Apropos of nothing, a few days back, I was reminded of a beautiful song sung by Surinder Kaur and went to the mecca of music lovers, the YouTube in search of it. "Ehna akhiyan ch pawan kiven kajla ve". The beautiful words of the song seared my heart. Now I wanted to read the lyrics too, to get a better feel of the song.
This time round, Google baba came to my help. It led me to this beautiful site which has lyrics of most of the classic Indian and Pakistani Punjabi songs. http://folkpunjab.com/surinder-kaur/ehna-akhiyan-ch-pavan-kiven-kajla/
The index lists writers like Baba Farid to Shiv Kumar Batalvi, a veritable bouquet of singers like Alam Lohar, Farida Khanum, Bhupinder to Surinder Shinda. If you are an afficionado of Punjabi songs, this is your go-to site.
Back to the song I loved so much. The soulful lyrics are by Shiv Kumar Batalvi, and the song is sung by Surinder Kaur. There can be no words to describe Surinder Kaur, this singer has brought to life so many folk songs of Punjab, and also created new ones. Her beautiful voice is always a pleasure to listen to.
Shiv Kumar Batalvi has given us so many lovely songs and poems full of mighty metaphors. He usually speaks of love, longing and separation, and how!
Here I have attempted to translate the song for the benefit of non-Punjabis.
Listen to the song on YouTube, or better, on the link given above.
Ehna akhiyan ch pavaN kiveN kajla
AkhiaN ch tooN wasda
How can I line my eyes with kohl,
when you live in my eyes
Har vele channa mera tere wall munh ve
BulliaN ch naaN tera, akhiaN ch toon ve
JadoN hassdi bhuleka menoN painda ve
HasiaN ch tooN hassda
I look at you all the time
your name is always on my lips, you live in my eyes
when I laugh, I feel as if
you smile through my laughter
Ehna akhiyan ch pavaN kiveN kajla
AkhiaN ch tooN wasda…
How can I line my eyes with kohl,
when you live in my eyes
LammiN si wataN channa, neede neede aaya tooN
Akhian de raheeN aa ke, dil ch samaya tooN
JadoN puchni aaN pyar diaN gallaN ve
Holi holi tooN dassda
You were far away, yet you came close to me
through my eyes, you came into my heart
when I ask you tell me of love
you speak to me softly
Ehna akhiyan ch pavaN kiveN kajla
AkhiaN ch tooN wasda…
How can I line my eyes with kohl,
when you live in my eyes
MassaN massaN jindadi main pyar vich rangi ve
Ajj menoN japda main tere naal mangi ve
Ajj khushiN da ho gaya savera ve
Ghum saathoN door nassda
I have barely now managed to color my life with love
Today I feel as if I was made for you
my happiness has seen its dawn today
sorrows run far from me today
Ehna akhiyan ch pavaN kiveN kajla
AkhiaN ch tooN wasda…
How can I line my eyes with kohl,
when you live in my eyes
