I said to my father,
Celebrate my marriage after the rains,
When the grain is not stored in the house,
And the yogurt does not bubble.
I have been a dutiful daughter, give me in marriage.

These lanes feel narrow,
And your courtyard seems foreign.
I am parting from my friends,
I am leaving my brothers and sisters behind,
I have been a dutiful daughter.

My dolls lie in their niches,
I do not want to play with them.
Keep them, father, in your home.
I am going to another country.
I have been a dutiful daughter.

Mother’s tears have drenched her blouse,
Father weeps a river.
My brother weeps, the world weeps,
My bhabhis' wish is fulfilled.
I have been a dutiful daughter.

Mother says, come home every day.
Every few days, says my father.
Come at the festivals, says my brother,
And my bhabis show me the road.
I have been a dutiful daughter.

This is both a suhaag as well as a vidaai song. It begins with the familiar ‘asking for a marriage’, goes on to describe the daughters feeling of alienation or separateness from her parental home and segues into the sorrow of the real separation that occurs with her marriage. The song ends with a sharp rendering of the degrees of attachment that exist within a family.

Mere baabal ve, mera kaaj racha.
Meri beTi ni, tere man kaahe da chaah?
Mere baabal ve, gehne kapRe da chaah.
Meri beTi, e teri amma di raah.

Ma meri ne gehne ghaRaaye,
Naal ghaRaayi aarsi,
Bibi da var Tol lyaaNda
MukhoN bole Faarsi!

Mere baabal ve, mera kaaj racha.
Meri beTi ni, tere man kaahe da chaah?
Mere baabal ve, nath chooRe da chaah.
Meri beTi, e tere maame de raah.

Maame ne chooRa chaDHaaya,
Laal gooDe raNg da.
Maami ne joRa sajaaya
GoTe naal ni damakada.

Mere baabal ve, mera kaaj racha.
Meri beTi ni, tere man kaahe da chaah?
Mere baabal ve, mera Dola saja.
Meri beTi, e tere veere di raah.

Veer mere ne Doli sajaayi,
Vajjan lagi shehnaai,
Doli baeTHi bhaen sohe,
Naal ohde javaai.

Mere baabal ve hun tu gaNga naha! 

Father mine, celebrate my marriage!
Daughter mine, what does your heart desire?
Father mine, I desire jewels and clothes.
Daughter mine, this is your mothers duty.

My mother had ornaments made,
And also a thumb ring.
Found a husband for me
Who speaks Persian.

Father mine, celebrate my marriage!
Daughter mine, what does your heart desire?
Father mine, I desire a nose ring and ivory bangles.
Daughter mine, this is your maternal uncle’s duty.

Maama gave me the ivory bangles,
Bright red in color.
Maami adorned me in a suit,
Sparkling with gold ribbon.

Father mine, celebrate my marriage!
Daughter mine, what does your heart desire?
Father mine, decorate my palanquin.
Daughter mine, this is your brothers duty.

My brother decorated my palanquin.
The shehnai began to play.
His sister looks perfect inside the Doli,
With your son in law.

Father mine, you can bathe in the Ganga now!

In all cultures, a bride is dressed in, and receives, beautiful clothes and jewels, as well as certain particular traditional items. This song expresses a young girl’s desire for these fine things which represent her entry into this new and exciting stage of her life. The affection between father and daughter is sweetly brought out.

SaaDa chiReeyaaN da chaMba ve,
Baabal asaaN uD jaana,
SaaDi lammi uDaari ve,
Baabal kihRe des jaana.

Tere mahilaaN de vich vich ve,
Baabal charkha kaun kate?
MereeyaaN katan potareeyaaN,
Thiye ghar ja apne.

Tere mahilaaN de vich vich ve,
Baabal guDiyaaN kaun kheDe?
MereeyaaN kheDan potareeyaaN,
Thiye ghar ja apne.

Mera CHuTa kaseeda ve,
Baabal das kaun kaDe?
MereeyaaN kaDan potareeyaaN,
Thiye ghar ja apne.

Tere baagaaN de vich vich ve,
Baabal Dola nahi laNghda.
Ik Taahni puTa devaaN,
Thiye ghar ja apne.

TeriyaaN peeRiyaaN galiyaaN ‘ch ve,
Baabal Dola nahi laNghda.
Ik iT puTa devaaN,
Thiye ghar ja apne.

We will fly away, father, like a flock of birds,
On a long flight to an unknown place.

Who will sit at the spinning-wheel in your palace?
My grand daughters will,
Go to your home, my child.

Who will play with the dolls in your palace?
My grand daughters will,
Go to your home, my child.

I have left my embroidery unfinished, who will complete it now?
My grand daughters will,
Go to your home, my child.

Father, my palanquin will not get through your gardens.
I will remove a branch,
Go to your home, my child.

Father, my palanquin will not squeeze through these narrow lanes.
I will remove a brick,
Go to your home, my child.


