Karvan Guzar Gaya -Nai Umar Ki Nayi Fasal

The meaning of a philosophical song written by Gopaldas Saxena ‘Neeraj’ like Karvan Guzar Gaya from Nai Umar Ki Nayi Fasal (1966) can’t be translated in its true spirit that easily. It took me a while to get to a point where I feel somewhat satisfied by the translation so I am posting it now. Thanks for sending in the request Maryam T and so sorry for the delay in posting!

Neeraj was known to have distaste for commercial demands for meaningless lyrics in Bollywood films and while he wrote infrequently for Hindi cinema, he has some very successful songs to his credit. He was a prominent poet and academic and his style was considered very profound yet accessible for the masses. He believed that poet’s job was to reflect the truth of his environment, however unpleasant it may seem as human words are an extension of their values. This song displays his mastery over literary expression as he delivers stanza after stanza filled with waves of hopelessness and angst of youth disillusioned by the world. The thought-provoking film, based on student politics was shot in Aligarh Muslim University campus and can be watched here.

Let me know what you think about this translation and my other work. Do tell me how I can improve and send in your suggestions, feedback and translation requests through the contact page  here or through personal message on Facebook or Twitter.

Song Credits
Lyrics: Gopaldas Saxena ‘Neeraj’
Singers: Mohammad Rafi
Music: Roshan

Movie Credits
Directed by: R. Chandra
Starring:  Rajeev, Tanuja, Ulhas, Shobhna Samarth, Leela Chitnis
Produced by: Vishwabharathi Films
Release: 1966

Original Lyrics – Karvan Guzar Gaya

Swapn jhare phool se
meet chubhe shool se
mit gaye singaar sabhi
baagh ke babool se
aur ham khade khade bahaar dekhte rahe
Karvan guzar gaya gubaar dekhte rahe

Zindagi khuli na thi ki haay dhoop dhal gayi
paanv jab talaq uthe ke zindagi fisal gayi
paat paat jhad gaye ke shaakh-shaakh jal gayi
chaah to nikal saki na tar umar nikal gayi
tar umar nikal gayi
geet ashk ban gaye, swapn ho dafan gaye
saath ke sabhi diye, dhuaan pahan-pahan gaye
aur ham jhuke-jhuke, mod par ruke-ruke
umr ke chadhaav kaa utaar dekhte rahe

Kyaa shabaab thaa ke phool phool pyaar kar uthaa
kyaa kamaal thaa ke dekh aainaa sihar uthaa
is taraf zameen aur aasmaan udhar uthaa
thaam kar jigar uthaa ke jo milaa nazar uthaa
ke jo milaa nazar uthaa
ek din magar yahan aisi kuch hawa chali
lut gayi kali kali ke ghut gayi gali gali
aur ham lute-lute, waqt se pite-pite
saaz ki sharaab kaa khumaar dekhte rahe
Karvan guzar gaya gubaar dekhte rahe

Haath the mile ke zulf chaand ki sanwaar doon
honth the khule ke har bahaar ko pukaar doon
dard thaa diyaa gayaa ke har dukhi ko pyaar doon
aur saans yoon ke swarg, bhoomi par utaar doon
bhoomi par utaar doon
ho sakaa na kuchh magar, shaam ban gayi sahar
wo uthi lahar ke dhah gaye kile bikhar bikhar
aur ham dare dare, neer nain mein bhare
odh kar kafan pade mazaar dekhte rahe

Maang bhar chali ke ek jab nayi nayi kiran
dhol ke dhunak uthi thumak uthe charan charan
shor mach gayaa ke lo chali dulhan chali dulhan
gaanv sab umad padaa, bahak uthe nayan nayan
bahak uthe nayan nayan
par tabhi zahar bhari gaaz ek wah giri
punch gaya sindoor taar taar huyi chunri
aur ham azaan se door ke makaan se
paalki liye huye kahaar dekhte rahe
Karvan guzar gaya gubaar dekhte rahe

Translation of Karvan Guzar Gaya by bollywoodtarjuma

Dreams fell like wilted flowers,
friends pricked like thorns,
like the acacia of the garden,
all adornments disappeared..
and I kept looking for the spring,
the caravan departed and yet I stood,
soaked in the dust billowing ..

