341. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Wah Re Zamaane...

Movie: GHAR KI IZZAT (1948)
Music: Pandit Gobindram
Lyrics: I.C. Kapoor.



Rafi Sahaab’s early nugget: Waah Re Zamaane....

Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urdu/Hindi Lyrics:


Waah re zamaane, kyaa rangg dikhaaye,
FIE WORLD, WHAT FICKLENESS!

Waah re zamaane, kyaa rangg dikhaaye,
FIE WORLD, WHAT FICKLENESS!

Pal me.n ha.nsaaye, pal me.n rulaaye,
MAKING US LAUGH ONE MOMENT; THE OTHER MOMENT,MAKING US WEEP,

Kyaa rangg dikaaye,
WHAT FICKLENESS!

Waah re zamaane, kyaa rangg dikhaaye...
FIE WORLD, WHAT FICKLENESS!


Mohabbat ka nannaah, diyaa TimTimaayaa,
A LITTLE LAMP OF LOVE FLICKERED,

Pehle hee jho.nke ne, aakar bujhaayaa,
THE VERY FIRST GUST CAME, EXTINGUISHING IT,

Aa.nkho.n me.n taareekee dil me.n andheraa,
BLINDNESS IN THE EYES, DARKNESS IN THE HEART,

Aa.nkho.n me.n, taareekee dil me.n andheraa,
BLINDNESS IN THE EYES, DARKNESS IN THE HEART,

Pag pag Thokar khaaye
STUMBLING AT EVERY STEP,

Pag pag, Thokar khaaye,
STUMBLING AT EVERY STEP,

Kyaa ranggg dikhaaye,
WHAT FICKLENESS!

Waah re zamaane, kyaa rangg dikhaaye..
FIE WORLD, WHAT FICKLENESS!


Haatho.n kee me.nhdee ko dekhe suhaagan,
THE NEWLY WED LOOKS AT THE HENNA-ADORNED HANDS,

Haatho.n kee me.nhdee ko, dekhe suhaagan,
THE NEWLY WED LOOKS AT THE HENNA-ADORNED HANDS,

Aa.nkho.n men aa.nsoo, soona hai aangan,
TEARS IN THE EYES; DESERTED IS THE COURTYARD,

Aa.nkho.n men aa.nsoo, soona hai aangan,
TEARS IN THE EYES; DESERTED IS THE COURTYARD,

Khusheeyo.n ke din, toh beet chuke hai.n,
THE DAYS OF HAPPINESS ARE OVER,

Khusheeyo.n ke din, toh beet chuke hai.n
THE DAYS OF HAPPINESS ARE OVER,

Reh gaye haay, haay
BEWAILMENT REMAINS!

Kyaa rangg dikhaaye,
WHAT FICKLENESS!

Waah re zamaane, kyaa rang dikhaaye,
FIE WORLD, WHAT FICKLENESS!

Pal me.n hansaaye, pal men rulaaye
MAKING US LAUGH ONE MOMENT; THE OTHER MOMENT,MAKING US WEEP,

Kyaa ranggg dikhaaye,
WHAT FICKLENESS!

Waah re zamaane, kyaa rang dikhaaye,
FIE WORLD, WHAT FICKLENESS!

NASIR

We are all of us, in this world, more or less like St. January, whom the inhabitants of Naples worship one day, and pelt with baked apples the next.
- Madame Anne Sophie Swetchine (Soimonoff)

340. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Doh Vidaa Doh Praan...

Movie: ADALAT (1948)
Lyrics: Mahipal
Music: Datta Devjekar



Young Rafi’s early nugget: Doh Vidaa Doh Praan…..

Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Hindi Lyrics:


doh vidaa doh praan mujh ko
GIVE O GIVE ME LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,

doh vidaa doh praan,
GIVE O GIVE LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,

doh vidaa doh praan,
GIVE O GIVE LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,

doh vidaa doh praan mujh ko
GIVE O GIVE ME LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,

doh vidaa doh praan,
GIVE O GIVE LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,

doh vidaa doh praan..
GIVE O GIVE LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE…

aaj se hoon main hoon teraa, pardes waasee meet,
FROM TODAY MY FRIEND, I’M AN ALIEN FOR YOU,

sur ke taro.n par bajegaa praan kaa sangeet,
THE MUSIC OF LIFE WILL PLAY ON THE KEY STRINGS,

sun sako voh raag toh, jhankar apnee jhilmilaane
IF YOU HAPPEN TO HEAR THAT NOTE, FLASH YOUR STRINGS,

sun sako voh raag toh, jhankar apnee jhilmilaane
IF YOU HAPPEN TO HEAR THAT NOTE, FLASH YOUR STRINGS,


doh vidaa doh praan mujh ko
GIVE O GIVE ME LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,

doh vidaa doh praan,
GIVE O GIVE LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,

doh vidaa doh praan..
GIVE O GIVE LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE…


neh se bharpoor hain hamm, aa.nhhh
FULL OF TENDERNESS ARE WE,

neh se bharpoor hain hamm,
FULL OF TENDERNESS ARE WE,

phir kaho, kab duur hain hamm,
THEN TELL ME, HOW CAN WE BE APART!

phir kaho, kab duur hain hamm,
THEN TELL ME, HOW CAN WE BE APART!

yaad main aaoo.n tumeh toh, dheer naa apna gawaana,
WHEN I RECUR TO YOUR MEMORY, DON’T LOSE YOUR PATIENCE,

yaad main aaoo.n tumeh toh, dheer naa apna gawaana,
WHEN I RECUR TO YOUR MEMORY, DON’T LOSE YOUR PATIENCE,

doh vidaa doh praan mujh ko
GIVE O GIVE ME LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,

doh vidaa doh praan,
GIVE O GIVE LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,

doh vidaa doh praan..
GIVE O GIVE LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE…


sach naheen toh jhoot bhee kab hain hamaaare, madhur sapne
IF OUR SWEET DREAMS MAY NOT BE TRUE, YET THEY AREN’T FALSE,

phool me.n ha.ns nit jharo.n me.n beh rahe.n hain pyaar apne,
OUR LOVE LAUGHS IN FLOWERS, FLOWS IN CASCADES ETERNALLY,

aa.nsuuo.n ko pee ke saathee, moteeo.n me.n muskurunaa,
BY DRINKING THE TEARS, KEEP ON SMILING IN PEARLS MATE,

aa.nsuuo.n ko pee ke saathee, moteeo.n me.n muskurunaa,
BY DRINKING THE TEARS, KEEP ON SMILING IN PEARLS MATE,


doh vida doh praan mujh ko,
GIVE O GIVE ME LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,

doh vidaa, doh praan
GIVE O GIVE LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,

doh vidaa doh praan,
GIVE O GIVE LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE,

doh vidaa doh praan.
GIVE O GIVE LEAVE TO DEPART O LIFE.

NASIR.

If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.
- Michael Jackson

339. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Jahaan Waale Tuune Yeh Kyaa Zindagi...

Movie: GUL-E-BAKAWLI (1963)
Music: Hansraj Behl
Lyrics: Gulshan Bawra


Rafi Sahaab’s Gem: Jahaan Waale Tuune Yeh Kyaa Zindagee Dee...

Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urud/Hindi lyrics:


Jo aaj tak huwaa naa,
WHAT DIDN’T HAPPEN TILL TODAY,

tuune aaj kar diyaa,
THAT YOU’VE DONE TODAY,

Kyoo.n taaj deke Maalik,
AFTER BESTOWING THE CROWN, WHY

betaaj kar diyaa,
YOU’VE TAKEN AWAY THE CROWN,

Betaaj kar diya....
YOU’VE TAKEN AWAY THE CROWN.


Jahaa.n waale tuune, yeh kyaa zindagee dee,
O LORD OF THE WORLDS! WHAT’S THIS LIFE THAT YOU GAVE?

Jahaa.n waale tuune, yeh kyaa zindagee dee,
O LORD OF THE WORLDS! WHAT’S THIS LIFE THAT YOU GAVE?

Ke gham se sajaa kar, hame.n har khushee dee,
FOR, ADORNED WITH SORROW IS THE EACH JOY THAT YOU GAVE,

Jahaa.n waale...
O LORD OF THE WORLDS!

Jahaa.n waale tuune, yeh kyaa zindagee dee...
O LORD OF THE WORLDS! WHAT’S THIS LIFE THAT YOU GAVE?


Bahaare.n agar, chheen lenee theeh hamm se,
IF YOU WANTED TO SNATCH AWAY THE BLOSSOMS FROM US,

Bahaare.n agar, chheen lenee theeh hamm se,
IF YOU WANTED TO SNATCH AWAY THE BLOSSOMS FROM US,

Muraado.n ke phoolo.n ko, kyoo.n taazgee dee,
TO THE DESIRED FLOWERS, WHY THE FRESHNESS YOU GAVE,

Kyoo.n taazgee dee
WHY THE FRESHNESS YOU GAVE...

Jahaa.n waale, ...
O LORD OF THE WORLDS!

Jahaa.n waale tuune, yeh kyaa zindagee dee...
O LORD OF THE WORLDS! WHAT’S THIS LIFE THAT YOU GAVE...


Chhalakne lage, aaj aankho.n me.n aa.nsoo,
TEARS BEGAN BRIMMING IN THE EYES TODAY,

Chhalakne lage, aaj aankho.n me.n aa.nsoo,
TEARS BEGAN BRIMMING IN THE EYES TODAY,

Arre dene waale, yeh kaisee ha.nsee dee,
O BESTOWER, WHAT’S THIS LAUGHTER THAT YOU GAVE?

Yeh kaisee ha.nsee dee,
WHAT’S THIS LAUGHTER THAT YOU GAVE?

Jahaa.n waale...
O LORD OF THE WORLDS!

Jahaa.n waale tuune, yeh kyaa zindagee dee...
O LORD OF THE WORLDS! WHAT’S THIS LIFE THAT YOU GAVE...


Karam hai diyaa, tuune noor-e-nazar tau,
IF ‘TIS A BLESSING THAT A BELOVED SON YOU GAVE ,

Karam hai diyaa, tuune noor-e-nazar tau,
IF ‘TIS A BLESSING THAT A BELOVED SON YOU GAVE,

Sitam hai nazar ko, magar teeshnigee dee,
BUT THE TEMPTATION YOU GAVE TO THE SIGHT IS TYRANNY,

Magar teeshnigee dee,
BUT THE TEMPTATION YOU GAVE,

Jahaa.n waale...
O LORD OF THE WORLDS...

Jahaa.n waale tuune, yeh kyaa zindagee dee,
O LORD OF THE WORLDS! WHAT’S THIS LIFE THAT YOU GAVE,

Ke gham se sajaa kar, hame.n har khushee dee,
FOR, ADORNED WITH SORROW IS THE EACH JOY THAT YOU GAVE,

Jahaa.n waale...
O LORD OF THE WORLDS...

Jahaa.n waale tuune, yeh kyaa zindagee dee.
O LORD OF THE WORLDS! WHAT’S THIS LIFE THAT YOU GAVE,

Yeh kyaa zindagee dee.
WHAT’S THIS LIFE THAT YOU GAVE.

NASIR

“There is no better way to thank God for your sight than by giving a helping hand to someone in the dark.”
Hellen Keller.

338. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Raahi O Raahi....