A daughter’s sadness at leaving her childhood, her parents and her home are expressed in this song.

Ni tu aNdaroN aa pyaari Radhika,
Tera kaahn dyoRi aa gaya.

Ji maeN kis taraaN aavaaN mere soneya,
MaeN taaN baabal koloN sharmaani haaN.
Ni tu baabal koloN sharmaani eN,
SaaDa lagana da vela khuNjaani eN.

Ni tun aNdaroN aa pyaari Raadhika,
Tera kaahn dyoRi aa gaya.

Ji maeN kis taraaN aavaaN mere kaahn ji,
MaeN apne veere koloN sharmaani haaN.
Ni tu veere koloN sharmaani eN,
SaaDa lagana da vela khuNjaani eN.

Ni tu aNdaroN aa pyaari Raadhika,
Tera kaahn dyoRi aa gaya.

Ji maeN kis taraaN aavaaN mere soneya,
MaeN taaN saareyaaN toN sharmaani aaN.
Ni tu saareyaaN toN sharmaani eN,
SaaDa Doli de vela khuNjaani eN.

Ve maeN aa gayi mere kaahn ji ,
Ve maeN aa gayi mere soneya.

Come out, sweet Radhika,
Your Krishna is at the door.

How can I come, my beautiful one?
I feel shy before my father.
If you are shy before your father
You will miss the marriage ceremony.

Come out, sweet Radhika.
Your Krishna is at the door.

How can I come, my beautiful one?
I feel shy before my brother.
If you are shy before your brother
You will miss the marriage ceremony.

Come out, sweet Radhika,
Your Krishna is at the door.

How can I come, my beautiful one?
I feel shy before everyone.
If you are shy before everyone
You will miss the departure of the Doli.

Here I come, my beautiful one!
Here I come, my Krishna!

DeyeeN deyeeN ve baabal us ghare,
Jithe sas bhali, pardhaan saura sardar hove.
Dha peeRa bahiNdi saamne ve,
Mathe kade na paaNdi vaT,
Baabal tera puNn hove.
Tera hovega vaDaRa jas,
Babal tera puNn hove!

DeyeeN deyeeN ve baabal us ghare,
Jithe sas de bahlaRe put.
Ik maNgiye, ik viaahiye,
Ve maeN shaadiyaaN vekhaaN nit,
Baabal tera puNn hove!

DeyeeN deyeeN ve baabal us ghare,
Jithe booreeyaaN majhiyaaN saTH.
Ik riRakaaN, ik jamaaisaaN,
Mera chaaTiyaaN de vich hath,
Baabal tera puNn hove!

DeyeeN deyeeN ve baabal us ghare,
Jithe darji seeve paT.
Ik paavaaN, ik taNgane ve,
Mera vich sandookaaN hath,
Baabal tera puNn hove!

DeyeeN deyeeN ve baabal us ghare,
Jithe ghaaR ghaRe suniyaar.
Ik paavaaN, dooja dabRe ve,
Mera dabeyaaN de vich hath,
Baabal tera puNn hove!

Tera hovega vaDaRa jas,
Baabal tera puNn hove.

Give me, dear father, into a home,
Where mother-in-law is gentle and father-in-law is the chief.
Where she pulls up a stool to sit beside me,
A frown never creasing her forehead.
This noble act
Will bring you great renown!

Give me, dear father, into a home,
Where mother-in-law has many sons.
One gets engaged, another gets married,
I see marriages all the time.
This noble act
Will bring you great renown!

Give me, dear father, into a home,
That has sixty brown cows.
I churn in one, I set yogurt in another,
My hands always busy in the earthen jars!
This noble act
Will bring you great renown!

Give me, dear father, into a home,
Where a tailor sews the clothes.
I wear one suit, another one hangs,
My hands always rummaging in trunks.
This noble act
Will bring you great renown!

Give me, dear father, into a home
Where the goldsmith carves ornaments.
I wear one set, another in the box,
My hands always busy in cases!
This noble act
Will bring you great renown!

In this cheerful song a girl details the home and family that she would like to marry into. A doting mother in law, celebrations all the time, and an abundance of everything. She cleverly tells her father that it is he who will earn admiration and renown if he finds her such a match!

Baabul ik mera kehna keejiye,
Maenu raadhe kishan var deejiye.

Jaaiye, le aaNda var Tol ke,
JyuN raNg kusumbaRa ghol ke.

Baabul, ik paCHotaava baRa vai,
MaeN aap gori, var sauNla ai.

Bibi radhe kishan sir sehra,
JyoN baagaaN 'ch khiRiya keuRa.

KaD ni amaRi kuj sajeya sajaaiya,
Kuj rakheya rakhaaiya,
Mere baabal da khaTiya,
Mere veer da kamaaiya,
Ki hun tere dain da vela aaiya.

BaNhno kahaaro meri Doli diyaaN taniyaaN,
ChaNDole de dhaage,
Mukh paanaN de beeRe,
CHoRaaN maeN pekeyaaN galiyaaN.

