Explanation of Mai Ri Main Kaase Kahoon the Bollywood Film Dastak
Metal Description:
Mai Ri is a Kajari with subtle deviations from the standard format of
this folk song. It is from the award-winning film Dastak. Read this
Bollywood Translations blog to understand the fine nuances of this popular
Hindi film song.
An Overview of the Song Mai Ri from Dastak
Dastak, a National Awards winning cinematic gem that stood
ahead of its time, beckons attention for various reasons, particularly its
enchanting soundtrack crafted by the legendary Madan Mohan. Each composition
within it stands as a testament to his genius, weaving melodies that linger
long after the credits roll. Majrooh Sultanpuri, at the pinnacle of his lyrical
prowess, adorned these melodies with verses steeped in symbolism and metaphor,
elevating poetry to new heights. To fully grasp the depth of these songs is to
embark on a journey of nuanced understanding, rendering them perfect candidates
for Bollywood Translations.
Today, our
focus rests on the soul-stirring Maai Ri Main Kaase Kahoon, poignantly rendered
by Lata Mangeshkar. The song incorporates several of the elements
from the Kajari genre. A truncated
version of this song in the mellifluous voice of Madan Mohan himself is
included in the album.
A mother stands as a woman's closest confidante, uniquely
capable of understanding the deepest pains of the heart, having borne the
daughter in her womb. This sentiment resonates vividly in many Hindi film
songs, epitomized by the timeless classic Mai Re Mai from 'um Aapke Hain Koun. Similarly,
in Dastak, the haunting melody of Mai Ri portrays a poignant plea
to a mother to share the burden of anguish, for who else but she can provide
solace? While traditional Kajaris often feature absent lovers appearing fleetingly
in dreams, Mai Ri presents a nuanced twist, depicting the lover's
spectral presence as overwhelming yet elusive. When you see the video of the
song, you will be affected by the protagonist’s interactions with her sitar. There
is another point of departure from the common theme of Kajari. The lover has
not gone to a distant land, abandoning the girl. He is her husband who returns
from work each night, but during the day the wife is a captive in her home. The
song is preceded by a couplet: “Na tadapane ki ijazat hain na fariyaad ki hai; Ghut
ke mar jaaun ye marzi mere sayyad ki hai.” I am not allowed to yearn nor
complain. My captor decrees that I can only suffocate and die. Like a bird in a
gilded cage.
Explaining the Background of Mai Ri Main Kaase Kahoon
from Dastak
Let us start
with a straightforward interpretation of the concluding verse, because it best
explains the situation of the protagonist. She says - Continuously, I feel the
phantom of my beloved's presence, yet I am devoid of the pulsating comfort of
his embrace. To whom shall I recount the torment of
this imagined tryst? Mother, with who but you can I share the agony of being
with him but being without him?
Now, we can delve
into an analogous elucidation of the initial two verses of the lyrics of Mai
Ri. The ethereal essence of my lover stirs my ardour, yet fails to
culminate in the consummation of our passion. I yearn for his tangible presence to envelop
and immerse me entirely. I resemble someone parched by the riverside, unable to
quench her thirst. I have withered and faded awaiting his return. Mother, I am
ready to recount my sorrowful tale to anyone willing to lend an ear.
The Original Lyrics of Mai Ri from
Dastak.
Maai
Ri…
Main
Kaase Kahoon Peer
Apne
Jiya Ki
Maai
Ri…
Os
Nayan Ki Unke
Meri
Lagi Ko Bujhaye Na
Tanman
Bhigo De Aake
Aisi
Ghata Koi Chhaye Na
Mohe
Baha Le Jaaye
Aisi
Lahar Koi Aaye Na
Padi
Nadiya
Ke
Kinare Main Pyasi
Main
Kaase Kahoon Peer
Apne
Jiya Ki
Maai
Ri
Pi
Ki Dagar Mein Baithe
Maila
Hua Ri Mera Aancharaa
Mukhda
Hai Pheeka Pheeka
Naino
Mein Sohe Nahi Kaajaraa
Koi
Jo Dekhe Maiya
Preet
Ka Vaase Kahoon Maajraa
Lat
Mein Padi Kaisi
Birha
Ki Maati
Main
Kaase Kahoon Peer
Apne
Jiya Ki
Maai
Ri
Aankhon
Mein Chalte Phirte
Roj
Mile Piya Baanwre
Baiyaan
Ki Chhaiyaan Aake
Milte
Nahi Kabhi Saanvre
Dukh
Ye Milan Ka Leke
Kaah
Karoon Kahan Jaaun Re
Paakar
Bhi Nahi
Unko
Main Paati
Main
Kaase Kahoon Peer
Apne
Jiya Ki
Maai
Ri
Lyrical Translation of Mai Ri
from Bollywood Movie Dastak
In
my translation of the Bollywood song Mai Ri, I have tried to stay with
the original metaphors.
Mother
Dear
To
whom should I narrate the pain
Of
my soul
Mother
Dear
The
tears from his eyes cannot
Quench
my passion
There
is no cloudburst here
That
will drench my body and soul
There
is no deluge
That
will sweep me away
I
lie on the riverbank
Thirsty
To
whom should I narrate the pain
Of
my soul
Mother
Dear
Waiting
on my lover’s return path
My
clothes have become dirty
My
face is jaded
And
so is the kohl on my eyes
Anyone
who sees me in this condition
I
want to narrate the misery of my love to him
My
tresses
Are
caked with the dirt of separation
To
whom should I narrate the pain
Of
my soul
Mother
Dear
Within
my mind’s eye
I
meet my tease of a lover everyday
But
I never get to experience
The
shelter of his arms
The
agony of this imagined tryst
What
shall I do with it -where can I go
Even
though I feel being with him
I
am not with him
To
whom should I narrate the pain
Of
my soul
Mother
Dear
Mai Ri As A Song of the Kajari Genre
Mai Ri undeniably encapsulates the quintessential
elements of a Kajari. Foremost among them is the poignant theme of separation,
eloquently expressed through the evocative term "Birha" in the second
verse. The lyrical language is a fitting dialect of Hindi, preserving the
authenticity of the genre. Words to look out for are “lagi” meaning passion and
“aancharaa” referring to the traditional upper garment a woman wears.
Traditionally sung during the
monsoon, Kajaris often evoke a sense of desire awakened by the allure of rain.
However, this song diverges subtly by portraying the protagonist in an existing
state of heightened passion, praying for a torrent to cool down her fervour. Of
course, the shower of rain would be symbolic of her lover. In keeping with the
tradition of Kajaris, where tears can symbolize the emotional downpour of
longing, Mai Ri poetically describes tears as dewdrops of the eyes, again
seamlessly blending natural imagery with human emotion. Moreover, the absence
of Kajal or kohl, a recurring motif in folk songs of this genre, is poignantly
depicted with the line "Naino mein sohe nahin kaajaraa," symbolizing
the protagonist's bereft state and adding depth to the song's emotive
landscape.
The Stark Portrayal Of Mai Ri in the Movie Dastak
By reading the lyrics or listening to the audio you will not
comprehend the starkness with which Mai Ri has been portrayed in the black and white movie Dastak.
The fire of unsatisfied passion has not been sugar-coated but is projected totally
raw. The lady just cannot wait for her lover to return. The visuals racing
through her mind are frenzied and even frightening, raising the question
whether her actions are morally justified. They take her to the precipice of
climax when she is shocked into reality. Living in this small one room tenement
every sigh of hers can be heard all around.
Keep tuned to this blog for more Bollywood Translations of
songs from the Hindi movie Dastak.
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