Life wasn’t even awake when the sun went down,
it slipped away before feet got off the ground.
Dried leaves fell and branches burnt out,
desires stayed on while years thrashed about.
Melodies mourned and dreams lay buried,
clothed in smoke, the lamps sat wearied.
But I stayed on, right on that sprawl,
where time raced past me,
leaving me to see my falling,
the caravan departed and yet I stood,
soaked in the dust billowing..

Such was the youth in its prime,
that every bloom fell for it
and trembling reflections lost their mind.
Earth on my side and the sky on the other,
everyone who saw it, felt their heart flutter.
But one day wind turned around,
crushing the rosebuds, choking the ground.
Robbed and beaten, I was still watching,
in the drunken haziness of musical time.
The caravan departed and yet I stood,
soaked in the dust billowing..

My fingers brushed the tresses of moonlight,
lips could call the spring quickly into sight,
I got pain so I could love those who hurt,
my breaths granted to bring heaven on earth.
But dawn became dusk and nothing materialized,
waves of time wrecked sand-fort of my pride.
From beneath the shroud of death I saw,
the remnants of my own shrine,
while I stayed back, afraid and drowning,
the caravan departed and yet I stood,
soaked in the dust billowing..

A new ray walked with a vermillioned parting,
and feet danced to the rhythmic drum-beating,
the word spread about the new bride,
village flooded out with hope-filled eyes.
Just then lightning struck with poisoned-hail,
botching the colours and shredding the veil.
Like the call of morning-prayer that dawn,
I watched from a house far away,
at the bridal palanquin –bearers leaving,
the caravan departed and yet I stood,
soaked in the dust billowing..

 

Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi – Mr. X in Bombay

The request for translation of Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi from Bollywood classic science-fiction Mr. X in Bombay (1964) has come to me four times already, latest being yesterday night. So, I guess I couldn’t put it off any longer. This song remains extremely popular for its sharp and biting words, a peculiar rhythm and a unique rendering by actor-singer Kishore Kumar, who was also the lead actor of the film. It has been remixed and re-rendered and covered by several artists over the years, though in my opinion, nobody even came close to the original.

This is one of the few songs from Bollywood (or anywhere actually) that expresses very difficult emotions of vengeance and pain stemming from unrequited love. The hypnotic melody of the song contrasts heavily with the verses of betrayal, threats and retribution, making it a very uncomfortably ironical song. It was very tough to get the spirit of the song as Anand Bakshi’s eloquent words expressed in Hindustani, but I tried my best to do some justice to the translation. Do let me know what you think in the comments here or through Facebook and Twitter page of bollywoodtarjuma. I know there is another version of the same song which is as good, if not better. Let me know if you want me to translate that too. Do keep sending your requests through the contact form here or through personal message on Facebook or Twitter.

PS: Thank you to all the new subscribers on Facebook and WordPress! It feels great that my work is reaching you all!

Song Credits
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Singers: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Music: Kishore Kumar

Movie Credits
Directed by: Shantilal Soni
Starring:  Kishore Kumar, Kumkum, Madan Puri
Produced by: C. M. Thakkar
Release: 1964

Original Lyrics – Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi

Mere mehboob qayamat hogi
Aaj rusva teri galiyon mein mohabbat hogi
Naam niklega tera hi lab se,
jaan jab is dil-e-naqaam se ruksat hogi

Meri nazrein to gila karti hain
Tere dil ko
bhi sanam tujhse shikayat hogi
Mere mehboob…

Mere sanam ke darr se agar
Baad e saba ho tera guzar
Kehna sitamgar kuchh hai khabar
Tera naam liya
Jab tak bhi jiya
Aye shama tera parwana
Jisse ab tak tujhe nafrat hogi
Aaj rusva teri galiyon main mohabbat hogi
Mere mehboob qayamat hogi
Aaj rusva teri galiyon main mohabbat hogi
Mere mehboob…

Teri gali main aata sanam
Nagma wafa ka gaata sanam
Tujhse suna na jaata sanam
Phir aaj idhar
Aaya hoon magar
Yeh kehne main deewana
Khatm bas aaj yeh vehshat hogi
Aaj rusva teri galiyon mein mohabbat hogi
Mere mehboob qayamat hogi
Aaj rusva teri galiyon mein mohabbat hogi
Mere mehboob…
.
Meri tarah tu aahen bhare
Tu bhi kisise pyar kare
Aur rahe voh tujhse parey
Tune o sanam dhaye hain sitam to yeh tu bhool na jaana
Ki na tujhse bhi inayat hogi
Aaj rusva teri galiyon mein mohabbat hogi
Meri nazrein to gila karti hain
Tere dil ko bhi sanam tujhse shikayat hogi
Mere mehboob..

