Baju band khul khul jaye: lyrics, meaning, and significance
Explore this captivating Thumri, uncover its lyrics, meaning, iconic renditions and as a bonus, learn about Radha's empowering story which challenged gender and societal norms.
Baju Band Khul Khul Jaye is one of the most popular Thumris among musicians. Thumris (derived from ठुमकना) are a genre of song associated primarily with dance. This genre gained popularity and has remained in artists’ imagination in the Gangetic belt of India, slowly spreading to other regions. Like many other parts of Indian classical music, this one also originates in folk music.
Thumkana refers to “to walk with a dancing gait in such a way that the ankle bells tinkle.”
Lyrics of Baju Band Khul Khul Jaye with the English transliteration & the associated meaning.
बाजूबंद खुल खुल जाए
Baajuband khul khul jaae
(The armlet keeps coming undone/opening again and again)
सांवरिया कैसा जादू डारा रे
Saanwariya kaisa jaadu Daara re
(O dark-complexioned beloved, what magic have you cast?)
जादू की पुड़ियां भर भर मारे
Jaadu ki puDiyaan Bhar Bhar maare
(You've thrown countless packets/portions of magic spells)
क्या करें बैद बेचारे
Kya karein baid bechaare
(What can the poor physician/healer do?)
This Thumri describes Radha’s emotions towards Krishna, and her longing or pining for him. Virahotkaṇṭhitā (विरहोत्कण्ठिता) refers to “one distressed by separation” and represents a type of mistress (nāyikā), according to the Nāṭyaśāstra. She is expressing this emotion, and is described to be dazed and impatient, signified by her armlet that keeps falling off. Another interpretation is the armlet keeps opening perhaps because she has lost weight from pining too long for her beloved.
It goes on to describe Radha imploring Saanwariya (a moniker for Krishna) about the magic spell that he has cast on her, which makes her so helpless that even the medic (baid) is unable to help.
Thumris have captured the imagination of several musicians and Cognoscenti across the sub-continent. Wajid Ali Shah, the last Mughal ruler of India was fascinated by this genre. He penned several Thumri’s himself, usually composing the couplets in the morning and having artists perform them in the evening. He was fascinated with Indian arts, particularly dance and music and regularly held his own Raas-Leela ceremonies. Here’s an illustration from his autobiographical Ishqnaama.
Popular renditions of Baju Band Khul Jaaye
The most popular version of this song is set to Raag Bhairavi.Many prominent musicians have performed their own interpretations of this song. There are a few pioneers though. Those who would inspire future generations to mimic their style of rendering this song. Starting with the two stalwarts of Hindustani Classical music
Ustad Fayyaz Khan Sahib & Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. But first, please sign up to this publication for updates like this!
There are several other impressive renditions,
Pt Bhimsen Joshi in a rare live performance of Bhairavi
Lastly, and this one by Sniti Mishra caught my attention recently.
Bonus: Radha & women empowerment
It’s always puzzled me why Radha has been revered throughout history in India. I realized recently that her brand of devotion and love challenged the patriarchal structure of medieval Indian society.
While most women in India were(are) expected to be demure, Radha's story offered a contrasting model of feminine empowerment. She openly expressed her physical and spiritual desires, maintained her independence (remaining unmarried to Krishna), and practiced a passionate and unapologetic form of devotion.
Known as "Swadheen Patika Nayika" (the self-possessed heroine), Radha's unconventional devotion to Krishna transcended the traditional boundaries of social propriety. This made her narrative particularly significant in the Bhakti movement, where her relationship with Krishna became a metaphor for the soul's unrestricted devotion to the divine.
Her legacy continues to resonate as an early example of feminine agency and emotional authenticity in Indian cultural tradition.
References
https://www.rct.uk/collection/1005035/ishqnamahnbspshqnmh-the-book-of-love
https://lucknowobserver.com/thumri-makes-radha-a-complete-nayika/
