Diljit Dosanjh sings Saanvle. Raj Ranjodh writes the lyrics and composes the music. The song describes a woman’s pain over skin color prejudice.
Released: January 14, 2026
Saanvle
Diljit Dosanjh
Saanvle Lyrics English Translation by Diljit Dosanjh
Raj Ranjodh writes about a woman asking for a ‘lalaari’ to dye her skin. She tells her love that she has a dusky complexion while he desires fair skin.
Ho Saanwle Je Rang Di Aan MainI’ve got a dusky complexion,
Tainu Goreyan Rangaan Da ChahBut you’ve got a longing for fair skin.
Dass Koi Lalaari HaaniyaTell me of a ‘lalaari’ (dyer), my love,
Ve Dass Koi Lalaari HaaniyaOh, tell me of a ‘lalaari’ (dyer), my love,
Tere Rang Lavaan Chamm Nu RangaSo I can dye my skin in your color.
Ho Saanwle Je Rang Di Aan MainI’ve got a dusky complexion,
Tainu Goreyan Rangaan Da ChahBut you’ve got a longing for fair skin.
Ve Dass Koi Lalaari HaaniyaOh, tell me of a ‘lalaari’ (dyer), my love,
Ve Dass Koi Lalaari HaaniyaOh, tell me of a ‘lalaari’ (dyer), my love,
Tere Rang Lavaan Chamm Nu RangaSo I can dye my skin in your color.
Ho Saanu Eh Saraap Kha GayaThis curse has consumed me,
Dehan Kaaliyan Da Marz BuraThis sickness of dark skin is terrible.
Naam Tera Ve KalehneyanYour name, oh dark-destined one,
Saade Lekhan Vich Darj BuraIs written as a bad omen in my fate.
Ho Jaan Teri Ve Pasand DiYour life is of your own choosing,
Ghutt Bhasmaan Di Gholke PiyaanI’ll dissolve a gulp of ‘bhasmaan’ (ashes) and drink it.
Ho Saanwle Je Rang Di Aan MainI’ve got a dusky complexion,
Tainu Goreyan Rangaan Da ChahBut you’ve got a longing for fair skin.
Ho Rang Mere Te Ki Rang LaaWhat color could you possibly add to my skin,
Ve Ankhin Kajjla Nahiyo DeehdaWhen even ‘kajjla’ (eyeliner) isn’t visible in my eyes?
Ho Modde Saade Laddiyan LaashanMy shoulders carry strings of dead dreams,
Te Ik Supna Nahiyo JayidaAnd not even a single one of them survives.
Oh Mere Hathin Chhoya PaaniThe water touched by my hands,
Tera Ishq Na Khasmaan PeendaYour greedy love refuses to drink.
Ho Rabb Vi Dahda Te Rang Vi GoorhaGod’s harsh and the color is deep,
Tainu Dosh Ginavaan KihdaSo whom should I blame for this?
Ho Ragde Suahan Naal Mainu Kyun Nanaan VeWhy does my ‘nanaan’ (sister-in-law) scrub me with ‘suahan’ (cleaning ash)?
Meriyan Na Mulle Kolon Nazran Luhaan VeI won’t have a ‘mulla’ (cleric) remove the evil eye from me.
Hirna Ve Teri Bani Allarh Rakaan VeOh ‘hirna’ (my dear), your young girl has grown up,
Chaachiyan Te Taaiyan Mainu Vadd Vadd Khaan VeBut my ‘chaachiyan’ and ‘taaiyan’ (paternal aunts) are eating me alive with taunts.
Maari Ch Mitti Ve Hath TeI’ve thrown dust upon my own hands,
Mainu Sithniyan Dendi Meri MaaAnd even my mother mocks me with ‘sithniyan’ (scornful songs).
Ho Saanwle Je Rang Di Aan MainI’ve got a dusky complexion,
Tainu Goreyan Rangaan Da ChahBut you’ve got a longing for fair skin.
Ve Dass Koi Lalaari HaaniyaOh, tell me of a ‘lalaari’ (dyer), my love,
Ve Dass Koi Lalaari HaaniyaOh, tell me of a ‘lalaari’ (dyer), my love,
Tere Rang Lavaan Chamm Nu RangaSo I can dye my skin in your color.
Ishq Na Fikka Raat Na FikkiLove isn’t faded, nor is the night,
Naa Hi Fikki Choori HundiAnd even ‘choori’ (sweet crumbled bread) isn’t bland.
Tera Rang Udhaara MildaYour color is found as a borrowed gift,
Saari Guniya Goorhi HundiWhile the whole world remains deeply colored.
Saanvle Music Video
The Saanvle lyrics translation shows the struggle for acceptance. It highlights the cruelty of colorism in relationships.