Translation of Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi by bollywoodtarjuma

My love, the doom is nigh,
for love will be defiled,
right in your street, your sight.
Only your name will pass my lips,
when my hopeless heart stops,
and my soul slips.
My vision may complain a lot,
but you will soon hear,
the lament of your own heart.
My love…

If you happen to pass her threshold,
ask her o morning breeze..
Does she know of my unease,
of how I intoned her name,
until I could no longer breathe,
like a moth in flaming seethe.
Today you may hate my plight,
but my love, the doom is nigh,
for love will be defiled,
right in your street, your sight.
My love..

I could visit your by-lanes
and hum a melody of fidelity,
a song you couldn’t endure,
for its unbearable unfamiliarity.
But today I arrive here,
like a lunatic my dear,
to make it very clear,
soon this horror will mollify,
as the doom is nigh,
for love will be defiled,
right in your street, your sight.
My love…

I wish you sigh like me,
I wish you love like me,
but remain unrequited, unfree
You’ve rained pain my love,
but I hope you don’t forget,
that you will also pay this debt,
when your blessings turn wry,
as the doom is nigh,
for love will be defiled,
right in your street, your sight.
My love…

Tu Kisi Rail Si Guzarti Hai – Masaan

Tu Kisi Rail Si is a very subtle lyrical gem from Neeraj Ghaywan’s critically acclaimed film, Masaan (Crematorium). Lyricist Varun Grover, who won the national award for writing the song Moh Moh Ke Dhaage, adapted a well-known poem by poet Dushyant Kumar to give shape to this song rich in similes. The song is infused with unpretentious earthiness of Hindi poetry that’s taps deep into the hidden desires and deep insecurities of Indian youngsters living in the conservative confines of societal norms. The rustic voice of very talented actor-singer-writer Swanand Kirkire further adds to the beauty of this brief song composed by veteran fusion rock band, Indian Ocean.

Masaan is set in contemporary Varanasi, also known as Benaras/Kashi, a holy city settled on the banks of the river Ganga that has been the cultural center of North India for thousands of years. It’s also one of world’s oldest inhabited cities, with archeological evidence dating the settlements back to 20th century BC. Varanasi is the quintessential symbol of an India that’s at the cusp of ancient traditions held by a civilization that’s thousands of years old and modernity that has entered through education and globalization. Masaan tells a tragic story of two youngsters who stand at this embankment of tradition and modernity, seeing their desires ignite and perish cyclically, while trying to make sense of their own identities seeped in class, caste and gender norms. It was selected and screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival and won FIPRESCI and a ‘Promising Future’ prize (Prix de l’avenir) for debut films. It was very well received by critics in India as well on its release, although it unfortunately didn’t become a big commercial success.This poignant film, filmed beautifully on location in Varanasi can be watched for free right here, thanks to the streaming website, Hotstar.

I hope you will enjoy my translation and interpretation of Tu Kisi Rail Si and do let me know your feedback in the comments and on bollywoodtarjuma’s Facebook and Twitter page. Do subscribe to know every time I post a new translation and send your requests through the contact form here or through Facebook or Twitter.

Song Credits
Lyrics: Dushyant Kumar (adapted by Varun Grover)
Singer: Swanand Kirkire
Music: Indian Ocean

Movie Credits
Directed by: Neeraj Ghaywan
Starring: Richa Chaddha, Vicky Kaushal, Sanjay Mishra and Shweta Tripathi
Produced by: Drishyam Films, Phantom Films, Macassar Productions, Sikhya Entertainment

Release: 24 June 2015 (France), 24 July 2015 (India)