Movie: DEVDAS (1955)
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Music: S.D. Burman

Main Theatrical Release in Bombay: Swastik Cinema.

Rafi Sahaab’s Old Gem: Raahee O Raahee...

Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urdu/Hindi Lyrics:


Chorus: manzil ki chaah men
IN THE DESIRE OF DESTINATION,

raahi ke vaaste,
FOR THE WAYFARER

sukh ke bhi raaste,
THERE ARE PATHS OF EASE AND PLEASURE, TOO,

dukh ke bhi raaste,
THERE ARE PATHS OF TOIL AND TROUBLE, TOO.

Chorus: manzil ki chaah men,
IN THE DESIRE OF DESTINATION,

raahi ke vaaste
FOR THE WAYFARER

sukh ke bhi raaste
THERE ARE PATHS OF EASE AND PLEASURE, TOO,

dukh ke bhi raaste
THERE ARE PATHS OF TOIL AND TROUBLE, TOO.


(The above chorus henceforth continues in the background along with main rendition)


kahee.n ghanee chhaa.nv hai,
SOMEWHERE THERE’S A DENSE SHADE,

kahee.n ka.dee dhoop hai,
SOMEWHERE THERE’S SCORCHING SUN,

yeh bhee ek roop hai,
THIS, TOO, IS ONE FORM,

voh bhee ek roop hai,
THAT, TOO, IS ONE FORM,

Kaee yahaa.n khoye.nge,
MANY WILL LOSE THEMSELVES HERE,

kaee yahaa.n paaye.nge,
MANY WILL FIND THEMSELVES HERE,

raahee~~,
TRAVELLER....,

kaee abhee jaaye.nge,
MANY WILL NOW BE GOING,

kaee abhee aaye.nge,
MANY WILL NOW BE COMING,

O~~~.. raahi
O TRAVELLER!

kaee abhee jaaye.nge~~~~
MANY WILL NOW BE GOING....

kaee abhee aayenge~~~~
MANY WILL NOW BY COMING...

raahee~~ o.. raahee.
TRAVELLER O TRAVELLER,

NASIR

A Himalayan trek is a metaphor for life itself. On a trek we are searching for a majestic peak or high plateau, a beautiful stream or waterfall, or a shrine or monastery. The destination or goal serves to quench our thirst, our desire. It provides a short respite from the rigors of the trail, a brief "One Night's Shelter." Then we have to descend, move on. We cannot stay there.
Yogavacara Rahula – Traversing the Great Himalayas.

337. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: O Duur Ke Musaafir...

Movie: URAN KHATOLA (1955)
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Music: Naushad

Main Theatrical Release in Bombay: Imperial Talkies.

Rafi Sahaab’s All-Time Classic: O Duur Ke Musaafir...

Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urdu/Hindi Lyrics:


chale aaj tum jahan se,
YOU DEPART THE WORLD TODAY,

huwee zindagee paraayee,
LIFE NOW BELONGS TO ANOTHER,

tumeh mil gayaa Thikaanaa,
YOU FOUND YOUR DESTINATION,

hame.n maut bhee naa aayee....
EVEN DEATH HAS ELUDED ME!


Chorus: AAA~~~

o duur ke musaafir,
O DISTANT VOYAGER!

hamko bhee saath le le re,
TAKE US TOO WITH YOU,

hamko bhee saath le le,
TAKE US TOO WITH YOU,

hamm reh gaye akele...
WE’VE BEEN LEFT ALL ALONE...


o duur ke musaafir,
O DISTANT VOYAGER!

hamko bhee saath le le re,
TAKE US TOO WITH YOU,

hamko bhee saath le le,
TAKE US TOO WITH YOU,

hamm reh gaye akele...
WE’VE BEEN LEFT ALL ALONE....

Chorus: AAA~~~~

tuu ne voh de diyaa gham,
THE KIND OF SORROW THAT YOU GAVE

bemaut mar gaye hamm,
KILLED US UNTIMELY BEFORE DEATH,

dil uTh gayaa jahaa.n se,
THE HEART HAS RENOUNCED THE WORLD,

le chal hame.n yahaa.n se,
BEAR US AWAY FROM HERE,

le chal hame.n yahaa.n se,
BEAR US AWAY FROM HERE,

kis kaam kee yeh dunyaa,
OF WHAT USE IS THIS WORLD

jo zindagee se khele re,
WHICH FOOLS AROUND WITH LIFE!

hamko bhee saath le le,
TAKE US TOO WITH YOU,

hamm reh gaye akele,
WE'VE BEEN LEFT ALL ALONE.


o duur ke musaafir...
O DISTANT VOYAGER....

hamko bhee saath le le re
TAKE US TOO WITH YOU,

hamko bhee saath le le,
TAKE US TOO WITH YOU,

hamm reh gaye akele..
WE’VE BEEN LEFT ALL ALONE...

Chorus: AAA~~~~

soonee hai.n dil ki raahe.n,
DESERTED ARE THE HEART’S PATHWAYS,

khaamosh hai.n nigaahe.n,
MOTIONLESS ARE THE EYES,

naakaam hasrato.n kaa,
UNACCOMPLISHED DESIRES’

uThne ko hai janaazaa,
FUNERAL IS ABOUT TO LEAVE,

uThne ko hai janaazaa,
THE FUNERAL IS ABOUT TO LEAVE...

chaaro.n taraf lage hai.n,
PLANTED IN THE FOUR DIRECTIONS ARE

barbaadiyo.n ke mele re,
THE CARNIVALS OF DESTRUCTION,

hamko bhee saath le le,
TAKE US TOO WITH YOU,

hamm reh gaye akele,
WE’VE BEEN LEFT ALL ALONE,

o duur ke musaafir,
O DISTANT VOYAGER!

hamko bhee saath le le re,
TAKE US TOO WITH YOU,

hamko bhee saath le le,
TAKE US TOO WITH YOU,

hamm reh gaye akele,
WE’VE BEEN LEFT ALL ALONE,

o duur ke musaafir
O DISTANT VOYAGER!

hamko bhee saath le le
TAKE US TOO WITH YOU,

hamm reh gaye akele,
WE’VE BEEN LEFT ALL ALONE.

NASIR

“You never really leave a place or person you love, part of them you take with you ,leaving a part of yourself behind.”

translation

336. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Meri Kahaani Bhoolne Waale...

Movie: DEEDAR (1951)
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Music: Naushad


Rafi Sahaab’s perennially popular number: Meree Kahaanee Bhoolne Waale...

Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urdu/Hindi Lyrics:


Meree kahaanee, bhoolne waale,
O FORGETTER OF MY STORY....

Meree kahaanee bhoolne waale,
O FORGETTER OF MY STORY!

Teraa jahaa.n aabaad rahe
MAY YOUR WORLD PROSPER,

Meree kahaanee..
MY STORY...

Teree khushee par, mai.n miT jaaoo.n,
FOR YOUR HAPPINESS MAY I BE DESTROYED,

Dunya meree barbaad rahe,
MAY MY WORLD BE RUINED,

Meree kahaanee....
MY STORY...


Mere geet sune dunya ne magar,
THOUGH THE WORLD LISTENED TO MY SONGS

Meraa dard koee, naa jaan sakaa
NONE COULD DISCERN MY PAIN,

Naa jaan sakaa,
COULDN’T DISCERN...

Ek teraa sahaaraa thaah dil ko,
YOURS WAS THE ONLY SUPPORT FOR THE HEART,

Ek teraa sahaaraa thaah,
YOURS WAS THE ONLY SUPPORT,

Tuu bhee naa mujhe pehchaan sakaa,
EVEN YOU COULDN’T RECOGNIZE ME,

Tuu bhee naa mujhe, pehchaan sakaa,
EVEN YOU COULDN’T RECOGNIZE ME,

Bachpan ke voh geet puraane,
THOSE CHILDHOOD SONGS OF YORE

Aaj tujhe naa yaad rahe
HAVE ELUDED YOU TODAY,

Meree kahaanee....
MY STORY...


Mai.n apnaa fasaana keh naa sakaa,
I COULDN’T CONVEY MY STORY,

Mere dil kee tamanna dil me.n rahee,
MY HEART’S LONGING REMAINED BURIED IN THE HEART,

Lo aaj kinaare par...
BEHOLD! ON THE SHORE TODAY...

Lo aaj kinaare par aake~~~
BEHOLD! AFTER COMING TO THE SHORE TODAY

Armaano.n kee kashtee Doob gayee
SANK THE BOAT OF MY DESIRES,

Armaano.n kee kashtee Doob gayee,
SANK THE BOAT OF MY DESIRES,

Qismat ko manzoor yahee thaah
THE ONLY COURSE THAT THE FATE CHOSE WAS,

Labb pe mere fariyaad rahe,
LAMENTS SHOULD DWELL ON MY LIPS,

Meree kahaanee,
MY STORY...

Meree kahaanee bhoolne waale,
O FORGETTER OF MY STORY

Teraa jahaa.n aabaad rahe
MAY YOUR WORLD PROSPER.

NASIR

The worst thing is holding on to someone who doesn't want to be held on to.
~by Noelle P.~

335. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Naseeb Dar Pe Tere...

Movie: DEEDAR (1951)
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Music: Naushad

Rafi Sahaab’s evergreen number: Naseeb Dar Pe Tere...

Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urdu/Hindi lyrics:


naseeb dar pe tere, aazmaane aayaa hoo.n,
I’VE COME TO TRY MY LUCK AT YOUR DOOR-STEP,

naseeb dar pe, tere aazmaane aayaa hoo.n,
I’VE COME TO TRY THE LUCK AT YOUR DOOR-STEP,

aazmaane aayaa hoo.n,
I’VE COME TO TRY

naseeb dar pe tere,
MY LUCK AT YOUR DOOR-STEP..

tujhee ko teree kahanee...
TO YOU, YOUR STORY...

tujhee ko teree kahaanee, sunaane aayaa hoo.n,
I’VE COME TO NARRATE YOUR STORY TO YOU,

naseeb dar pe, tere aazmaane aayaa hoo.n...
I’VE COME TO TRY MY LUCK AT YOUR DOOR-STEP,


jo naghme.n soye huwe..., hai.n tere khayaalo.n, me.n,
THOSE DORMANT SONGS THAT ARE IN YOUR MIND,

hai.n tere khayaalo.n me.n,
THAT ARE IN YOUR MIND,

jo naghme.n soye huwe hai.n, tere khayaalo.n me.n,
THOSE DORMANT SONGS THAT ARE IN YOUR MIND,

unhee.n ko aaj mai.n gaa kar....
BY SINGING THEM TODAY...

unhee.n ko aaj mai.n gaa kar, jagaane aayaa hoo.n,
BY SINGING THEM TODAY, I’VE COME TO AROUSE YOU,

naseeb dar pe, tere haay,
MY LUCK AT YOUR DOOR-STEP, OH!

naseeb dar pe, tere aazmaane aayaa hoo.n,
I’VE COME TO TRY MY LUCK AT YOUR DOOR-STEP,

aazmaane aayaa hoo.n...
I’VE COME TO TRY...


oh~~~ bahaa bhee de meree, haalat pe aaj doh, aa.nsoo
SHED A COUPLE OF TEARS TODAY ON MY CONDITION,

aaj, doh aa.nsoooo~~~
A COUPLE OF TEARS TODAY...

bahaa bhee de meree haalat pe, aaj doh aa.nsoo,
SHED A COUPLE OF TEARS TODAY ON MY CONDITION,

mai.n apne dil kee lagee ko...
THE CRAVING OF MY HEART,....

main apne dil kee lagee ko, bujhaane aayaa hoo.n
THE CRAVING OF MY HEART, I’VE COME TO QUENCH,

naseeb dar pe, tere haay aazmaane aayaa hoo.n
I’VE COME TO TRY MY LUCK AT YOUR DOOR-STEP, OH!

aazmaane aayaa hoo.n...
I’VE COME TO TRY...

ho~~~


agar woh saamne hote, toh unse, yeh kehtaa~~~~
IF SHE WERE FACING ME, THEN THIS IS WHAT I’D TELL HER,

agar woh saamne hote toh unse yeh kehtaa,
IF SHE WERE FACING ME, THEN THIS IS WHAT I’D TELL HER:

tere huzoor me.n big.dee...
IN YOUR PRESENCE, MY LOT...

tere huzoor me.n big.dee, banaane aayaa hoo.n,
I’VE COME TO BETTER MY LOT IN YOUR PRESENCE,

naseeb dar pe tere aazmaane aayaa hoo.n.
I’VE COME TO TRY MY LUCK AT YOUR DOOR-STEP.

