Rasika Dindial’s album “Come Chamkay with Rasika and the Lazy Man” (1998) was groundbreaking because of the chutney classics that came from it. One of the more iconic tracks was “Ratiya Pusur,” a tale of a woman longing for her lover or husband. He is presumably having an affair or has perhaps passed on because she is mourning his absence. She makes note of the bed that is not slept on, the cigarette that remains unlit, and the food that goes uneaten. As is the nature of traditional chutney music, the composition details the domestic duties and woes of Indian women.
Translated by Vinay Harrichan as part of the Caribbean Hindustani team:
Ratiya pusur pusur bathiaiyle
Whispering and talking at night
Dinwa kaha gavaiyo na
Where has the day gone by?
Aisa maje se main jyonaar banaiyo
With excitement I made dinner
Jyonaar kaha gavaiyo na
Where has the dinner been wasted?
Aisa maje se main birwa banaiyo
With excitement I rolled a cigarette
Birwa kaha juraiyi na
Where has the cigarette been lit?
Aisa maje se main sejiya bichaiyo
With excitement I spread the bed
Sejiya kaha sowaiyo na
Where has the bed been slept on?
