Rahman Se

Jaage Hain

Motivation often comes to me in the form of music. I’ve been a little down lately, struggling to find the time and energy to work on things I care about. “Jaage Hain” (Guru, 2007) helps me get through these moments.

Jaage hain dher thak,
(I have been awake till late,)
Hamein kuch dher sone dho.
(Let me sleep a little.)

Thodi si raat aur hai,
(There is still some night left,)
Subha to hone do.
(Let morning come.)

Adhe adhure khwaab jo,
(The incomplete dreams,)
Pure na ho sake,
(Which could not be fulfilled,)
Ek baar phir se neend mein,
(Once more in my sleep,)
Woh khwaab bone do.
(Shall these dreams be sowed.)

Aaromale – The Lyrics and a (better) Translation

I’ve mentioned Aaromale before, but I hadn’t elaborated on its beautiful Malayali lyrics. I don’t know the language and I wasn’t impressed with any of the English translations online, but my friend, Prateek Rungta, sent me this far better translation which he captured from the film’s subtitles:

Maamalayeri varum thennal
(The breeze that climbs over the mountains,)
Puthu Manavalan thennal
(The newly-wed breeze…)
Pallimedaye thottuthalodi kurishil thozhuthu varumbol
(…that worships the cross on the church steeple,)
Varavelppinu malayalakkara manasammadham choriyum
(To that breeze, the land of Kerala extends a warm welcome.)

Aaromale…
(My beloved…)
Swasthi swasthi sumuhoortham
(On this auspicious moment, may you be happy,)
Sumangali bhava manavaatti
(May the bride forever be happily wedded.)
Shyamaraathrithan aramanayil
(Girl, you are as far away as the stars,)
Marinilkkayo thaarakame
(away from the darkness of the night.)
Pularimanjile kathiroliyaal
(Girl, you are as far away as the sun’s rays…)
Akale nilkkayo penmaname
(…that cannot touch the early morning mist.)
Chanju nillkumaa chillayil nee
(Are you the Cuckoo perched on a branch…)
Chinjilambiyo poonkuyile
(that bends over the banks of a river?)
Mannchiraathile malaroliye thediyethiyo poonthennel
(Are you the soft breeze that caresses the flower?)

Aaromale…
(My beloved…)

Kadaline karayodiniyum paadan snehamundo
(Is there enough love for the sea to serenade to the shore?)
Mezhukuthirikalaayi urukaan iniyum pranayam manassilundo
(Do you still have love in your heart to melt like a candle?)
Aaromale…
(My beloved…)

(There’s also a beautifully typset, PDF version of these lyrics, made by Prateek Rungta.)

I don’t know about you, but Aaromale sounds even better now that I understand the words. I guess it was inevitable, considering Rahman himself suggested including a Malayali number in the soundtrack and recommended the renowned lyricist, Kaithapram.

Jaa Re Ud Jaa Re

It hurts knowing that the best song of Raavan isn’t in the soundtrack. A day after the music hit the stores, A. R. Rahman took to the stage with Gulzar at the film’s music launch function and surprised us all with a live rendition of an as-yet unreleased track, titled ‘Jaa Re Ud Jaa Re’:

Rahman later explained how this song came to be:

The song was a very last minute addition. I saw the movie and felt like adding a song to a particular situation in the film. The lyrics of the song were ready for a while, however I had yet to compose the tune. Meanwhile, we had already planned our music release for the 24th of April, so we didn’t want to delay or postpone that because of one song. The song may be later added to the album; however it will feature in the film.

I dearly hope this track will get released. As it stands, the soundtrack has life, but it lacks soul without ‘Jaa Re Ud Jaa Re’.

Lyrics and English Translation

My friend, Prateek Rungta, helped translate the lyrics for me because my Hindi is weak.

Jaa Re Ud Jaa Re (Go on, fly away)
Aye Ud Jaa Re (Go, fly away)
Rut Beet Gayi (The season has passed.)

Ab Is Shareer Ke Sire Khol De (Now open up (the ends of) this body)
Aur Goongi Aatma Ko Bol De (and ask (or speak to ) that deaf soul)
Wo Aasma Khula Hai Kyon? (Why is the sky open?)
Kyon Zameen Dang Hai? (Why is the earth so dull?)

Tune Toh Kaha Tha Ye (It was you who told me…)
Dono Ek Rang Hai (That they’re both of the same colour.)

Jaa Re Ud Jaa Re (Go on, fly away)
Aye Ud Jaa Re (Go, fly away)
Rut Beet Gayi (The season has passed.)