NASIR.

“Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many - not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some”
Charles Dickens

334. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Zindagi Aaj Mere Naam Se...

Movie: SON OF INDIA (I1962)
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
Music: Naushad

Rafi Sahaab’s beautiful song: Zindagee Aaj Mere Naam Se Sharmaati Hai...

Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urdu/Hindi Lyrics:


zindagee aaj mere, naam se, sharmaati hai,
LIFE IS ASHAMED OF MY NAME TODAY,

zindagee aaj mere, naam se, sharmaati hai,
LIFE IS ASHAMED OF MY NAME TODAY,

apnee haalat pe mujhe, khud bhee ha.nsee, aati hai,
SUCH IS MY CONDITION THAT IT ELICITES EVEN MY DERISION,

zindagee aaj mere, naam se, sharmaati hai...
LIFE IS ASHAMED OF MY NAME TODAY....

ek gham chayn se, jeene naheen, detaa mujhko
A QUALM DOESN’T ALLOW ME TO LIVE IN PEACE,

ek gham chayn se, jeene naheen, detaa mujhko,
A QUALM DOESN’T ALLOW ME TO LIVE IN PEACE,

ek uljhan hai jo, aksar mujhe ta.dpaati hai,
THERE’S A CONFUSION THAT OFTEN AGITATES ME,

zindagee aaj mere, naam se, sharmaati hai...
LIFE IS ASHAMED OF MY NAME TODAY....


is taraah chho.dke, niklaa hoo.n mai.n, apnee manzil,
LEAVING MY LODGE, I’VE SET OUT THUS:...

is taraah chho.dke, niklaa hoo.n mai.n, apnee manzil
LEAVING MY LODGE, I’VE SET OUT THUS:

jaise, hasrat koee, seene se nikal jaati hai,
JUST AS SOME LONGING LEAVES THE BOSOM,

zindagee aaj mere, naam se, sharmaati hai..
LIFE IS ASHAMED OF MY NAME TODAY....


raah chalte huwe, kuchh sochke, ruk jaata hoo.n
REFLECTING ON SOMETHING, I STAND IN PAUSE WHILE TRUDGING THE PATH,

raah, chalte huwe, kuchh sochke, ruk jaata hoo.n,
REFLECTING ON SOMETHING, I STAND IN PAUSE WHILE TRUDGING THE PATH,

har qadam par koee, bhoolee huwee yaad aati hai,
AT EVERY STEP SOME FORGOTTEN MEMORY COMES TO THE FORE,

zindagee aaj mere, naam se, sharmaati hai.
LIFE IS ASHAMED OF MY NAME TODAY,

apni haalat pe mujhe, khud bhee ha.nsee, aati hai,
SUCH IS MY CONDITION THAT IT ELICITES EVEN MY DERISION,

zindagee aaj mere, naam se, sharmaati hai.
LIFE IS ASHAMED OF MY NAME TODAY....

NASIR

333. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: O Gori Laakhon Janam Se...

Movie: INSAAN AUR INSAAN (1985)
Music: Pandit Hemraaj
Lyrics: Tajdar Taj

Rafi Sahaab singing so soothingly about Sadness of Separation, and the Eternal Love and Hope of Meeting the beloved again in some Rebirth: O Goree Laakhon Janam Se...

Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urdu/Hindi Lyrics:



ho~~~ho~~~~ho~~~~~

O~~~ Goree, laakho.n janam se,
O FAIR ONE, SINCE MILLION REBIRTHS

Dor teree bandhan kee, uljhee hai hamse,
YOUR TYING OF THE KNOT IS INVOLVED WITH US,

Raam kare phir ho, hamraa milanwaa,
MAY RAM WILL THAT WE MEET AGAIN!

Raam kare, phir ho hamraa milanwaa...
MAY RAM WILL THAT WE MEET AGAIN!

O~~~ Goree, laakho.n janam se,
O FAIR ONE, SINCE MILLION REBIRTHS

Dor tere bandhan kee, uljhee hai hamse,
YOUR TYING OF THE KNOT IS INVOLVED WITH US,

Raam kare phir ho, hamraa milanwaa,
MAY RAM WILL THAT WE MEET AGAIN!

Raam kare phir ho, hamraa milanwaa...
MAY RAM WILL THAT WE MEET AGAIN!

Ho~

Tere mere jeevan kee, ek kahaanee
THE STORY OF YOUR LIFE AND MINE IS ONE,

Tere mere, jeevan kee, ek kahaanee,
THE STORY OF YOUR LIFE AND MINE IS ONE,

Palko.n me.n nayn jaise, nayno.n me.n paanee,
LIKE THE EYES IN THE EYE-LIDS; THE TEARS IN THE EYES,

Tere mere jeevan kee, ek kahanee,
THE STORY OF YOUR LIFE AND MINE IS ONE,

Palko.n me.n nayn jaise, nayno.n me.n paanee,
THE STORY OF YOUR LIFE AND MINE IS ONE,

Chaahe jag chooTe naa TooTe, preet puraanee,
THE WORLD BE RELINQUISHED, BUT NOT THE OLD-STANDING LOVE,

Ho~~~ Gori, laakho.n janam se,
O FAIR ONE, SINCE MILLION REBIRTHS

Dor tere bandhan kee, uljhee hai hamse,
YOUR TYING OF THE KNOT IS INVOLVED WITH US,

Raam kare phir ho, hamraa milanwaa,
MAY RAM WILL THAT WE MEET AGAIN!

Raam kare, phir ho hamraa milanwaa...
MAY RAM WILL THAT WE MEET AGAIN!


Kaisaa naseeb ne yeh, khel rachaayaa
WHAT A GAME THE FATE HAS CONTRIVED!

Kaisaa, naseeb ne yeh, khel rachaayaa,
WHAT A GAME THE FATE HAS CONTRIVED!

Pyaar toh paaya teraa, sangg naa paayaa,
I GOT YOUR LOVE, NOT YOUR TOGETHERNESS,

Kaisaa naseeb ne yeh, khel rachaayaa,
WHAT A GAME THE FATE HAS CONTRIVED!

Pyaar toh paaya teraa, sangg naa paayaa,
I GOT YOUR LOVE, NOT YOUR TOGETHERNESS,

aa.nsuuo.n me.n rehtee hai ab, teree hee chhaayaa,
‘TIS YOUR REFLECTION THAT NOW DWELLS AMONG THE TEARS,

O~~~~ Gori, laakho.n janam se,
O FAIR ONE, SINCE MILLION REBIRTHS

Dor tere bandhan kee, uljhee hai hamse,
YOUR TYING OF THE KNOT IS INVOLVED WITH US,

Raam kare phir ho, hamraa milanwaa,
MAY RAM WILL THAT WE MEET AGAIN!

Raam kare, phir ho hamraa milanwaa...
MAY RAM WILL THAT WE MEET AGAIN!

Ho~~~~ho~~~~~ho~~~~~

NASIR

Ye flowers that drop, forsaken by the spring,
Ye birds that, left by summer, cease to sing,
Ye trees that fade, when Autumn heats remove,
Say, is not absence death to those who love?
~Alexander Pope

332. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Koi Belee Naa Saathi...

Movie: GHAR AAKHIR GHAR HAI (1988)
Lyrics: Naqsh Lyallpuri
Music: Roshan


Rafi Sahaab's Gem of a parting gift: Koee Belee Naa Saathee...

Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urdu/Hindi Lyrics:


Koee, belee naa saathee
THERE’S NO PROTECTOR, NOR COMPANION,

Bujhee, aas kee bateee,
THE WICK OF HOPE IS EXTINGUISHED,

luTaa sapno.n kaa, sarmaayaa,
THE DREAMS’ CAPITAL HAS BEEN ROBBED,

teree dunyaa se Daataa,
O BESTOWER, WITH YOUR WORLD

TooTaa har ik naata,
ALL RELATIONS HAVE BEEN SEVERED,

Mujhe jeenaa, raas naa aayaa,
LIFE DID NOT SUIT ME,

Koee, belee naa saathee
THERE’S NO PROTECTOR, NO COMPANION,

Bujhee, aas kee batee...
THE WICK OF HOPE IS EXTINGUISHED...


aa.nsoo jisko, dho naa paaye,
THAT WHICH THE TEARS WERE UNABLE TO WASH AWAY,

daaman me.n woh, daagh chhupaaye,
THAT STAIN, HIDDEN AS IT IS IN MY LAP,

aa.nsoo jisko, dho naa paaye,
THAT WHICH THE TEARS WERE UNABLE TO WASH AWAY,

daaman me.n woh, daagh chhupaaye,
THAT STAIN - HIDDEN AS IT IS IN MY LAP,

daaman me.n woh, daagh chhupaaye,
THAT STAIN - HIDDEN AS IT IS IN MY LAP,

dil jalta rahegaa,
THE HEART WILL KEEP ON BURNING,

aur palta rahegaa, mere seene me.n, dard paraayaa,
AND IN MY BREAST THE PAIN OF OTHERS WILL KEEP ON THRIVING,

Koee, belee naa saathee
THERE’S NO PROTECTOR, NO COMPANION,

Koee, belee naa saathee...
THERE’S NO PROTECTOR, NO COMPANION,


Raah naa jaane, meraa Thikaanaa,
THE PATH KNOWS NOT MY DESTINATION,

Dard kahe tuu, chalte jaanaa,
THE PAIN SAYS, “KEEP ON GOING”,

Raah naa jaane, meraa Thikaanaa,
THE PATH KNOWS NOT MY DESTINATION,

Dard kahe tuu, chalte jaanaa,
THE PAIN SAYS, “KEEP ON GOING”,

Dard kahe tuu, chalte jaanaa,
THE PAIN SAYS, “KEEP ON GOING”,

Sang apno.n kaa chhooTaa,
LOST MY NEAR AND DEAR ONES,

Taqdeer ne luTaa,
THE FATE BURGLED ME,

Sukh chheene, Khoon rulaayaa
SNATCHED MY JOYS, MADE ME SHED BLOODY TEARS,

Koee, belee naa saathee
THERE’S NO PROTECTOR, NO COMPANION,

Bujhee, aas kee bateee,
THE WICK OF HOPE GOT EXTINGUISHED,

luTaa sapno.n ka sarmaayaa,
THE DREAMS’ CAPITAL HAS BEEN ROBBED,

teree dunyaa se Daataa,
O BESTOWER, WITH YOUR WORLD

TooTaa har Ik naataa,
ALL RELATIONS HAVE BEEN SEVERED,

mujhe jeenaa, raas naa aayaa
LIFE DIDN’T SUIT ME,

koee, belee na saathee
THERE’S NO PROTECTOR, NO COMPANION,

koee, belee na saathee
THERE’S NO PROTECTOR, NO COMPANION,

koee , belee na saathee.
THERE’S NO PROTECTOR, NO COMPANION,

NASIR

If you have no friends to share or rejoice in your success in life -- if you cannot look back to those whom you owe gratitude, or forward to those to whom you ought to afford protection, still it is no less incumbent on you to move steadily in the path of duty; for your active excretions are due not only to society; but in humble gratitude to the Being who made you a member of it, with powers to save yourself and others.
SIR WALTER SCOTT

331. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Ishq Ne Todee Sar pe Qayaamat...

