From Folklore to Music: The Tragic Tale of Sohni and Mahiwal in 'Paar Chanaa De'
"Why 'Paar Chanaa De' is More Than Just a Song—It's a Tale of Eternal Love"
The song "Paar Chanaa De" is a poignant and emotional track performed by Shilpa Rao and Noori, featured in Coke Studio Pakistan Season 9 (2016). It blends traditional Punjabi folk music with contemporary indie-rock elements, creating a deeply moving auditory experience.
The song is based on the tragic love story of Sohni and Mahiwal, a famous Punjabi folklore tale that has been passed down through generations. Below is a detailed explanation of the song's meaning, lyrics, and the story behind it.
The Story of Sohni and Mahiwal
The story of Sohni and Mahiwal is a tragic romance set in Punjab, near the banks of the Chenab River. Sohni, the daughter of a potter named Tulla, was known for her beauty and skill in decorating pottery. One day, a wealthy trader named Izzat Baig from Bukhara (Uzbekistan) visited her father's shop and fell in love with her at first sight. He abandoned his caravan and stayed in the village, taking up the job of a buffalo herder, earning the name Mahiwal (buffalo herder).
Despite their deep love, Sohni's parents arranged her marriage to another potter, as it was unacceptable for her to marry an outsider. Heartbroken, Mahiwal renounced his worldly life and became a hermit, living in a hut across the Chenab River. Sohni, unable to bear the separation, devised a plan to meet him every night by swimming across the river using an inverted, baked clay pot to stay afloat.
However, their secret meetings were discovered by Sohni's sister-in-law, who replaced the baked pot with an unbaked one. When Sohni attempted to cross the river that night, the pot dissolved in the water, and she drowned. Mahiwal, witnessing her struggle, jumped into the river to save her but also drowned. The lovers were reunited only in death, and their story became a symbol of eternal love and sacrifice.
Meaning of the Song "Paar Chanaa De"
The song is a dialogue between Sohni and the clay pot as she attempts to cross the Chenab River to meet Mahiwal. The lyrics reflect her desperation, determination, and the inevitability of her tragic fate. Here’s a breakdown of the key themes and lines:
1. "Paar chanaa de disse kulli yaar di"
- Translation: "Right there across the Chenab River lies my beloved’s hut."
- Meaning: Sohni urges the clay pot to take her to Mahiwal's hut, symbolizing her longing to reunite with her lover.
2. "Kacchi meri miṭṭi kaccha mera naam ni"
- Translation: "I am a pot made of unbaked clay, bound to melt away in the river."
- Meaning: The pot warns Sohni of its fragility and inability to carry her safely, foreshadowing the tragic end.
3. "Vekh chhallaan paindiyaan nah chhaḍḍeen dil ve"
- Translation: "Look, the waves are splashing higher and higher, but don’t lose heart."
- Meaning: Despite the danger, Sohni remains determined to meet Mahiwal, even if it costs her life.
4. "Yaar noon milegi ajj laash yaar di"
- Translation: "Tonight, a lover will be greeted with the corpse of his beloved."
- Meaning: Sohni accepts her fate, knowing she may die but is willing to sacrifice everything for love.
Cultural Significance
The story of Sohni and Mahiwal is one of the four great tragic romances of Punjabi folklore, alongside Heer Ranjha, Mirza Sahiban, and Sassi Punnhun. It highlights themes of forbidden love, societal norms, and the ultimate sacrifice for love.
The song "Paar Chanaa De" captures the essence of this tale, blending traditional storytelling with modern music to evoke deep emotions.
The song is a conversation between Sohni and the clay pot she uses to cross the Chenab river to meet her lover, Mahiwal.
Sohni's plea: She urges the pot to take her across the river, expressing her longing for her beloved. She acknowledges the dangers of the dark night and the turbulent river, but her love for Mahiwal drives her on.
The pot's warning: The pot, personified as a voice of reason, warns Sohni of the risks. It reminds her that it is made of unbaked clay, fragile and likely to dissolve in the water. It cautions her against relying on something so unreliable.
Sohni's determination: Despite the pot's warnings, Sohni remains steadfast in her resolve. Her love for Mahiwal is so strong that she is willing to risk everything to be with him.
