Saturday, August 11, 2007

Malavun Taka Deep

Malavun Taka Deep ...this has been one of my favourite songs for multiple reasons. The music here is minimal, and it is the voice that carries the weight.

But what I find more intriguing is how the lyrics successfully combat sexual politics. The song unabashedly vocalises female physical desire. Society tends to portray women as devoid of sexuality and sexual desire. Women are pristine goddesses who are essentially sexually handicapped and paralysed. If they declare otherwise, then they are labelled prostitutes.

This song does neither, and beautifully conveys the dynamics of not singular, but mutual desire.

I have tried to translate my tongue, but I fear I have failed to capture the grandeur of the ornate language.

Of course, if one does not want to analyse the lyrics, one can always concentrate only on Lata Mangeshkar's delicate cadences.

Malavun taka deep = Diminish the light of the lamps
Chetavun aanga aanga = By the spark created by the friction of our bodies
Rajasa kiti disat = O King, it is after many days
Labhala nivaant sanga = That I have had the pleasure of your leisurely company

Tya tithe phula phulat = There amongst all the flowers
Pengete ajun raat = Night still dozes
Haya, tu karu nakos = Oh, please do not
Evadhyaat swapna bhang = So soon destroy my dreams

Chorus :Rajasa kiti disat = O King, it is after many days
Labhala nivaant sanga = That I have had the pleasure of your leisurely company
Malavun taka deep = Diminish the light of the lamps

Gaar gaar hya havet = In this cool weather
Gheuni mala kavet = Taking me into your arms
Mokale karun taak = Release
Ek vaar antarang = Once and for all, your innermost feelings and desires

Chorus : Rajasa kiti disat = O King, it is after many days
Labhala nivaant sanga = That I have had the pleasure of your leisurely company
Malavun taka deep = Diminish the light of the lamps

Door door taarkaat = Far away amongst the stars
Baisili Pahat Nhyat = Morning is bathing herself
Savakash ghe tipun = Without haste cherish
Ek ek roop ranga = Each and every aspect of my beauty

Chorus : Rajasa kiti disat = O King, it is after many days
Labhala nivaant sanga = That I have had the pleasure of your leisurely company
Malavun taka deep = Diminish the light of the lamps

He tula kase kalel = How will you ever fathom
Kon ekate jalel = Who would want to live lonely and burn with desire?
Sanga ka kadhi hare joh = Tell me, does he ever lose
Ekata jale patang = Who chooses to singe oneself and die like the candle moth?

Chorus : Rajasa kiti disat = O King, it is after many days
Labhala nivaant sanga = That I have had the pleasure of your leisurely company
Malavun taka deep = Diminish the light of the lamps

Kay ha tujhacha shwaas = What, is this your breath
Daravale ithe suvaas = That scatters its fragrance everywhere
Bola re halu, uthel = Speak softly, lest there rise
Chandanya vari tarang = ripples amongst the stars

Chorus : Rajasa kiti disat = O King, it is after many days
Labhala nivaant sanga = That I have had the pleasure of your leisurely company
Malavun taka deep = Diminish the light of the lamps

7 comments:

snehal said...

a very good translation! and it does do justice to the original song and its meaning - kudos!

Balu said...

Malavun is my favorite too - Lata's voice being the reason... I don't know Marathi, but your translation is quite poetic!

shirish said...

?
He tula kase kalel,
Kon ekate jalel?
Sanga ka kadhi kharech,
Ekata jale patang?

How would you know,
does anyone burn alone?
Tell me, truly, does
ever the moth burn alone?

Extinguish the lamp,
having aroused my being,
oh beloved, in many days
have come these moments,
of leisurely privacy.

over there, amongst the
flowers, yet dozes the night.
oh please, don't wake me
from my dream yet.

in this chill breeze,
encircle me in your embrace.
and reveal to me,
your soul.

far off, amongst the stars,
dawn bathes the sky.
take your leisure, as you
savour every nuance of
this moment.

is this your breath
that perfumes the air.
speak, but oh so softly,
lest you ripple the moonlight.


comments?

Venkataramanan Mani said...

Very good translation. .

Anonymous said...

Thank you for translating this enigmatic tune/song. Didn't really know what it meant - I am going to enjoy even more now. Cheers!

M M KAMATH said...

Hello author
Splendid explanation and analysis of this song - Malavun taka deep.
I want to copy paste your blog in my Facebook for posterity. Do i have your permission

Akanksha Kulkarni said...

Wow, you are spot on! Loved the interpretation and subtle tone expression.