Chha Rahi Kali Ghata – Translation of Begum Akhtar Dadra
Meta Description: Chha Rahi Kali Ghata is a dadra popularised
by Begum Akhtar. The Kajari has been sung in Raga Gaud Malhar. Enjoy the
translation and explanation of the lyrics.
Setting the Background for Translating Chha Rahi Kali Ghata
Chha Rahi Kaali
Ghata is generally regarded as
a traditional composition with no known author. It belongs to the Purab
semi-classical tradition of eastern Uttar Pradesh, particularly the region
around Varanasi, where themes of the monsoon, longing, and separation from the
beloved occupy a central place in the repertoire. In terms of its subject
matter, the song falls within the Kajari
tradition. The gathering rain clouds, the call of the cuckoo, and the absent
lover are all classic Kajari motifs integrated cleverly with the mood of the
song.
Musically, however, Chha
Rahi Kaali Ghata is best classified as a dadra composition. The technical
distinctions are beyond the scope of Bollywood Translations, but dadra is a
light-classical vocal form closely associated with romantic, seasonal poetry.
One feature often found in the Purab dadra tradition is the contrast between
the sthayi (refrain), which is frequently composed in Braj Bhasha, and the
antara (subsequent verse), which may incorporate a greater number of Urdu
expressions. In this song, the sthayi is:
"Chha rahi
kaali ghata, jiya mora laharaye hai." The antaras contain a noticeable sprinkling of Urdu vocabulary, some of
which is referenced later.
Begum Akhtar's
celebrated rendition is set in Raag Gaud Malhar, a member of the Malhar family
of ragas traditionally associated with the monsoon. The choice of raga
beautifully complements the song's imagery of gathering rain clouds and the
emotional turbulence they awaken in the heroine's heart.
The Poetic English Translation of the Lyrics of Chha Rahi Kali Ghata
Rain clouds spread across the sky my lovelorn heart’s in a sway
Listen foolish
cuckoo bird why a monsoon tune so gay
I am pain personified come to me O nightingale
Why perch on the
mango tree when I am equally pale
I know the mango’s
sweet with juice and I am as dry as hay
Rain clouds spread across the sky my lovelorn heart’s in a sway
The sickness of
love is greater than all other ailments
Uselessly the heart
and soul suffer many impalements
It’s useless
falling in love with a person who’ll betray
Rain clouds spread across the sky my lovelorn heart’s in a sway
O nightingale for
god’s sake please stop singing in delight
Tell me what is
wrong with you it is now way past midnight
Your melody reminds
me of my love who is far away
Rain clouds spread across the sky my lovelorn heart’s in a sway
For long I’ve
searched for my love as a hermit woman dressed
Neither could I
locate him nor could I find his address
They say if your
search is pure then even God comes your way
Rain clouds spread across the sky my lovelorn heart’s in a sway
The Original Hindi Lyrics of Chha Rahi Kali Ghata
chha rahi kali ghata jiya mora laharaye hai
sun ri koyal banvari tu kyun malhar gaye hai
ae papiha aa idhar main bhi sarapa dard hun
aam par kyun jam raha hai main bhi to aisi zard hun
farq itna hai ki us mein ras hai mujh mein haay hai
chha rahi kali ghata jiya mora laharaye hai
saare aazaron se badhake ishq ka aazar hai
aafaton mein jan-o-dil ka daalna bekar hai
bewafa se dil lagakar kya koi phal paye hai
chha rahi kali ghata jiya mora laharaye hai
ae papiha chup khuda ke vaaste tu ho zara
raat aadhi ho chuki hai ab tujhe kya hogaya
teri pi-pi se papiha pi mujhe yaad aaye hai
chha rahi kali ghata jiya mora laharaye hai
muddaton dhundha piya ko main ne kar jogan ka bhes
na toh maine unko paya aur na paya unka des
log kehte hain ki dhundhe se khuda mil jaye hai
chha rahi kali ghata jiya mora laharaye hai
Meanings of Difficult Words
Koyal = Cuckoo
Banvari = Crazy
Malhar = A raag associated with monsoons
Papiha = Hawk Cuckoo (I have used nightingale for rhyme)
Sarapa = Personified
Zard = Pale
Haay = An interjection of ill omen
Aazar = Ailment
Aafat = Difficulty
Jan-o-dil = Life and heart
Phal = Fruit (here Reward)
Khuda ke vaaste = For God’s sake
Pi-pi = Sound made by the Hawk Cuckoo
Pi (Piya) = Lover
Muddat = Long period of time
Jogan = Female ascetic
Bhes = Attire
Des = Country
The English Translation and Explanation of the Lyrics of Chha Rahi Kali Ghata
chha rahi kali ghata jiya mora laharaye hai
The dark rain clouds are spread out and my heart is swaying. Usually, you
expect this to be out of joy, but in this song the emotion is of unease due to
longing for the absent lover.
sun ri koyal banvari tu kyun malhar gaye hai
Listen, you foolish
koyal, why are you singing a monsoon tune. The word malhar is used to indicate
the raag of the song. The insinuation is that the koyal sings a joyous tune
unaware of the heroine’s predicament.
ae papiha aa idhar main bhi sarapa dard hun
O papiha come here I too am pain personified. This refers to the
belief, at least in song folklore, that the call of the papiha is plaintive.
aam par kyun jam raha hai main bhi to aisi zard hun
Why are you stationed
on the mango tree, I too am equally pale. Here the comparison is between the
pale-yellow colour of the mango fruit and the pallor of the grief-stricken heroine.
farq itna hai ki us mein ras hai mujh mein hay hai
The difference is that
the mango is juicy whereas I am stricken with ill omens.
saare aazaron se badhake ishq ka aazar hai
Greater than all illnesses is the ailment of love.
aafaton mein jan-o-dil ka daalna bekar hai
It is pointless in putting ones life and heart in difficulty
bewafa se dil lagakar kya koi phal paye hai
No one gets any reward by falling in love with an unfaithful person
ae papiha chup khuda ke vaaste tu ho zara
O Papiha just be quiet for God’s sake
raat aadhi ho chuki hai ab tujhe kya hogaya
Its past midnight what has happened to you now
teri pi-pi se papiha pi mujhe yaad aaye hai
Listening to your love call I remember my love
muddaton dhundha piya ko main ne kar jogan ka bhes
For ages I have searched for my lover dressed as a mendicant
na toh maine unko paya aur na paya unka des
Neither did I find him Nor found his country
log kehte hain ki dhundhe se khuda mil jaye hai
People say that if you
search hard enough you will find God, implying that it is more difficult to
find an absconding lover
Chha Rahi Kali Ghata Fact
Sheet
· Singer: Begum Akhtar
