Sing along: Varun Grover decodes the lyrics to Masaan's 'Mann Kasturi' and 'Tu Kisi Rail Si'

Film still from Masaan

Editors' note: Neeraj Ghaywan's Masaan is set in Varanasi and one of the ways that the film explores the complex mix of tradition and modernity that is Varanasi, is through its soundtrack. In case you were curious about the lyrics and their meaning, screenwriter and lyricist Varun Grover has helpfully translated of two of the standout tracks from Masaan, complete with explanatory notes. Enjoy!
MANN KASTURI

Film still from Masaan

Editors' note: Neeraj Ghaywan's Masaan is set in Varanasi and one of the ways that the film explores the complex mix of tradition and modernity that is Varanasi, is through its soundtrack. In case you were curious about the lyrics and their meaning, screenwriter and lyricist Varun Grover has helpfully translated of two of the standout tracks from Masaan, complete with explanatory notes. Enjoy!
MANN KASTURI
Mann kasturi jag dasturi
Baat hui naa puri re
Mann kasturi
Khoje apni gandh na paawey
The heart is like the Kasturi, that doesn’t get closure.
Kasturi is the musk deer that goes mad searching for the scent of musk around it, not realizing that the essence comes from within.
Paat na paya meetha paani
Or-chhor ki doori re
Mann kasturi
Even the purest of things, i.e. sweet river water,
Couldn't bridge the gap of this side and that side.
(Varun Grover: The intent being that even Ganges can't fill the divides between castes and genders that we have created in our society.)
Khoje apni gandh na paawey
Chaadar ka paiband na paawey
[The musk-deer] Searches for own essence, but can't find it
Can't find the pattern for the torn sheet of existence
(VG: Paiband : A patchwork. Chaadar: A sheet of cloth. Kabir used chaadar as a metaphor for the mortal body.)
Bikhrey-bikhrey chhand saa tahley
Dohon mein ye bandh na paawey
Naachey ho ke phirki lattu
Khojey apni ghoori re
Mann kasturi
Moves around like a broken verse,
Can't be composed into poetry
Revolves like a lattu
Looking for its own axis
Umar ki ginti haath na aai
Purkho ne ye baat batai
Ulta kar ke dekh sakey to
Umber bhi hai gehri chhai