Chale Chalo

[razzleccentric]

Heard this song in "Kal Ho Naa Ho" last night and was so moved by the lyrics I was shocked to find it wasn't on the soundtrack! But that's because it was originally from the movie "Lagaan" - which is apparently about cricket*. Still, it's such a powerful song.

We will now take the courageous route
We will shake the earth, we will show everyone
Who is king, who are the ruled ones
We will shadow the earth, now we will show
What the status of our people is
Again and again, speak my friend
May victory be ours and defeat be theirs
May no fears now enter our minds
Come, let us move on
May every shackle be opened up,
Come, let us move on. (chale chalo)

*

The movie is set in the Victorian period of the British Raj and revolves around the peasants from a barren village who are oppressed by high taxes imposed by the British. When the peasants attempt to persuade the officers to reduce the taxes, the officers put forth a proposition to the peasants. One senior officer offers to cancel their taxes for three years if their village team beats him at cricket. After accepting his proposition, the villagers face the arduous task of learning the game and playing for a result that will change their village's destiny. (Wikipedia)

Translation source.

Comments

[inspirethoughts.livejournal.com]

A wonderful melody...it is very inspiring, just not to take on the British power on Indian, but in general to fight against evil. The ever on-going battle between good and evil, encouraging good never to give up.

[calizen.livejournal.com]

I'm not usually one to watch Bollywood movies, but I did watch this clip and then went over to Wikipedia to see what "Kal Ho Naa Ho" was about. Chale Chalo apparently was quite popular and it's title,which in English translates to "Let's Move Forward", was taken up by a group urging that the Indian populace put aside caste differences and unite for the common good.

(Of course, we will not get into my other feelings about India and its effect on my being a transcriber in America, and a more jaundiced view on my experience as a a displaced worker on what some of the lyrics can mean)

[razzle.livejournal.com]

In "Kal Ho Naa Ho" the song is used during a little restaurant "makeover" montage in which a failing New York diner is turned into an Indian restaurant which immediately attracts all the customers away from the successful Chinese restaurant across the street.

Somehow... the lyrics to Chale Chalo were just a little too powerful for a restaurant transformation. Now that I understand a little more about "Lagaan" it all makes sense. ^.^

[calizen.livejournal.com]

If you go on Rhapsody and type in "Chale Chalo" you'll see that a number of persons have recorded this.

[cindigoesindigo.livejournal.com]

I found it to be A Beautiful,Emotional & Moving song.Thanks for Sharing it! Friendship,Peace,Love,Best Wishes & Prayers Always.Cindi/Cin