Mathura Nagarpati (Ruler of Mathura City)

Extremely beautiful and atmospheric song from an excellent art-house chamber film: “Rain Coat” (an adaptation of O Henry’s The Gift of the Magi) by Ritupurno Gosh – He wrote the film, directed it, and also penned the lyrics. Sung passionately by Shubha Mudgal.

Poem and Translation:

Subah subah ka khyaal aaj
Wapas gokul chal mathura raaj
Mathura nagarpati kaahe tum gokul jaaon

Early morning today, this thought had arrived.
King of Mathura (Krishan) said: “Let’s go back to the Gokul, the city I thrived”,
Oh, Ruler of Mathura City, why leave for the Gokul, sire?

Manohar vesh chhod nand raaj
Sar se utaarke sundar taaj
Raj dand chhod bhumi par vaaj
Phir kaahe baansuri bajaao
Mathura nagarpati kaahe tum gokul jaao

Disrobing the beautiful Royal Attire.
Taking off the head – A Crown of Saphire.
Dropping down a ruling leash to the ground,
Why pick up a flute again to play the sound?
Oh, Ruler of Mathura City, why leave for the Gokul, sire?

Kaun sa anokha geet gaye pee kakool
Raj paat jaise aaj bhai dhool
Kaun sa anokha geet gaaye pee kakool
Birhan laage phir hridaya akool
Raj kaaj man na lagaao
Mathura nagarpati kaahe tum gokul jaao

What new song is now sung by the bird?
That whole kingdom today is nothing but dust?
Which new song is being sung by the bird?
That an abandoned has tasted again the restlessness?
Putting heart off from the matters of the kingdom…
Oh, Ruler of Mathura City, why leave for the Gokul, sire?

Poor naari saari vyakul nayan
Kusum sajaa lage kantak shayan
Poor naari saari vyakul nayan
Raat bhar madhav jaagat bechain
Kaahe aadhi raat saarathi bulaayo
Mathura nagarpati kaahe tum gokul jaao

All women of the city have eyes keen and forlorn…
The bed of flowers is feeling like the bed of thrones…
All women of the city have eyes keen and desperate…
The whole night, Madhav (Krishan) too has remained sleepless.
Why on the cusp of midnight have you called the Chariot?
Oh, Ruler of Mathura City, why leave for the Gokul, sire?

Dheere dheere pahunchat jamuna ke teer
Sunsaan panghat mridul sameer
Dheere dheere pahunchat jamuna ke teer
Khan khan madhav birha madeer
Use kaahe bhool na paao
Mathura nagarpati kaahe tum gokul jaao

Inch by Inch reaching the shores of the river,
Soft breeze at the lonely banks shiver,
Inch by Inch descending to the shores of the river,
Pinch by pinch ascending – bittersweet pangs in memories of a lover.
Why can’t you just let her slip from your heart?
Oh, Ruler of Mathura City, why leave for the Gokul, sire?

Tumhari piriya ab puri gharvaali
Doodh navan ghivoo din bhar khaali
Biraha ke aansoon kab ke, ho kab ke ponch daali
Phir kaahe dard jagaao
Mathura nagarpati kaahe tum Gokul jaao

Your beloved (Radha) wholesomely now wedded wife of someone.
Indulged each day in buying groceries, running errands…
Wiped whole long ago are her tears of separation…
Then why go there to re-open the gates of flood?
Oh, Ruler of Mathura City, why leave for the Gokul, sire?

— Dedicated to the beloved… i.e. Krishan leaving the Mathura (his kingdom) to visit the Gokul (Radha’s place).