Kholo kaharo meri Doli diyaaN taniyaaN,
ChaNDole de dhaage,
Mukh paanaN de beeRe,
MalhaaN maeN saureyaaN galiyaaN.

Mother, bring out something new, something decorated.
Something that you kept preserved for me,
Something that my father worked for,
Something my brother earned,
For the time to give has arrived!

Water carrier, tie the woven cords,
The cords of my doli.
Morsels of betel leaf in my mouth,
I leave the lanes of my parents home.

Water carrier, untie the woven cords,
The cords on my doli.
Morsels of betel leaf in my mouth,
For I must claim the lanes of my married home.

This lovely song catches that transient time between a known past and a dreamed of future. It shimmers with anticipation.

Ahj di dihaRi Doli rakh lae ni ma,
RavaaN baap di ban ke goli ni ma.

Meri Doli da vaan puraana ni ma,
THeeyaaN huNdiyaaN ne dhan bigaana ni ma.

Meri Doli nu raj ke vekh ni ma,
MaeN taaN jaana bigaanaRe des ni ma.

Meri Doli nu lagaRe teer ni ma,
Maenu vida kareNde mere veer ni ma.

Meri Doli nu lagaRe laache ni ma,
Maenu vida kareNde ahj chaache ni ma.

Meri Doli nu chukde kaame ni ma,
Maenu vida kareNde mere maame ni ma.

Meri Doli nu lagaRe CHaape ni ma,
Maenu vida kareNde mere maape ni ma.

Meri Doli nu lagaRe sitaare ni ma,
Ahj vida kaende maenu saare ni ma.

Mere boohe te aaya maahi ni ma,
MaeN taaN hoyi aaN ahj paraayi ni ma.

Just for this day, mother, keep my Doli,
Let me remain my fathers bundle of mischief.

Mother, the twine on my Doli is old,
Daughters are the wealth of another family.

Look at my doli to your hearts content,
As I leave for a unknown land.

My doli is decorated with arrows,
Today, my own brothers bid me goodbye.

My doli is draped with a silk sheet,
Today, my paternal uncles bid me goodbye.

My doli is carried by our servants,
Today, my maternal uncle bids me goodbye.

My doli is stamped with designs,
Today, my mother and father bid me goodbye.

My doli is decorated with stars,
Today, everyone bids me goodbye.

Mother my husband is at our door,
From today I belong to another.

This is the moment of leave taking. All the people with whom she has spent her childhood and youth will be left behind today. With simple, repititive words the sadness of this moment is effectively evoked.

MadhaaniyaaN.
Haai o mereya DaaDeya rabba,
Kina jammiyaaN kinaane le jaaniyaaN.

Chole.
Babul tere mehalaaN vichoN,
Sat raNgiya kabootar bole.
Paave.

Babal tere mahilaaN vichoN,
THanDi va vagdi payi aave.

Pheeta.
Ena sageyaaN veeraaN ne,
Dola Tor ke ahga nu keeta.

Pheeta,
Ena sagiyaaN bhaabiyaaN ne,
Dola Tor ke kacha dud peeta.

KaliyaaN.
MaavaaN dheeyaaN milan lagiyaaN,
Chaare kanda ne chabaare diyaaN halliyaaN.

Churning staff.
O, immovable gods.
One gives us birth, another takes us away.

Lentils.
Father, in your palace
Sings the seven colored dove.

Furniture legs.
Father, in your palace
Cool breezes blow.

Threads.
These true brothers
Lead my palanquin out.

Threads.
These wives of my brothers
Drank raw milk as soon as I left.

Petals.
Mother and daughter embraced,
And the four walls of the courtyard shuddered.

The objects and the chores that were a part of a woman’s daily routine feature prominently in these folk songs. Fresh butter was churned daily, lentils were cooked, clothes were sewn or repaired. The simplicity of folk songs and the depth of emotion they are able to convey through that simplicity can be heard in this very moving song. With a few spare words it presents us with observations about relationships and emotions that are universally true.

This is a form of song where the first word or line is only a rhyming device. The essential meaning lies in the latter part of each verse.

Ni maeN sau sau ruhk payi laavaN,
Te rukh taaN hare bhare.
MaavaN THaNDiyaaN ChaavaaN,
CHaavaaN kaun kare.

Veer mere ne baagh lavaaya,
Vich lavaaiyaaN kaliyaaN,
Jaandeya raahiya nu maeN puCHdi,
Dahso veer diyaaN galeeyaaN.
CHaavaaN kaun kare.

Veer mere ne charkha dita,
Vich sone diyaaN mekhaaN,
Veera taenu yaad karaaN maeN,
Jad charkhe val vekhaaN.
CHaavaaN kaun kare.

Veer mere ne baagh lavaaiya,
Baagh lavaaiya koi,
Vasda rahe mere veer da veRa
MaeN pardesan hoi.
CHaavaaN kaun kare.