Original Lyrics – Tu Kisi Rain Si Guzarti hai

Tu kisi rail si guzarti hai
Tu kisi rail si guzarti hai
Main kisi pull sa.. thartharata hoon
Tu bhale ratti bhar na sunti hai
Main tera naam budbudata hoon
Kisi lambe safar ki raaton mein
Tujhe alaav sa jalaata hoon
Tu kisi rail si guzarti hai
Main kisi pull sa.. thartharata hoon

Kaath ke taale hai
Aankh pe daale hai
Unmein isharon ki chabiyaan laga
Raat jo baaqi hain
Shaam se taaki hain
Neeyat mein thodi
Neeyat mein thodi, kharabiyaan lagaa
Kharabiyaan lagaa
Main hoon paani ke bulbule jaisa
Tujhe sochun toh phoot jaata hoon
Tu kisi rail si guzarti hai
Main kisi pull sa.. thartharata hoon

Translation of Tu Kisi Rain Si Guzarti hai by bollywoodtarjuma

As you pass like a train,
I tremble like a bridge underneath.
You may never hear a sound,
but I murmur your name on repeat.
In the cold nights of long voyages,
I bask in memory of your bonfired heat.
As you pass like a train,
I tremble like a bridge underneath.

Wooden locks that guard your eyes..
turn the key of gestures on them,
and let them vocalize.
Now that the night has dawned,
from unending wings of twilight,
do ease the scruples of intention,
and set your desires alight.

Like a water bubble full of you,
I rupture as your thought turns concrete.
As you pass like a train,
I tremble like a bridge underneath.

Ab Mujhe Koi Intezaar Kahaan – Ishqiya

Who better than Gulzar to bring me out of translation-hibernation? I apologize for not updating for so long, work has me very busy nowadays but I promise to post more frequently now! I have a bunch of requests pending and I hope to get to them soon. Thanks to Latika G for sending me a request for translation of Ab Mujhe Koi Intezaar Kahaan from Ishqiya as its one of my favorite melancholic melodies and I couldn’t wait to translate it!

Abhishek Chaubey’s Ishqiya is the prequel of Dedh-Ishqiya, a film I wrote about in detail here along with a song translation of Hamri Atariya. Ishqiya is a black comedy where actor Vidya Balan plays the role of an unlikely femme fatale who manipulates two men into her own plan of vengeance. Portraying a twisted and dark world in a brilliant way, Ishqiya won a lot of praise from the critics and lead actor Vidya Balan swept all major awards for her nuanced portrayal of the lead protagonist Krishna Verma. The film features many beautiful songs, but Ab Mujhe Koi Intezaar Kahaan and Badi Dheere Jali Raina stand out like gems; combining Gulzar’s words, Vishal Bhardwaj’s music and Rekha Bhardwaj’s uniquely haunting voice. I hope you enjoy the translation and leave your feedback here or on  bollywoodtarjuma’s Facebook and Twitter page

Song Credits
Lyrics: Gulzar
Singers: Rekha Bharadwaj
Music: Vishal Bharadwaj

Movie Credits
Directed by: Abhishek Chaubey
Starring: Vidya Balan, Naseeruddin Shah, Arshad Warsi
Produced by: Raman Maroo, Vishal Bharadwaj
Release: 29 January 2010

Original Lyrics – Ab mujhe koi intezaar kahaan

Ab mujhe koi intezaar kahaan
Woh jo behthe the, aabshaar kahaan
Ab mujhe koi intezaar kahaan

Aankh ke ek gaaon mein,
raat ko khwaab aate the
Chooney se behthe the,
bole toh kehte the.
Udthe khwaabon ka aetbaar kahaan
Ab mujhe koi intezaar kahaan

Jin dino aap rehte the
Aankh mein dhoop thi
Ab to jaale hi jaale hain
Yeh bhi jaane hi wale hain
Woh jo tha dard ka karaar kahaan
Ab mujhe koi intezaar kahaan
Woh jo behthe the aabshaar kahaan

Translation of Ab mujhe koi intezaar kahaan by bollywoodtarjuma

No hope lives in me now.
Water that gushed down my eyes,
is also missing somehow.

Dreams used to visit,
a village in my eyes.
On touching, they leak,
through illusions they speak.
Passing like a summer cloud,
Musings can’t be trusted aloud.

