Kesariya (From "Brahmastra")

"Kesariya" is a romantic anthem that explores the profound and transformative power of love. The title itself, meaning "Saffron," is the central metaphor. In Indian culture, saffron (kesar) is a color associated with purity, sacrifice, passion, and auspicious beginnings. By describing love as 'Kesariya', the lyricist, Amitabh Bhattacharya, elevates it from a mere emotion to a sacred, all-encompassing force that colors the lover's entire world. The song's narrative is a heartfelt expression of adoration from one lover to another, celebrating the beloved's divine beauty and the spellbinding effect they have on the narrator's life. It speaks of a love that is not just an emotion but an identity, something that one is completely immersed in, as suggested by the line "Rang jaaun jo main haath lagaaun" (I get colored, should I touch you). The song captures the feeling of finding light and celebration in a life that was previously dark and empty, symbolizing how love can bring joy and meaning.

The song is a passionate declaration of love, where the narrator is completely captivated by their beloved's beauty and charm. It begins with the singer questioning how anyone could possibly not fall for this person, whose beauty is described as being so immense that it seems God exhausted his entire treasury of charm in creating them. The beloved's eyes, lined with kohl (kajal), are metaphorically portrayed as having written countless love stories.

The central theme is introduced with the recurring line, "Kesariya tera ishq hai piya," which translates to "Your love is saffron-colored, my dear." Saffron, a color deeply symbolic of love, passion, and purity in Indian culture, represents the overwhelming and all-encompassing nature of this love. The narrator feels that just a touch from their beloved is enough to be completely colored in this hue of love. This feeling is so profound that the narrator's days are spent in concern for their beloved, and their nights are spent praying for their well-being.

The second verse uses vivid imagery to further describe the beloved's enchanting presence. Even in the barrenness of autumn, the beloved appears as vibrant and colorful as Chinar trees. In moments of silence, their presence resonates like the strings of a veena, a classical Indian musical instrument. The narrator's life, once like a long, dark new-moon night (amaavas), is now illuminated and festive, like the festival of Diwali with its sparkling fireworks, all because of the beloved. The lyrics state that even the moon is mesmerized by her beauty, making other celestial admirers envious. The song returns to the central motif, reiterating how the beloved has authored numerous 'love storiyaan' (love stories) with the ink of their kohl-lined eyes, before crescendoing with the powerful chorus about the saffron-colored love that defines the narrator's existence.

"Kesariya" is from the soundtrack of the 2022 Bollywood film Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva, directed by Ayan Mukerji. The song was composed by Pritam, with lyrics penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya, and primarily sung by Arijit Singh, with additional vocals by Nikhita Gandhi. The creation process was a lengthy and collaborative effort, with Ayan Mukerji and Pritam spending years developing the film's musical landscape. Pritam revealed he was initially not confident about the song, fearing it might not resonate with the audience, a prediction that proved to be wonderfully incorrect. The music arrangement and production were handled by Himonshu Parikh and DJ Phukan. A teaser of the song was first released on April 13, 2022, and the full version was officially released on July 17, 2022, by Sony Music India. The music video was filmed in the sacred city of Varanasi, featuring shots at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and on the Ganges River, choreographed by Ganesh Acharya. The song was also released in several other Indian languages: as "Kumkumala" in Telugu, "Theethiriyaai" in Tamil, "Kesariya Rangu" in Kannada, and "Kunkumamaake" in Malayalam.

• Kesariya (Saffron Color): The most significant symbol in the song. Saffron represents a blend of love, passion, purity, and sacrifice. It elevates the theme of love to a spiritual and sacred level. Calling love 'saffron' implies it's precious, vibrant, and all-consuming, coloring the lover's entire existence.
• Khali Tijoriyan (Empty Treasuries): The line "Rabba ne tujhko banaane mein, kar di hai husn ki khaali tijoriyan" (In creating you, God has emptied the treasuries of beauty) is a powerful hyperbole. It suggests the beloved possesses an unparalleled, divine beauty, as if the creator used all available charm in their making.
• Kajal ki Siyahi (Kohl's Ink): The metaphor "Kaajal ki siyaahi se likhi hain tu ne jaane kitnon ki love storiyaan" (With the ink of your kohl, you have written so many love stories) poetically illustrates the captivating power of the beloved's eyes. Their glance is so powerful it can script romances.
• Patjhad mein Rangeen Chanaar (Colorful Chinar in Autumn): This simile paints the beloved as a source of color and life even in a desolate, colorless season, symbolizing hope and vibrancy.
• Phuljhadiyon vaale Tyohaar (Festival of Sparklers): Comparing the beloved to a festival of lights contrasts with the "sadiyon se bhi lambi mann ki amaavasein" (new-moon nights of the heart, longer than centuries), symbolizing their arrival as a joyous, luminous event that ends a long period of darkness and loneliness.

