Kesariya Baalam

January 31, 2012

Meaning and Context:
A song arises from the wide marble courtyards of ancient havelis, from their int
ricately carved jharokhas, from the cool multi-stepped bawdis, from the hot sand
dunes a song arises from the heart of Rajasthan this is that song. I belong to th
e region myself and, to me, the beauty of this song is indescribable. This song
is Rajasthan.
It is said to have been originally composed by the Manganiyar community of the T
har Desert. The community has been prolific in its production of vibrant folk mu
sic that chronicles the life of desert. Accompanied by the Dholak drums, the fid
dle called Kamaycha and the symbols called Khadtal, the Manganiyars have perform
ed their music on festive occasions, village gatherings, weddings, or for aristo
cratic patrons. The song was recently used in Nagesh Kukunoors critically acclaim
ed movie Dor. It has been beautifully reworked for the movie by Salim-Sulaiman,
who have kept intact its original beauty of form and music.
The words of the song are breathtakingly beautiful. The word kesariya comes from
the hindi word kesar which means saffron. Saffron is a spice considered most au
spicious among Hindus. With a delectable flavour and smell, it finds use in thei
r religious rituals as well as their food. The colour of kesar is a very dark sh
ade of brown, almost resembling the dark skin of Rajasthani men. The girl is cal
ling out to her lover who is like saffron, in not just the shade of skin but als
o in being so auspicious in her life. He is her kesariya balam and she is welcom
ing him home.
Here it is important to remember that even though the song is sung by a male sin
ger, it is a song representing a womans love. The song goes on to say that she fe
els as if she is stuck to her lovers heart like a gem stone in a pendant- sajan h
iye jadit. She sees him everywhere, even in her chunri (wrap to cover the head)
and she loves to look at him every second of the day- aney vanchu ghadee ghadee
re
Padharo ni mhare des re. padharo ni mhare des.
Link to the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34lQoNckOxU
Lyrics to the song:
Kesariya baalam aao ni
Padharo ni mhare des re
Sajan sajan mai karu
Aney sajan hiye jadit
Sajan lakhu hamre chundley
Aney vanchu ghadee ghadee re
Line by line translation:
My saffron love, come
Please come to my land
I call you my love
I am attached to your heart
I keep you in my wraps
And look at you all the time