Mera Rang De – Poetic Translation of Popular Patriotic Song
Meta Description: Mera Rang De Basanti Chola is a
popular patriotic song. This version is from the Manoj Kumar movie about Bhagat
Singh and includes the lesser known third verse.
Setting the Background for Translating Mera Rang De
Basanti Chola
The iconic lyrics of Mera
Rang De Basanti Chola were originally penned by Ram Prasad Bismil in 1927,
while he was imprisoned for his involvement in the Kakori Train Robbery. Along
with his fellow revolutionaries, Bismil composed several couplets of this
powerful song to ignite the spirit of patriotism and revolutionary fervour among
his comrades. It is said that Bhagat Singh, the legendary freedom fighter, was
particularly fond of this song and sang it loudly as he walked to the gallows
in Lahore Jail on March 23, 1931.
When the film Shaheed,
based on Bhagat Singh's life, was being produced in 1965, the filmmakers wanted
to feature this iconic song. However, they felt the original verses did not
fully capture the depth of emotion and sacrifice required to match the gravity
of the story. To bring out the necessary passion and resonance, they turned to
the nationalist poet and film lyricist Prem Dhawan, who recreated the song to
suit the context of the movie.
Since then, numerous
films have been made about Bhagat Singh, and each has featured its own
rendition of Mera Rang De Basanti Chola. This translation is based on the
version included in the 1965 film Shaheed and it incorporates a third
verse that is often omitted in more commonly circulated YouTube versions of the
song. If you want any other version of this song translated please let me know
in the comments.
The Meaning of “Basanti” in the Context of the Song
Bismil wrote this song
during the spring season, which is why he used the word basanti,
literally meaning "of spring." However, in the context of the song, basanti
is interpreted as referring to the colour saffron, a hue deeply embedded in
Indian tradition, symbolizing courage and sacrifice—two qualities that defined
the revolutionaries who fought against British colonial rule.
It is natural to
wonder about the connection between basanti and saffron. Traditionally,
the colour of spring in India is associated with a lighter shade of yellow.
Many articles on the Internet attempt to establish a link between basanti
and saffron, but the connections are weak or contrived. If you have any
insights into this intriguing conundrum, please feel free to share your
thoughts in the comments!
The Poetic English Translation of the Lyrics of Mera Rang De Basanti Chola
O My
cloak please dye in saffron my cloak
My
cloak please dye
O My
cloak please dye in saffron my cloak oye
Please
dye in saffron my cloak Mother
Please
dye in saffron my cloak
O My
cloak please dye in saffron my cloak
My
cloak please dye
O My
cloak please dye in saffron my cloak oye
Please
dye in saffron my cloak Mother
Please
dye in saffron my cloak
I
yield my life for this country
That
is my only wish
I
yield my life for this country
That
is my only wish
Better
than a hundred births
Is
for freedom to perish
Seeing
the valiant martyr their lives
Seeing
the valiant martyr their lives
O my
heart also spoke
My
cloak please dye in saffron my cloak
O My
cloak please dye in saffron my cloak
My
cloak please dye
O My
cloak please dye in saffron my cloak oye
Please
dye in saffron my cloak Mother
Please
dye in saffron my cloak
This
is the cloak that Shivaji wore
And
then he flirted with death
This
is the cloak that Shivaji wore
And
then he flirted with death
Rani
of Jhansi wore this cloak
And
fought till her last breath
Now
the feeling of patriotism in
Of
patriotism in
Now
the feeling of patriotism in
Us
this cloak does evoke
My
cloak please dye in saffron my cloak
O My
cloak please dye in saffron my cloak
My
cloak please dye
O My
cloak please dye in saffron my cloak oye
Please
dye in saffron my cloak Mother
Please
dye in saffron my cloak
Friends
the stigma of slavery is
A
deep indelible stain
Friends
the stigma of slavery is
A
deep indelible stain
The
person’s life is valueless
Whose
country is in chains
The
heart that was beating within me
The
heart that was beating within me
Has
now flared up in smoke
My
cloak please dye in saffron my cloak
O My
cloak please dye in saffron my cloak
My
cloak please dye
O My
cloak please dye in saffron my cloak oye
Please
dye in saffron my cloak Mother
Please
dye in saffron my cloak
The Original Hindi Lyrics of Mera Rang De Basanti Chola
from Shaheed (1965)
O Mera Rang De Basanti Chola
Mera Rang De
O Mera Rang De Basanti Chola Oye
Rang De Basanti Chola Maaye
Rang De Basanti Chola
O Mera Rang De Basanti Chola
Mera Rang De
O Mera Rang De Basanti Chola Oye
Rang De Basanti Chola Maaye
Rang De Basanti Chola…………..
