The immensely talented Aaditya Gadhvi and Priya Saraiya have released a song that has captured the hearts of listeners with its soulful melody, profound lyrics, and vibrant energy. Aaditya Gadhvi, a name synonymous with contemporary Gujarati music, has been a trailblazer in reviving and modernizing traditional folk songs. In this blog post, I translate the original poem to the closest English translation possible. Following the translation is a poetry analysis and appreciation of this work.
About Rang Morla – Aditya Gadhvi, Priya Saraiya from VAARSO-SEASON1
Rang Morla is a beautiful Gujarati folk song written by Padma Shri Kaag Baapu. This song has a backdrop of monsoon, and the pitch dark clouds are indicative of heavy rains. A young lady is longing for the company of her beloved while it will be difficult for them to unite as she may not be able to see him for a while if he travels for work. She’s trying to convince him to be with her and spend time with her. The skies, clouds, thunderstorm, forest, mountains, rivers everything is in sync with the season and so does the young lady desires too. This tender emotion is metaphorically described in Rang Morla. [ Source Youtube: Priya Saraiya]
Translation
| Gujarati Original Poem કાળી વાદલડી તુને વિનવે રે Kavi Dula Bhaya ‘Kaag’ | English Translation The damsel, dark cloud is pleading you Nisu |
|---|---|
કાળી વાદલડી તુને વિનવે રે બે ઘડીક નાચી લે રંગમોરલા જાય છે મારી સાહેલીનો સાથ રે બે ઘડીક નાચી લે રંગમોરલા બાર બાર મહિને પાછા આવશું રે બે ઘડીક નાચી લે રંગમોરલા કરી લે રે બે ઘડી ટહૂકાર રે બે ઘડીક નાચી લે રંગમોરલા બોલવું તોય નથી બોલતો રે બે ઘડીક નાચી લે રંગમોરલા ભલો થઈ તું અબોલા તું ભાંગ્ય રે બે ઘડીક નાચી લે રંગમોરલા કાળી વાદલડી તુને વિનવે રે બે ઘડીક નાચી લે રંગમોરલા જાય છે મારી સાહેલીનો સાથ રે બે ઘડીક નાચી લે રંગમોરલા ઓલી વાદલડી કેરી વિનંતી રે રંગભર નાચે છે રંગમોરલો મનડું કળાયેલ મોર રે રંગભર નાચે છે રંગમોરલો નાચે વનરા, નાચે ડુંગરા રે રંગભર નાચે છે રંગમોરલો નાચે છે નદીયું કેરા નીર રે રંગભર નાચે છે રંગમોરલો આભે ઢોલિડાં ધડૂકીયા રે રંગભર નાચે છે રંગમોરલો ત્રિભુવન ઝીલે છે એનો તાલ રે રંગભર નાચે છે રંગમોરલો ઢેલડિયું તો ઢુંગે વળે રે રંગભર નાચે છે રંગમોરલો ભૂલી ગ્યો દુનિયા કેરું ભાન રે રંગભર નાચે છે રંગમોરલો ‘કાગ’ જીવો ઝાઝું મોરલો રે રંગભર નાચે છે રંગમોરલો કળાયેલ સૃષ્ટિનો શણગાર રે રંગભર નાચે છે રંગમોરલો ‘કાગ’ જીવો ઝાઝું મોરલો રે રંગભર નાચે છે રંગમોરલો કવિ દુલા ભાયા ‘કાગ’ | The damsel, dark cloud is pleading you, Dance for a moment, O colorful peacock. I am losing the cherished bond with her, Dance for a moment, O colorful peacock. Will return after twelve months, Dance for a moment, O colorful peacock. Sing a melody for a moment, Dance for a moment, O colorful peacock. I want to insist you, but I don’t, Dance for a moment, O colorful peacock. Please be kind, and break your silence, Dance for a moment, O colorful peacock. The damsel, dark cloud is pleading you, Dance for a moment, O colorful peacock. I am losing the cherished bond with her, Dance for a moment, O colorful peacock. Heeding that cloud’s request, The colorful peacock dances. The heart of the peacock is excited, The colorful peacock dances. Trees dance, mountains dance, The colorful peacock dances. The river’s waters dance, The colorful peacock dances. The drums beat in the sky, The colorful peacock dances. The rhythm captivates the universe, The colorful peacock dances. The peahens twirl in wild delight, The colorful peacock dances. Forgetting about the world, The colorful peacock dances. The “Kaag (crow)” says live more like the peacock, The colorful peacock dances. Decorating the beautiful world, The colorful peacock dances. The “Kaag” says live more like the peacock, The colorful peacock dances. Poet Dula Bhaya “Kaag” ( Penname: Kaag from his village of birth Kaag) |
Poetry Analysis
Dula Bhaya “Kaag’s” poem is a vibrant and evocative piece that weaves together themes of nature, longing, and celebration through the metaphor of a colorful peacock dancing. The poem opens with an appeal from a “damsel, dark cloud,” symbolizing a plea for joy and movement amidst a sense of loss and yearning. The repeated invocation to the peacock to “dance for a moment” underscores a desire for temporary solace and beauty to break the monotony of sorrow.
