केसरिया बालम : KESARIYA BALAM
This track of Kesariya Balam is sung by Jankee Mehta… my daughter-in-law. Jankee’s voice is alluring, delightful, soul touching. Singing Kesariya Balam is not easy as hundreds have done this before. But this song in her voice has really moved me, because it’s so honest and pure. You can watch this on You Tube.
Kesariya Balam is a very popular folk song of the Thar desert – Rajputana. The earliest known popular version was sung by Padma Shri awardee folk singer Allah Jilai Bai in the Durbar of Maharaja Ganga Singh ji at Bikaner. Kesariya Balam folk song is about welcoming Rajput Warriors on their return to home after fighting wars away from their wives. The Kesariya Balam song is inspired by the story of Dhola-Maru, and the Rajput bravery, sacrifice and traditions of Thar desert.
‘Kesariya Balam’ means:
Balam, means lover and the term Kesariya Balam is used here to distinguish that her lover is a warrior and returning home from the battle field. Consider this song as if Maru is calling her lover Dhola. To be specific the wife (Dhola) is missing her husband (Maru), who far away from home on the battle field. He is now returning, so she is preparing to welcome her husband, a warrior, to his home, to his country. Most people do not know the correct meaning of this song and why is it even special. They just think that the ‘Kesariya Balam’ song can be used to invite everyone to come and visit Rajputana. It’s not so. It is about a warrior’s return and his welcome to his own motherland. In Rajputana, a warrior would sacrifice his life protecting his motherland and honour.
Kesariya, saffron colour represents sacrifice, bravery, and purity. That is why a Kesariya Safa (Turban) specifically worn on ceremonial and festive occasions.
Some quotes about a Rajput warriors:
The Rajput race is the noblest and proudest in India, they are of highest antiquity and purest descent, they have a military autocracy of a feudal type, and “brave and chivalrous, keenly sensitive to an affront, and especially jealous of the honour of their women”.
— Lt.Col. James Tod in Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan
If devotion to the fair sex be admitted as a criterion of civilization, the Rajpoot must rank high. His susceptibility is extreme, and fires at the slightest offense to female delicacy, which he never forgives.
— Lt.Col. James Tod in Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan
Original lyrics of Kesariya Balam:
केसरिया बालम आओ नि पधारो म्हारे देस
नि केसरिया बालम आओ सा पधारो म्हारे देस
पधारो म्हारे देस, आओ म्हारे देस नि
केसरिया बालम आओ सा पधारो म्हारे देस
मारू थारे देस में निपूजे तीन रतन-2
एक ढोलो, दूजी मारवन, तीजो कसूमल रंग
पधारो म्हारे देस, पधारो म्हारे देस नि,
केसरिया बालम, आओ नि पधारो म्हारे देस
केसर सू पग ला धोवती, घरे पधारो जी..
हे केसर सू पग ला धोवती, घरे पधारो जी..
और बढ़ाई क्या करू पल पल वारू जीव
पधारो म्हारे देस, आओ म्हारे देस नि
केसरिया बालम आओ सा पधारो म्हारे देस
आंबा मीठी आमरी,
(आम से भी मीठी ईमली.)
चोसर मीठी छाछ.
(और सबसे मीठी छाछ)
आ..अलाप
नैना मीठी कामरी
(सुंदर आँखो वाली कामिनी)
रन मीठी तलवार
(और युध में प्रिय तलवार..)
पधारो म्हारे देस, आओ म्हारे देस नि
केसरिया बालम आओ नि पधारो म्हारे देस
पधारो म्हारे देस, आओ म्हारे देस जी
केसरिया बालम आओ नि पधारो म्हारे देस
17 thoughts on “KESARIYA BALAM by Jankee Mehta”
jankee’s voice is soul touching and i know that she will continue to win millions of hearts day by day . and nakuul sir has been supporting jankee mam a lot. and all the creadit goes to you dear pratap uncle. loads of luck for the future and best wishes.
sincerely, from a biigggestt and craziest fan ,
nashik,maharashtra.
Thanks Avantika..much appreciate your sentiments.
welcome dear Pratap sir
I really like Jankee’s voice n her singing skills.
Specifically this song.. It has a sense of urban contemporary singing n still inholds the beaty of the folk. Loved her performance.
A big congratulations to uh too sir.. yr daughter in law n son, both are doing really good.
Please do convey my appreciation to them.
Thank you Rachana so much.
Their are doing excellent job
Sir.. ur son and daughter in law r doing fabulous job.. I wish I could meet or talk to them once.. I m their fan from Pakistan.
Much appreciate your sentiments. Thanks.
Can I get their autograph? I mean they can sign and dm me on Instagram (@aimanaijaz21), Facebook (Aiman Aijaz) or Twitter (@AimanAijaz21).. Please.. this will mean alot.. ☺️
Hi Sir, how are you? I want to start with saying that your son and your daughter in law are absolutely so talented in their chosen fields. Jankee id absolutely a phenomenal singer and Nakuul has grown leaps and bounds as an actor ever since his first show. I must say sir I am also a huge admirer of your achievements as well.
Thank you Radhika… for including me in…! Haha
Its an honour sir.
Thanks Radhika..
This is was the first time I am hearing the song. It is so delightful to hear this in Jankee song. Then I researched about this song. Your information on this song gave me full picture of the song. Thank you so much sir
Thank….. you Buvani.
Jankee has magical voice…when a person is not know about the meaning of poetry..then they think its beautifull and search for it and when jankee launched this song i reserch on this but ur article about it clear all the concept…here In pakistan punjab we people also use dhola and balam..etc You always gave good information and describe all the subject very easy ..plz write something about why people inspired from other people ..
Thanks Saba. What did you mean by, “plz write something about why people inspired from other people ..”..??