“​Maajhi Re” (Original song) – Lyrics & Translation 

Maajhi re maajhi re o maajhi re (x 2)                                

Boatman, o boatman

Aankhen meri kar roshan maajhi re                                

Light up my eyes o boatman

Saanson mein bhar de phir rang maajhi re                        

Bring colors into my life o boatman

Meri naiyya, ho meri naiyya… Meri naiyya khadi hai ek kinaare

My boat is standing on one shore

Duuje ko taake nainan bechaare                                

Desperately searching the other side

Nainon mein raina ghor andheri (x 2)                        

My eyes grow dark and desolate

Baithe lagaaye aas hai teri                                        

As they await a glimpse of you

Mohe bhi saawan ki chaah hai re                                

I too seek the winds of change

Aadhi tedhi si bhali ye raah hai re                                

And though this path is full of twists and turns 

More mann mein bhi hai khwaab maajhi                        

I too have dreams, o boatman

Jalte bujhte se chiraag hai                                        

Like a lamp flickering in the wind

Maajhi re maajhi re o maajhi re

Boatman, o boatman

Naav ko mere gaanv laga de maajhi re                        

Take my boat to shore, o boatman

Mujhko mujhse phir mila de maajhi re                        

Help me find myself again, o boatman

Tera jootha nivaala amrit laage maajhi re                         

A morsel from you is like nectar to me

Saanson mein bhar de phir rang maajhi re                        

Bring the colors back into my life o boatman

“Maajhi Re” – Background of the song

Composer: Agney Mulay

Lyrics: Naveen Kumar

Re-arrangement including String arr: Inna Dudukina 

Vocal Arr: Annette Philip

‘Maajhi Re’ is the phrase used when you call out to the ‘maajhi’ or ‘boatman’. In rural India, villages are usually situated near rivers and water bodies. Often, the only way to cross the river is to hire a boatman to take you to the other side. Sometimes you have to wait for a long time for the boatman to arrive to help you cross.

This song was originally written to promote awareness about organ donation with the crossing of the river and the boatman as metaphors for people who are desperately awaiting help to give them a new lease at life, as well as those who come forward to help them. Agney and his friend, Naveen Kumar, wrote this piece a while before Agney joined Berklee. 

When he brought it to the Berklee Indian Ensemble, the community welcomed it and with every year and multiple renditions, the song has evolved to adopt a universal message of community and interdependence. It reinforces the truth that you are not alone and that it’s okay to ask for help when you need it. 

This particular version includes the Berklee World Strings orchestra led by Eugene Friesen, as well as several special guests. 

Berklee Indian Ensemble was founded in 2011 by faculty member Annette Philip, the Berklee Indian Ensemble is one of the largest and most diverse ensembles at Berklee that also tours internationally, presenting a wide array of South Asian folk, classical, and contemporary music in collaboration with various world-renowned artists, with over 181 million views for their viral videos to date.

Berklee World Strings are devoted to the art of ensemble playing and the development of new music that features improvisation and the rhythmic capabilities of string instruments and players. Drawing from Celtic, bluegrass, jazz, rock, and classical styles, the ensemble presents original programs that include new compositions and arrangements from a wide variety of the world’s music.

*** All information provided is credited to Agney Mulay and the Berklee Indian Ensemble