‘Kidre Jaawan’ By Jasleen Royal Explained: Where Does a Broken Heart Go?

“Kidre Jaawan,” the hauntingly beautiful song performed by Jasleen Royal for the 2015 film Haraamkhor (which starred Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Shweta Tripathi), is a deeply poignant expression of feeling utterly lost, confused, and burdened by life’s harsh realities. The title itself, “Kidre Jaawan,” translates from Punjabi to “Where should I go?” This desperate question echoes throughout the song, painting a vivid picture of a soul in turmoil, searching for direction and solace in a seemingly indifferent world.

The song opens with the image of a person standing alone on a path, weighed down not by physical luggage, but by “bags full of questions” (“baste lade sawaalon ke”) and colorless, bleak thoughts (“berang khayalon ke”). This individual is desperately searching for some form of shelter or peace (“labban chhanva”) but finds no guidance or advice from the paths they look towards. “Kidre Jaawan” is a powerful musical portrayal of isolation, shattered dreams, disillusionment, and the painful experience of navigating a world that offers little comfort when one is most vulnerable.

Standing at a Crossroads: Burdened and Searching for Shade

The song immediately draws us into the protagonist’s state of desolation. We find them standing on a road, a classic symbol of being at a crossroads in life, unsure of which way to turn. The “bags full of questions” they carry suggest a mind troubled by numerous doubts, problems, and perhaps past traumas for which there are no easy answers. Their thoughts are described as “berang” (colorless), indicating a lack of hope, joy, or vibrancy in their outlook.

In this state of confusion and emotional weariness, the person is searching for “chhanva” – shade. Shade can literally mean shelter from the sun, but here it metaphorically represents a place of peace, safety, solace, or even a solution to their problems. However, the paths they look to for direction offer no advice (“na den salaahwan”), deepening the sense of being lost and without any clear way forward. An ambiguous voice or thought suggests, “Mud ab ghar ko tu jaa” (Turn back and go home now), but whether “home” is a viable or safe option remains uncertain, adding to the poignancy.

A Laughing City, A Lonely Heart: The Pain of Isolation

The feeling of isolation is a powerful theme in “Kidre Jaawan.” The singer laments having no companion (“Na koi saathi mera”) and no guide or mentor (“Na koi rehbar hai”) to help navigate through these difficult times. This profound loneliness is made even more bitter by the perception that the “akela shehar” (the lonely city, or perhaps the city that makes one feel lonely) is actually laughing at their plight (“mujhpe hasta hai”). This personification of the city highlights a feeling of alienation and being mocked by an uncaring world.

Adding to this despair, the song states that the very face of dreams is fragile or broken (“Khwaabon ka chehra khasta hai”). Whatever hopes and aspirations the person once held seem to have been shattered, leaving them with a sense of hopelessness. This combination of having no support system and witnessing the collapse of one’s dreams creates a stark picture of someone pushed to the very edge of despair.

Shattered Dreams and False Comforts: Trapped in Illusions

The song also touches upon the cruelty of false hope and misleading reassurances. The singer describes how, all around them (“Mere aase, mere paase” – near me, around me), there are fake (“farzi”) and baseless (“bewajah se”) words of comfort and consolation (“Tasalliyan dilaase”). Instead of providing genuine help, these empty words only serve to trap the person further in illusions or delusions (“Vehamo mein mujhko faase”).

This is a painful realization that the comfort being offered is not sincere or effective. It suggests a world where people might offer superficial sympathy without truly understanding or addressing the deep-rooted problems. Being trapped in such “vehamo” (illusions) can be even more damaging, as it prevents one from seeing reality clearly or finding genuine solutions, further deepening the sense of being lost and manipulated.

