By Team CCF
Lullabies occupy a central role in the transmission of folk culture as they are sung across generations. They are containers of comfort and heralds of tranquility -reminding us of simpler days of our childhood.
Here, we bring to you a selection of lullabies from across the country. Gentle tunes that have delighted children and acted as symbols of hope, familiarity and security for centuries.
1. A Sangtam Naga lullaby
Oh ihrü achangrü
Mütsumrü
Amüila künyangshe yap oh…
Mütrabü melang atsa
Melang yap oh…
Tsingrangbana nü tsongdi
Oh…
Oh ihrü achangrü
Tsahtsapongla yüpseh
Tside… e…
Sünü lahcho traro (2x)
Awanü akarü lulang nushah
Hilong jünung
Dudra na…
Ho…e…ho…a
Ihulo…e…ho…a
Mütsümrü-e ko
Mütsüm nungnung aye
Ho…e…ho…
Ho…e…ho…a
Oh, my little child
My sweet, pampered child
Sleep happily, my baby
Don’t be afraid and dream well
And sleep well
God will protect you while you are sleeping
Oh…Oh my child
Tsahtsapongla (girl’s name) sleep
Sleeping away
Why are you crying?
Father will go to uncle’s field
And bring a cucumber for you
So don’t cry
Ho…e…ho…a
Ihulo…e…ho…a
You are my sweet baby
So I will pamper you
Ho…e…ho…
Ho…e…ho…a
2. A Bengali Lullaby
khoka/ chele
ghumalo, para juralo
Borgi elo deshe
Bulbulite Dhan
kheache
khajna Debo kise?
dhan phurolo, pan
phurolo
khanjar upay ki
aar Kota din sobur
koro
rosun bunechi
baby (boy), slept,
neighbours or locality get silent
soldiers/robbers come
Bulbul Birds
have eaten away all paddy
How Could I pay tax?
paddy, and battle leaves all are finished
how could I pay tax?
please wait for some days
I have sown garlic
3. Lullaby from Andhra Pradesh
jo achyutAnanda jo jo mukunda
rave paramAnanda rama govinda
nandunintanu cheri nayamu meeranga
chandravadanalu neeku seva cheyanga
andamuga vari indla aaduchundanga
mandalaku donga maa muddu ranga
angajuni ganna maayanna itu raara
bangaru ginnelo palu posera
donga neevani sathulu bonduchunnara
mungita naadara mohanakara
anguga tallapAkannayya chala
Srungararachanaga cheppe nee jola
sangathigA sakala sampadala neevela
mangaLamu tirupaTla madana gopala
jo achyutAnanda jo jo mukunda
Your play at Nanda’s house is mesmerizing,
the ladies of the house with full moon faces were at your service
looking after your comforts.
You played in their houses with exuberance,
your lovely depictive acts made some call you a thief,
our lovely effulgent Krishna!
Come here O father of Manmadha,
I’ll pour you milk in a golden cup
Are the women lying that you are a thief,
come play in my front yard, you the one of charming form
Tallapaka Annamayya is writing this lullaby
with lot of love to the bestower of all the treasures
to the madana gopala that resides in Tirupati.
4. An Assamese Lullaby
Xiali aa nahibi rati
Ture kane kati logame bati
Xialir murote morua phool
Xiali palegoi Ratanpur
Oh Fox come not at night
Cutting your ears I will make light
Marua flower is in fox head
Fox arrives at Ratanpur
5. A Marathi Lullaby
Ghē kamaļa pākaļyā
miţavūna śambhū bāļā rājasa sukumāra
arē ladivāļā tū nija nija rē
nijarē mājhyābāļā tū nija nijarē nija rē
mājhyā bāļā
śiva māthyāvaracī gangā
kamaļāta jhõpalābhungā
thāmbalā šivārī vārā
abhāļī nijalā tārā
bagha nijalāre candra
nilāabhalā
tū nija nija rē nija rē
mājhyā bāļā
tū miţūna ghë rë nëtra
bagha kitī hi jhālī rātra
paňkhāta tulā mī ghētē
gahivaralī mamatā dētē
tü attara bhijalā kāyā
tujavarī jagācī māyā
ļābhū dē tulārē kirtītējānē
anhāvū de dharatī
ujaļū dē ābhāļī tava
tējācyā jvāļā
Close the lotus petals
Shambhu Bala Royal son
Hey dear, you sleep,
my baby, sleep
The Ganga on Shiva’s head.
The weevil is sleeping in the lotus.
Cool wind stopped,
star slept in the sky
Look at the moon, the blue sky
You sleep, sleep my baby
Close your eyes and see
what a long night it has been
I’ll take you in the wings
and give you deep love.
You are drenched in perfume,
the world loves you
May you be blessed and
may the earth be bathed in glory
Let the sky brighten up
with the flames of your brilliance.