Conclusion
"Paar Chanaa De" is not just a song but a heartfelt retelling of a timeless love story. Its haunting melody and poignant lyrics resonate with listeners, making it a masterpiece of Punjabi folk music. The tragic tale of Sohni and Mahiwal serves as a reminder of the power of love and the lengths to which people will go for it.
"Sohni and Mahiwal: How a 17th-Century Love Story Inspired 'Paar Chanaa De'"
Lyrics - URDU
پار چناں دے دسّے کلّی یار دی
گھڑیا، گھڑیا، آ وے گھڑیا
پار چناں دے دسّے کلّی یار دی
گھڑیا، گھڑیا، آ وے گھڑیا
رات ہنیری ندی ٹھاٹھاں ماردی
اڑئیے، اڑئیے، ہاں نی اڑئیے
پار چناں دے دسّے کلّی یار دی
گھڑیا، گھڑیا، آ وے گھڑیا
رات ہنیری ندی ٹھاٹھاں ماردی
اڑئیے، اڑئیے، ہاں نی اڑئے
کچّی میری مٹّی کچّا میرا نام نی
ہاں میں ناکام نی
میں ناکام نی
ہاں میں ناکام نی
کچّی میری مٹّی کچّا میرا نام نی
ہاں میں ناکام نی
کچّیاں دا ہندا کچّا انجام نی
ایہہ گل عام نی
کچّیاں تے رکھئیے نہ امید پار دی
اڑئیے، اڑئیے، ہاں نی اڑئے
رات ہنیری ندی ٹھاٹھاں ماردی
اڑئیے، اڑئیے، ہاں نی اڑئیے
پار چناں دے دسّے کلّی یار دی
گھڑیا، گھڑیا، آ وے گھڑیا
رات ہنیری ندی ٹھاٹھاں ماردی
اڑئیے، اڑئیے، ہاں نی اڑئیے
ویکھ چھلّاں پیندیاں نہ چھڈّیں دل وے
ویکھ چھلّاں پیندیاں نہ چھڈّیں دل وے
اجّ مہینوال نوں میں جانا مل وے
اجّ مہینوال نوں میں جانا مل وے
ویکھ چھلّاں پیندیاں نہ چھڈّیں دل وے
ہاں لے کے کھلّھ وے
اجّ مہینوال نوں میں جانا مل وے
ہاں ایہو دل وے
یار نوں ملیگی اجّ لاش یار دی
یار نوں ملیگی اجّ لاش یار دی
یار نوں ملیگی اجّ لاش یار دی
گھڑیا، گھڑیا، آ وے گھڑیا
پار چناں دے دسّے کلّی یار دی
گھڑیا، گھڑیا، آ وے گھڑیا
رات ہنیری ندی ٹھاٹھاں ماردی
اڑئیے، اڑئیے، ہاں نی اڑئیے
پار چناں دے دسّے کلّی یار دی
ہاں کلّی
وے کلّی یار دی
گھڑیا، گھڑیا، آ وے گھڑیا
رات ہنیری ندی ٹھاٹھاں ماردی
اڑئیے، اڑئیے، ہاں نی اڑئیے
پھڑ پلڑا
پھڑ پلڑا پکّے مرشد دا جیہڑا تینوں پار لگاوے
جہڑا تینوں پار لگاوے
گھڑیا گھڑیا گھڑیا گھڑیا
گھڑیا گھڑیا گھڑیا گھڑیا
گھڑیا گھڑیا گھڑیا گھڑیا
گھڑیا گھڑیا گھڑیا گھڑیا
تینوں پار لگاوے
تینوں پار لگاوے
تینوں پار لگاوے
تینوں پار
تینوں پار لگاوے
تینوں پار لگاوے
تینوں پار لگاوے
گھڑیا گھڑیا گھڑیا
HINDI - English LYRICS
Paar chanaa de disse kulli yaar di
Ghadiya ghadiya aa ve ghadiya
Right there across the chenab river lies my beloved’s hut
Come on, clay-pot, let’s keep going
Paar chanaa de disse kulli yaar di
Ghadiya ghadiya aa ve ghadiya
Raat haneri nadi ṭhaaṭhaan maardi
Adiye adiye haan ni adiye (x2)
Right there across the chenab river lies my beloved’s hut
Come on, clay-pot, let’s keep going
The night is deathly dark, the river waves surge high around us
Oh listen, girl, don’t be stubborn
Kacchi meri miṭṭi
Kaccha mera naam ni
Haan main na-kaam ni
Ho main naakaam ni
Haan main na-kaam ni
I am a pot made of unbaked clay
Bound to melt away in the river
Being unsound and unsteady,
I cannot but fail in carrying you across
Kacchi meri miṭṭi kaccha mera naam ni
Haan main na-kaam ni
Kacchiyaan da hunda kaccha anjaam ni
Eh gal ‘aam ni