Movie: JUNOON (THE OBSESSION -1979)
Lyrics: Jigar Moradabadi
Music: Vanraj Bhatia

Main Theatrical Release in Bombay: Regal Cinema.

Rafi Sahaab sings of anxiety, broken heart, physical destruction, calamitous affects of being stricken with passionate love, in a style that only he could sing in: Ishq Ne Todee Sar Pe Qayamat....

Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urdu Lyrics of Jigar Moradabadi:


Ishq ne to.dee, sar pe qayaamat,
THE PASSIONATE LOVE HAS UNLEASHED OPPRESSION,

Zor-e-qayaamat, kyaa kahiye,
THE OPPRESSIVE POWER – WHAT TO SAY!

Sun-ne waala, koee nahee.n,
NO ONE TO HEAR...

Rudaade muhabbat, kyaa kahiye,
THE LOVE STORY - WHAT TO SAY!

Rudaade muhabbat, kyaa..., kahiye...
THE LOVE STORY - WHAT TO SAY!

Dil hai kisee kaa, raaz-e-haqeeqat,
SOMEONE’S HEART IS IN ESSENCE A MYSTERY ,

Raaz-e-haqeeqat kyaa kahiye,
THE MYSTERIOUS ESSENCE – WHAT TO SAY!

Hairat se jalwaa, mohar ballabh hai,
WITH ASTONISHMENT THE DISPLAY IS SEALED WITH THE DESIRE,

Jalwaa-e-hairat kyaa kahiye.
THE ASTONISHING DISPLAY - WHAT TO SAY!

Jab se usne, pher lee.n nazre.n,
FROM THE TIME SHE AVERTED HER EYES,

Rang-e- tabaahee, aah naa poochh,
THE PHYSICAL DESTRUCTION, ALAS! DON’T ASK,

Aah naa poochh,
ALAS! DON’T ASK,

Seenaa khaalee, aa.nkhe.n veeraa.n,
EMPTY BOSOM, DESOLATE EYES,

Dil kee haalat, kyaa kahiye,
THE HEART’S CONDITION - WHAT TO SAY!

Ek tajallee, ek tabassum, ek nigaah-e- bandanawaaz.
A MANIFESTATION, A SMILE, A PATRONISING GLANCE,

Is se ziyaadah, ay ghame jaanaa.n,
MORE THAN THIS, O ANXIOUS FOR BELOVED,

Dil kee qeemat, kyaa kahiye,
THE HEART’S WORTH - WHAT TO SAY!

Kyaa kahiye, kyaa kahiye,
WHAT TO SAY, WHAT TO SAY!

Sheeshaa-e-dil woh, hastee-e-naazuk,
THE FRAGILE HEART, THAT DELICATE BEING,

Thes lagee aur, TooT gayaa,
GOT SHATTERED ON RECEIVING A KNOCK,

TooT gayaa,
GOT SHATTERED,

Uspe kisee ke, teer-e-sitam kee,
ON TOP OF THAT, SOMEONE’S OPPRESIVE DART’S

mashq-e-siyaasat kyaa kahiye,
TORTUROUS PRACTICE - WHAT TO SAY!

Mashq-e-siyaasat, kyaa kahiye.
THE TORTUROUS PRACTICE, WHAT TO SAY!

NASIR.

“Neither love nor fire can subsist without perpetual motion; both cease to live so soon as they cease to hope, or to fear.” – Francois de la Rochefoucauld

330. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Chho.d Baabul Ka Ghar Aangana...

Movie: BIN MAA KE BACHCHE (1981)
Lyrics: S.H. Bihari
Music: O.P. Nayyar

Rafi Sahaab’s another sad and beautiful ‘bidayee’ song: Chho.d Baabul Ka Ghar Aangana...

Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urdu/Hindi Lyrics:



Jahaa.n bachpan bitaayaa aaj voh, aangan paraaya hai,
THE COURTYARD WHERE THE CHILDHOOD PASSED, IS SOMEONE ELSE’S TODAY,

Chalee beTee toh kyaa ronaa,
WHY WEEP IF THE DAUGHTER GOES,

ke beTee dhan parayaa hai,
‘CAUSE DAUGHTER’S THE WEALTH THAT BELONGS TO ANOTHER.

Ke beTee, dhan parayaa hai...
‘CAUSE DAUGHTER’S THE WEALTH THAT BELONGS TO ANOTHER....


Chho.d baabul ka ghar, aangana,
LEAVING THE FATHER’S HOUSE, THE COURTYARD,

Aaj Doleee chalee,
THE ‘DOLI’ LEAVES TODAY,

Doleee leke chale, saajnaa,
THE HUSBAND LEADS THE ‘DOLI’,

Kaun roke sakhee,
NO COMPANION WILL RESTRAIN,

Chho.d baabul ka ghar, aangana...
LEAVING THE FATHER’S HOUSE, THE COURTYARD...


Kaisaa dunya kaa, dastoor hai,
WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THIS CUSTOM!

Chho.d jaane pe, majboor hai,
TO LEAVE IS A COMPULSION,

Maa ke dil kalee,
THE BUD OF HER MOTHER’S HEART,

Baap kee laa.dlee,
HER FATHER’S DARLING

Rote rote bhayee, baawree,
HAS GONE CRAZY BY ALL THAT WEEPING!


Chho.d baabul ka ghar, aangana,
LEAVING THE FATHER’S HOUSE, THE COURTYARD,

Aaj Dolee chalee,
GOES THE ‘DOLI’ TODAY,

Doleee leke chale saajnaa,
THE HUSBAND LEADS THE ‘DOLI’,

Kaun roke sakhee,
NO COMPANION WILL RESTRAIN,

Chho.d baabul ka ghar, aanganaa...
LEAVING THE FATHER’S HOUSE, THE COURTYARD...


Laa.dlee tuu, jahaa.n bhee rahe,
WHEREVER YOU STAY SWEETHEART,

Saaraa jeevan, khushee me.n kaTe,
MAY ALL YOUR LIFE PASS IN HAPPINESS,

Gham hee gham hai mujhe,
I’M GOING THROUGH GRIEF AND SORROW,

Doo.n toh kyaa doo.n tujhe,
WHAT TO GIVE YOU IF I’VE TO?

Saath le jaa duaaye.n mereee.
TAKE AWAY MY BLESINGS WITH YOU.


Chho.d babul ka ghar, aangana,
LEAVING THE FATHER’S HOUSE, THE COURTYARD,

Aaj Dolee chalee,
GOES THE ‘DOLI’ TODAY,

Doleee leke chale, saajnaa,
THE HUSBAND LEADS THE ‘DOLI’,

Kaun roke sakhee,
NO COMPANION WILL RESTRAIN,

Doleee leke chale saajnaa...
THE HUSBAND LEADS THE ‘DOLI’...

NASIR.

Certain is it that there is no kind of affection so purely angelic as of a father to a daughter. In love to our wives there is desire; to our sons, ambition; but to our daughters there is something which there are no words to express.” - Joseph Addison.

329. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Doli Ho Doli...

Movie: RAJPUT (1982)
Music: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi (written before his daughters got married)

Comments: Doli ("dooley" in archaic British English) is a Sedan Chair used in India to send brides to her husband's home just after the weddings - a custom that has now dwindled.

Rafi Sahaab’s another sad but beautiful, ‘Bidaayee’ song: Dolee....
Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urdu/Hindi Lyrics:

Doleee, ho Doleee, ho Doleee Doleee, ho Doleee,
DOLI  O DOLI, O DOLI...DOLI , O DOLI,

Jab jab guzree, tuu is dagar se,
WHENEVER YOU PASSED BY THIS WAY

Bichha.daa koee, hammjolee
SOME PARTNER GOT SEPARATED,

Doleee, ho Doleee, ho Dolee Dolee, ho Dolee...
DOLI O DOLI, O DOLI..DOLI  O DOLI...


tuu kyaa jaane, kaun suhaagan,
WHAT DO YOU KNOW WHO’S A BLESSED WIFE?

tuu kyaa jaane, kaun suhaagan,
WHAT DO YOU KNOW WHO’S A BLESSED WIFE?

tuu kyaa jaane, kaun abhaagan,
WHAT DO YOU KNOW WHO’S AN UNFORTUNATE WOMAN?

jo baithaa bas, usko uthaayaa,
WHOEVER SAT, THAT WAS IT! PICKING HER UP

apne raste, ho lee
YOU WENT YOUR WAY,

Dolee, oh Doleee, oh Doleee Doleee, oh Doleee....
DOLI  O DOLI, O DOLI..DOLI  O DOLI...


ik aangan tuu, phulwaa baaTe.n,
IN ONE COURTYARD YOU DISTRIBUTE FLOWERS,

ik aangan bikhraaye, kaante.n,
IN ONE COURTYARD THE THORNS YOU STREW,

tere aage, peechhe dukh sukh,
AT YOUR BIDDINGS THE PAIN AND PLEASURE

khele aankh, micholee,
PLAY HIDE AND SEEK,

Dolee oh Doleee, oh Dolee Dolee, oh Dolee,
DOLI  O DOLI, O DOLI..DOLI O DOLI....


jag me.n aisaa, kyu.n hotaa hai,.
WHY DOES IT HAPPEN LIKE THIS IN THE WORLD?

ik ha.nstaa hai, ik rotaa hai,
ONE LAUGHS, ONE WEEPS,

tujh se kitnee, baar yeh poochhaa,
HOW MANY TIMES WAS THIS ASKED OF YOU,

tuu ik baar, naa boleee
YOU DIDN’T REPLY EVEN ONCE.

Dolee, oh Dolee,
DOLI O DOLI,

jab jab guzree, tuu is dagar se,
WHENEVER YOU PASSED BY THIS WAY

bichha.daa koee, hammjolee,
SOME PARTNER GOT SEPARATED,

Doleee, oh Doleee, Dolee, oh Dolee.
DOLI O DOLI,  DOLI  O DOLI.

NASIR

Many people enter into marriage expecting so many things. They enter into wedlock for so many reasons. It can be a blissful institution when everything is alright. However, you will find people who entered into the marriage by force. Forced marriage is quite common than people think. It happens mainly to vulnerable people of the developing world. This is not to say that the west is immune, many girls are taken forcefully into marriage...... Forced marriage is not acceptable in the eyes of the law and religion....... From: Quotesonmarriage.Com

lyrics

translation

328. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Kisee Aasmaan Pe Toh Saahil Milegaa...

