If anyone has spent any time on the Indian side of the internet lately, they have most likely heard one of the many versions of this track going viral. It’s the track flooding Instagram Reels, trending on YouTube, and playing continuously in your head if you are a music lover. But this Saraiki folk tune, “Chhalre chhalre waal” goes way deeper than your average viral groove. My friend P****i spent quite a bit of her time transcribing and transcreating this track so non-Saraiki speakers can finally experience the lyrical depth behind the song. I must confess here that it’s not a literal translation but her personal interpretation, so if you disagree with her take, feel free to email your version.

P****i has used the OG, Shafaullah Khan Rokhri’s version of the song, as the reference. A video of this is also embedded below.

Chhalre chhalre waal
Mondhe rakhdaein kaali shaal
Hath chanaein ratta rumaal
Teriyan risaan kon kare (Teriyan risaan kon kare)

Paave van-sawanne baane
Tede dil diyan Allah jaane
Jadon hasda ae, dil khasda ae
Lutt ghinda ae naajan naal

Chhalre chhalre waal
Mondhe rakhdaein kaali shaal
Hath chanaein ratta rumaal
Teriyan risaan kon kare (Teriyan risaan kon kare)

Akkhin vekh ke dang thi gaiyaan
Pehli vaar malang thi gaiyaan
Tu bole, labb khole
Tere muh chon girde laal

Chhalre chhalre waal
Mondhe rakhdaein kaali shaal
Hath chanaein ratta rumaal
Teriyan risaan kon kare (Teriyan risaan kon kare)

Tu sanwal phul kastoori
Tedi thi gayi bahoon mashhoori
Jha jha te, har jha te
Paye dende lok misaal

Chhalre chhalre waal
Mondhe rakhdaein kaali shaal
Hath chanaein ratta rumaal
Teriyan risaan kon kare (Teriyan risaan kon kare)

Tu phool te main tera maali
Teri karsaan chann rakhwaali
Jag daadhe, dil aadhe
Rakh naukar Bismil naal

Chhalre chhalre waal
Mondhe rakhdaein kaali shaal
Hath chanaein ratta rumaal
Teriyan risaan kon kare (Teriyan risaan kon kare)

Wild, dark curls cascading down,
A black wool shawl across your shoulder tossed,
A crimson cloth resting playfully in your hand,
Oh, who could ever mirror you? In your beauty, the world is lost.

You weave your vibrant, cosmic illusions,
What secrets hide in your heart, only the Heavens know.
Yet the moment you smile, my heart is stolen away,
Enchanting thief, you rob me with your graceful glow.

Wild, dark curls cascading down,
A black wool shawl across your shoulder tossed,
A crimson cloth resting playfully in your hand,
Oh, who could ever mirror you? In your beauty, the world is lost.

One glimpse of your form, and my eyes were paralyzed,
I shed this mortal world; a wandering mystic at your feet I fall.
When your lips part, when the sweet notes flow,
It is as if divine rubies and celestial pearls fall.

Wild, dark curls cascading down,
A black wool shawl across your shoulder tossed…

You are my dusky Lord, fragrant as musk,
Across the three realms, your glory is sung.
In every village, at every crossroad,
Your divine grace is the only tale on every tongue.

Wild, dark curls cascading down,
A black wool shawl across your shoulder tossed…

You are the divine lotus, and I, merely your gardener,
I would stand like the moon, keeping watch in the dark.
This mortal world is cruel, and this human heart fragile,
Keep this poet as your eternal servant; let me stay in your spark.

Wild, dark curls cascading down,
A black wool shawl across your shoulder tossed…