Translation and Explanation of the Bhojpuri Kajari Kachori
Gali
Meta Description: Kachori Gali is
the classic Kajari set in Varanasi and written in Bhojpuri. The lyrics have
been attributed to the legendary Gauhar Jaan and the Kajari has been sung by
Malini Awasthi. Get more Kajaris explained at Bollywood Translations.
The Background and Origins of the Kajari Kachori Gali
The Kajari Kachori
Gali is commonly attributed to the renowned singer Gauhar Jaan. Despite her
legendary status, no recordings of this particular song have been found among
her extant works. However, delving into the narrative of this Kajari reveals an
autobiographical essence, emphasizing the importance of understanding the
circumstances it portrays.
Gauhar Jaan's
prominence flourished during the early 20th century, a period that coincided
with the height of the British Raj in India. She stood out as the wealthiest
entertainer of her time, largely due to her pioneering decision to allow her
voice to be recorded on the gramophone, a practice shunned by many in her
profession. Tragically, her life took a dramatic turn when she became entangled
with a younger man who deceived her, leading to the loss of her wealth and
ultimately leaving her in destitution.
Kachori Gali
is a well-known street in Varanasi. Today people flock there to taste the spicy
savouries, but a century ago it was where the courtesans held sway. The
courtesan’s lover has fled to Mirzapur and is squandering her wealth on other
women, leaving the protagonist desolate and bereft of companionship. The lady
is hopeful that the cad will return once the funds run out, as he has done
several times in the past. However, the British arrest him for revolutionary
activities and transport him for life to Rangoon. She is incurably shattered
and begins to wither away. Her anguish is so deep that she desires to kill as
many of the foreigners as she can, whom she holds responsible for her
misfortune.
Kachori Gali As a Bhojpuri
Kajari
Kachori
Gali possesses enough of the
quintessential elements of the Kajari genre to warrant its classification
within that tradition. Set in Varanasi and making references to Mirzapur,
regions from which the Kajari originated, it aligns geographically with its
roots. Additionally, being written in Bhojpuri fulfils another crucial
criterion for classification.
The central
theme of the Kajari, that of a woman yearning for her absent lover, is
unmistakably present in Kachori Gali. While it may lack certain
traditional embellishments like mentions of "sawan" (monsoon) and
"kajal" (kohl), it is worth noting that a Kajari rarely encompasses
all elements simultaneously.
The Original Lyrics of the Kajari Kachori Gali
Sejiya pe lotey kaalaa naag ho,
Kachori Gali soon keilaa balamoo
Mirjapur bhail guljar ho, Kachori
Gali soon keilaa balamoo
Ehi Mirjapur se udale jahajia,
Saiya chale gail Rangoon ho
Kachori Gali soon keilaa balamoo
Panavaa se paatar bhail tor
dhaniya, dehiya kalelaa jaise noon ho
Kachori Gali soon keilaa balamoo
Manavaa ke bedanaa baid na jaane,
kalejvaa mein laagal jaise khoon ho
Kachori Gali soon keilaa balamoo
Haathva mein hot jo hamare
kataria, bahaa deti goravan ke khoon ho
Kachori Gali soon keilaa balamoo
The Literal Translation of Kachori Gali and the
Meaning of the Lyrics
This literal translation of the
Kajari Kachori Gali will give you an idea of the meanings of Bhojpuri
words in the lyrics.
A black cobra lies on the bed, my
lover has left Kachori Gali desolate
Mirzapur has become a garden, my
lover has left Kachori Gali desolate
The ship has sailed from that
Mirzapur And my lover has gone to Rangoon
My lover has left Kachori Gali
desolate
Your girl has wither from a green
leaf to a dried one, and her body has become like salt
My lover has left Kachori Gali
desolate
No doctor knows the torment of
the mind and my heart seems bloodied
My lover has left Kachori Gali
desolate
If I had a dagger in my hands I
would have spilt the blood of the whites
My lover has left Kachori Gali
desolate
Some of the idioms will still
need to be explained because they could not be used in the final transcreation
of Kachori Gali.
·
sejiya pe lotey
kaalaa naag: There is so much symbolism associated with black cobra that these
words can mean practically anything. My interpretation is that if a black cobra
is crawling on your bed, it is of no use for sleeping. In the same vein, without
a lover there is no use for a bed.
·
Mirjapur bhail
guljar: Now that the lover is in
Mirzapur, the town has become a paradise, especially for the women that the
lover is patronising.
·
Ehi Mirjapur se
udale jahajia: Political prisoners during the British Raj were sent to the jail
in Rangoon by ship. “Udale” literally means flying, but since there were no
aeroplanes at that time, the obvious reference is to a ship.
·
Panavaa se paatar:
“Panavaa” refers to the betel nut leaf which is lush and juicy. “Paatar” refers
to dried leaves which are stitched together to make plates. The phrase
describes the withering away of the abandoned girl in the absence of her lover.
·
Dehiya kalelaa jaise
noon: The lovelorn courtesan has been crying copiuously. The tears that have
drenched her body have evaporated leaving behind the salty residue.
·
Manavaa ke bedanaa
baid na jaane: This is a poignant pun that raises the lyrical quality of the
Kajari. “bedanaa” and “baid na” are pronounced in the same manner. “Bedanaa”
means pains, whereas “baid na” refers to the doctor not knowing.
·
Goravan: It means
fair skinned and was often used derogatorily for the British.
The Poetic Transcreation of the Kajari Kachori Gali
There is no one to share my
bed with, Kachori Gali is lifeless without my lover
He is philandering with my
money in Mirjapur, Kachori Gali is lifeless without him
The Brits arrested him in
Mirjapur, and transported him for life to Rangoon
Kachori Gali is lifeless
without my lover
This blossom of yours has
withered, her body salted from dried up tears
Kachori Gali is lifeless
without my lover
No doctor can cure the mind’s torment,
and the betrayed bleeding heart
Kachori Gali is lifeless
without my lover
If only I had a dagger in my
hands, I would have spilt the blood of the Brits
Kachori Gali is lifeless
without my lover
Malini Awasthi Sings the Kajari Kachori Gali
There are several versions of Kachori Gali, sung by
various performers. Among them, the rendition by Malini Avasthi stands out as
the most popular
one. Malini Avasthi is celebrated as a
renowned folk singer deeply immersed in the rich tradition and heritage of
India's culture. Recognizing her contributions, she has been honoured
with the Padma Shri by the Government of India. Additionally, her
Kajari titled "Sawan" has been translated
here at Bollywood Translations. I am
planning to feature more songs by the versatile Malini Awasthi,
so if you are a fan, please stay tuned to this page. In the meantime, enjoy her captivating
performance of "Kajol Gali” I have other interests as well and you can check out more blogs.
I have other interests as well and you can check out more blogs.
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