The days you were here,
my warm eyes held the sun.
The days you stayed awhile,
heat lingered in the bosom.
Now it’s just cobwebs of past
and even they will not last.
Will I ever feel it again,
that bliss hiding beneath the pain.

No hope lives in me now.
Water that gushed down my eyes,
is also missing somehow.

Dil Se Re – Dil Se

Mani Ratnam’s Dil Se (From the Heart), is a poetic love story set amidst the travails of people living in insurgency-prone areas of North East India. The entire album of the film is a musical-lyrical triumph with A R Rahman and Gulzar coming together for creating a series of tracks that remain alive as some of the best songs ever written and composed in Bollywood. Gulzar’s inimitable metaphors combine with the eccentric notes of Rahman in creating the title song of the album. Short and profound phrases and little explosions of electronic musical notes  make this song very unconventional Bollywood. It’s one of the few songs from Bollywood that express deep pathos in hypnotic fast-paced musical notations, almost conveying the sense of a traveling urgency that runs as a theme in the film. Gulzar’s lyrics in this particular instance are particularly impossible to literally translate so I would actually consider this effort to be more of a rewriting in English. As usual, I would love to know your thoughts here and on bollywoodtarjuma’s Facebook and Twitter page.

 P.S: Do find the meaning of Chhaiya Chhaiya, another unforgettable number from the same film on an earlier entry of this blog. You can also watch the full film right here.

Song Credits
Lyrics: Gulzar
Singer: A. R. Rahman, Anuradha Sriram, Anupama & Febi Mani
Music: A R Rahman

Movie Credits
Directed by: Mani Ratnam
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Manisha Koirala, Preity Zinta
Produced by: Mani Ratnam, Ram Gopal Varma, Shekhar Kapur, Bharat Shah
Release: 21 August 1998

Original Lyrics – Dil Se Re from Dil Se

Ek suraj nikla tha, kuchh para pighla tha
Ek aandhee aayee thee, jab dil se aah niklee thee
Dil se re
Dil toh aakhir dil hai na
Mithee see mushkil hai na, piya piya
Piya piya piya na piya jiya jiya jiya na jiya
Dil se re

Do patte patjhad ke pedon se utarey the
Pedon kee shakho se utarey the
Phir utne mausam gujre woh patte do bechare
Phir ugne kee chahat me woh sehrao se guzre
Woh patte dil dil dil the, woh dil the dil dil dil the
Dil hai toh phir dard hoga, dard hai toh dil bhee hoga
Mausam gujarte rehte hain
Dil se, dil se, dil se, dil se
Dil se re

Bandhan hai rishto me
Kanto kee tarein hain, patthar ke darwaje diware
Bele phir bhee ugatee hain, aur guchchhe bhee khilte hain
Aur chalte hain afsane, kirdar bhee milte hain
Woh rishtey dil dil dil the, woh dil the dil dil dil the
Ghum dil ke paksh chulbule hain, pani ke yeh bulbule hain
Bujhte hain bante rehte hain
Dil se, dil se, dil se, dil se

Translation of Dil Se Re by bollywoodtarjuma

The sun rose,
bit of mercury thawed,
one storm bellowed,
when a sigh crawled,
from deep inside..
Right from the heart,
from the very start,
with writing on its scroll,
unfolding from the soul..

Heart is heart after all,
it can stumble and fall,
giving a syrupy-restless call,
for you my love, my love..
Form the heart,
from the very start,
with writing on its scroll,
unfolding from the soul..

Two autumn leaves scrambled down,
fell from branches without a sound.
Countless seasons turned,
but not for those two.
Trying to grow again,
they passed deserts and dew.
Those wilted leaves were hearts,
yes, they were living hearts.
If there is heart, there will be pain,
if there is pain, it’s the heart’s bane,
while the weather- spells pass over,
those hearts beat the same forever.

Links in a union, those throne-addled chains,
doors cast in stone and concrete walled panes.
Yet the vines sprout through,
heavy with flowers that grew,
like stories that eternally accrue,
with characters found anew.
Those unions were hearts,
yes, they were living hearts.
Anguished and with volatile wings,
floating like slippery bubbles,
they douse, form, separate and cling.
In the heart they are born,
of the heart they always sing.

