The legendary musician Yusuff Khan was often praised for his original compositions. One of his most well-known songs is “Rahariya Ke Pattiya,” featured on the album “Yusuff Khan Sings Again” from the 1970s. Produced by Moean Mohammed and recorded in Trinidad, it was a major hit among Indian women at their functions. Khan sings about a family in which many of the marriages are interfaith Hindu and Muslim unions. As this would have been seen as rather progressive at the time, these individuals are quite proud of themselves and making a spectacle of it. Khan symbolizes them showing off their ego to one another by comparing it to the shining leaves of pigeon peas. There are many versions of this song, but the narrative about vanity for others to see is similar.
Translated by Vinay Harrichan as part of the Caribbean Hindustani team:
Khoob jhalaki, khoob jhalaki
Shining brightly, shining brightly
Rahariya ke pattiya khoob jhalaki
The leaves of the pigeon peas are shining brightly
Saas more Hindu, sasur Muselman
My mother-in-law is Hindu, father-in-law is Muslim
Dono jana milke karela abhimaan
The both of them are showing off to one another
Karela abhimaan, karela abhimaan
Showing pride, showing pride
Bhaiya more Hindu, bhoujani Muselman
My elder brother is Hindu, his wife is Muslim
Dewar more Hindu, dewrani Muselman
My younger brother-in-law is Hindu, his wife is Muslim
Khoob jhalaki, khoob jhalaki saiyaan
Shining brightly, shining brightly beloved
