Reliya Bairan Piya Ko Liye Jaye Re: Translating Awadhi Viraha Folk Song

Reliya Bairan Piya Ko Liye Jaye Re: Translating Awadhi Viraha Folk Song

"Reliya Bairan Piya Ko Liye Jaye Re" is an iconic Awadhi folk song rooted in the theme of Viraha—the anguish of longing and separation. Historically, as industrialization drew men away from rural regions in North India to work in distant urban centers, the railway became a poignant symbol of disruption in traditional life. In this song, a young bride personifies the train (reliya) as her bitter rival or enemy (bairan), directing her innocent, hyperbolic frustration at every element facilitating her husband's departure.

Original Lyrics:

रेलिया बैरन पिया को लिए जाए रे,
रेलिया बैरन.

जौने टिकटवा से पिया मोरे ज़ईहें,
पिया मोरे ज़ईहें हो पिया मोरे ज़ईहें
बरसे पनिया.
बरसे पनिया टिकट गली जाए हो,
रेलिया बैरन.

जौने शहरवा में पिया मोरे ज़ईहें,
पिया मोरे ज़ईहें हो पिया मोरे ज़ईहें
लगी जाए अगिया.
लगी जाए अगिया शहर ज़री जाए हो,
रेलिया बैरन.

English Translation:

Oh, this enemy train is taking my beloved away,
This enemy train.

The very ticket my beloved will use to depart,
Yes, the ticket my beloved will use to depart—
May the rain pour down,
May the rain pour down and soak the ticket until it dissolves into pulp,
Oh, this enemy train.

The very city where my beloved will go,
Yes, the city where my beloved will go—
May a fire break out,
May a fire break out and burn that city to the ground,
Oh, this enemy train.