Ram Chahe Leela – English Translation of Bollywood Item Song
Meta Description: Ram Chahe Leela is an item number from
the Hindi movie Ram-Leela. It is
performed on screen by Priyanka Chopra. Sing the English translation karaoke
style.
The Difficulties in Translating Ram Chahe Leela
I faced two different types of problems
when translating this popular Bollywood song.
Gujarati Content
Two small sections of this song are in
Gujarati, a language I am not fluent in. There are bound to be errors. I
request the Gujarati readers to send the correct meaning in the Comment
section, and I will correct the translation and acknowledge their assistance.
Puns
The song Ram Chahe Leela is full of
puns, and very good ones. Unfortunately, there are different English words for
the different meanings of the Hindi word and therefore the pun cannot be
translated. These puns form an integral part of the song. I am explaining them
in this section.
- ·
Chahe: the two meanings of the word are “likes” and “or”.
- ·
Ghoda: the two meanings of the word are “horse” and slang for “pistol”
- ·
Goli: goli means “bullet” and goli dena means con
English Transcreation of the Lyrics of Ram Chahe Leela
Whether Ram wants Leela whether Leela wants
Ram
The world can just wonder, so striking is
their charm
Ho… Whether Ram wants Leela whether Leela
wants Ram
The world can just wonder, so striking is
their charm
Their philosophy of life is simple alright
Love begins with a wink, a bullet starts a
fight
Whether Ram wants Leela whether Leela wants
Ram
The world can just wonder, so striking is
their charm
They ride their horses with pistols in
their palm
They ride their horses with pistols in
their palm
Whether Ram wants Leela whether Leela wants
Ram
Whether Ram wants Leela whether Leela wants
Ram
The world can just wonder, so striking is
their charm
Thunderclouds with showery intent
Yearning for Leela’s adornment
Bracelet, nose ring, earring, necklace
Colours enhancing her fairness
Love birds in paradise Ram Leela
With passions on the rise Ram Leela, Ram
Leela
They had only enemies, no friends it is
said
They had only enemies, no friends it is
said
The pair were disgraced caught sharing a
bed
A peacock on the balcony raised the alarm
Aye.. m..y Ram..
Aye.. Leela Ram..
Whether Ram wants Leela whether Leela wants
Ram
The world can just wonder, so striking is
their charm
There’s only one bullet and one target to
aim
There’s only one bullet and one target to
aim
And each and every bullet has its target’s
name
They can dodge the bullets, keep themselves
from harm
Ram Leela…
Whether Ram wants Leela whether Leela wants
Ram
The world can just wonder, so striking is
their charm
Give up your solitude start living again
Recluse, your penance has withered your
frame
Leela recites only one psalm
Raghupati raghav raja ram
Ramleela ramleela ramleela ram...
Ram Leela…..
The Original Hindi Lyrics of Ram Chahe Leela from Ram-Leela
Ram chahe Leela chahe Leela chahe Ram
In dono ke love mein duniya ka kya kaam
Ho.. Ram chahe Leela chahe Leela chahe Ram
In dono ke love mein duniya ka kya kaam
Inka to funda hai simple sa yaar
Goli maaro to panga, aankh maro to pyar
Ram chahe Leela chahe Leela chahe Ram
In dono ke love mein duniya ka kya kaam
Rakh pocket mein ghoda de ghode ko lagaam
Rakh pocket mein ghoda de ghode ko lagaam
Ram chahe Leela chahe Leela chahe Ram
Ram chahe Leela chahe Leela chahe Ram
In dono ke love mein duniya ka kya kaam
Ghanan ghanan ho megh jo barse
Leela na shirngar ne tarse
Chudlo, nathni, patlo kandoro
Shobhe rani rang j goro
Prem pankhida chhe aa Ram Leela
Vantode chadya chhe aa Ram Leela, Ram Leela
Lage saare dushman dikhe sab mein chor
Lage saare dushman dikhe sab mein chor
Meri balcony mein baitha ek mor
Moro ki hai mishtake Ram Leela badnaam
Aye.. mhaara Ram..
Aye.. Leela Ram..
Ram chahe Leela chahe Leela chahe Ram
In dono ke love mein duniya ka kya kaam
Bullet bhi hai ek aur ek hi hai jaan
Bullet bhi hai ek aur ek hi hai jaan
Har bullet pe likha marne wale ka naam
Goli ko bhi goli de de yeh to kare aisa kaam
Ram Leela ..
Ram chahe Leela chahe Leela chahe Ram
In dono ke love mein duniya ka kya kaam
Yeh jogi jog muki magan maya maa
Ghelo thai gayo aa shwet kaaya maa
Manan kare leela ekaj naam
Raghupati raghav raja ram
Ramleela ramleela ramleela ram...
Ram Leela ...
Literal English Translation of Ram Chahe Leela
I give below a literal translation of the
song. It will demonstrate how transcreation increases the vibrancy of the song
without losing its essence.
Ram chahe Leela chahe Leela chahe Ram
Whether Ram desires Leela or Leela
desires Ram
In dono ke love mein duniya ka kya kaam
The world has no role in their love
story
Inka to funda hai simple sa yaar
Their philosophy is simple
Goli maaro to panga, aankh maro to pyar
If you shoot a bullet it is war, if you
wink it is love
Rakh pocket mein ghoda de ghode ko lagaam
Keep a pistol in their pocket and ride their horses hard
Ghanan ghanan ho megh jo barse
The clouds thunder and rain
Leela na shirngar ne tarse
Yearning to see Leela in full adornment
Chudlo, nathni, patlo kandoro
Bracelet, nose ring, and other
adornments
Shobhe rani rang j goro
The dark colour of her clothes enhance
her fairness
Prem pankhida chhe aa Ram Leela
Ram Leela are love birds
Vantode chadya chhe aa Ram Leela, Ram Leela
They are at the height of their passion
Lage saare dushman dikhe sab mein chor
Everyone appears as an enemy and they think
everyone is a thief
Meri balcony mein baitha ek mor
A peacock was perched on the balcony
Moro ki hai mishtake Ram Leela badnaam
The peacocks erred and Ram Leela were
disgraced
Bullet bhi hai ek aur ek hi hai jaan
There is only one bullet and only one life
Har bullet pe likha marne wale ka naam
Each bullet has the name of the person going to die
Goli ko bhi goli de de yeh to kare aisa kaam
They can act in a way to deceive the
bullets
Yeh jogi jog muki magan maya maa
O recluse, leave your penance and enjoy the worldly delights
Ghelo thai gayo aa shwet kaaya maa
Your pale body has withered
Manan kare leela ekaj naam
Leela meditates on only one name
Raghupati raghav raja ram
Raghupati Raghav raja ram
Ram Chahe Leela Fact Sheet
· Movie: Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela
Enjoy the video of Ram Chahe Leela. Also check out the English translation of Ang Laga De Re from Ram Leela.
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