Are Ja Re Hat – Poetic Translation of Navrang Best Holi Song
Meta Description: Are Ja
Re Hay Natkhat is an iconic Holi dance number from the V Shantaram classic Hindi
film Navrang. Enjoy the poetic translation to the original music score.
Setting the Background for Translating Are Ja Re Hat
Natkhat
Traditionally, Holi is
a festive occasion when society implicitly permits a certain level of playful
flirting and mischief. The song Are Ja Re Hat Natkhat from the classic
Hindi film Navrang captures this dynamic, depicting a playful
interaction between a man and a woman during the festival. In the song, the
male character argues that since it is Holi, he should be allowed some
liberties, while the woman firmly rejects his advances, insisting she will not
entertain such behaviour. Released in 1959, this song became the quintessential
Holi Bollywood anthem for decades, a staple at celebrations. It wasn't until
1981 that it lost its top spot to Rang Barse from Silsila. A key
element in the song's lasting popularity is its unique dance performance by
actor Sandhya, who portrays both the male and female characters. She does so by
wearing a male mask on the back of her head, a distinctive touch that captured
audiences' imaginations and helped cement Are Ja Re Hat Natkhat as an
iconic Holi number.
Difficulties in Translating Are Ja Re Hat Natkhat
The song Are Ja Re Hat Natkhat derives its energetic tempo from the use of internal rhymes and alliterations, often incorporating single-syllable words. These linguistic elements are deeply embedded in the song's structure, and unfortunately, their full effect cannot be replicated in English. As a result, the rhythmic pulse of the original lines is hard to match. With some transcreation, I have attempted to stay as close as possible to the essence of the original. I welcome any suggestions for improvement in the comments and will acknowledge any contributions that are incorporated.
The Poetic English Translation of the Lyrics of Are Ja
Re Hat Natkhat
Male:
Swaying playfully to
fetch water
With swag and sass
moved this lady fair
Sauntered unafraid
this pretty milkmaid
Smiling face averted gaze
without a care
Krishna threw a pebble
on the back of her neck
Held her arms caught
her unaware
Sprayed her with colours
Sa ra ra ra ra ra ra
ra
The naïve milkmaid said
Female:
A ra ra ra ra ra ra ra
Get lost scram you
silly flirt
Don’t lay your hand
upon my skirt
Today I will hit back
with an abusive tirade
Get lost scram you
silly flirt
Don’t lay your hand
upon my skirt
Today I will hit back
with an abusive tirade
Do not dare think of
me as a simpleton maid
Male:
Sa ra ra ra ra ra ra
ra
Holi is now in the air
Colours flying
everywhere
You really are an
arrogant coquettish maid
But today sweet is
your abusive tirade
Female:
For you to wet I am
not a target
For you to wet I am
not a target
My soft body can’t
stand the water jet
You stupid idiot I’ll
make you regret
You’ve put colour in
my eyes I’m upset
Your constant troubling
me has spoilt my Holi
At your brazenness I
am dismayed
Do not dare think of
me as a simpleton maid
Get lost scram you
silly flirt
Don’t lay your hand
upon my skirt
Today I will hit back
with an abusive tirade
Do not dare think of
me as a simpleton maid
Male:
The earth is red and
so is the sky
The earth is red and
so is the sky
Fair one let the blush
of your cheeks fly
Don’t veil your face
today don’t feel shy
Dance to your
heartbeat your passions don’t deny
Cymbals resound,
conchs resound
Drums are beat all
around
See the fervour and
the joy pervade
But today sweet is your
abusive tirade
Female:
Get lost scram you
silly flirt
Don’t lay your hand
upon my skirt
Today I will hit back
