- English Translation -

Music: Hridaynath Mangeshkar
Lyrics: Gulzar
Label: HMV
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar

*** We are especially thankful to BHUPENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT for help in translation ***

Note: The name of the song is ‘Kesariya Baalma’ which literally translates to ‘Saffron coloured
beloved/husband’. But to understand this song, one must know what it really means. The word
Kesariya is derived from the Hindi word ‘Kesar’ which means ‘Saffron’. Saffron is the colour of the
turban worn by Rajasthani men on whom this song is based. Hence the singer, who is the
wife/beloved is calling out to her husband/beloved as ‘Kesariya Baalma’ which means ‘O beloved
with/wearing a saffron turban’.

Kesariya… Baalma… O Ji
O (my) beloved with (wearing) a saffron turban
Ke Tumse Laage Nain, Nain Re
My gaze is stuck with Yours/Your gaze
(My eyes are entangled with Yours/Your eyes)
Ke Tumse Laage Nain
My gaze is stuck with Yours
Kesariya… Baalma… O Ji 
O beloved with a saffron turban
Ke Tumse, Ke Tumse Laage Nain
My gaze is stuck with Yours
Kesariya, Ho Kesariya, Kesariya, Ho Kesarayi Baalma… O Ji
O beloved with a saffron turban
Ke Tumse Laage Nain, Nain Re
My gaze is stuck with Yours
Ke Tumse Laage Nain
My gaze is stuck with Yours
Kesariya…
O saffron coloured!

Rang Liyo Main Aaj Ang Ang Tere Rang Mein
I’ve coloured every part of my body in Your colour
Tan Hua… Mann Hua Kesariya
My body and my heart has become saffron coloured
Rang Liyo Main Aaj Ang Ang Tere Rang Mein
I’ve coloured every part of my body in Your colour
Tan Hua… Mann Hua Kesariya…
My body and my heart has become saffron coloured
Chandni Hai Raat, Ab To Aaja Piya…
It’s a moonlit night, come at least now, my beloved
Aaa…
Chandni Hai Raat, Ab To Aaja Piya…
It’s a moonlit night, come at least now, my beloved
Kesariya, Ho Kesarayi Baalma… O Ji
O beloved with a saffron turban
Ke Tumse Laage Nain, Nain Re
My gaze is stuck with Yours
Ke Tumse Laage Nain
My gaze is stuck with Yours
Kesariya…
O saffron coloured!

Takra Ke Sar Ko, Jaan Na De Doon, To Kya Karun 
After banging my head(against the wall), why shouldn’t I kill myself
Kab Tak, Firaaq-E-Yaar Ke, Sadme Saha Karun
For how long should I torture myself with the separation from my lover
Main To Hazaar Chahoon, Ke Bolun Na Yaar Se
I try a thousand times not to tell this to my partner
Kaabu Mein Apne Dil Ko Na Paoon To Kya Karun
But I’m not able to keep my heart under control, what can I do?
Chandni Hai Raat, Ab To Aaja Piya… 
The moonlit night is here, come now, my beloved
Chandni Hai Raat, Ab To Aaja Piya, Aaja Piya
It’s a moonlit night, come at least now, my beloved
Chandni Hai Raat, Ab To Aaja Piya… 
It’s a moonlit night, come at least now, my beloved
Kesariya, Ho Kesarayi Baalma… O Ji
O beloved with a saffron turban
Ke Tumse Laage Nain, Nain Re
My gaze is stuck with Yours
Ke Tumse Laage Nain
My gaze is stuck with Yours
Kesariya… Baalma… O Ji
O beloved with a saffron turban
Ke Tumse Laage Nain, Nain Re
My gaze is stuck with Yours
Ke Tumse Laage Nain
My gaze is stuck with Yours
Kesariya…
O saffron coloured!