Another one

I came across this song a few days ago, though must have heard it a thousand times in the past without giving serious thought to its meaning. Listened to it carefully when someone asked for the meaning at an Orkut fan club. Here's my interpretation.

Song: O Maanjhi Re
Album: Khusboo (1975)
Composer: R.D. Burman

The singer is in a comtempletive mood, thinking about his philosophy of life. He compares it to a boat flowing along with a river. As with all Gulzar songs, the beauty lies in potraying human emotions via a simple natural setting.

O Maanjhi Re O Maanjhi Re
Apna Kinara
Nadiya Ki Dhara Hai
O Maanjhi Re

"kinara" in this song has different meanings .. here it refers to a haven/resting place... in the above lines, gulzaar captures the mood of "going with the flow" .. nadiya ki dhara can refer to "vagaries of life".. so he probably means I (the singer) take all ups and downs of life as they come ..


Saahilon Pe Behenewale
Kabhi Suna To Hoga Kahi Oooo
Oooo Kagazon Ki Kashtiyon Ka
Kahi Kinara Hota Nahi
O Maanjhi Re Maanjhi Re
Koi Kinara Jo Kinare Se Mile Woh
Apna Kinara Hai
O Maanjhi Re

"saahil" refers to a safe place.. "sahilon pe behnewale" means people who plan their life, are averse to changes.. "kagaz ki kashti" has the nature of going where the flow takes it.. it never contradicts the flow, just floats along.. so, the singer is telling people who live a comfortable, planned life, they must know that his (singer's) kind of people are always carefree, never plan or worry.. "kinara" in the last lines refers to people like the singer himself .. he says its so blissful to find someone like oneself in life


Paniyon Mein Behe Rahe hain
Kayi Kinare Toote Huve Oooo
Oooo Raaston Mein Mil Gaye Hain
Kabhi Saharein Choote Huve
Koi Sahara Majdhare Mein Mile Jo
Apna Sahara Hai
O Maanjhi Re

"kinare toote huve" -- people who have faced difficulties in the past. in life, one comes across many people who have faced a lot .. and it feels good to share one's feelings with such people.. talking to such people gives the courage to continue.. and in the process, without much ado, one finds the missing things of life. "majdhar" means the right in the middle of difficulties/life.. if someone is a help in the most difficult time of life, that person is a real companion


O Maanjhi Re O Maanjhi Re
Apna Kinara
Nadiya Ki Dhara Hai
O Maanjhi Re