The poem is rich with vivid imagery and symbolism. The peacock, a traditional symbol of beauty and grace in Indian culture, represents joy and the ephemeral nature of happiness. The dark cloud, typically associated with gloom, paradoxically becomes a beseecher of dance, suggesting a nuanced relationship between sadness and the need for joy.
Throughout the poem, there is a palpable tension between longing and celebration. The speaker laments losing a “cherished bond” and anticipates a year-long separation, yet simultaneously urges the peacock to dance. This duality reflects the human condition of finding moments of joy even in the face of impending sorrow.
The peacock’s dance triggers a cascade of responses from nature—trees, mountains, rivers, and even the sky participate in the celebration. This collective movement symbolizes the interconnectedness of all life and the idea that one being’s joy can resonate widely, transforming the environment and lifting spirits universally.
The poem employs repetition effectively to create a rhythmic cadence that mimics the peacock’s dance. The recurring line “Dance for a moment, O colorful peacock” serves as a refrain, anchoring the poem’s structure and emphasizing the central theme of seeking joy amidst transience.
In the latter part of the poem, the poet introduces a reflective note through the advice to “live more like the peacock.” This serves as a philosophical injunction, urging readers to embrace life’s beauty and live with exuberance, much like the peacock, despite the inevitability of sorrow and separation.
The poem resonates on an emotional level with its depiction of longing and celebration, and culturally it taps into deep-rooted symbols of Indian aesthetics. The peacock’s dance, an embodiment of natural beauty and grace, stands as a metaphor for resilience and the capacity to find joy in the moment.
“Kaag’s” poem is a blend of imagery, emotion, and philosophical reflection. It invites readers to celebrate the fleeting moments of beauty and joy in life, to dance in the face of sorrow, and to live fully, much like the colorful peacock that adorns the world with its vibrant dance. The poem’s rhythmic repetition, vivid nature imagery, and underlying message of resilience make it a poignant and enduring piece of Gujarati literature.
About Dula Bhaya “Kaag”
Dula Bhaya “Kaag,” often celebrated as the “Gandhian poet,” is a distinguished figure in Gujarati literature whose works resonate with profound humanism and spiritual insight. Born on November 25, 1902, in Kaag village of Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, Kaag’s early life was steeped in the rural traditions and cultural ethos of his homeland. Despite limited formal education, he displayed a remarkable literary talent and a deep philosophical inclination, which eventually set him on a path of poetic excellence.
Kaag’s literary journey began during India’s struggle for independence, a period marked by intense socio-political upheaval. Influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, Kaag’s poetry echoed Gandhian values of truth, non-violence, and simplicity. His poems were not merely artistic expressions but also powerful vehicles for social change, advocating for universal brotherhood, compassion, and empathy. One of Kaag’s most celebrated works is “Kaagvani,” a collection of poems that showcase his lyrical beauty and philosophical depth. His poems are known for their vivid imagery and symbolic richness, often drawing inspiration from nature and spirituality.
Beyond his literary contributions, Dula Bhaya Kaag was a social reformer and spiritual thinker. His life and works continue to inspire generations, highlighting the enduring power of poetry to reflect and shape societal values. He was Honored with the title of “Rashtra Kavi” (National Poet) and awarded the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award, as well as Padma Shri award in the year 1962. [Source: Google, Wikipedia]