I planted a hundred saplings,
They grew green and full.
Mothers are a cool shade,
Who will shelter me now?

My brother planted a garden,
A garden of flowers.
I ask each traveler passing by
For news of my brother.
Who will shelter me now?

My brother gave me a spinning wheel,
Studded with golden nails.
I think of you, dear brother,]
Each time I glance at it.
Who will shelter me now?

My brother planted a garden,
Planted one garden.
May his home always flourish.
I am leaving this country.
Who will shelter me now?


Beyond the natural love and devotion that exists between siblings, a brother represented the continuity of her parents home to a girl. It was he who would inherit the land of their father and continue to farm it. He would be the future head of the family that she grew up in. A loving relationship with him meant that she would always have a welcome in that home.

SaaDe saruaaN de THaNDe THaNDe saaye,
Jug jeeyo amma de jaaye.
Bhaena de asees veera,
Sukhi vaseeN ve,
Bhaaven akheeyaaN toN door
DiloN neRe vaseeN ve.

Ni maeN veere toN dupaTa maNgvaaya,
Bhaabo raani ne mathe vaT paaya.
Ena bhaabiyaaN uhte saaDa jor koi na,
Ena bhaabiyaaN siva saaDa hor koi na.

SaaDe saruaaN de THaNDe THaNDe saaye,
Jug jeeyo maasi de jaaye.
Bhaena de asees veera,
Sukhi vaseeN ve,
Bhaaven akhiyaaN toN door
DiloN neRe vaseeN ve.

HaNju paende akhaaN toN veera pooNj ve,
Ahj DaaroN viCHaD chali kooNj ve.
Door baiTHiyaaN nu veer jadoN yaad aunge,
Dil pardesiyaaN de taRpaunge.

SaaDe saruaaN de THaNDe THaNDe saaye,
Jug jeeyo maami de jaaye.
Bhaena de asees veera,
Sukhi vaseeN ve,
Bhaaven akhiyaaN toN door
DiloN neRe vaseeN ve.

Our cypress trees cast cool shadows.
I wish you a long life, sons of my mother.
Beloved brothers,
Stay happy.
Though far from my eyes
Stay close to my heart.

When I asked my brother for a dupaTa,
A frown appeared on my bhaabi’s face.
I have no position in the eyes of my bhaabi,
Yet I have no one other than her.

Our cypress trees cast cool shadows,
I wish you a long life, sons of my maasi.
Beloved brothers,
Stay happy.
Though far from my eyes
Stay close to my heart.

Wipe the tears from your eyes, my brother.
today the bird will be plucked from its branch.
When I am far away and think of you,
My heart will be heavy.

Our cypress trees cast cool shadows,
I wish you a long life, sons of my maami,
Beloved brothers,
Stay happy.
Though far from my eyes
Stay close to my heart.


In this bittersweet song the girl accepts that she is soon to be separated from her brothers - her own as well her maternal cousin brothers. She expresses her love for them, interspersing this with vignettes about the nature of her relationship with her brother as well as his wife.

Mere baagaaN di koyil kahaaN challi aa?

Dharmi baabul ne kaaj rachaaya,
Vachana di baNdhi, maeN challi aaN.

Mere baagaaN di koyil kahaaN challi aa?

Dharmi veere ne kaaj rachaaya,
Vachana di baNdhi, maeN challi aaN.

Nightingale of my gardens, where are you going?

My dutiful father celebrated my marriage.
Bound by these vows, I am leaving.

Nightingale of my gardens, where are you going?

My dutiful brother celebrated my marriage.
Bound by these vows, I am leaving.


This is an extraordinary and somber song that sings of duty: a fathers duty to his daughter and a daughters duty to the vows of marriage.

Hariya ni maae, hariya ni bhaene,
Hariya te bhaageeN bhariya ni haaN.
Jis dehaaRe mera hariya ni jamiya,
Soeeyo dehaaRa bhaageeN-bhariya ni haaN.

Jamada taaN hariya paT-lapeTiya,
KuCHaR deyo ena maaiyaaN nu haaN.
Nhaata te dhota hariya paT-lapeTeya,
KuCHaR deyo sakeeyaaN bhaena nu haaN.
Ki kuj miliya, daaeeyaaN te maaeeyaaN?
Ki kuj miliya sakeeyaaN bhaena nu haaN?
PaNj rupaiye ena daaeeyaaN te maaeeyaaN,
PaT da tevar sakeeyaaN bhaena nu haaN.

Dhan teri ma bhali ve maharaaj,
Jin tooN betaRa jaaiya ni haaN.
Dhan teri chaachi bhali ve maharaaj,
Jin tera kaaj rachaaya ni haaN.
Dhan teri bhaen bhali ve maharaaj,
Jin tenu kuCHaR khiRaaya ni haaN.
Dhan teri maami bhali ve maharaaj,
Jin tera mohilaRa gaaiya ni haaN.