Movie: KASHISH (1980)
Music: Kalyanji-Anandji
Lyrics: Gulzar


Rafi Sahaab’s Rare Gem: Kisee Aasmaan Pe Toh Saahil Milegaa...

Roman Transliteration/ English Translation of Urdu Lyrics:






Kisee aasmaa.n pe, toh saahil milegaa...
IN SOME HEAVEN AT LEAST SHALL WE FIND THE SHORE,

Kisee aasmaa.n pe, toh saahil milegaa,
IN SOME HEAVEN AT LEAST SHALL WE FIND THE SHORE,

Kisee aasmaa.n pe, toh saahil milegaa,
IN SOME HEAVEN AT LEAST SHALL WE FIND THE SHORE,

Mai.n laane wahee.n, aasmaa.n jaa rahaa hoo.n,
I’M GOING THERE TO BRING THAT HEAVEN,

Mai.n laane wahee.n, aasmaa.n jaa rahaa hoo.n,
I’M GOING THERE TO BRING THAT HEAVEN,

Jahaa.n pe zamee.n, aasmaa.n chhoo rahee hai,
THE PLACE WHERE THE EARTH TOUCHES THE SKY,

Wahee.n jaa rahaa hoo.n,
AT THE VERY PLACE I’M GOING,

Wahaa.n jaa rahaa hoo.n,
I’M GOING THERE,

Wahee.n jaa rahaa hoo.n,
AT THE VERY PLACE I’M GOING,

Wahaa.n jaa rahaa hoo.n,
I’M GOING THERE,

Kisee aasmaa.n pe, toh saahil milegaa....
IN SOME HEAVEN AT LEAST SHALL WE FIND THE SHORE,


Kaee baar dekhee, hai.n sindoor shaame.n,
MANY A TIME I’VE SEEN THE VERMILION EVENINGS,

Kaee baar dekhee, hai.n sindoor shaame.n,
MANY A TIME I’VE SEEN THE VERMILION EVENINGS,

Ufaq se pare, jagmagaatee huwee,
AWAY FROM THE HORIZON, GLITTERING,

Kaee baar khaamoshiyo.n me.n, sunnaa hai,
MANY A TIME IN THE STILLNESS, I’VE HEARD

Guzartee hai mujh ko, bulaatee huwee,
THAT IT PASSES BY, CALLING ME OUT,

Guzartee hai mujh ko, bulaatee huwee,
THAT IT PASSES BY, CALLING ME OUT,

Jahaa.n pe mile woh, jahaa.n jaa rahaa hoo.n,
THE PLACE WHERE I CAN FIND THAT WORLD, THITHER I’M GOING,

Jahaa.n pe mile woh, jahaa.n jaa rahaa hoo.n,
THE PLACE WHERE I CAN FIND THAT WORLD, THITHER I’M GOING,

Mai.n laane wahee.n aasmaa.n jaa raahaa hoo.n,
I’M GOING THERE TO BRING THAT HEAVEN,

Mai.n laane, wahee.n, aasmaa.n jaa rahaa hoo.n,
I’M GOING THERE TO BRING THAT HEAVEN,

Kisee aasmaa.n pe, toh saahil milegaa...
IN SOME HEAVEN AT LEAST SHALL WE FIND THE SHORE...


Bahot baar sochaa, yeh sindooree raughan,
MANY A TIME I’VE THOUGHT, THIS VERMILIONED BRIGHTNESS...

Bahot baar sochaa, yeh sindooree raughan,
MANY A TIME I’VE THOUGHT, THIS VERMILIONED BRIGHTNESS

Jahaa.n pe kha.daa hoo.n, wahee.n pe bichhaa doo.n .
I SHOULD SPREAD AT THE VERY PLACE I’M STANDING,

Yeh sooraj ke zarre, zamee.n pe mile toh,
THESE PARTICLES OF THE SUN, IF I FIND THEM ON THE EARTH

Ik aur aasmaa.n mai.n zamee.n pe bichhaa doo.n,
ONE MORE HEAVEN WILL I SPREAD OUT ON THE EARTH,

Ik aur aasmaa.n mai.n zamee.n pe bichhaa doo.n,
ONE MORE HEAVEN WILL I SPREAD OUT ON THE EARTH,

Jahaa.n pe mile woh, jahaa.n jaa rahaa hoo.n,
THE PLACE WHERE I CAN FIND THAT WORLD, THITHER I’M GOING,

Jahaa.n pe mile woh, jahaa.n jaa rahaa hoo.n,
THE PLACE WHERE I CAN FIND THAT WORLD, THITHER I’M GOING,

Mai.n laane wahee.n, aasmaa.n jaa rahaa hoo.n,
I’M GOING THERE TO BRING THAT HEAVEN,

Mai.n laane wahee.n, aasmaa.n jaa rahaa hoo.n,
I’M GOING THERE TO BRING THAT HEAVEN,

Kisee aasmaa.n pe, toh saahil milegaa...
IN SOME HEAVEN AT LEAST SHALL WE FIND THE SHORE,

NASIR

Those who promise us Paradise on earth never produced anything but a Hell.
Karl Popper.

327. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Kaisaa Hai Naseeb Teraa...

Movie: PAAPI (1977)
Music: Bappi Lahiri
Lyrics: Naqsh Lyallpuri.


Rafi Sahaab’s Rare Gem: Kaisaa Hai Naseeb Teraa...

Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urdu/Hindi Lyrics:



Ruk jaa ...
STOP...

Tere haath bandhe hai.n..
YOUR HANDS ARE TIED...

Karmo.n kee zanjeer me.n..
IN THE FETTERS OF YOUR KARMA...

Apne khoon ko gale lagaanaa,
EMBRACING YOUR BLOOD-RELATIVE

Nahee.n tere taqdeer me.n...
IS NOT THERE IN YOUR DESTINY...


Kaisaa hai naseeb, teraa
WHAT SORT OF FATE YOU’VE!

Kaisaa tuu sawaalee hai,
WHAT KIND OF A PETITIONER YOU’RE!

Kaisaa hai naseeb, teraa
WHAT SORT OF FATE YOU’VE!

Kaisaa tuu sawaalee hai,
WHAT KIND OF A PETITIONER YOU’RE!

Sab kuchh paaya tuune,
YOU’VE EVERYTHING,

Sab kuchh paaya tuune,
YOU’VE EVERYTHING,

phir bhee jholee khaalee hai, ay......
EVEN THEN, EMPTY IS YOUR WALLET,

Kaisaa hai naseeb, teraa
WHAT SORT OF FATE YOU’VE!

kaisaa tuu sawaalee hai...
WHAT KIND OF A PETITIONER YOU’RE!


Tuune saaree khushiyaa.n kho dee.n,
YOU LOST ALL HAPPINESS

Saap kee Kaalee raato.n me.n,
IN THE SNAKIEST BLACK NIGHTS,

Reh gaye gham ke jalte aa.nsoo,
LEAVING THE BURNING TEARS OF SORROW

Teree pyaasee aa.nkhon me.n.
IN YOUR THIRSTING EYES,


Kaisaa hai naseeb, teraa
WHAT SORT OF FATE YOU’VE!

Kaisaa tuu sawaalee hai,
WHAT KIND OF A PETITIONER YOU’RE!

Sab kuchh paayaa tuune,
EVERYTHING YOU’ VE,

Sab kuchh paayaa tuune,
EVERYTHING YOU’VE,

phir bhee jholee khaalee hai, ay...
EVEN THEN, EMPTY IS YOUR WALLET,

Kaisaa hai naseeb, teraa
WHAT SORT OF FATE YOU’VE!

kaisaa tuu sawaalee hai...
WHAT KIND OF A PETITIONER YOU’RE!


Pyaar ka daaman mailaa naa ho,
IN ORDER THAT THE SHEET OF LOVE MAY NOT BE SOILED,

Apne daagh chhupaa le tuu,
CONCEAL YOUR BLEMISHES,

Tere kiye kee yahee sazaa hai,
THE PUNISHMENT FOR YOUR DEEDS IS ONLY THIS:

Maut ko gale lagaale tuu,
YOU SHOULD EMBRACE DEATH.

Kaisa hai naseeb, teraa
WHAT KIND OF A PETITIONER YOU’RE!

Kaisaa tuu sawaalee hai,
WHAT KIND OF A PETITIONER YOU’RE!

Sab kuchh paaya tuune,
YOU’VE EVERYTHING,

Sab kuchh paaya tuune,
YOU’VE EVERYTHING,

Phir bhee jholee khaalee hai, ay.....
EVEN THEN, EMPTY IS YOUR WALLET,

Kaisaa hai naseeb teraa,
WHAT SORT OF FATE YOU’VE!

Kaisaa tuu sawaalee hai.
WHAT KIND OF A PETITIONER YOU’RE!

Apne daagh chhupaa le tuu,
CONCEAL YOUR BLEMISHES,

Maut ko gale lagaale tuu,
O YOU, EMBRACE DEATH!

Maut ko gale lagaale,
EMBRACE DEATH!

Maut ko gale lagaale,
EMBRACE DEATH!

Maut ko gale, lagaale.
EMBRACE DEATH!

NASIR.

"When I have sacrificed to help others I had love in mind rather than karma."

326. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Dheere Chal Zaraa...

Movie: Hum Paanch (1981)
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: Laxmikant-Pyarelal



Rafi Sahaab's memorable: Dheere Chal Zaraa...

Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urdu/Hindi Lyrics:


Dheere chal zaraa, O paagal purwaiyaa,
BLOW SOFTLY, O CRAZY EASTERLY WIND,

Tuu kaahe, shor, machaaye,
WHY DOST THOU MAKE COMMOTION?

Tuu kaahe, shor machaaye,
WHY DOST THOU MAKE COMMOTION?

Jin kee qismat, so gayee,
THEY, WHOSE DESTINY HAS GONE TO SLEEP,

Unko, kaun jaagaaye,
WHO’S GONNA WAKE THEM UP?

Dheere chal zaraa, O paagal purwaiyaa,
BLOW SOFTLY, O CRAZY EASTERLY WIND,

Tuu kaahe, shor machaaye....
WHY DOST THOU MAKE COMMOTION?

Jeevan rayn, baseraa hai,
LIFE’S A NOCTURNAL ABODE,

Kis kaa naam, saveraa hai, ho,
WHAT’S THAT WHICH IS CALLED “THE DAWN”? OH!

Jalte huwe, chiraagho.n ke, neeche ghor, andheraa hai,
BENEATH THE LIGHTED LAMPS IS AWFUL DARKNESS,

O~~Ho...

Dheere chal zaraa, O paagal chandaa,
MOVE SLOWLY O CRAZY MOON,

Sooraj, nikal naa aaye,
LEST THE SUN MAY COME OUT,

Jin ke mann kaa, deep bujhaa,
THEY, WHOSE MIND HAS BECOME BLANK,

un ko, kaun bachaaye,
WHO’S GONNA RESCUE THEM?

Dheere chal zaraa, O paagal chandaa,
MOVE SLOWLY O CRAZY MOON,

Sooraj, nikal naa aaye,
LEST THE SUN MAY COME OUT,

Sooraj, nikal naa aaye.
LEST THE SUN MAY COME OUT.

