Resham Firiri is a famous Nepali folk song sung by almost every Nepali once in their lifetime. Nowadays with a rise in social media, Resham firiri has become even more popular. Although it’s a Nepali song, people around the world who come to Nepal can be heard singing it. While trekking, hiking, or camping, Resham firiri is preferred anywhere. The main reason behind Resham firiri becoming so popular is its catchy tune and simple accent. Now, since everyone sings this song, many might have several questions regarding the origin, the lyrics, and the meaning. Well, don’t you worry! Because we present you this blog where we have covered all these topics. But before that, a brief description of the song is presented in the table below:
| Composer | Buddhi Pariyar |
| Original Singers | Dwarika Lal Joshi and Sundar Shrestha |
| Origin | 1969/1970 |
| Language | Nepali |
| Genre | Folk |
| Length | 5:28 minutes |
The folk song is believed to have been recorded around 1969/1970 looking at the manual records of Radio Nepal. Additionally, the serial number and the tape number are 26 and 846 as a result of which it is believed to be recorded very early. As per the records of Radio Nepal, Resham firiri was sung by two individuals Sunder Shreshta and Santosh Basnet. However, later Sunder Shrestha also collaborated with ‘Dwarika Lal Joshi to sing the same song. Similarly, Resham firiri was composed by ‘Buddhi Pariyar’. The song is best played with the aboriginal Nepalese musical instruments ‘sarangi’ and ‘maadal’.
Resham firiri, resham firiri
Udera Jauki dandaa ma bhanjyang resham firiri
Kukura lai kuti kuti biralolai suri
Timro hamro Maya pirti dobatoma kuri
Resham firiri resham firiri, udera Jauki danda ma bhanjyang resham firiri
Ek nale banduk, dui nale banduk, mirga lai takeko
Mirga lai mailey takeko hoina maya lai dakey ko
Resham firiri resham firiri, udera Jauki danda ma bhanjyang resham firiri
Aakashma jahaj, sadakma motor nabhaye gaada chha
Yo manma jasto tyo manma vaya tagatai gada chha
Resham firiri resham firiri, udera Jauki danda ma bhanjyang resham firiri
Saano ma saano gaai ko bachho bhirai ma Ram Ram
Chhodera jaana sakina maile, baru maya sanghai jaam
Resham firiri resham firiri, udera Jauki danda ma bhanjyang resham firiri
The meaning below is translate as per the context of the song. The exact meaning of each word will be slightly different. The song is fun centric and does not care for logic. However, to make this song a bit more meaningful, we have tried to translate it as a song and not a bund of words. As per the words of the song, Resham firiri is a love song. A love song is sung by a lover to his crush/beloved and it translates like
Resham Firiri: Silk flutters
Resham: Silk(in Nepali)
Firiri: Nepalese expression used to express the fluttering of some object like a shawl (light object) in the breeze.
Udera Jau Ki Dhada Ma Bhanjyang: Shall I fly and go away there is a mountain pass on the hill.
Udera: Flying Jau: Go Ki: Shall I
Dandaa : Hill Ma: In Bhanjyang: the Mountain Pass,
Kukur Lai Kuti Ma Kuti Biralo Lai Suri: For dogs, they say Kuti Kuti and Cats they say Suri.
Kukur: Dog Biralo: Cat Kuti: An expression used to call a dog
Suri: An expression used to call a cat Lai: for
Ma: In Nepalese grammar that is a set of words used as an expression and carries no meaning. Such words are classified as Nipaat (निपात). ‘Ma’ in this song’s context reacts as Nipaat.
Timro Hamro Maya Priti Dobato Ma Kuri: your and my (Our) love took place waiting for each other at the junction of two roads.
Timro: Your Hamro: Our (In this context, mine) Maya: Love
Priti: Love Dobato: Junction of two roads Ma: In
Kuri: Waiting.
Ek nale banduk dui nale banduk, mirga lai takaeko:
One Barrel gun, Two barrel gun, aimed for the deer
Ek: One Nale: Barrel Banduk: Gun
Dui: Two Mirga: Deer Lai: for
takaeko: Aim at/ target
Mirga lai maile takaeko hoina, maya lai dakaeko:
No no, I did not aim for the deer rather I called my dear
Maile: I Hoina: not dakaeko: call
Aakash ma jhahaj shadak ma motor nabahye gada cha:
There is an airplane in the sky, car in the road, if not both there is Pulling cart
Aakash: Sky Ma: in
Jhahaj: Airplane (in this context ). Jhahaj also refers to ship Shadak: Road
Motor: Vehicles like a car, bus, van Nabahye: otherwise
Gaada: a pulling cart Cha: is
Yo man jasto tyo man bhayae tagatai ghada cha:
Only if my heart was strong as yours it would have so much strength
Yo: this Man: heart Jasto: alike
Tyo: that Bhayae: have been Tagat: strength
Gaadha: a lot
Sano ma sano gai ko baccho, bhirai ma ram ram:
Oh god! There is a small calf of a cow on the hill slope
Sano: Small Ma: An expression Nipaat (निपात) Gai: Cow
ko:’s Bachho: Calf Bhir: Hill slope
Ma: in ram: A Hindu god
Chodera Jana sakina maile, baru maya sagai jau:
No I could not go alone leaving you my love let’s go together
Chodera: By leaving Jana: go Sakina: Could not
Maile: I Baru: Instead Sagai: together
Jau: go
