Traditional Chutney·Wedding Songs
Payaliya
Chutney Soca Monarch 1999 · Tassa Mix
Devanand Gattoo’s Payaliya (1999) — the ultimate chutney. Debuted at Chutney Soca Monarch with no religious theme or social commentary, just pure dance. The lyrics celebrate a nanadiya (sister-in-law, or a beautiful young woman) in wedding finery: bindi, gajra, kangana, and chunari — and the jingling payaliya (anklets). Translation adapted from Vinay Harrichan / Caribbean Hindustani.
Lyrics
Refrain
Payaliya payaliya payaliya re
The anklets, oh the anklets, oh the anklets
Payaliya payaliya baje
The anklets are making noise
Chuma chuma chuma re
Jingling and making kissing sounds
Payaliya, ai payaliya, oh payaliya
The anklets, oh the anklets, oh the anklets
Chuma chuma chuma re
Jingling and making kissing sounds
Verse 1
Bindiya pehenke aaye nanadiya
Sister-in-law came wearing a bindi
Lage nanadiya nache re
And began to dance
Verse 2
Gajra pehenke aaye nanadiya
Sister-in-law came wearing a floral band
Lage nanadiya nache re
And began to dance
Verse 3
Kangana pehenke aaye nanadiya
Sister-in-law came wearing a bracelet
Lage nanadiya nache re
And began to dance
Verse 4
Chunari pehenke aaye nanadiya
Sister-in-law came wearing a veil
Lage nanadiya nache re
And began to dance