Pahad Ko Chuk Chuke Rail
by Ram Krishna Dhakal
"Pahadko Chukchuke Rail" (The Chugging Train of the Hills) is an iconic and deeply nostalgic Nepali modern song masterfully performed by the legendary playback icon Ram Krishna Dhakal. Included in his critically acclaimed studio album Saili, the track features a beautiful acoustic arrangement composed by the prominent music director Shikhar Santosh, with evocative lyrics penned by the distinguished lyricist Anand Adhikari. The song is highly celebrated for its smooth blend of traditional Nepali Adhunik (modern) melodies with a gentle rhythmic pulse that mimics the steady movement of a train.
Lyrically, the song uses the powerful metaphor of a smoke-billowing mountain train to convey a poignant story of heartbreak, separation, and unfulfilled promises. The opening lines poetically describe a train chugging through the hills, carrying away the narrator's beloved while leaving behind a trail of black smoke and a shattered heart. The verses delve into the sorrow of a lover left stranded at the station of life, questioning why a romance that blossomed so beautifully had to vanish like steam in the mountain air. Adhikari’s use of rich, rural imagery and Dhakal's exceptionally expressive vocal delivery perfectly capture the universal pain of longing, making "Pahadko Chukchuke Rail" a staple of Nepali musical heritage that continues to evoke deep nostalgia among listeners worldwide.
पहाडको छुकछुके रेल छुटयो हजुर रोक्दै नरोकी
पहाडको छुकछुके रेल छुटयो हजुर रोक्दै नरोकी
मैले रुमाल हल्लाको गयो माया देख्दै नदेखी
आँखाभरी सपना थ्यो मन भरि आशा
माया हाम्रो खै के भयो छायो नि निराशा
सिरमा उनकै टोपी चिनो पाउमा पाउ पोश
दिलमा उनकै फूल राखें कस्लाई दिने दोष
पहाडको छुकछुके रेल छुटयो हजुर रोक्दै नरोकी
मैले रुमाल हल्लाको गयो माया देख्दै नदेखी
दौरा सुरुवाल पटुकिमा खुकुरी छ छड्के
कुन दैव लाग्यो मलाई लाग्यो नजर कर्के
आँखा मेरो हेरी रहन्छ नौ डाँडा पारी
फर्कने त आशै छैन गयो माया मारी
पहाडको छुकछुके रेल छुटयो हजुर रोक्दै नरोकी
मैले रुमाल हल्लाको गयो माया देख्दै नदेखी
छुटयो हजुर रोक्दै नरोकी गयो माया देख्दै नदेखी
छुटयो हजुर रोक्दै नरोकी गयो माया देख्दै नदेखी