Chupke Se – Saathiya

Another beautiful song by Gulzar, Chupke Se from Shaad Ali’s Saathiya (Companion) is a kind of train of thought poetry. Filled with never-ending metaphors of passion, romance and love; the song is a manifestation of desperate fantasies of lovers separated by distance and time. It’s a tough translation and I have taken some liberties to keep the flow intact. Let me know what you think here and do join bollywoodtarjuma’s Facebook and Twitter page.

Right here, you can watch this memorable film about the struggles of a couple who elope to be together but later realize marriage is not exactly a fairy tale with a happily ever after. It’s an insightful journey of self-discovery and a reflection on nature of romantic relationships in the face of  everyday struggles, drudgery and tragedies. The Tamil original, Alaipayuthey (Waves are flowing) directed by maverick film maker Mani Ratnam featured the song set to the same melody, penned by lyricist Vairamuth. Although an entirely different meaning, romance in the poetry is equally, if not more stunning. The song can be found here and it’s meaning can be read here.

Song Credits
Lyrics: Gulzar
Singers: Sadhana Sargam, Murtaza Khan, Qadir Khan, A. R. Rahman
Music: A R Rahman

Movie Credits
Directed by: Shaad Ali
Starring: Rani Mukerji, Vivek Oberoi
Produced by: Bobby Bedi, Yash Chopra, Mani Ratnam, Aditya Chopra
Release: 20 December 2002

Original Lyrics – Chupke Se from Saathiya

Dosto se jhutee mutee dusro kaa naam le ke phir meree baate karna
Yaara raat se din karna
Lambee judaayee teree bada mushkil hai aaho se dil bharna
Yaara raat se din karna
Kab yeh puree hogee, dur yeh duree hogee, roz safar karna
Yaara raat se din karna

Chupke se chupke se raat kee chaadar tale
Chaand kee bhee aahat naa ho, baadal ke pichhe chale
Jale katara katara, gale katara katara
Raat bhee naa hile aadhee aadhee, yeh
Chupke se chupke se r lag ja gale, raat kee chaadar tale

Farvaree kee sardiyo kee dhup me, mundee mundee ankhiyo se dekhana
Haath kee aad se
Nimee nimee thand aur aag me, haule haule maarva ke raag me
Mir kee baat ho
Din bhee naa dube, raat naa aaye, shaam kabhee naa dhale
Shaam dhale toh subah naa aaye, raat hee raat chale
Chupke se chupke se raat kee chaadar tale
Chaand kee bhee aahat naa ho, baadal ke pichhe chale

Tujh bina pagalee yeh purvaaye, aake meree chunaree me bhar gayee
Tu kabhee aise hee, gale lag jaise yeh purvayee
Aa gale lag jaise yeh purvayee, saathiya sun tu
Kal jo mujhako nind naa aaye, paas bula lena
Godee me apnee sar rakh lena, loree suna dena

Chupke se chupke se raat kee chaadar tale
Chaand kee bhee aahat naa ho, baadal ke pichhe chale
Jale katara katara, gale katara katara
Raat bhee naa hile aadhee aadhee, yeh

Translation of Chupke Se by bollywoodtarjuma

With false names and half-lies,
talk of me all night with friends,
but keep us in disguise.
Long separation and anxious sighs,
ceaseless night and awaited sunrise,
When will darkness break and light awake?
When will these distances fade?
Days and nights keep lingering,
for how long do we keep wandering?

Quietly, wordlessly,
beneath the blanket of night.
Under the silent footsteps of moon,
we take the clouded flight.
Quietly, wordlessly,
beneath the blanket of night,
I want you to hold me tight.
Every bit burning,
all of it melting,
while the midnight stands,
timelessly, unmoving.

Look at me with half-closed eyes,
shielded with a canopied hand,
soaked by the warmth of February-tan.
In the nippy cold and thawing heat,
with sunset’s song* upbeat,
we will exchange some verses by Mir**,
while horizon and sun get nowhere near.
The sun should not set,
night must not fall,
frozen twilight will just stall.
But when dusk finally melts to dark,
the morning should wait at the arc,
not letting the night ever disembark.
 
 While you are distant,
a delirious breeze is persistent
to fill into my shawl,
wrapping my heart in enthrall.
Listen my cherished companion,
just like this breeze, someday,
you embrace me with abandon.
Tomorrow, be near me
when sleep betrays my night,
cradle my head in your lap,
and sing me a lullaby of moonlight.