PuCHdi puCHaaNdi maalan gali’ch aayi,
Shaadi vaala ghar kihRa ni haaN?
UchaRe taMbu sabaj kanaataaN,
Shaadi vaala ghar eho ni haaN.
Aa meri maalan baeTH daleeje,
Kar ni sihre da mul ni haaN.
Ik lakh chaMba do lakh marua,
Tre lakh sihre da mul ni haaN.

Lae meri maalan bahNn ni sihra,
BahNn ni laalji de maTHe te haaN.
Hariya ni maae hariya ni bhaene,
Hariya te bhaageeN-bhariya ni haaN.
Tu le e sihra mere veere diya baabala,
BahNn tu putar de maTHe te haaN.
Tu e laTka mere veere deeye maae,
Kar putar da kaaj ni haaN.

Hariya ni maae, hariya ni bhaene,
Hariya te bhaageeN bhariya ni haaN.
Jis dehaaRe mera hariya ni jamiya,
Soeeyo dehaaRa bhaageeN-bhariya ni haaN.

A son, mother! A son, sister!
A son and good fortune is with us!
The day that my son was born,
Was the day of our good fortune.

As soon as he was born, he was swaddled in cloth,
A gift for the midwife!
Bathed and cleaned he was wrapped in clothes,
A gift for his sisters!
What does the midwife get?
What do his sisters get?
Five rupees for the midwife.
New clothes for his sisters!

Fortunate is your good mother,
Whose son you are.
Fortunate is your good chaachi,
Who celebrates your marriage.
Fortunate is your good sister,
Who played with you.
Fortunate is your maasi,
Who sings of your virtues.

The gardener’s wife comes down the street asking,
Which one is the marriage house?
The one with the red tent, the green walls,
That is the marriage house.
Come, dear gardener’s wife, sit at the threshold,
And tell me the worth of the sehra
A hundred thousand frangpani, a hundred thousand marua,
Three hundred thousand flowers in the sehra.

Here, dear gardeners wife, tie the sehra,
Tie it around the forehead of my precious son.
A son, mother! A son, sister!
A son, and good fortune is with us!
Father, take this sehra,
And tie it around your forehead of your son.
Tie to it a string of flowers, mother
And celebrate the marriage of your son.

This particular song is sung at the birth of a son, as well as at his marriage. It celebrates and acknowledges the different women of the family who have raised, loved, interacted with, nurtured and been present in the life of the young man.

Harriya: Lit. green. Also fresh, abundant, fruitful and having offspring . In an agricultural society land that was green was fruitful and meant prosperity and good fortune to the family, as did the birth of a son.

Mathe te chamkan vaal,
Mere banaRe de.

Aa ve banna baNn shagana da gaana.
Gaane te phuman chaar.

Aa ve banna la shagana di mahiNdi,
MahiNdi da raNg sua laal.

Aa ve banna baNhn shagana da sehra,
Sehre ‘ch laTkan haar.

Aa ve banna chaR shagana di ghoRi,
JoRi bharavaaN naal.

Mathe te chamkan vaal
Mere banaRe de.

Our bridegrooms’ hair
Sparkles on his forehead!

Come dear groom, tie the ceremonial cord,
The cord with the four-colored strands.

Come dear groom, wear the ceremonial henna,
The color of henna is deep red.

Come dear groom, tie the ceremonial headdress,
Garlands of flowers hang from the sehra.

Come dear groom, climb the ceremonial mare,
With two of your brothers.

Our bridegrooms’ hair
Sparkles on his forehead!

A family’s pride and joy at the marriage of their son and brother is reflected in this song. These four verses describe four ceremonial events that the groom goes through - the gana, mehndi, sehra and ghodi - just prior to his leaving for the brides home. The song is addressed to the groom and the singer, as in most of the ghoRi songs is the sister of the groom.

The key word in this song is Shagan/sagan. I have translated it as ‘ceremonial’ to refer to the non-religious ceremonies. It is custom that dictated the wearing of henna, the tying of the sehra etc., not religion.

Niki niki booNdi nikeya, mee pya vare,
Ma ve suhaagan tere shagan kare.
Damma di bori tera baap phaRe.
GhoRi te mera sona veer chaRe.
Bhaen suhaagan teri vaag phaRe.
Peeli peeli daal teri ghoRi chare.
Bhaabi suhaagan tenu surma paave.
Rata rata Dola mehli aan vaRe.
Ma ve suhaagan paani vaar peeve.

A light rain falls,
Mother performs the ceremonies.
Father holds a bag of coin.
My brother is astride the blue mare.
His sister holds the reins.
As the mare feeds on yellow lentils.
Bhaabi puts kohl in his eyes,
The doli enters our palace slowly,
Mother circles water over them and sips it.

Once again we see how these songs function as a repository of the customs and continue their preservation.

Jee ve banaRa umaraaN saariyaaN.

Tere gaane toN maeN vaariyaaN,
Gaane vaale toN balihaariyaaN.

