cholo re, Ekla cholo, ekla cholo, ekla cholo, ekla cholo re. Jodi tor dak shune keu na ashe tobe ekla cholo re, With the thunder flame of pain ignite your own heart, If they shut doors and do not hold up the light when the night is troubled with storm,
If they turn away, and desert you when crossing the wilderness,Īnd along the blood-lined track travel alone. If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall, If they answer not to your call walk alone Here is the translation in prose of the Bengali original rendered by Rabindranath Tagore himself. The verses of Ekla Chalo Re read as follows: Mahatma Gandhi, who was deeply influenced by this song, cited it as one of his favorite songs. The song is often quoted in the context of political or social change movements. The song exhorts the listener to continue his or her journey, despite abandonment or lack of support from others.