NASIR

"Verily God does not change the condition of a people unless they change their own condition." - Qur'an: 13:11

325. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Kahaaniyaan Sunaati Hai Pawan Aati Jaati...

Movie: RAJPUT (1982)
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: Laxmikant-Pyarelal

Rafi Sahaab’s restrained pathos in the tragic lullaby of the Lamp and the Wick: Kahaaniyaa.n Sunaatee Hai...

Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urdu/Hindi Lyrics:


kahaaniyaa.n sunaati hai, pawan aati jaati,
THE BLOWING WIND NARRATES STORIES,

kahaaniyaa.n sunaati hai, pawan aati jaati,
THE BLOWING WIND NARRATES STORIES,

ek thaah diyaa, ek baatee,
THERE WAS A LAMP, AND A WICK,

ek thaah diyaa, ek baatee,
THERE WAS A LAMP, AND A WICK,

Kahaaniyaa.n sunaati hai, pawan aati jaati...
THE BLOWING WIND NARRATES STORIES...


bahot dino.n kee hai yeh baat,
THIS HAPPENED A LONG TIME AGO,

ba.dee suhaanee theeh woh raat,
THAT NIGHT WAS VERY PLEASANT,

diyaa aur baatee mile,
THE LAMP AND THE WICK MET EACH OTHER,

mil ke jale ek saath,
GETTING TOGETHER, THEY SHONE IN HARMONY,

bahot dino.n kee hai yeh baat,
THIS HAPPENED A LONG TIME AGO,

ba.dee suhaanee theeh woh raat,
THAT NIGHT WAS VERY PLEASANT,

diyaa aur baatee mile,
THE LAMP AND THE WICK MET EACH OTHER,

mil ke jale ek saath,
GETTING TOGETHER, THEY SHONE IN HARMONY,

yeh chaand yeh sitaare bane, saare baaraatee,
THIS MOON, THESE STARS, ALL BECAME INVITEES TO THE MARRIAGE,

ek thaah diyaa, ek baatee,
THERE WAS A LAMP, AND A WICK,

ek thaah diyaa, ek baatee...
THERE WAS A LAMP, AND A WICK...


uThaaee dono.n ne qasam,
BOTH OF THEM TOOK AN OATH

jale bujhenge saath hamm,
THAT THEY WOULD LIVE AND DIE TOGETHER,

unhe. n khabar naa theeh magar,
BUT THEY WEREN’T AWARE

khushee ke saath bhee hai gham,
THAT ALONG WITH HAPPINESS COMES THE GRIEF TOO,

uThaaee dono.n ne qasam,
BOTH OF THEM TOOK AN OATH

jale bujhenge saath hamm,
THAT THEY WOULD LIVE AND DIE TOGETHER,

unhe. n khabar naa theeh magar,
BUT THEY WEREN’T AWARE

khushee ke saath bhee hai gham,
THAT ALONG WITH HAPPINESS COMES THE GRIEF TOO,

milan ke saath saath hee, judaai bhee hai aatee,
ALONG WITH UNION COMES THE SEPARATION TOO,

ek thaah diyaa, ek baatee,
THERE WAS A LAMP, AND A WICK,

kahaaniyaa.n sunaatee hai, pawan aatee jaatee...
THE BLOWING WIND NARRATES STORIES...


ek din galee galee, aisee kuchh hawaa chalee,
ONE DAY, SOME STRANGE WIND BEGAN BLOWING IN EVERY LANE,

aayaa ek jho.nkaa, de gayaa jo dhokaa,
CAME A GUST THAT CHEATED THEIR FATE,

jyot ko churaa ke,
STEALING THE FLAME,

le gayaa u.Thaa ke,
IT CARRIED HER AWAY,

dil diye ka bujh gayaa,
THE LAMP’S HEART WAS DEJECTED,

ho gayee baatee judaa,
THE WICK HAD PARTED,

ho gayee baatee judaa,
THE WICK HAD PARTED,

phir bhee usne yeh kahaa,
DESPITE THAT, HE SAID THIS

jyot ko dee yeh duaa,
PRAYING FOR THE FLAME THUS:

tujh ko koee gham naa ho,
MAY YOU NEVER SUFFER ANY GRIEF,

chorus: tujh ko koee gham naa ho,
chorus: MAY YOU NEVER SUFFER ANY GRIEF,

raushnee yeh kam naa ho,
MAY THIS LIGHT NEVER BECOME DIM,

chorus: raushnee yeh kam naa ho,
chorus: MAY THIS LIGHT NEVER BECOME DIM,

tuu kisee ke ghar jale,
MAY YOU BRIGHTEN SOMEONE’S HOME,

khush rahe phoole-phale,
MAY YOU REMAIN HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS,

chorus: khush rahe phoole-phale,
chorus: MAY YOU REMAIN HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS,

chorus: khush rahe phoole-phale,
chorus: MAY YOU REMAIN HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS,


Kahaaniyaa.n sunaati hai, pawan aati jaati
THE BLOWING WIND NARRATES STORIES,

ek thaah diyaa, ek baatee,
THERE WAS A LAMP, AND A WICK,

ek thaah diyaa - -.
THERE WAS A LAMP - .

NASIR.

Marriage--yes, it is the supreme felicity of life. I concede it. And it is also the supreme tragedy of life. The deeper the love the surer the tragedy. And the more disconsolating when it comes. -Mark Twain - Letter to Father Fitz-Simon, 6/5/1908

ISLAM STANDS FOR PEACE & RECONCILIATION, SAYS OBAMA.

“ISLAM STANDS FOR PEACE & RECONCILIATION,” SAYS OBAMA.

Hopes of Mumbai Muslims were raised by the overall substance in the speech made in the Great Hall of the Cairo University by the President of the United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama, on Thursday, June 4, 2009. At least this is what appeared from the post-speech discussions organised by the American Centre in Mumbai. Those who contributed to the discussions were Muslim scholars, clerics and the common Muslims. It was generally agreed that Peace was of paramount importance, and that those who opposed peace were only the “fringe extremists,” who should be isolated, if Peace was to be given a chance. It cannot be doubted that the positive sentiments of the Mumbai Muslims are shared by all the Indian Muslims as well as the Arabs and rest of the world.

Let’s hear what Obama said at Cairo. Drawing applause at his traditional Islamic greeting of “Assalaam Alaykum”, Obama praised the City of Cairo as the city of tradition and progress. He boldly outlined the historical causes and the sweeping changes of modernity and globalisation that have led the modern Muslims to view the West as hostile to their aspirations and the tradition of Islam. According to him, it was this hostility that has been exploited to the hilt by the violent extremists who represent only a small number of minority Muslims. On the other hand, violence against the civilians by this fringe group has led some of his country-men to view Islam as ”inevitably hostile” to America, the Western countries, and the human rights. It was with the view to ending the mutual discord and suspicion, that he had come to Cairo, “to make a new beginning between United States and the Muslims round the world based on mutual respect and mutual interest”.

Obama interspersed his speech with many verses from the Holy Qur’an, some from the Bible, and one from the Talmud, drawing a huge round of applause. The koranic verses were quoted in right context, stressing that one must be God conscious and always speak the truth; that killing of one innocent person is tantamount to the killing all mankind; that saving of one person is tantamount to saving all mankind. He also spoke on the proud tradition of tolerance in Islam that he had personally read in history and seen for himself in various countries. He enumerated the achievements of the Muslims in various fields including Maths and Science, Arts and Architecture in the past that had led to the renaissance of Europe, and stated that Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds on the possibilities of tolerance and racial equality. Therefore, religious tolerance, freedom and diversity must be upheld. He categorically stated that Islam was an important part in promoting peace as against the narrow hatred of a few.

Obama stated that there were 7 million Muslims in America, who are playing important parts in enriching America. In fact, an American Muslim was elected to Congress and he took the oath to defend American by swearing on the Holy Qur’an that one of the founding fathers of America, Thomas Jefferson, used to keep in his library. He stated that education and innovation being the currency of the 21st century, America will encourage more Muslim internship and exchange programmes for Americans to study in Muslim communities, and invest in online learning. He, however, expressed the need to isolate the extremists in Muslim communities sooner, so that sooner will all the people be safe.

Obama also dwelt at length on democracy, Women’s Right and Muslim women’s education the deprivation of which was the deprivation of her right to equality. According to him, it was not right for the western countries to dictate what the Muslims should or should not wear in pursuant of their religious beliefs. According to him, having known Islam on three continents, his conviction was that partnership between America and Islam should be based on what Islam is, - and not what Islam isn’t. Therefore, it was the negative stereotypes of Islam that America is fighting against. Obama explained that just as the Muslims don’t fit into that crude stereotype, America, too, must not be viewed by the Muslims as the crude stereotype of a “self-interested empire.”

The misdeeds of the Bush regime, and the invasion of Afghanistan after 9/11 and the invasion of Iraq on the false assumption of finding the weapons of mass destruction there, and its aftermath, must have been surely weighing on Obama’s mind. He admitted that the trauma of 9/11 had led America to act contrary to its traditions and ideals, but he was doing to set the things right and had in fact taken steps such prohibiting the use of torture by the United States, and closing down of the Guantanamo Bay by early next year. He rued the Sunni-Shia conflict in Iraq. As regards Afghanistan, he was heard saying that he does not want American troops in Afghanistan, but that since the violent extremists who perpetrated the 9/11 are unrepentant and hiding in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region, and planning more attacks on a massive scale, compels the U.S. to go after them. The fact remains that the Karzai Government has not been able to deliver, and the Taliban presence pose a strong threat. Obama assured everyone that America is not, and never will be at war with Islam.

Strongly reaffirming America’s commitment that no nation holds the nuclear weapon, Obama stated that no nation should pick and choose which nation should hold the nuclear power. Specifically naming Iran, he also spoke about the nations’ right to access peaceful nuclear power, but that it was the responsibility of such nations to comply with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. This means that Obama will pursue his policy on this front.

Regarding the Palestine issue, Obama merely pointed out the plight and persecution of the Jews down the centuries in Europe - which is, of course, not denied. He admitted that the bond between the US and Israel was unbreakable. Naturally, he never stated how out of the original Palestine the State of Israel was carved out in 1948 and the original inhabitants hounded out of their homes. With more and more Israeli settlements still coming up, this trend continues to this day, thus drastically shrinking the size of the original Palestine for the Palestinians. Now, it does not require a Pandit to tell us that the conclusions in this regard are foregone, yet it will be interesting to know what steps the U.S. will take under Obama in creation of the State of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital. This is one gray area where the sense of Justice and Equality, enshrined in the American constitution, is yet to see the light of the day. Besides, it is well-known that the Jewish lobby which has great clout in Capitol Hill with many known supporters in administration, will never support the creation of the home for Palestinians. Not to speak of the strong opposition by the Netanyahu Government in Israel to the pressure from the U.S. How Obama will walk his talk is anybody’s guess. Was that a soft diplomacy to brighten the image of US worldwide? But then, appreciation is in order that he has openly talked about the Palestinian State while of course pointing out Israel’s right to existence, stirring up mixed feeling in both the camps.

