Ranjha
I ponder my relationship with the land from which these melodies feed my spirit.
I haven’t visited Punjab since 2006. Faint memories of it still play back in my mind, whether it’s the Harmandir Sahib, playing with my cousins, or getting stitches from a sketchy doctor after I fell while jumping on my grandparents’ bed.
Much of my family in India have since either passed or moved away, so there’s not much bringing me back there. But listening to classical folk songs that paint such a vivid picture of what Punjab was, and maybe still is, does compel me to visit. I ponder my relationship with the land from which these melodies feed my spirit. As I learn about my family’s history there, both the good and the bad, I realize that the baggage I would bring, should I ever visit, would certainly include some emotional weight. An almost bittersweet feeling that I’m sure many first generations feel when returning to their ancestral homeland.
Until that day comes, I rely on the sounds of Punjab to quell the wonder that my spirit has been putting on me. Ironically, hearing songs about the Four Tragedies, for example Heer Ranjha, puts me at peace with my identity and my family’s history as it relates to Punjab, by bringing me perspective as to what defined a normal, moral life there. When Raf released Ranjha, I couldn’t have been more excited to hear his iteration of the tale, and how it would speak to me and my spirit. It did not disappoint.
When a story is passed down from one generation to the next, each iteration takes on a life of its own. The storyteller recites the story through their own lens, based on their life experiences, to an audience that can relate to their rendition. The story then gets to live on while offering a glimpse into the world of the storyteller.
Raf’s Ranjha mixes classic Punjabi Folk music with an East Coast Hip Hop vibe. It manages to preserve the essence of the story, with Ranjha’s flute setting the tone for the production, while incorporating a funky twist that today’s generation of folk fans can connect with. The video manages to achieve the same feat through a contemporary reenactment of the story. Its presentation preserves the essential mood of the tale that has been tugging at heartstrings for generations, doing so in a manner that thrusts the modern audience into the story with its connection to the struggles of modern-day relationships.
Raf’s ability to express his unique truth of the story through both film and music is what makes him more than just a director or a singer. We’ve seen artists come out with “bangers” that we love to sing and dance to, but this type of project is different. It showcases his abilities as storyteller, which is invaluable for an artist, as it allows them to establish an authentic connection with their audience. In doing so, they become a voice of their generation, a speaker for the masses.
New Words/Phrases Learned:
Note: The Punjabi lyrics in English spelling are not published yet, so I wrote them myself based off what I could hear from the song. Please excuse my amazing spelling, and I welcome any corrections.
Wanjhli: Flute
Mohabath: Love
Ranjha
Raf-Saperra (Produced by Taj Aulakh, Lyrics by Roopstah Rhymes)
Das kyo akhiya vi digyo, tur gyo chadke kalee nu chadke
Why have you turned your eyes and left me alone, all by myself?
Tenu mangeya si rabh tho, pale ad adke, pale ad adke
I prayed to God for you, in abundance:
Ja mera Ranjha mor jyo ve, jah ve che moth rabaa menu dhandhree
To either return my Ranjha to me, or give me death instead
Do bol suna de ve, Ranjha naal vija ke wanjhli
Sing me two couplets from your flute, Ranjha
Uth bol suna de ve, Ranjha naal vija ke wanjhli
Get up Ranjha, and sing me a melody from your flute
Si jaath ish ke laraunde si, behle vich bake, khavne choordi
I look back at when we belonged with one another, when I would feed you from my hands
Leju Takht Hazara nu, Ranjha
Take me back to your land of Takht Hazara, Ranjha
Eri jiwihale adoori
This is a wish of mine still unfulfilled
Fere bajho main tut gaye, rowaan nit beht ki na re kundlee
Without you I remain broken, crying on the riverbank
Do bol suna de ve, Ranjha naal vija ke wanjhli
Sing me two couplets from your flute, Ranjha
Uth bol suna de ve, Ranjha naal vija ke wanjhli
Get up Ranjha, and sing me a melody from your flute
Likh da Roopinder sach ni, kyo vi the vele mal di a duliyaa
Roopinder speaks the truth, why do you now regret the past?
Ee sa jugg thena kar joo, ishk apne te ban diya galiyaan
I’ll make such a statement on this world that folklores will be recalled of my love
Hun ja Rangpur Khairya nu, mohabath pakh tu karlee ganjli
Return to the village of Rangpur, today you have tainted true love
Do bol suna de ve, Ranjha naal vija ke wanjhli
Sing me two couplets from your flute, Ranjha
Uth bol suna de ve, Ranjha naal vija ke wanjhli
Get up Ranjha, and sing me a melody from your flute
damn the translation is 💔