Ekla Cholo Re (Bengali: একলা চলো রে, lit. “If they answer not to thy call, walk alone”) is a legendary Bengali patriotic song written and composed by the polymath Rabindranath Tagore in 1905.
Originally titled “Jodi Tor Dak Shune Keu Na Ase Tobe Ekla Cholo Re”, the song was written during the Swadeshi movement to inspire political activists protesting the partition of Bengal by the British colonial administration.
The song is globally famous for its powerful message of self-reliance, moral courage, and determination to march forward alone in the face of adversity, regardless of the lack of support. It was a favorite song of Mahatma Gandhi, who frequently cited its lyrics during his political marches and fasts.
History and Publication
The lyrics of Ekla Cholo Re were first published in the September 1905 issue of the journal Bhandar. It was included in Tagore’s song collection Gitabitan under the patriotic (Swadesh) section.
Tagore set the tune in the classical Baul folk style of Bengal, which gave it a highly soulful, wandering minstrel rhythm that emphasizes personal conscience and inner truth over group conformity.
During the Indian independence movement, the song served as a vital anthem of resistance. It continues to be recorded by prominent artists globally and played during national assemblies.
Complete Lyrics
The song consists of the following verses:
Bengali Script (Original)
যদি তোর ডাক শুনে কেউ না আসে তবে একলা চলো রে।
একলা চলো, একলা চলো, একলা চলো, একলা চলো রে॥
যদি কেউ কথা না কয়, ওরে ওরে ও অভাগা,
যদি সবাই থাকে মুখ ফিরায়ে সবাই করে ভয়—
তবে পরাণ খুলে
নয় মিছে তোর মনের কথা একলা বলো রে॥
যদি সবাই ফিরে যায়, ওরে ওরে ও অভাগা,
যদি গহন পথে চলবার কালে কেউ ফিরে না চায়—
তবে পথের কাঁটা
ধন্যি পায়ে রক্ত মেখে একলা দলো রে॥
যদি আলো না ধরে, ওরে ওরে ও অভাগা,
যদি ঝড়-বাদলে আঁধার রাতে দুয়ার বন্ধ করে—
তবে বজ্রানলে
আপন বুকের পাঁজর জ্বালিয়ে নিয়ে একলা চলো রে॥
Roman Transliteration
Jodi tor dak shune keu na ase tobe ekla cholo re.
Ekla cholo, ekla cholo, ekla cholo, ekla cholo re!
Jodi keu kotha na koy, ore ore o obhaga,
Jodi shobai thake mukh phiraye, shobai kore bhoy—
Tobe poran khule
Noy michhe tor moner kotha ekla bolo re.
Jodi shobai phire jay, ore ore o obhaga,
Jodi gohon pothe cholbar kale keu phire na chay—
Tobe pother kata
Dhonyi paye rokto mekhe ekla dolo re.
Jodi alo na dhore, ore ore o obhaga,
Jodi jhor-badole adhar rate duar bondho kore—
Tobe bojranole
Apon buker pajor jaliye niye ekla cholo re!
English Translation by Tagore
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou of evil luck,
Open thy mind and speak out thy mind alone.If they turn away, and desert you when crossing the wilderness,
O thou of evil luck,
Trample the thorns under thy feet,
And tread the path alone, though your feet bleed.If they close their doors and hold no light in the stormy night,
O thou of evil luck,
Let the thunder-flame of pain ignite your rib-cage,
And let it serve as your beacon, and walk alone.