Radhā Kanhaiyā
Radha Kaniya
Lyrics
Refrain
Bansī sajai kē kāhā chupāyo?
Where have you hidden your flute after decorating it?
Kartī hai tumsē pyār Rādhā Kanhaiyā
Radha loves you Krishna
Verse 1
Brindaban kā muralī wālā
The flute-player of Vrindavan (Brindaban)
Sab kehte hain Nanda Gopālā
Everyone calls you the son of Nanda, the cow-herder (Nanda Gopālā)
Chup chup kē tu na sātā
Hiding quietly you do not trouble me
Oh natkhat orē Kanhaiyā
Being naughty all over Krishna
Kartī hai tumsē pyār Rādhā Kanhaiyā
Radha loves you Krishna
Verse 2
Gopīyo ko tu kyu satāwē?
Why do you trouble the young milkmaids (gopīs)?
Handīyo sē mākhan churāwē
Stealing butter from their baskets
Matkīyā phorī hazār
Breaking thousands of butter pots
Bār bār tu na muralī bajānā
Again and again you do not play the flute
Ab tum hī ho mērā thīkānā
Now you are my settlement and refuge
Ghāyal jīyārā hamār
My soul and heart are hurt
Meaning
A popular 1990s chutney by Babla & Kanchan. For Phagwah / Holi and the arrival of spring, it recalls how central the love of Radhā and Krishna is to the season. Kanhaiyā (or Kanhai) is Krishna as a mischievous child and naughty young man — teasing Radhā, troubling friends and neighbours. The song is from Radhā’s side: she asks him to stop messing with her and the gopīs, and still professes her love. It names Brindaban (Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh), where Krishna spent his childhood, and his muralī / bānsurī (flute).
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Added 11 Nov 2026