Chautarima Basera
by Aruna Lama
"Chautarima Basera" (चौतारीमा बसेर) is a deeply melancholic and iconic Nepali masterwork performed by the legendary singer Aruna Lama, affectionately known as the "Nightingale of the Hills". Written and composed by the visionary maestro Gopal Yonjan, the song is an artistic exploration of deep grief, loneliness, and existential longing. The title translates to "Sitting at the Chautari"—referencing the traditional stone resting platforms built around pipal trees in Nepali villages—which serves as the structural setting where the narrator begs to weep and wash away their life's burdens with tears. Lama's distinctively soulful voice balances severe psychological pain with immense vocal grace, making the track a definitive anchor on the digital compilation album Aruna Lama Ka Sworharu-1.
Lyrically, the song uses vivid rustic imagery and nature metaphors to depict betrayal and deep heartbreak. Iconic lines like "Gaunthaliko ke ghar ke gaun, dukhiyako ke thar ke naun" draw a poetic parallel between a homeless swallow bird and a broken-hearted person who lacks identity and belonging. The poetry progresses to detail the pain of isolation, noting how seasonal pipal trees change their leaves while an unfortunate fate makes one's own home feel completely foreign. When external forces break a heart, family is supposed to heal it; the song's most painful realization occurs when loved ones turn hostile, leaving the narrator with nowhere left to seek help. Decades after its official studio release on June 12, 1993, through Music Nepal, the timeless track remains widely preserved for global audiences.
चौतारीमा बसेर रुन पाउँ
मनको पिर आँसुले धुन पाउँ
गौथलीको के घर के गाउँ
दुखियाको के थर के नाउँ
पीपलले पालुवा फेर्यो पुरानो भो वर
कर्मले ठगेपछी बिरानो भो घर
पीपलले पालुवा फेर्यो पुरानो भो वर
कर्मले ठगेपछी बिरानो भो घर
दिनदशा वरवर दिनदशा वरवर संगीसाथी पर
न्याउलीको भाका सुन्ने कस्लाई खाँचो छ र
चौतारीमा
बाँचु कति दोधारको यस्तै जिन्दगानी
मनभरी आगो लिई आँखाभरी पानी
बाँचु कति दोधारको यस्तै जिन्दगानी
मनभरी आगो लिई आँखाभरी पानी
पराईले मन भाँचे पराईले मन भाँचे आफन्तले जोड्ने
आफन्त नै वैरी भए कस्लाई गुहार भन्ने
चौतारीमा बसेर रुन पाउँ
मनको पिर आँसुले धुन पाउँ
गौथलीको के घर के गाउँ
दुखियाको के थर के नाउँ
