Patli Gali Aana Lyrics Translation | Talvar

Movie: Talvar
Music: Vishal Bhardwaj
Lyrics: Gulzar
Singer: Sukhwinder Singh
Music Label: T-Series

This is a satirical number that talks about the system with a lot of metaphors. There are puns and idiomatic usages as well. The 'patli gali' here is the police and judiciary, where once caught, one doesn't seem to find a way out, and that's probably the reason it's called patli gali — narrow street — here. If you see the song in the movie, you'll probably be able to make a lot more sense than if you listen to it stand alone. But do listen to it anyway, so that you know the words well when you see the film. A gem from the old trio of Gulzar, VB and Sukhiji.

dhaar lagani talvar chalani ho
ki chakki pisaani ho
patli gali aana
moochh banaani ho ki poonchh kaTaani
hai dukaan purani
are patli gali aana..

If you want to get your blades sharpened, or use your sword,
or want to get some grinding done,
come to the narrow street..
whether you have to get your moustaches trimmed, or get your tail cut,
It’s an old shop,
come to the narrow street..

patli gali mein phislan hai
arre kaayi bhari hai seelan hai
ho zara peinche uTha ke aana
aana ji zara painche uTha ke aana
aana ji zara painche uTha ke aana
o zara painche uTha ke aana
patli gali aana

there is slipperiness in the narrow street,
it’s full of algae, and there is moisture,
raise your pants a bit up and come..
while coming, raise your pants a bit and come..
come to the narrow street..

dhaar lagani talvar chalani ho
ki chakki pisaani ho
patli gali aana
aana ji zara patli gali aana

patli gali mein saare ganje
kanghiyaan bech rahe hai
arre faansi gale mein daal ke maamu
rassiyan bech rahe hain
ganje kanghiyaan bech rahe hai
maamu rassiyaan bech rahe

in the narrow street, all the bald men
and selling combs,
and some uncles are selling ropes
while they have a noose in their necks..
bald men are selling combs,
uncles are selling ropes..

[maamu is more like a euphemism for someone with an authority, someone who can examine you for something. It doesn’t really have anything to do with uncle here as such.]

garam hawa ka jhonka
gali mein koi bhaunka
hai bhaunka zara
dum daba ke aana

there is a gust of hot wind,
and someone barked in the street,
yes, someone barked,
come carefully.. [lit. with your tail in control.]

mooch banani ho ke pooch katani
hai dukaan purani
arre patli gali aana

patli patli gali
patli patli gali
patli gali aana
patli gali aana
bhaiyaji meri patli gali aana
patli gali aana
patli gali aana

come to the narrow street,
my narrow street, o brother..

guThli se reh jaate hai
jo poore aate hai
aam log is gali mein aksar
chhoos liye jaate hai..

they remain like a kernel,
those who come here in full.
common people are often sucked away
when they come to this street..

[Here aam log means common people, but aam also means mango, and that too fits perfectly well with the line here.]

baasi ho ya taaza
ba-adab ba-mulaayza
sar jhuka ke aana

Be it stale or fresh,
with respect and care,
come with your head bowed down.

moonchh banani ho ke poonchh kaTani
hai dukaan purani
arre patli gali aana

dhaar lagani talvar chalani
ho ke chakki pisaani ho
patli gali aana..