नैना नीर बहाए

nainaa niir bahaae

Touch on each word to display its meaning

नैना नीर बहाए

My eyes make water flow

नैना नीर बहाए [ x2 ]

मुझ बिरहन का दिल साजन संग [ x2 ]

झूम झूम के गाए

[ all stanza x2 ]

नैना नीर बहाए

My eyes make water flow [x2]

The heart of me, a separated woman, (is) with my beloved [x2]

and, swaying, sings

[all stanza x2]

My eyes make water flow

विष का प्याला काम ना आया

मीरा ने पी के दिखलाया

[ both lines x2 ]

प्रेम तो है गंगा जल इस में [ x3 ]

विष अमृत बन जाए

नैना नीर बहाए

The goblet of poison did not do its work

Mira demonstrated that by drinking it

[both lines x2]

For love is the Ganges, in it [x3]

poison becomes ambrosia.

My eyes make water flow.

प्रेम है गिरिधर की बाँसुरिया [ x2 ]

प्रेम है राधा की साँवरिया

यह है सात सुरों का दरिया [ x2 ]

झर झर बहता जाए

नैना नीर बहाए

Love is Giridhar's little flute [x3]

Love is Radha's dear Sanwara

It is the river of seven tunes,

it trickles and flows on and on.

My eyes make water flow.

About this song

Singer: Sadhana Sargam
Lyrics: Sukhwinder Singh
Music: A.R. Rahman

nainaa niir bahaae (Hindi: नैना नीर बहाए, Urdu: نینا-نِیر-بہائے) "The eyes shed water", is a deeply emotional and spiritual composition from the 2005 film Water, directed by Deepa Mehta. Composed by A.R. Rahman and sung soulfully by Sadhana Sargam, the song captures the pain of separation, devotion, and longing. The lyrics by Sukhwinder Singh draw inspiration from the mysticism of Meera Bai, referencing her divine love for Lord Krishna and the transformation of suffering into spiritual ecstasy. The melody, enriched by Hindustani classical influences, flows gently like the river Ganges, symbolizing purity and transcendence. The song’s placement in the film enhances its poignancy, reflecting the plight of widows in 1930s India. With its haunting melody and poetic depth, Naina Neer Bahaye remains one of Rahman’s most evocative compositions.