Teri mahindi toN maeN vaariyaaN,
Mahindi vaale toN balihaariyaaN.

Teri ghoRi toN maeN vaariyaaN,
GhoRi vaale toN balihaariyaaN.

Teri Doli toN maeN vaariyaaN,
Doli vaale toN balihariyaaN.

May you live a full life, dear bridegroom.

I circle your ceremonial cord,
And deeply love the one who wears it.

I circle your henna,
And deeply love the one who wears it.

I circle your ceremonial mare,
And deeply love the one upon it.

I circle your Doli,
And deeply love the one who brings it.


This song is similar to ‘MaTHe te chamkan vaal’ in that it is about the gaana, the mahiNdi, the ghoRi and additionally, the Doli. The difference lies in the use of the word ‘varna’ or ‘baliharna’. It is a more formal expression of a sisters love and devotion toward her brother, as well as her deep satisfaction at each step of the ceremonies of his marriage.

Varna or baliharna – is to devote an article, usually money (but it can also be water, as can be seen in the ‘niki niki boondi’ song) by circling it around the head or face of a person as a token of love or attachment to the person. The money, or article, is given to the poor or is sipped, if it is water. Thus, ‘varna’ is an expression of the love or devotion that one bears toward the person it is directed to. I have translated this phrase as ‘to circle’ as there is no English alternative.

Gaana veer nu dini aaN, kauDi suT giya,
MoRo moRo saheleeyo,
MoRo raaje diyo beTeeyo,
Veera rus giya.
Veera pat anaar da, sohna phul gulaab da,
BaageeN khiR riha.

Cheera veere nu dini aaN, kalgi suT giya.
MoRo moRo saheleeyo,
MoRo raaje diyo beTeeyo,
Veera rus giya.
Veera pat anaar da, sohna phul gulaab da,
BaageeN khiR riha.

Sihra veere nu deniyaaN, kaleeyaaN suT giya.
MoRo moRo saheleeyo,
MoRo raaje diyo beTeeyo,
Veera rus giya.
Veera pat anaar da, sohna phul gulaab da,
BaageeN khiR riha.

JoRa veere nu dini aaN, baTan suT giya.
MoRo moRo saheliyo, moRo raje diyo beTiyo,
Veera rus giya.
Veera pat anaar da, sohna phul gulaab da,
BaageeN khiR reha.

I give my brother the colored cord, he tosses the shells aside!
Bring them back, bring them back my friends,
Bring them back, o daughters of the king,
My brother is sulking!
A pomegranate leaf, a beautiful rose is he,
Blossomed in our garden.

I give my brother the turban, he tosses the crest aside!
Bring it back, bring it back, my friends,
Bring it back o daughters of the king,
My brother is sulking!
A pomegranate leaf, a beautiful rose is he,
Blossomed in our garden.

I give my brother the sehra, he tosses the petals aside!
Bring them back, bring them back my friends,
Bring them back, o daughters of the king,
My brother is sulking.
A pomegranate leaf, a beautiful rose is he,
Blossomed in our garden.

I give my brother his suit, he tosses the buttons aside!
Bring them back, bring them back my friends,
Bring them back, o daughters of the king,
My brother is sulking.
A pomegranate leaf, a beautiful rose is he,
Blossomed in our garden.


Rusna: Literally, to sulk or to pout. But it is practically impossible to translate the content –emotional or cultural- of this word. Firstly, it is a loving word, there is some pretense of sulking, there is expectation that you will be won over. This is not a serious sulk, but a bit of a game. Imagine a mother bringing laughter back to the face of a child who is pretending to be angry, and you have an idea of the meaning of ‘rusna’.

Tu sun laal banne deeye maae ni
Ni sun laal banne deeye maae ni,
Ahj din sukhna sukheNdi nu aae ni.

Tu sun laal banne deeye bhaabi ni,
Ni sun laal banne deeye bhaabi ni,
Ahj din kaam kareeN tu shataabi ni.

Tu sun laal banne deeye bhaene ni,
Ni sun laal banne deeye bhaene ni,
Ahj din pahin peele chiTe gahine ni.

Tu sun laal banne deeye chaachi ni,
Ni sun laal banne deeye chaachi ni,
Ahj din khol damma vaali taaki ni.

Tu sun laal banne deeye bhooa ni,
Ni sun laal banne deeye bhooa ni,
Ahj din khol damma vaala booha ni.

Listen, mother of our precious bridegroom,
Now listen.
The day you prayed for has arrived.

Listen, bhaabi of our precious bridegroom,
Now listen.
On this day finish all the work quickly.

Listen, sister of our precious bridegroom,
Now listen.
On this day wear your shining golden jewels.

Listen, chaachi of our precious bridegroom,
Now listen.
On this day open the pouch of coin.

Listen, bhua of our precious bridegroom,
Now listen.
On this day open the door to our wealth.