Though some might criticise Obama’s speech as pursuing the administration policy of telling the Muslims what Islam really means, or his reiterating the known policy on Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Arab-Israel conflicts and democracy, still all said and done, Obama’s speech has been accepted with cautious optimism in the Arab world. However, Obama has a greater chance in enhancing the reputation of America in the Muslim World, since he is not the stereotype President. What’s more, though he is a Christian, he comes from the humble Muslim background and knows a lot about the psyche of a Muslim and the world that he lives in. He has chosen to address the Muslim world, knowing that it is important to have the Muslim world on his side without whose help America can never win the war against Terror. Who knows Obama might go down in history as the first United State President who worked the miracle of bringing about an everlasting peace in the Middle East and the entire world.

NASIR

324. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Uff Yeh Zindagi...

Movie: DAUD DHOOP (1980 - Unreleased)
Music: Naresh Hansraj
Lyrics: Baburao Rokde


Rafi Sahaab’s another bacchanalian song: Uff Yeh Zindagee....

Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urdu/Hindi Lyrics:

Apnee miThaas khokar, mai.n bann gayaa khaara
HAVING LOST MY SWEETNESS, I’VE BECOME BRACKISH,

Yaaro.n mai.n jeevan se haaraa..........
FRIENDS, I’VE LOST TO LIFE...

Uff, yeh, zindagee,
OH THIS LIFE!

Uff, yeh, dau.d dhoop,
OH THIS RAT RACE!

Ke jeevan kee dau.d me.n, yaaro.n mai.n peechhe, reh gayaa,
FRIENDS, IN LIFE’S RACE I’VE LAGGED BEHIND,

Reh gayaa,
I’VE LAGGED,


Nadi se chalaa thaah, mai.n saagar ban-ne,
AS A RIVER, I’D SET OUT TO BECOME AN OCEAN,

Nadi se chalaa thaah, mai.n saagar ban-ne,
AS A RIVER, I’D SET OUT TO BECOME AN OCEAN,

Ke Saaghar me.n maine, pooraa yeh jeevan, dubo diyaa,
IN THE GOBLET I’VE DROWNED THIS WHOLE LIFE OF MINE,

Dubo diyaa...
I’VE DROWNED...

Uff, yeh, zindagee,
OH, THIS LIFE!

haay yeh, dau.d dhoop...
ALAS, THIS RAT RACE...


Raahe.n, miT gayee.n hai.n,
THE PATHS STAND ERASED,

Kho gayee, meree manzil,
LOST IS MY DESTINATION,

Jaaye.n, ab kahaa.n hamm,
WHERE SHOULD WE NOW GO,

Apnee, naa koee mehfil,
NO KIND OF ANY GET-TOGETHER FOR US,

Chhaayaa hai andhera,
DARKNESS HAS SPREAD,

Jeena hai mushkil,
LIVING IS DIFFICULT,

Jeena hai mushkil,
LIVING IS DIFFICULT,

Uff, yeh, zindagee,
OH, THIS LIFE!

Uff, yeh, dau.d dhoop...
OH, THIS RAT RACE!


Mai.n ab, mai.n nahee.n hoo.n,
I AIN’T MYSELF NOW,

Kuchh aur, ho gayaa hoo.n,
SOMETHING ELSE I’VE BECOME,

Chaahaa thaah, kuchh banoo.n mai.n,
I’D LONGED TO BE A SOMEBODY,

Lekin, miT gayaa hoo.n,
BUT I’M SHATTERED,

Achchaa yeh samjhaa,
I UNDERSTOOD IT WELL,

Mai.n chup, ho gayaa hoo.n,
SPEECHLESS I’VE BECOME,

Mai.n chup, ho gayaa hoo.n,
SPEECHLESS I’VE BECOME,

Uff yeh, zindagee,
OH , THIS LIFE!

Uff yeh, dau.d dhoop,
OH, THIS RAT RACE!

Ke jeevan kee dau.d me.n, yaaro.n mai.n peechhe, reh gayaa,
FRIENDS, IN LIFE’S RACE, I’VE LAGGED BEHIND,

Reh gayaa,
I’VE LAGGED,

Uff yeh, zindagee,
OH, THIS LIFE!

Haay yeh, dau.d dhoop,
ALAS THIS RAT RACE!

Haay.
ALAS!

NASIR

“Life is not lost by dying; life is lost minute by minute, day by dragging day, in all the thousand small uncaring ways”
- Stephen Vincent Benet

323. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Yeh Anjaan Raahein...

RAAKH AUR CHINGARI (1982)
Lyrics: Tajdar Taj
Music: Ratandeep Hemraj

PLEASE SEE THE REVISED POST DATED 17.1.2024

322. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Laagi Lagg Jaaye Logon...

Movie: POONAM 1981
Music: Anu Malik
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri

Rafi Sahaab’s memorable Laagee Lagg Jaaye Logo.n...
claimed by Anu Malik as Rafi Sahaab’s last “live” recorded song on 25th July 1981.

Roman Transliteration/English Translation of the original Urdu/Hindi Lyrics:

Laagee lag jaaye logo.n, lagaayee nahee.n jaaye re,
LOVE JUST HAPPENS, O PEOPLE ‘TIS NOT INDUCED,

Yeh agan lagg jaaye toh, bujhaayee, nahee.n jaaye re,
WHEN THIS FIRE CATCHES ON, O IT CAN’T BE QUENCHED!

Laagee lag jaaye logo.n, Lagaayee, nahee.n jaaye re,
LOVE JUST HAPPENS, O PEOPLE ‘TIS NOT INDUCED,

Yeh agan, lagg jaaye toh, bujhaayee, nahee.n jaaye re,
WHEN THIS FIRE CATCHES ON, O IT CAN’T BE QUENCHED!

Chorus: : beliyaa beliyaa, beliyaa, beliyaa, O dil mera, kisee ne le liyaa...

FRIEND, ....SOMEONE HAS TAKEN MY HEART AWAY....

Jab yeh bachpan kahee.n duur jaane lage,
FAR AWAY WHEN THIS CHILDHOOD BEGINS DRIFTIN’,

Ruth jawaanee ke yeh, paas aane lage,
CLOSER WHEN THIS SEASON OF YOUTH STARTS COMIN’,

Dil kee dha.dkan naye, geet gaane lage,
NEW SONGS THE HEARTBEATS BEGIN SINGIN’,

Saaz naghme.n naye, gungunaane lage,
THE CHORDS THE NEW TUNES BEGIN HUMMIN’,

Bin piye yeh qadam dagmagaane lage,
WITHOUT DRINKS, THE FEET START STAGGERIN’,

Chorus: bin piye yeh qadam dagmagaane lage,
WITHOUT DRINKS, THE FEET START STAGGERIN’,

Phir kisee din kahee.n, aa.nkh aise la.de
THEN SOME DAY SOMEWHERE THE GLANCES KEEP EXCHANGIN’,

aa.nkh aise la.de, saath dil le u.de,
SUCH EXCHANGE OF GLANCES THAT TAKES THE HEART FLYIN’,

jab mile.n dil jawaa.n, ho shuroo daastaa.n,
THE STORY BEGINS WITH THE TWO HEARTS UNITIN’,

doh deewaane bane.n, jism do ek jaa.n,
TWO CRAZY BODIES INTO ONE SOUL MERGIN’,

jo mile.n dil toh mil ke judaa ho kahaa.n,
WHEN THE HEARTS MEET, CAN THERE BE ANY PARTIN’?

chorus: jo mile.n dil toh mil ke judaa ho kahaa.n,
WHEN THE HEARTS MEET, CAN THERE BE ANY PARTIN’?

yeh mohabbat, dilo.n se, miTaayee nahee.n jaaye re,
THIS LOVE, FROM THE HEARTS, O IT CAN’T BE ERASED,

Yeh agan, lag jaaye toh, bujhaayee, nahee.n jaaye re,
WHEN THIS FIRE CATCHES ON, O IT CAN’T BE QUENCHED!

Chorus: beliyaa beliyaa, beliyaa beliyaa,
O dil meraa, kisee ne le liyaa...
FRIEND, ....SOMEONE HAS TAKEN MY HEART AWAY..

pyaar ke rang se, phir hasee.n ho jahaa.n,
THEN WITH THE COLOUR OF LOVE, LET THE WORLD TURN BEAUTIFUL,

phoolo.n kee ho zamee.n, taaro.n ka aasmaa.n
MAY THE EARTH BE OF FLOWERS; THE HEAVENS, OF THE STARS,

ho sharaabee hawaa, ho gulaabee ghataa.
THE BREEZE BE DRUNK, PINKISH BE THE CLOUD,

muskuraaye nazar, dagmagaaye adaa,
SMILING SIGHT , UNSTEADY BEARINGS,

har qadam pe khushee, har qadam pe nashaa,
JOY AT EVERY STEP, EXHILARATION AT EVERY PACE,

chorus: har qadam pe khushee har qadam pe nashaa...
JOY AT EVERY STEP, EXHILARATION AT EVERY PACE,

aate aate kabhee, aaye phir yeh gha.dee,
WHILE ARRIVING, MAY THIS MOMENT COME SOMETIME,

zindagee se ju.de, zindagee kee ka.dee,
WHEN ONE LIFE IS LINKED WITH ANOTHER,

preet dulhan bane, laal jo.daa sajhe,
THE BELOVED BECOMES THE BRIDE, ADORNED IN BRIDAL RED,

pyaar dulhaa bane, sar pe sehraa bandhe,
BRIDEGROM THE LOVER BECOMES, WITH THE FLOWERY-GEAR TIED AROUND THE HEAD,

haath mehendee rache aur piyaa thaam le,
THE HAND BE COLOURED WITH HENNA, AND IN HUSBAND’S BE HELD,

chorus: haath mehendee rache aur piyaa thaam le...
THE HAND BE COLOURED WITH HENNA, AND IN HUSBAND’S BE HELD,

jo.dee bann jaaye logo.n, banaayee, nahee.n jaaye re,
A COUPLE IS DESTINED; NOT MADE, O PEOPLE,

yeh agan, lagg jaaye toh, bujhaayee.. nahee.n jaaye re....
WHEN THIS FIRE CATCHES ON, O IT CAN’T BE QUENCHED!

Chorus: AAA~~AAA~~AAA, ~~~AAA~~~AAA~~~ AAA, AAA AAA AAA, AAA AAA AAA ,

Chorus: beliyaa beliyaa, beliyaa beliyaa, beliyaa beliyaa, beliyaa beliyaa, beliyaa beliyaa, beliyaa beliyaa..

O FRIEND...... FRIEND....

