Chola Maati ke: A Chhattisgarhi Bhajan
In my previous blog ‘Thus Sang Baba Bulle Shah,’ I
had translated one of the Sufi saint’s popular songs mati kudum karendi yaar.
Chola
maati ke is a Chhattisgarhi bhajan in a similar vein though the tone is
different, and the tempo faster. The poet/singer has little time or inclination
to ruminate over the perplexities and complexities of human existence.
Chola
maati ke refers not
merely to the perishable human body, but also to all the external sheaths or trappings
of life – wealth, power, fame, glamour, etc. - which delude the human soul. Life
is too short. Why preen over what is so very ephemeral? Better to focus on Ram
to cross the ocean of life, sings the poet.
This song
was filmed in Aamir Khan Productions’s Peepli Live (2010). Lyrics by
Gangaram Saket, and sung by Nageen Tanvir.
Link for the song:
https://youtu.be/dyJQRAQVAWc?si=dFpzmAoCUodeOjna
चोला माटी के हे राम
चोला माटी के हे राम,
एकर का भरोसा,
चोला माटी के हे रे,
चोला माटी के हे हो,
हाय चोला माटी के हें राम,
एकर का भरोसा,
चोला माटी के हे रे।।
द्रोणा जइसे गुरू चले गे,
करन जइसे दानी संगी,
करन जइसे दानी,
बाली जइसे बीर चले गे,
रावन कस अभिमानी,
चोला माटी के रे,
एकर का भरोसा,
चोला माटी के हे रे।।
कोनो रिहिस ना कोनो रहय
भई,
आही सब के पारी,
एक दिन आही सब के पारी,
काल कोनो ल छोंड़े नहीं
संगी,
राजा रंक भिखारी,
चोला माटी के रे,
एकर का भरोसा,
चोला माटी के हे रे।।
भव से पार लगे बर हे ते,
हरि के नाम सुमर ले संगी,
हरि के नाम सुमर ले,
ए दुनिया मा आके रे पगला,
जीवन मुक्ती कर ले,
चोला माटी के रे,
एकर का भरोसा,
चोला माटी के हे रे।।
चोला माटी के हे राम,
एकर का भरोसा,
चोला माटी के हे रे,
चोला माटी के हे हो,
हाय चोला माटी के हें राम,
एकर का भरोसा,
चोला माटी के हे रे।।
My Translation
A handful of
dust is this body,
Here now,
then no more,
Why be attached to it,
Why gloat
over it,
O Ram?
Drona, the famed Guru,
Karna, the Donor extraordinary,
Bali, the Valorous One,
Ravan, Proud of his prowess,
All have turned to dust,
A handful of dust is this body,
Why be attached to it,
Why gloat over it,
O Ram?
No one has lived for ever,
None will live for ever,
When the time comes,
Death devours every one,
King, commoner, or pauper,
A handful of dust is this body,
O Ram,
Why be attached to it,
Why preen over it?
Chant the name of Hari, O Friend,
To cross the ocean of life,
Think of salvation, O Friend,
From the endless grind of this life.
A handful
of dust is this body,
O Ram,
Why be attached to it,
Why gloat over it?
A handful of
dust is this body,
Here now,
then no more,
Why gloat
over it,
O Ram?
***
Indeed a beautiful writing 👍
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