Singing to kids is one of the easiest ways to submerge them (and you) in a different language. More importantly, it's fun! Some of my fondest memories are of my mom singing me lullabies and nursery rhymes, and it is so special to have her sing those same lullabies and rhymes to my own daughter, years later. If you are like me, you might find it hard to memorize the various Gujarati songs we have, but don't worry-- VedInk has you covered! Each week we will try to upload the lyrics of a different Gujarati nursery rhyme in both Gujarati and English, along with the translation. This week's rhyme is "Ek Bilaadi Jaadi".
Nursery Rhyme: એક બિલાડી જાડી
એણે પહેરી સાડી
સાડી પહેરી ફરવા ગઈ
તળાવમાં એ તરવા ગઈ
તળાવમાં તો મગ્ગર
બિલ્લીને આવ્યા ચક્કર
સાડી છેડો છૂટી ગયો
મગ્ગરના મોંમાં આવી ગયો
મગ્ગર બિલ્લીને ખાઈ ગયો!
Transliteration:
Ek bilaadi jaadi
Ene paheri saadi
Saadi paheri pharvaa gayi
Talaavmaa ae tarvaa gayi
Talaavmaa to maggar
Billi ne aavyaa chakkar
Saadi chedo chuti gayo
Maggar naa mommaa aavi gayo
Maggar billi ne khaayi gayo!
Translation:
There was a fat cat
who wore a sari
and went out on a walk.
She went swimming in a lake.
There was a crocodile in the lake.
The cat felt dizzy.
The hem of the cat’s sari came loose
and went into the crocodile's mouth.
The crocodile ate the cat!