Par hamesha yahaa.n, aisaa hotaa nahee.n,
BUT HERE, LIKE THIS IT DOESN’T ALWAYS HAPPEN,

Sunte aaye hai.n jo, waisaa hotaa nahee.n,
WHAT WE’VE BEEN HEARING ALL ALONG, LIKE THAT IT DOESN’T HAPPEN,

Ishq kee raah me.n, baarhaa yeh huwaa,
IN THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE, REPEATEDLY IT HAS HAPPENED:

Ishq kee yeh duwaa, bann gayee bad-duwaa,
THIS BLESSING OF LOVE INTO A CURSE TURNED,

Pyaar bichha.daa kahee.n yaar maaraa gayaa,
SOMEWHERE THE BELOVED PARTED; SOMEWHERE THE LOVER GOT KILLED,

Chorus: pyaar bichha.daa kahee.n yaar maara gayaa,
SOMEWHERE THE BELOVED PARTED; SOMEWHERE THE LOVER GOT KILLED,

Yaar bichha.de jahaa.n, leke tanhaaeeyaa.n,
WHERE THE LOVERS PART WITH LONELINESS,

Dil pe lipTee huwee, jaltee parchhaaeeyaa.n,
WITH THE BURNING SHADOWS CLINGING TO THE HEART,

Phir sulagne lage, jism ke sangg jaa.n,
THEN THE SOUL BEGINS TO BURN ALONG WITH THE BODIES,

Aag aisee lage, chhaaye aisaa dhuaa.n,
SUCH CONFLAGRATION OCCURS, SPREADING SUCH SMOKE

Khaak ho jaaye.n jal jal ke dono jahaa.n,
THAT BOTH THE WORLDS ARE BURNT DOWN TO ASHES,

Chorus: khaak ho jaaye.n jal jal ke dono.n jahaa.n,
THAT BOTH THE WORLDS ARE BURNT DOWN TO ASHES,

Dil kee bastee luTe toh, basaayee, nahee.n jaaye re,
IF THE ABODE OF THE HEART IS PLUNDERED, IT CAN’T BE SET-UP,

Yeh agan, lagg jaaye toh, bujhaayee, nahee.n jaaye re..
WHEN THIS FIRE CATCHES ON, O IT CAN’T BE QUENCHED!

Laagee lag jaaye, logo.n, lagaayee nahee.n jaaye re,
LOVE JUST HAPPENS, O PEOPLE ‘TIS NOT INDUCED,

Yeh agan, lagg jaaye toh, bujhaayee, nahee.n jaaye re.
WHEN THIS FIRE CATCHES ON, O IT CAN’T BE QUENCHED!

NASIR

The minute I heard my first love story I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along. (Rumi)

THE SPIRITUAL EYE - AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE.

From Layman's Desk -1: THE SPIRITUAL EYE.

“Say this is my way. I am inviting you towards God by the way of
internal sight.” (12:108)

We must get to know some idea as to what we mean by the term “Spiritual Eye,” also known as the “Inward Eye,” “Eye of the Heart,” (‘Chashme Qalb’) all of which are opposed to the “Carnal Eye,” and “Material Eye”. The eyes that are visible to us are the “Material Eye,” but the sight which is the prerogative of the select few is calld the “Spiritual Eye,” as it is not commonly visible. When the Holy Qur’an says, “You perceive (it) not” (2:154) while stating that the Martyrs are alive, it is actually referring to our material eye and its inability to perceive the hidden realities which can only be seen by the spiritual eye.

In his celebrated masterpiece, IHYA ULUM ID DIN, Imam Ghazaali (Reh.) speaks of this distinction:

“When a man dies, he is removed from this material world to a world which is unknown and spiritual and it cannot be seen with this material eye.

“An eye is created within the mind of every man but it is covered by him with passions and earthly desires and nothing of the spiritual world can be seen with the eye of heart unless the screen over it is removed. As this screen is removed from the eyes of the Prophets, they can see things of the spiritual world.”

An authentic prophetic tradition in Nasaai, which is also confirmed by Haakim as genuine, states:

“Do you feel surprised at the friendship of Ibrahim with Allah, His talking with Moosa, and His being seen by Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhe wassallam).”

Therefore, as the screen of earthly desires and passions was removed from the eyes of the Prophets, Ibrahim (a.s.) became ‘Khaleel Allah’ (bosom friend of Allah). Moosa (a.s.) was ‘Kalimullah’ (who spoke to Allah), and Muhammed (sallallaahu alayhe wassallam) is the Messenger of Allah who has seen Allah.

The distinction between the Material Eye and the Spiritual Eye has also been alluded to by Ali bin Usman al-Hajwiri (Daata Ganje Baksh rahamatullah) in his celebrated KASHF AL MAHJUB. According to him, the the Holy Prophet (sallallaahu alayhe wassallam) told Aisha (Radi Allah Anha) that he did not see Allah on the Night of Ascension whereas Ibn Abbas (Radi Allah Anhu) relates that the the Holy Prophet (sallallaahu alayhe wassallam) told him that he saw Allah on that occasion. This seeming contradiction has been explained by the Awliya-Allah in terms of the “Material Eye” and the “Spiritual Eye”. He explains that in saying that he did not see Allah, the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhe wassallam) was referring to his Material Eye. By saying that he did see Allah on that occasion, the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhe wassallam) was referring to his Spiritual Eye. Since Aisha (R) was a Formalist (ahl-e-rusoom) and Ibn Abbas (R) was a Spiritualist (ahl-i-ma’ani) it was necessary for the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhe wassallam) to speak to each of them according to their insight.

This insight is also commonly known as the “Kashf” which is the station of revelation or the “unveiledness”. In order that the screen or veil be removed from the person, that person should continually be seeking the Truth and fleeing from the Falsehood. But for a person who essentially sees no difference between the Truth and the Falsehood, will never have his screen removed because he falls into the category of those whose hearts have been “sealed” by Allah.

We will now see how when the screen is not removed, it leads to blindness of the heart which is the Spiritual Eye. Such a person remains blind even in the hereafter in contrast to the people of faith who will be provided with a light there. This light, again, varies with the degree of the faith and the degree of the veil removed.

In Surah Noor of the Holy Qur’an we read:

“Say to the believing men to lower their gaze....” (24:30)

“Say to the believing women to lower their gaze..(24:31)

So, we are told to close our eyes to the physical lusts. What needs to be really opened wide is our Inner Eye or the Eye of the Intelligence and to have no thought except the vision of God. Our hearts being synonymous with the rest of Intellect, and Intellect in turn being synonymous with the Light, it is really the blindness of this eye, i.e. the heart, which the Qur’an speaks of:

“Truly, it is not the eyes that are blind, but the Hearts which are in their breasts.” (22:46).

The heedless and the ignorant who follow their lusts are blind. That this blindness means that the children of darkness will not receive the Light of Allah’s countenance is clear:

“But those who were blind in the world, will be blind in the Hereafter. And most stray from the path. (17:72)

In the Darkness of the Day of Judgment, those who believe in Allah and the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhe wassallam) will “have their reward and their Light” (57:19).

Again, in the same Surah al-Hadid of the Holy Qur’an it is stated:

“O ye that believe! Fear Allah, and believe in His Messenger, and He will bestow on you a double portion of his Mercy: He will provide for you a Light by which ye shall walk (straight in your path) and He will forgive you (your past); for Allah is oft-Forgiving and Merciful.” (57:28)

It is further stated in the same Surah:

“The Day shalt thou see the believing men and the believing women – How their Light runs forward before them and by their right hands; (Their greetings will be) ‘Good news for you this Day! Gardens below which flow rivers! To dwell therein forever!’ This is indeed the highest triumph.” (57:12)

This verse shows that the light of faith by which the believers were guided in this life, but which was visible only by spiritual eye, would be clearly seen going before the believers on the Resurrection Day.

“Allah is the Light of the Heavens and the earth...(24:35) and in the same verse of Surah Noor it is also said: “Allah guides to his light whom he pleases”. But this Light is not distributed uniformly. The Holy Qur’an also states: “To all are degrees (or ranks) according to their deeds.” (6:132). It also points out that the believers have “grades of dignity” (8:4). In the Holy Qur’an these ranks have been mentioned variously as Prophets, the affirmers of truth (Siddiqeen), the martyrs, and the righteous (Saaleheen)...(4:69), on all of whom is the Grace of Allah.

Again, in Surah Waqiah, we have three classes: The Companions of the Right Hand (Ashaab ul-Maimana), Companions of the Left Hand (Ashaab al-Mash-ama), and the Foremost (Saabeqoon) who will be the nearest to Allah (al-Muqurreboon): the first group being the righteous people; the second, of those who will be in the “midst of a fierce blast of fire and in boiling water and in the shade of black smoke” for persisting in “wickedness supreme”; and the third group of those who attained the highest degree in spiritual understanding.

In verse 35 of Surah Ahzaab of the Holy Qur’an, the believing men and women have been categorised variously as those who submit, who believe, who are devout, who speak the truth, who are patient, who are humble, who give alms, who fast, who guard (their chastity) and who remember (Allah much) - all for whom Allah has prepared forgiveness and a vast reward.

In Surah Mujaadila, it is stated: “Allah will exalt those who believe among you, and those who have knowledge, to high ranks.” (58:11)

True, faith equalises all before Allah, but there is leadership, and rank and degree, depending on the knowledge and insight. For example, regarding the Awliya-Allah, the Holy Qur’an states:

“Behold! Verily on the Awliya-Allah there is no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (10:62)

According to a prophetic tradition, the Holy Prophet (sallallaahu alayhe wassallam) stated:

“Allah created his creation in darkness, then He sprayed it with His Light. Those whom the light reached became rightly guided, while those it did not, went astray.”

The Holy Qur’an states:

“Some faces on that day shall be bright. Looking to their Lord.” (75:22, 23)

According to the authentic traditions, some will be shining as the bright full moon on the night, some like the bright shining stars, and so on. This light is in direct proportion to the degree of faith and attainment of the gnosis of Allah.

Imam Ghazaali (Reh.) points out in his IHYA, the light of the faith of the prophets and the apostles is as the rays of the sun; the light of the Siddiqoon (the Truthful) is like that of the moon; the light of the Awliya-Allah is like that of the stars; and the light of the ordinary believers is like that of a lamp. According to him, the light gets stronger with the involvement of sure faith: if it is just blind faith as in the case of ordinary believer, it is dim; the faith of the followers of jurisprudence or Fiqh involves some proof and is not based on hearsay, so the light is stronger than that of the ordinary believers. Coming to the light of Awliya-Allah, he says that it involves certain faith. This is real knowledge gained by the direct sight of the Inner Eye. So the intensity of this light is much more than that of the above categories.

In the words of Shaikh Nuh Ha Mim Keller in his article on Haqiqat al-Muhammadiyya:
“The light of each human being depends upon his faith, knowledge and virtue. The most powerful lights are those of Divine Messengers, then those of Prophets, Saints, virtuous believers, and finally those of sinful believers.”

For the lover of Allah, the light in his heart keeps him busy with the next world When his Spiritual Eye is opened, his bodily eye is shut and he sees nothing but Allah. When ‘Abd Allah Ibn ‘Umar (R) was circumambulating the Ka’ba, someone wished him the Salaam; but he did not hear since he had shut himself off from the external world. Later on, when that person asked him the reason for not replying to his Salaam, he stated: “We were seeing God”. Similarly, when Hazarat ‘Ali (R) was asked if he saw God, he replied: “How should we worship the One we don’t see?” Indeed, this is the foremost component of ‘Ihsan’ the second one being to worship Allah as if He is seeing you - the first being to worship Allah as if you see Him.

Therefore, it behoves a believer to seek ways and means to get acquainted with the ‘Chashme Qalb’ or “Ruy’at al-Qalb” or the Vision of the Heart, or the Inner Heart or Spiritual Eye rather than the outward or the Carnal Eye, so that while living in this world he or she don’t go about being blind to the spiritual truths lest the Heart gets Sealed by Allah and they becomes blind in the hereafter where such people would have to go without any light and thus stray from the right path. That’s the importance of the Spiritual Eye in short.

Allah and his Rasool (s) know best.

NASIR