183. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Kya Ajab Saaz Hai Shehnai...

Movie: SHEHNAI (1964)
Lyrics: Rajinder Krishan
Music: Ravi


Philosophy also defines sadness as a "felt" response (i.e., languor and pain) to a perception or idea. Hence this can be termed as a sad song too.

Rafi Sahaab singing on the alpha and omega of man’s existence in terms of music: Kya Ajab Saaz Hai Yeh Shehnai....


Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original lyrics:

kya ajab saaz hai, yeh shehnai,
WHAT A STRANGE INSTRUMENT IS THIS ROYAL FLUTE!

doh hee sur ka yeh khel saara hai,
JUST TWO NOTES SUM UP THE ENTIRE GAME,

kya ajab saaz hai, yeh shehnai,
WHAT A STRANGE INSTRUMENT IS THIS ROYAL FLUTE!

doh hee sur ka yeh khel saara hai,
JUST TWO NOTES SUM UP THE ENTIRE GAME,

Ek sur zindagi ka saahil hai,
ONE NOTE IS THE BANK OF LIFE,

Doosra maut ka kinaara hai,
THE SECOND IS THE SHORE OF DEATH,

Ek sur zindagi ka saahil hai,
ONE NOTE IS THE BANK OF LIFE,

doosra maut ka kinaara hai,
THE SECOND IS THE SHORE OF DEATH,

kya ajab saaz hai yeh shehnai,
WHAT A STRANGE INSTRUMENT IS THIS ROYAL FLUTE!

doh hee sur ka yeh khel saara hai...
JUST TWO NOTES SUM UP THE ENTIRE GAME.


yeh baje toh hayaat ki mehfil,
IF IT PLAYS, THEN THE EXISTING GATHERING

poore joban pe aake jam jaaye,
WOULD JELL ON FULLY BLOOMING,

zindagi ek khwaab ho jaaye,
LIFE WOULD BECOME A DREAM

yeh agar bajte bajte tham jaaye,
IF IT STOPS WHILE PLAYING,

yeh kabhi chaand chaudhveen ka hai,
‘TIS SOMETIMES A FULL MOON,

aur kabhi subha ka sitaara hai,
AND IS SOMETIMES A MORNING STAR,

yeh kabhi chaand chaudhveen ka hai,
‘TIS SOMETIMES A FULL MOON,

aur kabhi subha ka sitaara hai,
AND IS SOMETIMES A MORNING STAR.

kya ajab saaz hai, yeh shehnai,
WHAT A STRANGE INSTRUMENT IS THIS ROYAL FLUTE!

doh hee sur ka yeh khel saara hai,
JUST TWO NOTES SUM UP THE ENTIRE GAME.


aah or waah ka, yeh sangam hai,
OF SIGHS AND ACCOLADE 'TIS A CONFLUENCE,

soz aur saaz ki, jawaani hai
OF PASSION AND MUSIC ‘TIS THE YOUTH,

aah or waah ka, yeh sangam hai,
OF SIGHS AND ACCOLADE ‘TIS A CONFLUENCE,

soz aur saaz ki jawaani hai,
OF PASSION AND MUSIC ‘TIS THE YOUTH,

hai agar yeh shabaab ka qissa,
IF ‘TIS THE ROMANCE OF PRIME OF YOUTH,

ek bewaa ki bhee kahaani
‘TIS ALSO AN APOLOGUE OF A WIDOW

qehqaho.n ka hee aabshaar nahee.n
‘TIS NOT JUST A CASCADE OF LOUD LAUGHTER,

aa.nsoo.on ka bhee ek dhaara hai
BUT IS ALSO A STREAM OF TEARS,

qehqaho.n ka aabshaar nahee.n
‘TIS NOT JUST A CASCADE LOUD LAUGHTER,

aa.nsoo.on ka bhee ek dhaara hai
BUT IS ALSO A STREAM OF TEARS.

kya ajab saaz hai yeh shehnai,
WHAT A STRANGE INSTRUMENT IS THIS ROYAL FLUTE!

doh hee sur ka yeh khel saara hai,
JUST TWO NOTES SUM UP THE ENTIRE GAME.

NASIR.


Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn."

-Charlie Parker