Dupatta Tera Satrang Da by Surjit Bindrakhia – English Translation
As part of my goal of helping spread and inform everyone about Punjabi culture, I’m gonna start translating some classic songs that are commonly used in Bhangra mixes. For some reason, it is impossible to find English translations for some of these older songs. My Punjabi is a bit rusty so if you notice a mistake, let me know in the comments and I’ll change them.
Transliteration of Punjabi
English translation
Modhe ton tilkda jave
It keeps slipping from your shoulder
Sataraan wal khave
It takes seventeen twists and turns
Dupatta tera satrang da, Kurdiye
Your seven colored scarf, oh girl
Dupatta tera satrang da
Your seven colored scarf
Chobheraan nu barda tardpave
It tortures the young men so much
Seene agh lave
It sets their hearts on fire
Dupatta tera satrang da
Your seven colored scarf
Oh sakhiyan che rehaniyan tu rani ban ke
Oh, you live among your friends like a queen
Oh sadak wich lange patrani ban ke
You walk down the street like a grand queen
Meeh ambharaan de wich ehe pave
It brings rain from the skies
Ni jadon leherave
When it waves in the air
Dupatta tera satrang da
Your seven colored scarf
Kehande he jawani hundi pukhi pyaar di
They say that youth is hungry for love
Taang ehnu rahe sada dildar di
It always longs for a beloved
Sajana noo piya eh bulave
It calls out to the beloved
Na thorda sharmave
It isn’t the least bit shy
Dupatta tera satrang da
Your seven colored scarf
Danna, danna, danna Danna, danna, danna
I’m pretty sure this doesn’t actually mean anything
Dupateyah sach das ve,
Oh scarf, tell me the truth,
Mein kehrde pind muklave jana?
Which village will I go to after my wedding?
Hirna ne tor hey udhari tethon mangi
The deer have borrowed their graceful walk from you
Ma-piyan dee jaan ni toon sooli utte tangi
You have hung your parents’ lives on the line
Cheetey chan na koi nava hee chadave
I hope it doesn’t cause some new trouble
Kasoota jabh pave
It creates a difficult situation
Dupatta tera satrang da
Your seven colored scarf
Sandhu dekh hoya nee shudayee phirda
Look, Sandhu is wandering around like a madman
Photo teri batuey che payee phirda
He carries your photo in his wallet
Geet teri hee dupatte de oh gave
He sings songs about your scarf
Nee jind tardpave,
Oh, it tortures his soul,
Dupatta tera sat rang da
Your seven colored scarf
