Jugni

Jugni is a traditional folk song from Punjab, wherein the narrative is through the eyes of a wandering woman named Jugni. Jugni is used as an innocent observer who goes from place to place and describing what she sees. Most Jugni songs are happy and humourous, but one version of the song from Rabbi Shergill's first album always touched my heart and has somehow become all the more relevant again...

Jugni vekhan chali desh....
Jithe janmay si kadi ved...
Jithon kadyaa si angrez...
Ki banyaa usdaa....
Ki banyaa usdaa haal....
kede kite usne kamaal...

Vir meryaa ve jugni....
Vir meryaa ve jugni kehndi aa....
Ek raah nawe aaj pandi hain..


(Jugni sets out to see the country where the Vedas were once born, from where the Englishman was once thrown out... what's happened to it today, what wonders has it done since my brother... Jugni says, as she sets out on a new road today.)

Jugni jaa wadi Kashmir ....
Jithe roz maran das vee..
Soni behnaa te sone veer..
Oh ro ro pucchan..
Ke jaghda tayi-on mukna...
Jado jhelum paani sukhnaa?

Vir meryaa ve Jugni....
Vir meryaa ve Jugni kehndi aa....
Ek neer nawe aj behndi aa..

(Jugni ends up in Kashmir, where 10-20 die every die - handsome brothers of beautiful sisters. Wailing they ask...when will this strife end? When the Jhelum runs dry my brother.... Jugni says as she flows down new waters today...)

Jugni jaa wadi Punjab....
jithe padhe likhe bekaar...
Vech zameenaa jaawaen baahar...
Othe maaran jhadu....
Othe gori lain vyah..
Picche tabbar takke raah..

Vir meryaa ve Jugni....
Vir meryaa ve Jugni kehndi aa....
Ek nayi udari lendi aa....

(Jugni goes to Punjab where the educated are unemployed. The end up selling lands and go abroad and end up sweeping the roads. They marry a white girl there and settle while their family awaits their return my brother... Jugni says as she takes a new flight..)

Jugni jaa wadi Bambai..
Jithe sonda koi nahi...
Sab labban cheez koi ....
Kis kise nu labbe...
Jinu labbe oh bechain....
Mathe matke uske pain...???

Vir meryaa ve jugni....
Vir meryaa ve jugni kehndi aa....
Ek sah safar daa lendi aa....

(Jugni reaches Bombay where no one ever sleeps. They all hunt for something which only a few find. Those who find it are then forever worried, with lines on their forehead deepening my brother..... Jugni says as she pauses along the road she's travelled so far)

Jugni jaa wadi aaj Dilli,
Othe bheed wich ral ki bhulli..
Kitho aayi teh kithe chali...
Sab bisar gaya...
Jaddon aaya usno cheta...
Taaki muke-ya si usdaa vela....

Vir meryaa ve Jugni....
Vir meryaa ve Jugni kehndi aa....
Aaj naam Guru-an da lehendi aa.......

(Jugni ends up in Delhi where she gets lost in the crowd. Where did she come from, where did she go, she's lost. When she gathers her wits, she realises her time is over my brother... Jugni says, as she remembers the Lord while she fades away..)