When Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa spoke to Kanta Bai...

Seth Karoli Lal purchased Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and hung her on the wall of his art gallery. It was a very private affair where he kept his precious pieces of art. Not everyone was allowed here- just he and of course the trusted Kanta Bai who kept the place spick and span. Kanta Bai every morning spent quite an interesting time here. She would plug in her earphones and dance her heart out to songs like – Despacito, DJ Wale Babu, Abhi Toh party Shuru Hui Hai...

Who knew that morning something extraordinary would happen! Kanta Bai had the most interesting conversation with Mona Lisa. Mona Lisa watched Kanta Bai hopping and skipping around with her broom. She couldn’t contain her excitement for long and initiated a dialogue, that too in a rap song! Kanta Bai told me all about it. You don’t believe me? Why don’t you see for yourself!

Yo Kanta, I’m Mona

Da Vinci’s baby Shona

Look at me in the pitcha

Yo Babe! I damn gotcha!

Yo Mona, me Kanta!

The life of Indian Janta!

Whether Banta or Santa

You have to grant-a!

Yo Kanta! I hang-a

In a pretty frame-a

on a boring wall-a

with my lovely smile-a!

Yo Mona! Teri smile lagti zabardast hai!

Meri limited English ho gayi past hai!

Tu lagti hai patakha! Ekdum mast hai!

Chal! Autograph de-de fastam fast-e!

Haila! Yo Babe Kanta

Go get me a Fanta

You do your kadka

I’ll smile and watch-a!

Yo! Da Vinci ki Mona

Tu lagti hogi Shona

Main bhi hoon Kanta!

Life of the Indian Janta!

Nahi laati koi Fanta

Chal pare hat ja!

Hat ja! Hat ja! Hat ja!

Well, you do believe me now! And, for those of you who had a difficult time understanding what they spoke about I’m translating a few difficult words and phrases for you below.

*Janta – People

*Banta& Santa- popular Indian comic characters

*Teri smile lagti zabardast hai– Your smile looks awesome

* Meri limited English ho gayi past hai – My limited English is exhausted

* Tu lagti hai patakha! Ekdum mast hai- You’re like a fire cracker! You’re hot!

*Chal! Autograph de-de fastam fast-e – Now come on! Give your autograph fast!

*Haila! – (slang) Oh God!

* Kadka – Dusting

*Tu lagti hogi Shona – You must be looking sweet

*Main bhi hoon Kanta – I am ‘the’ Kanta

*Nahi laati koi Fanta – I won’t bring any Fanta

*Chal pare hat ja – Come on, just get aside

Image: Mona Lisa by Michele De Rosa, Kaamwali bai from Pratilipi