Mother has hoped and waited for this day to arrive. All that needs to be done must be done quickly so that everyone can enjoy the events of the day. Then the women must put on their fine jewels and beautiful clothes. This is a day when the giving and sharing must be generous, lavish, to express the happiness that they feel.

Suche ni maeN vaar, vaar payi DolaaN,
Heere, ni maeN vaar, vaar payi DolaaN.

VauTi de ghuND uhte, ghuND di kinaari uhte,
GhoRi de laaRe uhte, laaRe de sarbaale uhte.

Veera je tooN baeTHoN maaeeyaaN,
Teri ma nu milan vadhaaeeyaaN.

Veera je tooN vaDHi jaNDi,
Teri ma ne shakar vaNDi.

Veera je tooN chaReyoN ghoRi,
Tere naal bharaavaaN joRi.

Veera je tooN baeTHoN khaare,
Tera pyo rupaeeye vaare.

Veera je tooN laaeeyaaN laavaaN,
Tere kol khaloti gaavaaN.

Veera je tooN aaNdi Doli,
Teri ma tere toN gholi.

Suche Ni Maen Vaar Payi DolaaN

I circle you with water and pour it away!
I circle you with diamonds, and cast them away.

I circle your bride’s veil, the edging on the veil,
I circle my dear brother upon the mare, I circle his sarbaala as well.

If you will sit at the maaeeyaaN, dear brother,
Your mother will receive congratulations.

If you will cut a branch of the jaNd tree,
Your mother will distribute raw sugar.

If you will climb astride the mare, dear brother,
Two brothers will be with you.

If you will sit on the khaara,
Your father will circle you with money.

If you will tie the ceremonial knot, dear brother,
Standing beside you, I will sing the songs.

If you will bring the Doli home, dear brother,
Your mother will be filled with joy.

CHaNd paraage aaiye jaaiye
CHaNd paraage lo,
Saura phul gulaab da,
Saas uhdi khashbo.

CHaNd paraage aaiye jaaiye
CHaNd paraage ghyo,
Sas lahgi ahj toN ma meri,
Saura lahge pyo.

CHaNd paraage aaiye jaaiye
CHaNd paraage tuMma,
Sabhe saaleeyaaN sohneeyaaN,
MaeN keehada muh chuMma.

CHaNd paraage aaiye jaaiye
CHaNd paraage lef,
GhuNd chuk ke ik ver taaN,
Val asade vekh.

CHaNd paraage aaiye jaaiye
CHaNd paraage taraaN,
Mere val tooN vekh haske,
MiNntaaN piya maeN karaaN.

CHaNd paraage aaiye jaaiye
CHaNd paraage kheera,
THi tuhaaDi edaaN rakhsaaN,
JyoN mundari vich heera.

CHaNd paraage aaiye jaaiye
CHaNd paraage thaali,
Hor CHaNd maeN taaN sunaavaaN,
Je haTH joRe saali.

CHaNd paraage aaiye jaaiye
CHaNd paraage beri,
Vekh vekh ke THakiyaaN akhiyaaN,
JhumkiyaaN vaali meri.

CHaNd paraage aaiye jaaiye
CHaNd paraage mahina,
Beti nu samajha dena ji,
Aagya de vich rahina.

CHaNd paraage aaiye jaaiye
CHaNd paraage Dolna,
Bapuji ne aakhiya si,
Bahuta nahi haaN bolna.

CHaNd paraage aaiye jaaiye
CHaNd paraage gahina,
CHeti CHeti Toro kuRi nu,
Hor naheeN maeN bahina.

Reciting the CHaNds,
I choose a flame,
My father in law is a rose,
My mother in law is its fragrance.

Reciting the ChaNds,
I choose butter,
From this day on I will consider them
My mother and my father.

Reciting the ChaNds,
I choose the tuMma (a plant),
All my sisters in law are beautiful,
Which one should I kiss?

Reciting the ChaNds,
I choose a quilt,
Lift your veil just once,
Look towards me!

Reciting the ChaNds,
I choose squash,
Look at me and smile,
I am begging you to!

Reciting the ChaNds,
I choose cucumbers,
I will care for your daughter,
Like a ring holds a diamond.

Reciting the ChaNds,
I choose a plate,
I will recite another ChaNd
Only if my sister in law begs me to.

Reciting the ChaNds,
I choose a berry,
My eyes have tired looking at
The one with the earrings, who is mine.

Reciting the ChaNds,
I choose meaning,
Please explain to your daughter
That she must do as we ask.

Reciting the ChaNds,
I choose a pot,
My father told me,
Not to talk too much.

Reciting the ChaNds,
I choose a jewel,
Hurry up and take leave of your daughter,
I will not stay here any longer!

CHaNd is a poetic form. Reciting a CHaNd is an interesting custom which unfortunately seems to be vanishing. After the marriage ceremony is over and before it will be time to leave, the bride and the groom spend a little time with the female members of the brides family – aunts, sisters, cousins etc. The groom is asked to recite a CHaNd – which is a couplet, the first line is a rhyming device, the second line is the main thrust. Here are a few examples. It is worth noting how many different types of characters a CHaNd can portray.