The predominant emotional tone of "Kesariya" is one of deep, heartfelt romance and adoration. It evokes feelings of joy, longing, and overwhelming love. The song begins with a sense of wonder and awe at the beloved's beauty, which transitions into a declaration of complete surrender to love in the chorus. Arijit Singh's vocal performance is crucial in building this emotional landscape; his gentle, almost whisper-like delivery in the verses creates an intimate atmosphere, while his powerful, soaring vocals in the chorus express an unabashed and celebratory passion. There's a hopeful and uplifting quality to the music, created by the major key (C Major) harmony and the bright timbre of the lead instruments. The lyrics comparing the beloved to a festival of lights after a long darkness infuse the song with a sense of emotional triumph and fulfillment.

"Kesariya" became a massive cultural phenomenon upon its release, dominating music charts and social media. It peaked at #1 on both the Billboard India and UK Asian charts. The song broke records on Spotify, becoming the first Indian song to surpass 500 million streams in April 2024. Its immense popularity solidified it as the "love anthem of the year". However, it was also met with some initial online debate and memes over the use of the English words "love storiyaan" in the otherwise Hindi lyrics, a creative choice by lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya that some found jarring while others defended it as unique. Despite this, the song's overwhelming success led to numerous accolades, including the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director for Pritam. Its melody and romantic appeal have made it a popular choice for weddings, social media reels, and cover versions, cementing its place as one of the most significant Bollywood songs of its era.

The song follows a conventional verse-chorus structure. The rhyme scheme in the verses is not strictly consistent but often employs couplets. For example, in the opening verse, "koi" rhymes with "lagaaye koi", and "tijoriyaan" is famously rhymed with the Hinglish phrase "love storiyaan". The chorus maintains a consistent rhyme with "lagaaun" and "manaaun". The rhythm is set in a common 4/4 time signature, with a tempo around 94 BPM, giving it a relaxed yet driving feel suitable for a love ballad. The rhythmic arrangement is built on a foundation of acoustic drums and percussion, complemented by the rhythmic strumming of the guitar and the melodic flow of the veena and synth parts. Arijit Singh's vocal melody often uses syncopation, creating a gentle push and pull against the steady beat, which enhances the song's emotive quality and makes the lyrics more impactful.

The song masterfully blends traditional Indian musical elements with contemporary pop-rock sensibilities. Musically, it features a prominent mandolin-style guitar riff that serves as its main hook, layered over a blend of synths, piano, and a steady drum beat. The arrangement by Himonshu Parikh & DJ Phukan builds gradually, starting with a gentle texture and escalating to a fuller, more dynamic chorus, mirroring the song's emotional arc. Arijit Singh's vocal delivery is a key stylistic element; he moves from a soft, intimate tone in the verses to a soaring, powerful rendition in the chorus, conveying a wide emotional range from tender affection to passionate declaration. Lyrically, Amitabh Bhattacharya employs rich, metaphorical language and vivid imagery drawn from Indian culture (Veena, Chakori, Chinar trees). A notable, and initially controversial, choice was the use of the Hinglish phrase "love storiyaan" to rhyme with "tijoriyaan", which grounds the poetic, traditional lyrics with a touch of modern, colloquial language.

What is the meaning of the word 'Kesariya' in the song?

'Kesariya' means saffron-colored. In the song, it's used as a powerful metaphor to describe a love that is pure, passionate, precious, and all-encompassing, reflecting the deep cultural and symbolic significance of the saffron color in India.

Who were the main artists behind the song 'Kesariya'?

The song was composed by Pritam, sung by Arijit Singh, and the lyrics were written by Amitabh Bhattacharya. It was created for the movie 'Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva'.

When was 'Kesariya' released?

The full version of the song "Kesariya" was released on July 17, 2022, as part of the soundtrack for the film 'Brahmāstra'.

Why was the lyric 'love storiyaan' in 'Kesariya' controversial?

The phrase 'love storiyaan' was considered jarring by some listeners because it was an English phrase inserted into a predominantly Hindi song with poetic lyrics. Many felt it broke the flow and rhymed awkwardly with 'Kesariya' and 'tijoriyaan', leading to numerous online memes and debates.

What musical genre does 'Kesariya' belong to?

"Kesariya" is primarily a Bollywood love ballad with strong elements of pop and soft rock. Its musical arrangement combines traditional Indian sounds with modern production techniques.

Where was the music video for 'Kesariya' filmed?

The music video for "Kesariya," featuring actors Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, was shot on location in the historic and spiritual city of Varanasi, India, including scenes at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and on the River Ganges.

Did 'Kesariya' win any major awards?

Yes, the song was highly acclaimed and won several awards. Composer Pritam won the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director for his work on the 'Brahmāstra' album, with 'Kesariya' being the lead single and a major contributor to its success.