I am a pot made of unbaked clay, bound to melt away in the river
Being unsound and unsteady, I cannot but fail in carrying you across
The unsound can only reach an unsound end
This is a truth known to all
Kacchiyaan te rakkhiye na umeed paar di
Adiye adiye haan ni adiye
Raat haneri nadi ṭhaaṭhaan maardi
Adiye adiye haan ni adiye
Paar chanaa de disse kulli yaar di
Ghadiya ghadiya aa ve ghadiya
Raat haneri nadi ṭhaaṭhaan maardi
Adiye adiye haan ni adiye
Don’t rely on the unsound to help you reach the shore
Oh listen, girl, don’t be stubborn
The night is deathly dark, the river waves surge high around us
Oh listen, girl, don’t be stubborn
Right there across the Chenab river lies my beloved’s hut
Come on, clay-pot, let’s keep going
The night is deathly dark, the river waves surge high around us
Oh listen, girl, don’t be stubborn
Vekh chhalla paindiya na chhaddin dil ve
Vekh chhalla paindiya na chhaddin dil ve
Ajj Mahiwaal noon main jaana mil ve
Ajj Mahiwaal noon main jaana mil ve
Look, the waves are splashing higher and higher, but don’t lose heartI must go to meet Mahiwal this night at any cost
Vekh chhalla paindiya na chhaddin dil ve
Haan lai ke khillh ve
Ajj Mahiwaal noon main jaana mil ve
Haan aiho dil ve
Look, the waves are splashing higher and higher, but don’t lose heart
So help transport me thereI must go to meet Mahiwal this night at any cost
Yes, my heart insists on going
Yaar noon milegi ajj laash yaar di
Yaar noon milegi ajj laash yaar di
Yaar noon milegi ajj laash yaar di
Ghadiya ghadiya aa ve ghadiya
Paar chanaa de disse kulli yaar di
Ghadiya ghadiya aa ve ghadiya
Tonight, a lover will be greeted with the corpse of his beloved
Come on, clay-pot, let’s keep going
Right there across the Chenab river lies my beloved’s hut
Come on, clay-pot, let’s keep going
Raat haneri nadi ṭhaaṭhaan maardi
Adiye adiye haan ni adiye
Paar chanaa de disse kulli
Paar chanaa de disse kulli
Haan kulliVe kulli yaar di
Ghadiya ghadiya aa ve ghadiya
Raat haneri nadi ṭhaaṭhaan maardi
Adiye adiye haan ni adiye
The night is deathly dark, the river waves surge high around us
Oh listen, girl, don’t be stubborn
Right there across the Chenab river lies my beloved’s hut…across the Chenab river lies my beloved’s hut
Yes, my beloved’s hut… lies my beloved’s hut
Come on, clay-pot, let’s keep going
The night is deathly dark, the river waves surge high around us
Oh listen, girl, don’t be stubborn
Phaṛ pallaṛa
Phaṛ pallaṛa pakke murshad daJehṛa tainu paar lagaawe Jehṛa tainu paar lagaawe
Hold firmly to…
Hold firmly to the sound guide who will take you safely to the shore… who will take you safely to the shore
Ghadiya… Ghadiya…
O clay-pot… O clay-pot…
Tainoon paar lagaawe…
Take you safely to the shore..
Ghadiya… Ghadiya…
O clay-pot… O clay-pot…
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