Sharda Sinha’s “Kelwa Ke Paat Par” from the album Chhathi Maiya presents a sacred conversation. The song, with lyrics by multiple writers including the artist, opens as the Sun God peeks through banana leaves. He asks the devotee why she observes the difficult Chhath vow.
Released: February 6, 1986
Kelwa Ke Paat Par
Sharda Sinha • From “Chhathi Maiya”
Chhathi Maiya’s Kelwa Ke Paat Par Lyrics Translation
The lyrics’ meaning is revealed through a direct question: “for whom is this vow?” The devotee consistently answers that her sacrifice is not for herself. Her prayers are for her son, her husband, and then her daughter.
Kelwa Ke Paat Par Ugelan SurujmalThrough the banana leaves, the Sun God rises
Jhaanke UnkeHe peeks down at you
Kelwa Ke Paat Par Ugelan SurujmalThrough the banana leaves, the Sun God rises
Jhaanke UnkeHe peeks down at you
Ae Karelu Chhath BaratiyaYou’re observing the ‘Chhath’ vow
Se Jhaanke UnkeSo He peeks down at you
Ae Karelu Chhath BaratiyaYou’re observing the ‘Chhath’ vow
Se Jhaanke UnkeSo He peeks down at you
Hum Tose Poochhi BaratiyaI ask of you, devotee
Ae Baratiya Se Kekra LaagiThis vow of yours, for whom is it?
Hum Tose Poochhi BaratiyaI ask of you, devotee
Ae Baratiya Se Kekra LaagiThis vow of yours, for whom is it?
Ae Karelu Chhath Baratiya SeThis ‘Chhath’ vow that you observe
Kekra LaagiFor whom is it?
Ae Karelu Chhath Baratiya SeThis ‘Chhath’ vow that you observe
Kekra LaagiFor whom is it?
Hamro Je BetwaIt is for my son
Kawan Aisan BetwaWhich son of yours?
Se Unke LaagiIt is for him
Hamro Je BetwaIt is for my son
Kawan Aisan BetwaWhich son of yours?
Se Unke LaagiIt is for him
Ae Karelu Chhath BaratiyaYou’re observing the ‘Chhath’ vow
Se Unke LagiIt is for him
Ae Karelu Chhath BaratiyaYou’re observing the ‘Chhath’ vow
Se Unke LagiIt is for him
Amrudiya Ke Paat Par Ugelan SurujmalThrough the guava leaves, the Sun God rises
Jhaanke JhukeHe peeks down, bowing low
Amrudiya Ke Paat Par Ugelan SurujmalThrough the guava leaves, the Sun God rises
Jhaanke JhukeHe peeks down, bowing low
Ae Karelu Chhath BaratiyaYou’re observing the ‘Chhath’ vow
Jhaanke JhukeHe peeks down, bowing low
Ae Karelu Chhath BaratiyaYou’re observing the ‘Chhath’ vow
Jhaanke JhukeHe peeks down, bowing low
Hum Tose Poochhi BaratiyaI ask of you, devotee
Ae Baratiya Se Kekra LagiThis vow of yours, for whom is it?
Hum Tose Poochhi BaratiyaI ask of you, devotee
Ae Baratiya Se Kekra LagiThis vow of yours, for whom is it?
Ae Karelu Chhath BaratiyaThis ‘Chhath’ vow that you observe
Se Kekra LaagiFor whom is it?
Ae Karelu Chhath BaratiyaThis ‘Chhath’ vow that you observe
Se Kekra LaagiFor whom is it?
Hamro Je SwamiIt is for my husband
Kawan Aisan SwamiWhich husband of yours?
Se Unke LaagiIt is for him
Hamro Je SwamiIt is for my husband
Kawan Aisan SwamiWhich husband of yours?
Se Unke LaagiIt is for him
Ae Karelu Chath BaratiyaYou’re observing the ‘Chhath’ vow
Se Unke LagiIt is for him
Ae Karelu Chath BaratiyaYou’re observing the ‘Chhath’ vow
Se Unke LagiIt is for him
Nariyar Ke Paat Par Ugelan SurujmalThrough the coconut leaves, the Sun God rises
Jhaanke JhukeHe peeks down, bowing low
Nariyar Ke Paat Par Ugelan SurujmalThrough the coconut leaves, the Sun God rises
Jhaanke JhukeHe peeks down, bowing low
Ae Karelu Chath BaratiyaYou’re observing the ‘Chhath’ vow
Jhaanke JhukeHe peeks down, bowing low
Ae Karelu Chath BaratiyaYou’re observing the ‘Chhath’ vow
Jhaanke JhukeHe peeks down, bowing low
Hum Tose Puchi BaratiyaI ask of you, devotee
Ae Baratiya Se Kekra LaagiThis vow of yours, for whom is it?
Hum Tose Puchhi BaratiyaI ask of you, devotee
Ae Baratiya Se Kekra LaagiThis vow of yours, for whom is it?
Ae Karelu Chhath BaratiyaThis ‘Chhath’ vow that you observe
Se Kekra LagiFor whom is it?
Ae Karelu Chhath BaratiyaThis ‘Chhath’ vow that you observe
Se Kekra LagiFor whom is it?
Hamro Je BetiIt is for my daughter
Kawn Aisan BetiyaWhich daughter of yours?
Se Unke LaagiIt is for her
Hamro Je BetiIt is for my daughter
Kawn Aisan BetiyaWhich daughter of yours?
Se Unke LaagiIt is for her
Ae Karelu Chhath BaratiyaYou’re observing the ‘Chhath’ vow
Se Unke LaagiIt is for her
Ae Karelu Chhath BaratiyaYou’re observing the ‘Chhath’ vow
Se Unke LaagiIt is for her
Kelwa Ke Paat Par Music Video
The song builds through a repeated call-and-response structure between the divine and the devotee. Each verse changes the type of leaf the sun peeks through, yet the question remains the same. This repetition roots the track in the selfless love central to the Chhath festival.