with an abusive tirade
Do not dare think of
me as a simpleton maid
The Original Hindi Lyrics of Are Ja Re Hat Natkhat from
Navrang
Male:
Atak atak jhatapat
panaghat par
Chatak matak ek naar
naweli
Gori gori gwaalan ki
chhori chali
Chori chori mukh mori
mori muskaaye alabeli
Kankari gale men maari
kankari kanhaiya ne
Pakari baah aur ki
atakheli
Bhari pichakaari maari
Sa ra ra ra ra ra ra
ra
Bholi panihaari boli
Female:
A ra ra ra ra ra ra ra
Are ja re hat natakhat
Na chhu re mera
ghunghat
Palat ke dungi aaj
tujhe gaali re
Are ja re hat natakhat
Na chhu re mera
ghunghat
Palat ke dungi aaj
tujhe gaali re
Mujhe samajho na tum
bholi bhali re
Male:
Sa ra ra ra ra ra ra
ra
Aya holi ka tyauhaar
Ude rang ki bauchhaar
Tu hai naar
nakharedaar matawaali re
Aaj meethhi lage hai
teri gaali re
Female:
Tak tak na maar
pichakaari ki dhaar
Tak tak na maar
pichakaari ki dhaar
Komal badan sah sake
na ye maar
Tu hai anaadi bada hi
ganwaar
Kajare men tune abir
diya daar
Teri jhakajhori se
baaj ayi hori se
Chor teri chori
niraali re
Mujhe samajho na tum
bholi bhali re
Are ja re hat natakhat
Na chhu re mera
ghunghat
Palat ke dungi aaj
tujhe gaali re
Mujhe samajho na tum
bholi bhali re
Male:
Dharati hai laal aaj
ambar hai laal
Dharati hai laal aaj
ambar hai laal
Udne de gori gaalon ka
gulaal
Mat laaj ka aaj
ghunghat nikaal
De dil ki dhadkan pe
dhinak dhinak taal
Jhaanjh baje, shankh
baje
Sang men mridang baje
Ang men umang
khushiyaali re
Aj meethhi lage hai
teri gaali re
Female:
Are ja re hat natakhat
Na chhu re mera
ghunghat
Palat ke dungi aaj
tujhe gaali re
Mujhe samajho na tum
bholi bhali re
Meanings of Difficult Words
Panaghat = Jetty on
the river where water pots are filled
Chatak matak = In a
coquettish manner
Naar naweli = Female
just entering womanhood
Atakheli = Playful
teasing
Pichkaari = Water gun
used in Holi
Panihaari = Woman come
to fetch water
Bholi bhali = Simple
Ghunghat = Part of the
garment used to cover the head
Bauchhaar = Spray
Nakharedaar = Coquettish
Matawaali = Carefree
Tak tak = Sneaking a
peek
Abir = A white
coloured powder used in Holi
Jhakajhori = Pestering
Baaj ayi = Gave up
Ambar = Sky
Jhaanjh = Cymbal
Shankh = Conch shell
Mridang = A type of
drum
Umang = Enthusiasm
Khushiyaali =
Happiness
The Literal English Translation of the Lyrics of Are Ja Re Hat Natkhat
Male
She hastened to the
panaghat
In a coquettish manner
one nubile lass
The fair girl of the
cowherd went
Furtively with averted
gaze smiling without a care
Krishna hit her on the
neck with a pebble
Held her by the arms
and began to tease her
He released coloured
water from the pichakaari
The naïve panihaari
said
Female
Go away move you tease
Do not touch my
ghunghat
I will turn around and
abuse you
Do not consider me as
a simple girl
Male
The festival of Holi
is here
Colours are being
sprayed all over
You are a coquettish
carefree lady
Today even your abuses
are sweet
Female
Do not peek at me and
spray me with colours
My delicate body
cannot bear this force
You are an ignorant
idiot
Who has flung abir in
my kohl
Because of your
pestering I have given up Holi
You are a unique thief
(trying to steal my heart instead of valuables)
Male
The earth is red today
and the sky is red
Let the redness of
your cheeks fly away (do not blush at my teasing)
Do not cover your face
in shyness
Let your heart beat
become the beat of the music
Cymbals resound, conch
shells resound
Accompanied by drums
Every limb is filled
with exuberance and happiness
Are Ja Re Hat Natkhat Fact
Sheet
· Movie: Navrang
Enjoy the video of Are Ja Re Hat
Natkhat. Check out the
translation of the other iconic Bollywood
Holi song Rang Barse.
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