mahndi tuti pici chani, guli rachi tab rang lal hua
aurat ka bhi is duniya me, mahndi jaisa haal hua

sach pucho to nari jivan, ek mahndi ka buta hai
ek mahndi ka buta hai
sach pucho to naari jivan, ek mahndi ka buta hai
ek mahndi ka buta hai
kadam kadam par is abla, ko har riste ne luta hai
har riste ne luta hai
sach pucho to nari jivan, ek mahndi ka buta hai
ek mahndi ka buta hai

tut na jaye chudiya iski, mang na suni ho jaye
apna darm nibane ko, chup chap chali hai ye haye
mahndi ki lali ka nari kaisa mol chukati hai
apni arthi ko jeete ji apne aap uthati hai
iska koi dosh nahi par baagh hi iska futa hai
kadam kadam par is abla, ko har riste ne luta hai
har riste ne luta hai
sach pucho to nari jivan, ek mahndi ka buta hai
ek mahndi ka buta hai

ganga jal si pawan hai, par kis kis ko samjayegi
har khidaki har darwaje se, ek ungali uth jayegi
sita ban kar bhi nari ko, chin mila na jivan bhar
bahar hai ravan ki chinta aur, bahar hai ram ka dhar
iski laaj to bach gayi par, viswas ka darpan tuta hai
kadam kadam par is abla, ko har riste ne luta hai
har riste ne luta hai
sach pucho to nari jivan, ek mahndi ka buta hai
ek mahndi ka buta hai
ek mahndi ka buta hai, ek mahndi ka buta hai

Ground to dust, then crushed, then steeped in fire,
The henna blooms, a crimson, ardent pyre.
A woman's fate, in this relentless sphere,
Mirrors the henna, holding back a tear.

If truth be told, a woman's life unfurls,
A henna bush, against the world it swirls.
A henna bush, enduring all the pain,
Each bond, each tie, a theft, a pouring rain.
If truth be told, a woman's life unfurls,
A henna bush, against the world it swirls.

Lest bangles break, lest parting lines grow bare,
To keep her vows, she walks in silent prayer.
The crimson blush, a price she must impart,
She bears her own funeral, a broken heart.
No fault of hers, a shattered, fallen star,
Each bond, each tie, a theft, however far.
If truth be told, a woman's life unfurls,
A henna bush, against the world it swirls.

Pure as the Ganges, how can she impart,
The truth, when fingers point, tear her apart?
A Sita's plight, no solace could she find,
Outside, the flames, the demons of mankind.
Her honor saved, yet trust lies in the dust,
Each bond, each tie, a theft, a broken trust.
If truth be told, a woman's life unfurls,
A henna bush, against the world it swirls.
A henna bush, enduring all the pain,
A henna bush, in sun and pouring rain.