Dum Nikle Is Desh Ki Khaatir
Bus Itna Armaan Hai
Dum Nikle Is Desh Ki Khaatir
Bus Itna Armaan Hai
Ek Baar Is Raah Me Marna
Sau Janmon Ke Samaan Hai
Dekh Ke Veeron Ki Quarbaani
Dekh Ke Veeron Ki Quarbaani
Apna Dil Bhi Bola
Mera
Rang De Basanti Chola
O Mera Rang De Basanti Chola
Mera Rang De
O Mera Rang De Basanti Chola Oye
Rang De Basanti Chola Maaye
Rang De Basanti Chola………..
Jis Chole Ko Pehan Shivaji
Khele Apni Jaan Pe
Jis Chole Ko Pehan Shivaji
Khele Apni Jaan Pe
Jise Pehan Jhansi Ki Rani
Mit Gayi Apni Aan Pe
Aaj Usi Ko Pehan Ke Nikla
Pehan Ke Nikla
Aaj Usi Ko Pehan Ke Nikla
Hum Maston Ka Tola
Mera
Rang De Basanti Chola
O Mera Rang De Basanti Chola
Mera Rang De
O Mera Rang De Basanti Chola Oye
Rang De Basanti Chola
Maaye Rang De Basanti Chola……………
Bada
Hi Ghehra Daag Hai Yaaron
Jiska
Ghulami Naam Hai
Bada
Hi Ghehra Daag Hai Yaaron
Jiska
Ghulami Naam Hai
Uska
Jeena Bhi Kya Jeena
Jiska
Desh Ghulam Hai
Seene
Mein Jo Dil Tha Yaaron
Seene
Mein Jo Dil Tha Yaaron
Aaj
Bana Vo Shola
Mera
Rang De Basanti Chola
O Mera Rang De Basanti Chola
Mera Rang De
O Mera Rang De Basanti Chola Oye
Rang De Basanti Chola Maaye
Rang
De Basanti Chola……………
Meanings of
Important Words
Basanti
= Of spring (here: colour saffron)
Chola = Cloak
Shivaji = The Maratha Emperor who sought to free India from Mughal rule
Jhansi Ki Rani = The Queen of Jhansi who fought the British in 1857 and died on the battlefield
Aan = Honour
Tola = Group of people
The Literal English Translation of the Lyrics of Mera Rang De Basanti Chola
Dye
my cloak in saffron colour
That
I die for this country
Is my
only wish
To
die once in this path (towards freedom)
Is
equal to a hundred lives
After
seeing the sacrifices made by the brave
My
heart also said
Dye
my cloak in saffron colour
The
cloak that Shivaji wore
And
risked his life
Wearing
that the Queen of Jhansi
Faced
an honourable death
Today
wearing that same cloak
Is
our carefree group
Dye
my cloak in saffron colour
Friends
that stain is very dark
Whose
name is slavery
What
is the value of that life
When
the country is enslaved
Friends
the heart that was in this chest
Today
is a burning ember
Dye
my cloak in saffron colour
Mera Rang De Basanti Chola Fact
Sheet
- Movie: Shaheed (1965)
- Singers: Mahendra Kapoor, Mukesh, Rajendra Mehta
- Lyricist: Prem Dhawan
- Composer: Prem Dhawan
- On Screen: Manoj Kumar, Prem Chopra, Anant Marathe
Enjoy the lyrical
video of Mera Rang De Basanti Chola. I also have the translation
of Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon, the most popular song of Prem Dhawan.
Please
follow Bollywood Translations and give your feedback in the comments section.
Connect with me on X and Instagram @HarshNev. In case you want any song to be
translated, whether from Hindi films or otherwise, please mention in the
comments.
All the
translations are my original work. If you quote them, you must acknowledge my
name and provide a link to Bollywood Translations.
·