Quietly, wordlessly,
beneath the blanket of night.
Under the silent footsteps of moon,
we take the clouded flight.
Quietly, wordlessly,
beneath the blanket of night,
I want you to hold me tight.
Every bit burning,
all of it melting,
while the midnight stands,
timelessly, unmoving.

* Phrase used in the original song refers to Marva raag or melody mode in Hindustani classical music. It’s considered a song of quiet and gentle yearning for love, represented by the arrival of sunset.

**Although people may have differing opinions, I see this part as a reference to the poetry of Mir Taqi Mir, a famous Urdu poet, who was known for writing intensely romantic ballets. Read my translation of a classic ghazal by Mir here.

 

 

 

Aane Wala Pal – Gol Maal

As I struggle to post more often to keep up with my other work, poetic genius Gulzar’s birthday today offers the perfect opportunity to come back to my love for translating poetry. Aane Wala Pal from Gol Maal, is one of the many songs written by Gulzar that explore romance in its philosophical dimensions. Time is physically the same but relative in its experience. It passes quickly, heavy with stolen moments when one is with a beloved, but painfully slowly when it’s time to wait for the next meeting. This song is an exploration of that fleeting time, asking us to seek every moment for the endless stories of joy and pain it holds and live it fully for everything it’s worth. Also, the song inspires me to find precious moments to post more translations of Gulzar’s poetry this month. Lets see how it goes/ As usual, feedback from my readers would only encourage me further!

PS: If you haven’t already, do watch this hilarious and insightful film right here.

Song Credits
Lyrics: Gulzar
Singers: Kishore Kumar
Music: R. D. Burman

Movie Credits
Directed by: Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Cast:  Amol Palekar, Utpal Dutt, Bindiya Goswami
Produced by: N.C Sippy
Release:  20th April 1979

Original Lyrics – Aane Wala Pal

Aanewala pal janewala hai
Ho sake toh isame jindagee bita do
Pal jo yeh janewala hai ho ho

Ek bar yu milee masum si kali
Ho khilte huye kaha pushpash me chalee
Dekha toh yahee hai dhundha toh nahee hai
Pal jo yeh janewala hai ho ho.

Ek bar wakt se lamha gira kahin
Wahan dastan milee lamha kahee nahin
Thoda sa hasake, thoda sa rulake
Pal yeh bhee janewala hai ho ho.

Aanewala pal janewala hai
Ho sake toh isame jindagee bita do
Pal jo yeh janewala hai ho ho

Translation of Aane Wala Pal by bollywoodtarjuma

Imminent moments are turning to past,
if you can, live them fully till they last,
for what’s now is slipping away fast.
this minute won’t return once its passed.

I met a blooming bud one time,
‘I am off to a sojourn’, it chimed.
When I saw, it was here,
and when I searched again,
it was nowhere.
just as the present minute,
turns away like a pivot.

Once an instant broke away from time,
a whole epic was narrated in it,
but the instant petered in sublime.
Spreading some cheers and
gifting some tears,
end of this instant also nears.

Imminent moments are turning to past,
if you can, live them fully till they last,
for what’s now is slipping away fast.
this minute won’t return once its passed.

 

Featured Image Courtesy: @yuvadesh on Twitter

3- Day Challenge – Day 3

On the final day of the 3-day quote challenge, I am picking another brief and lucid dialogue from Neeraj Pandey’s 2008 film, A Wednesday! The quote is quite self-explanatory so will go straight to it, without further ado:

“Insaan naam mein mazhab dhoondh leta hai”

“When they hear a name, humans try to find a religion in it”

Thanks again to lairaiwrites for nominating me for this challenge!

3- Day Challenge – Day 2

For Day 2, I am picking a short dialogue from Ashutosh Gowarikar’s 2004 film Swades: We, the People that speaks of the ills of caste system with a disarming simplicity of lucid word play. The word jaati has two meanings in Hindi, i.e. caste and leaving (used as a verb). This one quote shows how unfortunately no amount of development has been able to erase the caste system from Indian social fabric.

“Jo kabhi nahi jaati use hi jaati kehte hain”

“Caste implies exactly that, it can’t be cast away”