Broken Bonds and Elusive Truth: Disillusionment with Love and Life

There’s a strong sense of disillusionment with relationships and the nature of truth in “Kidre Jaawan.” The singer reflects on seeing worldly connections or pairs (“Jag jodiyan”) break apart (“maine todiyan” – here, ‘todiyan’ likely means ‘seen them broken’ rather than ‘I broke them’). This observation leads to the sad conclusion that true love or genuine connection (“Sachi preet”) is rarely found (“mile thodiyan”).

This cynicism extends to the perception of value and truth. The lyrics speak of things of worth being devalued, as if left for mere pennies (“Chhodiyan mull kodiyan”), and a confusion where truth and lies seem to have become twisted or indistinguishable (“Sab sach jooth main modeya”). This reflects a loss of faith in the world, in relationships, and perhaps even in a moral order, adding another layer to the singer’s profound sense of being adrift in a deceptive world.

The Echoing Question: “Where Do I Go From Here?”

Throughout the song, the refrain “Kidre jaawan labban chhanva” (Where should I go to find shelter/solace?) serves as the central, heartbreaking plea. It’s a question born out of deep pain, confusion, and a desperate need for refuge. The song doesn’t offer any easy answers or resolutions, which makes its portrayal of despair all the more realistic and impactful.

By the end, the listener is left with the weight of this unanswered question, empathizing with the singer’s plight. “Kidre Jaawan” is not just a song; it’s an experience that allows a glimpse into the heart of someone who is truly lost, seeking comfort and direction in a world that seems to offer neither. Jasleen Royal’s soulful rendition amplifies these emotions, making it a memorable and thought-provoking piece.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about “Kidre Jaawan”

Q1: What is the main feeling or message of “Kidre Jaawan”?

A: The main feeling of “Kidre Jaawan” is deep despair, loneliness, and a sense of being utterly lost and directionless. The song conveys the pain of someone burdened by unanswered questions and bleak thoughts, desperately searching for solace or guidance in an indifferent world.

Q2: What does the singer mean by being “laden with bags full of questions” and having “colorless thoughts”?

A: “Laden with bags full of questions” (“Baste lade sawaalon ke”) metaphorically means carrying a heavy burden of doubts, problems, and unresolved issues. “Colorless thoughts” (“Berang khayalon ke”) signifies a state of mind lacking hope, joy, or any positive outlook, reflecting deep sadness or depression.

Q3: What does the line “Akela shehar mujhpe hasta hai” signify?

A: This line means “The lonely city laughs at me.” It signifies a profound sense of isolation and alienation, where the singer feels that even the inanimate city is mocking their pain and helplessness, emphasizing that there is no sympathy or support to be found.

Q4: Can you explain the meaning of “Farzi se bewajah se, Tasalliyan dilaase, Vehamo mein mujhko faase”?

A: This translates to “Fake, baseless consolations and assurances trap me in illusions.” It means that any comfort or advice the singer receives feels insincere (“farzi”), without real substance (“bewajah se”), and ultimately, these empty words (“tasalliyan dilaase”) only confuse them more, trapping them in false hopes or delusions (“vehamo mein faase”).

Q5: What is suggested by “Jag jodiyan maine todiyan, Sachi preet mile thodiyan”?

A: This means “I have seen worldly pairs/relationships break; true love is found very rarely.” “Jag jodiyan” refers to worldly couples or connections. “Todiyan” here implies witnessing them break. The line expresses disillusionment with relationships, suggesting that lasting, genuine love (“sachi preet”) is scarce.

Q6: What does “Mud ab ghar ko tu jaa” imply in the song?

A: “Mud ab ghar ko tu jaa” means “Turn back and go home now.” This line, which appears as a recurring suggestion, could be an internal voice of doubt, a societal pressure, a taunt, or even a longing for a past that may no longer be accessible or safe. Its exact implication is open to interpretation but adds to the singer’s feeling of being stuck and without good options.

Q7: Who performed “Kidre Jaawan” and for which movie?

A: “Kidre Jaawan” is sung by the talented Jasleen Royal. It is featured in the 2015 Hindi film Haraamkhor, which stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Shweta Tripathi.