Ni lae de maae kaaliyaaN baagaaN di mahiNdi.

Gali gali maeN pahtar chuNdi,
Pahtar chundi rahNidi.

MahiNdi da raNg sooha te saava,
MahiNdi ban ban paeNdi.

Ghol mahiNdi maeN hathaaN te laayi,
VauTi ban ban bahiNdi.

MahiNdi da raNg hathaaN te chaReya,
Sohni lag lag paeNdi.

JiNh de kaNt THiye nit pardesi,
Uhna nu mahiNdi ki kahiNdi?

Mother, get me some henna from dark gardens!

I pick the leaves as I walk along,
I keep picking them.

The color of the henna is red and green,
And I will put it on.

I will grind the henna and put it on my hands,
And feel like a bride.

Deep rises the color of henna on my hands,
And I will look beautiful.

Those whose husbands are always away,
What does the henna say to them?

In this song a young girl expresses her desire to ‘put on mehndi’ that is, to be a bride. Henna is applied by girls of all ages – at the marriages of cousins or older siblings, as well as at other festive occasions. But the henna of a bride is different - elaborate and special.

I will not apply the vaTana.

Father, what a match you have brought!
A dark one does not please me.
I look down from the terrace
It’s a black storm cloud approaching!
I will not apply the vaTana.

Father, what a match you have brought!
A tall one does not please me.
He sleeps on one bed,
His legs on another!
I will not apply the vaTana.

Father, what a match you have brought!
A short one does not please me.
I look down from the terrace
It’s a stone rolling along!
I will not apply the vaTana.

Father, I will not apply the vaTana,
This is the wrong one for me,
Whether I cook ten rotis or twenty,
Not a morsel is leftover!

I will not put on the vaTana.

CHalla mera kis ne ghaRiya
UNgal kariNdi DaaDHi peeR.

Es CHalle deeyaaN dhumaaaN paeeyaaN,
Kabal te Kashmeer.

Es CHalle de aaye vapaari,
Mul kareNdi Heer.

Es CHalle di yaad je aave,
ViNnh daye jyoN teer.

Khabar teri sun aavaaN kyuN na,
Jhal-jhanaavaaN cheer.

Challa mera kis ne ghaReya,
Ungal kareNdi DaDHi peeR.

Who made this ring for me?
It hurts my finger.

This ring has been talked about
From Kabul to Kashmir.

Traders come to see this ring,
By this I estimate its worth.

Whenever I think of this ring,
It pierces me like an arrow.

Should I get news of your coming,
I would fly across the Chenaab.

Who made this ring for me?
It hurts my finger.

Kite hare hare baagaaN ‘ch mor bole,
Saeeyo samjhi maeN mera man chor bole,
Kite hare hare baagaaN ‘ch mor bole.

Naale hare hare baagaaN ‘ch koel bole,
Saeeyo samjhi maeN mera kite DHol bole,
Kite hare hare baagaaN ‘ch mor bole.

Saeeyo mor bole te chakor bole,
SaaDa peeya d uDeek vich man Dole,
Kite hare hare baagaaN ‘ch mor bole.

Somewhere in green gardens the peacocks sing,
O my friends, I thought it was the one who stole my heart,
Somewhere in green gardens the peacocks sing.

And somewhere in green gardens the nightingales sing,
O my friends, I thought it was my beloved speaking!
Somewhere in green gardens the peacocks sing.

O my friends, the peacock sings, the nightingale sings,
And my heart becomes unbalanced, waiting for my beloved.
Somewhere in green gardens the peacocks sing.

Maae ni, mera ahj muklaava Tor de.

Je maae ni tethoN daaj na sarda,
ANgi de naal sahnu Tor de.

Je maae ni tethoN chooRa na sarda,
VaNgi de naal sahnu Tor de.

Je maae ni tethoN maNja na sarda,
PeeRi de naal sahnu Tor de.

Je maae ni tethoN bhaaNDe na sarde,
GaRavi de naal sahnu Tor de.

Je maae ni tethoN kaNt na sarda,
RaaNjhe de naal sahnu Tor de.

Mother, send my muklaava today!

If you cannot make the trousseau,
Send me there with a single garment.

If you cannot get the ivory chooRa,
Send me there with a glass bangle.

If you cannot get a bed,
Send me there with a stool.

If you cannot get the cooking vessels,
Send me there with a small brass pot.

Mother, if you cannot find my husband,
Send me away with RaaNjha.


Girls used to be married at a very young age. This event would be better described as ‘a contract to be married’ rather than a marriage, as the girl did not accompany her new husband to his home. After she reached puberty she was sent to her married home and this event is called the muklaava. The actual married life of the couple began after the muklaava and not after the wedding.

The situation in this song is of a mother reluctant to part with her daughter and a daughter eager to start her married life. Just send me there, she pleads.