Kawa Kawa Kawa

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Kawa Kawa Kawa

Gateways To Joy

Love Poetry

Kawa Kawa Kawa

14 May 2013

Year: 2001
Movie: Monsoon Wedding
Singer: Sukhwinder Singh
Music Director: Mychael Danna

'Kawa Kawa Kawa' is the theme song for the movie 'Monsoon Wedding' (2001). It combines the joys of a wedding with the onset of monsoon. Lyrics are in Punjabi, the language spoken in the Punjab-Haryana region in North India. This region is blessed by many rivers and forms the bread basket of India. Summers are scorching hot, so monsoons are eagerly awaited.

Lyrics are simple, with no hidden meaning. The translation below may help non Punjabi speakers appreciate this song.

Another wedding song that is equally bright: Bumbro Bumbro (2000, Mission Kashmir).

Roman Script

Ke Aj Mea Jee Karda!
Rabba Rabba Mee Barsa, Sadi Kothi Daane Paa!
Kaava Kaava Kaava
Aj Mera Jee Karda
Main Ud Jaa Naal Hawaava
Ke Meri Kismat Ne Kar Dittiya Thandiya Chhava

Translation

Today, my heart desires!
O Lord! Let it rain! Let grains abound in my bungalow.
Crows, crows, crows
Today, my heart desires
that I may fly with the winds.
My good fortune has given me cool shades.

Interpretation

The opening stanza exudes immense happiness. The poet feels like flying with the winds to express his joy :) Two concepts have been tied together: the onset of monsoon and the festivities of marriage. Monsoon is critical for sowing crops. Marriages are unions of two families. The poet implores the Almighty for a downpour so that his family has sufficient grains for the next year. Through these words, he also seeks a shower of blessings for his family on the occasion of marriage.

Kaava means 'crow'. In north India, it is believed that when you hear a crow, then somebody will visit your home. So there should be sufficient food at home for the visitor.

The monsoon season is sandwiched between summer and winter in North India. The temperature difference between the two seasons is quite a bit. Monsoons showers bring much sought respite from the scorching summer sun. 'Thandiya chhava' means 'cool shades'. They denote a state of peace and joy ('sukha'). These are the opposite of 'garam hawaava' (hot winds), which denote misery ('dukha'). Both marriage and the onset of monsoon are auspicious occasions, reflecting the advent of peace and joy ('sukha').

Roman Script

Sade Vede Bajan Shehnaiyan Jee
Khushiya Hasdiya Nachdiya Gaaiya Jee
Kaliya Rata Lagan Paraiya Jee
Gavo Toliyan! Gavo Toliyan! Gavo Toliyan!

Translation

In our courtyard, clarinets are playing
Joys abound, smiling, dancing, singing
Black nights seem unfamiliar.
Sing in groups! Sing in groups! Sing in groups!

Interpretation

The second stanza describes scenes at a typical marriage in North India. The 'shehnayi', also called 'mangal vadya', is a wind instrument commonly played on happy occasions. Men, women and children make merry by dancing and singing traditional songs in groups. 'Kali raat' reflects difficult times. Wedding occasions are so festive that people forgets their difficult times. Everybody is transported into a world of merriment :)

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