October 2021 - Caribbean Hindustani

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2021: PM Modi को संबोधित करते हुए Suriname के President बोलने लगे Bhojpuri

October 15, 2021

Every year in January, the Government of India observes Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to make the contributions of the Indian diaspora to the government of India. In 2021, the chief guest to this event was Chandrikapersad “Chan” Santokhi, the newly elected president of Suriname, a member of the country’s Hindustani community. Santokhi notably began his address at the event with a set of greetings in Sarnami Hindustani, his native language with significant vocabulary influence from Modern Standard Hindi. Below is a translation of his opening remarks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUqKOHn8miE&t=41s

भारत के प्रधान मंत्री जी, मानण्य, महामहिम श्री नरेंद्र मोदी जी
(To) India’s praiseworthy, His Excellency, Prime minister Narendra Modi Ji
मेरे प्यारे प्यारे भरतिया प्रवाशी
(To) my beloved Indian diaspora
भैया और बहिने लोगन
Brothers and sisters
हमार ओर से, आप लोगन का रामजोहाल पाउचे
From my direction, I wish you people the best of health
का हाल बा?
How are you?
हमार देस सुरीनाम के ओर से आप सब लोगों को
From my country of Suriname to all you people
इस स्वरवा प्रवाशी दिवस पर
On this great Diaspora Day
हियर देस अभिनन्दन परसुत करीला
I present my greetings to this country
नमस्कार आप सब लोक के लिए
Salutations to all of you

Hindustani Words/Phrases and Meanings
Ka Haal Ba – How are you?
Pradhan Mantri – Prime Minister
Pyare – beloved
Logan – People (plural)
Ore – Direction, side
Bharatiya Pravasi Divas – Indian Diaspora Day
Namaskaar – Greetings/Salutations
Ramjohaal – Literally meaning the health/condition of Lord Ram, but interpreted as “best of health”
Abhinandan – Greetings
Karila – Do/doing (presence tense)
Maananya – Praisworthy
Mahamahim – Excellency
Parsut – To Present

Balama (2017) by Drupatee Translated & Lyrics

Balama (2017) by Drupatee

Queen of Chutney Soca Drupatee Ramgoonai actually has two songs by the name of Balama. The below song was released in 2017, produced by Big
Rich and the Pungalunks Factory as part of Chatak Matak, a series of traditional chutney songs sung by contemporary artists. The song is a bidesia,
a traditional UP/Bihari folk song expressing longing for the migrants who left their homeland (presumably in the context of indentureship). The song is
from the perspective of a woman whose husband has gone abroad.

आय सारी रतिया निंदिया ना आवे (अरे बहिनिया, लेकिन क्यों)
All night sleep does not come (Oh, but why, sister?)
हाय दया!
Oh my god! (also translated as “Lord have mercy”)
बलमा मोरे गइले बिदेसवा
My beloved has gone abroad
बलमा मोरे, बलमा मोरे, बलमा मोरे गइले बिदेसवा
बलमा मोरे गइले बिदेसवा
बलमा गइले बिदेसवा (2x)
My beloved went abroad
बलमा मोरे गइले बिदेसवा (2x)
ओ बलमा, बलमा, बलमा, बलमा
O beloved, O beloved, O beloved, O beloved

सारी रतिया निंदिया ना आवे, निंदिया ना आवे (2x)
All night sleep does not come
रिमझिम नया नवा बरसे
New drizzles and rains arrive

बलमा मोरे, बलमा मोरे गइले बिदेसवा
My beloved has gone abroad
बलमा मोरे गइले बिदेसवा
My beloved has gone abroad

बिन सैया मोरे दिल में आग है (2x)
Without my lover, there is fire in my heart
सारी महिनवा क्या करु में
What do I do all month?
बलमा मोरे, बलमा मोरे गइले बिदेसवा
My beloved has gone abroad

ओ मोरे राजा वापस आजा, वापस आजा (2x )
Oh my king, please come back, come back
दिल के आग भूजावो रे
Parch the fire in my heart

बलमा मोरे गइले बिदेसवा (2x)
My beloved has gone abroad
बलमा गइले बिदेसवा (2x)
My beloved went abroad
बलमा मोरे गइले बिदेसवा (2x)
ओ बलमा, बलमा, बलमा, बलमा (4x)
O beloved, O beloved, O beloved, O beloved
बलमा मोरे गइले बिदेसवा (4x)

Hindustani Words and Meanings
Balama/balma – beloved/lover
Bides/Bidesawa – abroad, foreign land
Hay daya – Have mercy/oh my god
Saiya – beloved lover
Rimjhim – drizzle
Barasaawe (barse) – to rain (it rains)
Neend (nindiya) – sleep
Mahina (mahinawa) – month
Aawe – to come
Vaapas aaja – come back
Aag – fire
Raaja – king