Saanware Ranga Raachi

 The word rang (रंग) in Hindi or Marathi means color. It is not only used in the literal sense but in several other ways. Often it is used to refer to a person’s true being as in “ showed his/her true colors”. Also used to describe getting immersed or absorbed in something when used as a verb. 

One of my favorite Meera bhajans is Saanware rang raachi. Listen to this in the voice of our beloved Lata Mangeshkar and at least for a short time you will get absorbed in the love of Krishna and forget everything else. Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar and Lata Didi have conferred upon us such priceless treasures of compositions from saint literature. One of the many such is Chala Vahi Des, an astounding album of the poetry of Meerabai , the 16th century Rajput princess who turned ascetic in pursuit of her sublime devotion to Krishna.

Saanware rang raachi is addressed to her husband who was jealous of her passion for Krishna. Legend has it that Rana (her husband) tried to poison her but she fearlessly consumed it keeping her faith in Krishna and surely Krishna kept his promise of being a savior to his devotee.

Despite persecution from her in laws and husband and in defiance of the norms of royal life and society she set out in search of her Lord, sang and danced in temples with joyous abandon, immersed in the love for Krishna. 

Saanwara, the dark one, refers to Krishna. She was engrossed completely in his essence(personality). All her mind could think and eyes could see was Krishna. Indeed Krishna was the only source of joy for her. Nothing or no one other than Krishna mattered to her. She had surrendered herself at the feet of her Lord and considered herself as his servant. There was a sense of pride and confidence in her proclamation. 

The full song: the language is a mix of Marwari and Hindi.

saanvare rang raachi raanaa ji hun to
baandh ghungharaa prem kaa hun to
hari ke aage naachi
saanvare rang raachi

ek nirakhat ek parakhat hai
ek karat mori haasi
aur log mhaaari kaa_i kare si
hun to hari ji prabhu ji ki daasi
saanvare rang raachi

raano vishh ko pyaalo bhejo
hun to himmat ki kaachi
Meera charanaa laagaye chhe saanchi

saanvare rag raachi raanaa ji hun to
baandh ghungharaa prem kaa hun to
hari ke aage naachi
saanvare rang raachi

Saree is a muslin from West Bengal in a lovely salmon color with gold floral vine pattern on borders and pallu.