Gopi Gopaal khelen hori
Very popular Holi lej
Lyrics
Gopi Gopaal khelen hori
Gopis and Gopal play Holi
Baajat mrdang murchang
Mridang and murchang sound
Jang karat aaran baajat jori
Paired instruments beat together
Ghanta ghaharaane koli nagaare
Bells and nagara roar
Ektaare dhuni ek thori
The ektara’s drone holds one note
Aur manjira jhaanjh vina daf
Manjira, jhanjh, vina, daf
Dholak taan adhik tori
Dholak tones rise louder
Eke Brij-naari audhat saari
One Brij woman wraps her sari
Suha rang se rang bori
Dyed deep in suha colour
Paayan pagu baajen upur chhajen
Ankle-bells ring as she steps
Kar mundari pahire bhori
Rings shine on her hands
Ur bich maala chanchal chaala
A garland on her chest, playful walk
Chitavat chit karen chori
Her glance steals the heart
Bendi shir sohe sab jag mohe
The bindi on her brow enchants the world
Rupa salonum iri thori
Her beauty is slight yet captivating
Chandan mandan jamak jamaaye
Sandal paste gleams
Keshar aur gulaab ghori
Mixed with kesar and rose
Kanchan pichakaari hani hani maari
Golden pichkaris strike again and again
Ek na haare Brij gori
Not one Brij girl gives in
Sang baal anek Gopaal liye
Gopal brings many boys along
Abir gulaal bhar jhori
Bags filled with abir and gulal
Eke mrg naini kokil beni
Deer-eyed, cuckoo-voiced
Dhaave dhamake chamke dauri
They run flashing through the play
Eke chanchal odhe anchal eke
Some fling the anchal, some
Badan male rori
Smear the body with colour
Meaning
Gopis and Gopal play Holi
Mridang and murchang sound Paired instruments beat together Bells and nagara roar The ektara’s drone holds one note
Manjira, jhanjh, vina, daf Dholak tones rise louder One Brij woman wraps her sari Dyed deep in suha colour
Ankle-bells ring as she steps Rings shine on her hands A garland on her chest, playful walk Her glance steals the heart
The bindi on her brow enchants the world Her beauty is slight yet captivating Sandal paste gleams Mixed with kesar and rose
Golden pichkaris strike again and again Not one Brij girl gives in Gopal brings many boys along Bags filled with abir and gulal
Deer-eyed, cuckoo-voiced They run flashing through the play Some fling the anchal, some Smear the body with colour