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Saturday, February 16, 2008

28. Translation of Rafi Song: Ab Kya Misaal Doon...


From AARTI (1962)
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music: Roshan.

Transliteration/Translation of the original lyrics:




Ab Kya
NOW WHAT

Misaal Doon Maein Tumhare Shabaab Ki
SHOULD I LIKEN YOUR BEAUTY WITH?

Insaan Ban Gayee Hai Kiran
A HUMAN BEING HAS BEEN FORMED FROM THE BEAM

Mahtaab Ki
OF THE MOON,

Ab Kya Misaal Doon…
NOW WITH WHAT SHOULD I LIKEN…..


Chehre Mein Ghul Gaya Hai
UNTO YOUR COUNTENANCE HAS MELTED

Haseen Chandni Ka Noor
THE BEAUTIFUL MOONLIGHT,

Aankhon Mein
IN THE EYES

Hai Chaman Ki
LURKS THE GARDEN’S

Jawan Raat Ka Suroor
YOUTHFUL NIGHT’S EXHILIRATION,

Gardan Hai
THE NECK IS

Ek Jhuki Hui Daali
AN INCLINED STALK…

Daali Gulaab ki..
STALK OF THE ROSE.

Ab Kya Misaal Doon
NOW WITH WHAT SHOULD I LIKEN…..


Gesu Khule Tau Shaam Ke
AS THE TRESSES OPEN UP THE DUSK’S

Dil Se Dhuan Uthe
HEART IS STRUCK WITH ENVY,

Chhule Kadam Tau Jhuk ke
STOOPING TO TOUCH THE FEET THEN

Na Phir Aasma.n Uthe
THE SKY IS UNABLE TO RISE UP AGAIN,

Sau Baar Jhilmilaye Shama
A HUNDRED TIMES SHIMMERS THE LIGHT…

Shama Aaftaab Ki
THE LIGHT OF THE SUN.

Ab Kya Misaal Doon
NOW WITH WHAT SHOULD I LIKEN…..


Deewaar-O-Dar Ka Rang Yeh
THE COLOUR OF THIS HOUSE

Aanchal Yeh Pairahan,
THIS MANTLE, THESE ROBES,

Ghar Ka Mere Chiragh Hai
THE LIGHT OF MY HOME IS

Boota Sa Yeh Badan
THIS FLOWER-LIKE BODY,

Tasveer Ho Tum hi Mere Jannat Ke
A PICTURE VERILY YOU'RE OF MY PARADISE'S....

Jannat Ke Khwaab ki.
PARIDISE'S DREAM.


Ab Kya
NOW WHAT

Misaal Doon Maein Tumhare Shabaab Ki
SHOULD I LIKEN YOUR BEAUTY WITH?

Insaan Ban Gayee Hai Kiran
A HUMAN BEING HAS BEEN FORMED FROM THE BEAM

Mahtaab Ki
OF THE MOON,

Ab Kya Misaal Doon…
NOW WITH WHAT SHOULD I LIKEN…..

NASIR.

6 comments:

  1. Beautiful song and equally good translation.

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  2. Easily the best translation I have ever come across
    Sreekumar

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  3. I'm happy that you liked the translation Sreekumar!

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  4. THE FIGURE OF SPEECH HAS BEEN BROUGHT INTO ENGLISH MOST BEAUTIFULLY WITHOUT SHEDDING THE POETIC FLAVOUR OF URDU . BEFITTING TRANSLATION OF THE SUNG SUNG BY A PEERLESS SINGER

    ReplyDelete