"Ame Maiyara Re" is a classic, beloved traditional Gujarati Garba that beautifully narrates a scene from the life of Lord Krishna (Nandkishor) and the Gopis (milkmaids or maiyara) of Gokul.
The song is a playful and devotional exchange where Krishna demands a 'tax' from the Gopis as they go to sell their butter, curd, and milk.It is attributed to the great saint-poet Narsinh Mehta.
Ame Maiyara re Gokul gamna,
We are the Maiyara (milkmaids) of Gokul village, (Refrain) The Gopis introduce themselves as the simple folk of Gokul.
Maare mahi vechvaane jaava, Maiyara re Gokul gamna. We have to go sell our dairy products (curd/milk).
Mathura ni vaat maahi vechvane nisri,
We set out to sell our dairy products on the path to Mathura, Mathura is the market where the Gopis sell their goods.
Natkhat e Nandkishor maage chhe daan ji.
That naughty Nandkishor (Lord Krishna) is asking for a toll/tax (Daan). Krishna often teased the Gopis by blocking their way.
He maare daan devaan, nai levaan,
Alas, I have to give the tax, not take it, The Gopi complains about having to pay the "toll" to Krishna.
Maiyara re Gokul gamna. We are the Maiyara of Gokul village.
Yamunaa ne teer vaalo vaansali vagaadto,
By the banks of the Yamuna, the beloved (Krishna) plays the flute, The flute music is enchanting and distracting.
Bhulavi bhaansaana unghati jagaadto.
He awakens me from my sleep, making me forget my senses. His music is so captivating that it breaks her concentration.
He maare jaagi jovu ne jaavu,
Alas, I have to wake up, see him, and then leave, She is drawn to him but must continue her work.
Maiyara re Gokul gamna.
We are the Maiyara of Gokul village.
Maavdi Yashoda ji Kaanji ne vaalo,
O Mother Yashoda, control your son Kanji (Krishna), The Gopi pleads with Krishna's foster mother.
Dukhda hazaar diye Nandji no Laalo.
Nandji's son gives us a thousand troubles (teases us greatly). She describes the trouble Krishna causes them.
He maare dukh saheva, nai kehevaa,
Alas, I have to bear the sorrows, but I won't speak of them, She secretly enjoys the mischief, so she doesn't complain seriously.
Maiyara re Gokul gamna.
We are the Maiyara of Gokul village.
--- --- ---
Narsinha no Nandkishor naan-kdo Kaanji,
Narsinh's Nandkishor, the little Kanji, Here the poet Narsinh Mehta inserts his name (Bhajan tradition).
Utaare aatam thi bhav bhav no bhaar ji.
Removes the burden of countless births from the soul (Aatam). The ultimate spiritual message: the playful torment is a form of grace.
He maare nirmal haiya ni vaat kaheva,
Alas, I have to speak the words of a pure heart, She realizes the pure devotion behind the teasing.
Maiyara re Gokul gamna. We are the Maiyara of Gokul village.oooooo
oooooo
oooooo : oooooo