Jasleen Royal’ ‘Dastoor’ Song Explained: When Traditions Tear Lovers Apart

Jasleen Royal’s song “Dastoor” is a deeply emotional and somewhat sorrowful track that talks about the pain caused by “dastoor” – which means societal customs or traditions. The song tells the story from the point of view of someone, most likely a young woman, who is being forced by these customs to leave her home and, heartbreakingly, her loved ones, including her beloved (“Sajna”).

She sadly questions these very traditions that are creating such painful distances. The song is filled with feelings of deep grief, intense loneliness, and a desperate wish to be reunited with her loved one.

It’s like a sad complaint against situations where old rules and norms dictate life, and personal happiness has to be sacrificed for the sake of custom. This feeling is very common in many cultures, especially in contexts like a bride leaving her family home after marriage, which the song subtly hints at. “Dastoor” captures this age-old pain of farewells and forced separations beautifully.

Leaving Home, Leaving Heart: The Sorrow of Farewell

The song begins with the very personal and sorrowful act of leaving home. The singer addresses her mother (“Maaye”), saying that she is leaving the familiar courtyard or home (“veda tera”). There’s a tender plea to the mother not to cry when remembering her (“yaad mainu kar na rovin”). This immediately sets a tone of departure and the heartbreak that comes with it. It’s a moment filled with love for those being left behind and the sadness of knowing that a chapter of life is closing.

This opening paints a picture of a significant, and likely unavoidable, separation. The focus on the mother-daughter relationship highlights the deep family bonds that are being affected by these customs. The request not to cry is not because the singer isn’t sad, but perhaps to make the parting a little less painful for the mother, even as the singer’s own heart is heavy.

“Of What Use Are These Customs?”: Questioning Painful Traditions

A very strong part of “Dastoor” is when the singer directly questions the traditions that are causing so much pain. The song asks, “Kis kam de dastoor banaye?” which means, “Of what use are these customs or traditions that have been made?” This question is immediately followed by the sorrowful realization, “Sajna hoya door ve haaye” – “My beloved has become distant, alas!”

This is a powerful moment where personal suffering clashes with societal expectations. The singer isn’t just sadly accepting the situation but is actively wondering about the purpose of rules that lead to such heartbreak. It shows a feeling of frustration and helplessness against age-old norms that don’t seem to consider individual happiness. This questioning makes the song relatable to anyone who has felt constrained by traditions that don’t make sense in the face of personal love and connection.

A World of Darkness: Life Without the Beloved

The pain of separation is described as casting a dark shadow over everything. The singer expresses that without her beloved (“Usde bin”), she sees only darkness (“disde hanere”). This isn’t just a physical darkness, but an emotional one, where life loses its light and joy. The song says that the evenings and mornings (“shaam savere”) themselves seem to remind her of this darkness or ‘sting’ her with this reality.

This feeling of the world turning dark shows how central the beloved was to her happiness and perception of life. Now that they are distant, everything feels bleak and empty. The repetition of this feeling – that both day and night are filled with this sense of gloom – emphasizes the constant nature of her sorrow. It’s a powerful way to describe the despair that comes with missing someone deeply.

The Wandering Soul’s Plea: A Desperate Call for Reunion

The song paints a picture of a restless and unhappy soul. The singer describes her spirit (“rooh bechari” – my poor soul) as wandering aimlessly these days (“Phirdi hai maari maari”), as if lost and without direction. She feels defeated by her own desires and longings (“Teriyan chaahan to haari”) for her beloved. This imagery conveys a deep sense of inner turmoil and unhappiness.

Amidst this suffering, there’s a desperate plea for the loved one to return, even if just once (“Aaja ve tu ek baari”). She says that the days are impossible to pass in their absence or longing (“Katdi ni din tihadi”) and declares she would sacrifice her life for them (“Jaanva tere te vaari”). This is a passionate expression of how much she misses her “Sajna” (beloved) and how vital their presence is for her. It’s a cry from a heart that is struggling to cope with the separation.

A Lament to Fate: The Cycle of Meetings and Departures

Towards the end, the song takes on the tone of a traditional folk lament, often sung during a bride’s farewell (“vidai”). The singer calls out to God (“Haaye ve mereya daadya rabba”), reflecting on the cycle of life: “Kinna jamiya kinna ne lai janiya haaye,” which means “So many (daughters) are born, and so many are taken away (in marriage).” This line expresses a kind of sad acceptance of a larger, inevitable pattern dictated by fate and custom.

The use of the word “Madhaniyaaa” in the background further links the song to this specific cultural context. “Madhaniya” is a very famous Punjabi folk song that is traditionally sung when a daughter leaves her parental home after marriage. By including this, “Dastoor” connects the singer’s personal pain to a shared, age-old experience of separation and farewell that many women and families go through. It adds a layer of cultural depth to her sorrow.

“Dastoor” by Jasleen Royal is a moving song that uses simple words to express very deep emotions of love, separation, and the helplessness one can feel against societal traditions. It’s a song that many can connect with, especially those who have experienced the pain of leaving loved ones behind.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about “Dastoor”

Q1: What is the main meaning of Jasleen Royal’s song “Dastoor”?

A: The main meaning of “Dastoor” is the pain and sorrow caused by societal customs (“dastoor”) that force loved ones to separate. It’s sung from the perspective of someone leaving home and their beloved, questioning these traditions, and expressing deep grief, loneliness, and a longing for reunion.

Q2: What does “Dastoor” refer to in the song?

A: In the song, “Dastoor” refers to customs, traditions, or societal norms that dictate certain actions, like a bride leaving her parental home after marriage, which often leads to separation from loved ones and causes emotional pain.

Q3: What is the significance of the lines “Ni main chaliyan chhadd k veda tera, Maaye ni yaad mainu kar na rovin”?

A: These lines mean, “I am leaving your courtyard/home, Mother; don’t cry remembering me.” This is very significant as it sets the scene of a poignant farewell, likely a daughter leaving her mother’s home. It highlights the pain of departure and the love between a mother and daughter.

Q4: Can you explain “Kis kam de dastoor banaye, Sajna hoya door ve haaye”?

A: This translates to “Of what use are these customs/traditions made, that my beloved has become distant, alas!” It’s a direct and sorrowful questioning of the very customs that are causing the separation from her loved one (“Sajna”). It expresses frustration and helplessness against these norms.

Q5: What does “Usde bin disde hanere” imply about the singer’s state? A:

“Usde bin disde hanere” means “Without him/her, I see darkness.” This implies that the singer’s world has lost all its light, joy, and meaning due to the absence of their beloved. It describes a state of deep emotional gloom and despair.

Q6: What is the meaning of the lines “Haaye ve mereya daadya rabba, Kinna jamiya kinna ne lai janiya haaye” and the mention of “Madhaniya”?

A: These lines are a traditional lament, often sung during a bride’s farewell (vidai). “Haaye ve mereya daadya rabba” is a cry to God. “Kinna jamiya kinna ne lai janiya” means “So many (daughters) are born, so many are taken away (in marriage).” It reflects a sad acceptance of this cycle. “Madhaniya” is the name of a famous Punjabi folk song specifically about a daughter leaving home, so its mention firmly places “Dastoor” in this cultural context of painful farewell due to marriage customs.

Q7: Is “Dastoor” a happy or sad song? A:

“Dastoor” is a very sad and melancholic song. It focuses on the themes of separation, grief, loneliness, and the pain caused by societal customs that part loved ones. The music and Jasleen Royal’s singing style also convey this deep sense of sorrow.