Rafu – Poetic English Translation of Vidya Balan Hit Song
Meta Description: Rafu is a background song from the
romantic comedy Tumhari Sulu. Vidya Balan won the Best Actress Filmfare
Award for this role. Enjoy the poetic translation.
Setting the Background for Translating Rafu
The word Rafu
translates directly to "darn" (as in mending fabric). Tumhari Sulu
tells the story of a couple who have carefully stitched together a modest life
by economizing at every turn. When Sulu gets the chance to host an
agony-aunt-style radio show, she embraces the opportunity with the unwavering
support of her husband, Ashok. Together, they navigate this new chapter while
cherishing small moments of joy with their son, Pranav. The song Rafu
plays in the background as the family finds warmth and happiness in their
otherwise ordinary routine.
Because the song's
poetic translation requires a fair amount of transcreation to preserve its
metre and rhyme, a literal translation is also provided for reference.
The Poetic English Translation of the Lyrics of Rafu
With many different
threads we’ve woven this world of our own
Yes, with many
different threads we’ve woven this world of our own
Some sun rays some
raindrop necklaces both we have sewn
A few you have
stitched some have been darned by me
Fabrics home grown
A few you have
stitched some have been darned by me
Fabrics home grown
With many different
threads we’ve woven this world of our own
Some sun rays some
raindrop necklaces both we have sewn
A few you have
stitched some have been darned by me
Fabrics home grown
A few you have
stitched some have been darned by me
Fabrics home grown
Yes, you had taken the
roads the walls were in my share
You had taken the
roads the walls were in my share
On the walls I painted
spring flowers everywhere
You returned late
evening all day I was alone
But you returned late
evening all day I was alone
A few you have
stitched some have been darned by me
Fabrics home grown
A few you have
stitched some have been darned by me
Fabrics home grown
Re fa so ti la so fa so
mi
Fa la so mi fa so mi fa
re doh ti re
Mi fa so mi fa re doh ti
re doh
In this manner we
stitched together a story miles long
In this manner we
stitched together a story miles long
Some by your rugged
hands some with my plaintive song
Now what little is
left of life is for us to own
Now what little is
left of life is for us to own
A few you have
stitched some have been darned by me
Fabrics home grown
A few you have
stitched some have been darned by me
Fabrics home grown
The Original Hindi Lyrics of Rafu from Tumhari
Sulu
Kaise kaise dhaagon se
buni hai ye duniya
Haan kaise kaise
dhaagon se buni hai ye duniya
Kabhi dhoop kabhi
baadalon ki ye ladiyaan
Kuchh tune si hai
maine ki hai rafu
Ye doriyaan
Kuchh tune si hai
maine ki hai rafu
Ye doriyaan
Kaise kaise dhaagon se
buni hai ye duniya
Kabhi dhoop kabhi
baadalon ki ye ladiyaan
Kuchh tune si hai
maine ki hai rafu
Ye doriyaan
Kuchh tune si hai
maine ki hai rafu
Ye doriyaan
Haan teri bani raahen
meri thi deewaaren
Teri bani raahen meri
thi deewaaren
Un deewaaron pe hi
maine likh li bahaaren
Shaam hui tu jo aaya
so gayi thi kaliyaan
Phir shaam hui tu jo
aaya so gayi thi kaliyaan
Kuchh tune si hai
maine ki hai rafu
Ye doriyaan
Kuchh tune si hai
maine ki hai rafu
Ye doriyaan
Re ma pa ni dha pa ma
pa ga
Ma dha pa ga ma pa ga
ma re sa ni re
Ga ma pa ga ma re sa
ni re sa
Yun seete seete meelon
ki ban gayi kahani
Yun seete seete meelon
ki ban gayi kahani
Kuchh tere haathon se
kuchh meri zubaani
Ab jo bhi hai ye aadha
pauna hai to rangraliyaan
Ab jo bhi hai ye aadha
pauna hai to rangraliyaan
Kuchh tune si hai
maine ki hai rafu
Ye doriyaan
Kuchh tune si hai
maine ki hai rafu
Ye doriyaan
The Literal English Translation of the Lyrics of Rafu
With such different
threads we have weaved our world
Some were like beads
of sunshine some were like beads of clouds
You have stitched I
have darned some
These strings
You got the roads I received
the walls
On those walls I created
images of springtime
When you returned home
late evening the buds were asleep
In this manner we
stitched together a story miles long
Some with your hands
and some with my words
Now the quarter that
is left is for us to enjoy
Rafu Fact Sheet
· Movie: Tumhari Sulu
Rafu and Tumhari Sulu at Filmfare Awards (2017)
At
the 63rd Filmfare Awards for movies released in 2017, Tumhari Sulu
received nine nominations, including of two for the song Rafu.
·
Best Lyricist: Santanu Ghatak
