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.