Sanson Ki Mala Pe

Sanson Ki Mala Pe (literally: On the rosary of breath) is a bhajan originally sung by Meerabai (c. 1498 – c. 1557 AD), a Rajput princess and a Hindu mystic from Rajasthan in praise of Lord Krishna. The song has been sung by many famous artists, and is one of the most popular songs of legendary vocalist, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and was first played by Khan when he first visited India in 1979. The song remains popular in most Qawwali concerts, Music Reality Shows and devotional gatherings.

Lyrics & English Translations

saaNsoN kii maalaa pe simruuN maiN pii ka naam

apne mann kii maiN jaanuuN aur pii ke mann kii Ram

With every breath I take, I chant the name of my beloved I know of my heart, and God knows of the heart of my beloved

yahii merii bandagii hai, yahii merii puujaa

This is my salutation [and] this is my prayer.

ek thaa saajan mandir meN aur ek thaa pritam masjid meN

par maiN prem ke rang meN aisii Duubii ban gayaa ek hii ruup

One lover was in the temple and another in the mosque but to me, immersed in the joy of love, both seemed same

prem kii maalaa japte japte aap banii maiN Shyam

Chanting on rosary, the name of Shyam [Lord Krishna], I become him. Note: A Hindu God sung and revered by the patrons of love.

ham aur nahiiN kuchu kaam ke

matvaare pii ke naam ke, har dam

I am worthless except that I surrender to the name of my beloved, all the time.

priitam kaa kuch dosh nahiiN hai vo to hai nirdosh

apne aap se baateN kar ke ho gayii maiN badnaam

My beloved is not to be blamed, it is no fault of his I became infamous only because of talking to myself.

Jeevan Ka Shingar Hai Preetam

Mang Pe Hai Sindoor

My beloved is the beautification of life And also the vermilion in my hair

Preetam Ki Nazron Se Girr Karr

Jeena Hai Kis Kaam

When fallen in my beloved’s eyes What use is living?

Sanson Ki Mala Pe Simroon Main Pi Ka Naam

On the garland of my breaths I have bejewelled my beloved’s name

Inspirations

The song was used in the 1997 Hindi film Koyla featuring Shahrukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit.

References