Udit Narayan performs “Khaike Paan Banaras Wala” for the 2006 album Don. Lyricist Javed Akhtar and composers Shankar Ehsaan Loy created the track. It opens by describing a major disaster and a panicked escape from a chaotic situation. This event forces the singer into a frantic, desperate run for survival.
Khaike Paan Banaras Wala
Udit Narayan • From “Don (2006)”
Don (2006)’s Khaike Paan Banaras Wala Lyrics Translation
The story turns after the character eats a paan, an act which restores his life force. He then recounts being deceived by educated folk with a “sweet knife.” Another verse details an encounter with a captivating woman who steals his heart.
Arey Tumka Ka Batayi BhaiyaOh brother, what can I tell you
Humra Haal Ka HaiAbout the state I’m in
Batai Deyo Batai DeyoLet me tell you, let me tell you
Nikle The Hum Halwa KhaneI’d gone out to eat ‘halwa’ ‘a sweet dessert’
Munhi Jal Gaya HaiAnd ended up burning my mouth
Hmm Ka Tumka BataiHmm, what can I tell you
Ab Ka SamjhaibWhat can I even explain now
Badi Durghatna HaiIt’s a huge disaster
Mushkil Bachna HaiAnd it’s hard to escape
Chala Aisa ChakkarSuch a whirlwind started
Uthi Aisi AandhiSuch a storm arose
Padi Humka KarniI was forced to make
Badi Kooda PhaandiSome big, desperate leaps
Badi Lambi ChhaudiIt was a long and wide
Hui Bhaaga DaudiMad dash all around
Din Raat Jo Humne Jaag Jaag KeDay and night, staying wide awake
Aisi Bhaagam BhaagIn such a chaotic rush
Ke Hum Kabhi Hiya GayeThat sometimes I went here
Kabhi Huya GayeSometimes I went there
Kabhi Hiya Gaye Kabhi Huya GayeSometimes here, sometimes there
Kabhi Idhar Bhage Kabhi Udhar BhageSometimes I ran this way, sometimes that way
Phir Tumne Diya Ye PaanThen you gave me this ‘paan’ ‘a betel leaf chew’
Toh Aayi Hamri Jaan Mein JaanAnd my life returned to my body
O Khaike Paan Banaras WalaOh, after eating a ‘paan’ from Banaras
Khaike Paan Banaras WalaAfter eating a ‘paan’ from Banaras
Khul Jaye Band Akal Ka TalaThe lock on a closed mind opens up
O Khaike Paan Banaras WalaOh, after eating a ‘paan’ from Banaras
Khul Jaye Band Akal Ka TalaThe lock on a closed mind opens up
Phir Toh Aisa Kare DhamaalThen I create such a commotion
Seedhi Karde Sabki ChaalAnd set everyone straight
Ho Chhora Ganga Kinare WalaOh, the boy from the banks of the Ganga river
Haan Khaike Paan Banaras WalaYes, after eating a ‘paan’ from Banaras
Khul Jaye Band Akal Ka TalaThe lock on a closed mind opens up
Arey Ram DuhaiOh, for God’s sake
Kaise Chakkar Mein Pad GayaWhat kind of trouble did I fall into
Kahan Jaan PhansaiWhere did my life get stuck
Main Toh Sooli Pe Chadh GayaIt felt like I was sent to the gallows
Kaisa Seedha SaadaHow simple I was
Main Kaisa Bhola Bhala Haan HaanHow innocent I was, yes, yes
Arey Kaisa Seedha SaadaOh, how simple I was
Main Kaisa Bhola BhalaHow innocent I was
Jaane Kaun Ghadi MeinWho knows in what fateful moment
Pad Gaya Padhe Likhon Se PalaI got mixed up with the educated folk
Mithi Chhuri SeWith a sweet knife
Mithi Chhuri Se Hua HalaalI was slain by a sweet knife
Chhora Ganga Kinare WalaThe boy from the banks of the Ganga river
O Chhora Ganga Kinare Wala HaanOh, the boy from the banks of the Ganga river, yes
O Khaike Paan Banaras WalaOh, after eating a ‘paan’ from Banaras
Khul Jaye Band Akal Ka TalaThe lock on a closed mind opens up
Ek Naar Naveli Badi Albeli Kare AtkeliA youthful woman, so carefree, plays her games
Uski Badi Hai Dhoom Hai AisiShe’s so famous everywhere
Man Bhaavan Sab Dekhe UskoSo captivating that everyone looks at her
Palat Palat Aur Ghoom GhoomTurning again and again, and spinning around
Woh Nagar Nagar Jaye Dagar DagarShe goes from town to town, path to path
Aur Ang Ang Mein Jyoti ChamkeAnd a light shines in her every limb
Jagar Jagar Sundar BaalaThis glittering, beautiful girl
Palkon Mein Liye Ek Sapna LokCarrying a world of dreams in her eyelids
Adharon Mein Liye Yovan HalaCarrying the wine of youth on her lips
Ithlati Hai Balkhati HaiShe sways and struts with flair
Tan Ka Chandan Woh Jhalak JhalakThe sandalwood of her body, she flashes
Jhalkaati HaiAnd she reveals
Woh Nain Dwaar Se Tan Mein AakeShe enters the body through the gateway of the eyes
Man Mein Jwaala Jagati HaiAnd ignites a flame in the heart
Woh Chandramukhi HaiShe is as lovely as the moon
Woh Mrignaini HaiShe is as graceful as a deer
Woh Roopvati HaiShe is the image of beauty
Woh Madhumati HaiShe is as sweet as honey
Dhin Tak Dhin Tak Dhin Tak HaanDhin Tak Dhin Tak Dhin Tak Yes
Ek Kanya KunwariA young, unmarried girl
Hamri Surat Pe Mar GayiFell head over heels for my face
Ek Meethi KataariA sweet dagger
Humre Dil Mein Utar GayiPierced its way into my heart
Kaisi Gori GoriSuch a fair, fair girl
O Tikhi Tikhi ChhoriOh, what a sharp and fiery girl
Arey Kaisi Gori GoriOh, such a fair, fair girl
O Tikhi Tikhi ChhoriOh, what a sharp and fiery girl
Karke Jora-JoriBy being so persistent
Kar Gayi Humre Dil Ki ChoriShe went and stole my heart
O Mili Chhori TohOh, when I found the girl
Mili Chhori Toh Hua NihaalWhen I found the girl, I was overjoyed
Chhora Ganga Kinare WalaThe boy from the banks of the Ganga river
Ho Chhora Ganga Kinare WalaOh, the boy from the banks of the Ganga river
O Khaike Paan BanaraswalaOh, after eating a ‘paan’ from Banaras
Khul Jaye Band Akal Ka TalaThe lock on a closed mind opens up
O Khaike Paan BanaraswalaOh, after eating a ‘paan’ from Banaras
Khul Jaye Band Akal Ka TalaThe lock on a closed mind opens up
Phir Toh Aisa Kare DhamaalThen I create such a commotion
Seedhi Karde Sab Ki ChaalAnd set everyone straight
Ho Chhora Ho ChhoraOh, the boy, oh, the boy
O Chhora Ganga Kinare WalaOh, the boy from the banks of the Ganga river
O Chhora Ganga Kinare Wala HaanOh, the boy from the banks of the Ganga river, yes
Khaike Paan Banaras Wala Music Video
The track builds around a recurring refrain about a mind-opening paan from Banaras. Each verse presents a different challenge the singer overcomes after this key event. This structure connects the simple act of chewing paan directly to finding clarity in difficult moments.