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

315. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Kahaan Teraa Insaaf Hai

Movie: SARGAM (1979)
Music: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi


Rafi Sahaab’s highly energetic number: Kahaa.n Teraa Insaaf Hai...

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


jaag aa.nkhe.n khol, chup kyu.n n hai bol,
WAKE UP, OPEN THE EYES, WHY ARE YOU QUIET, PRAY TELL?

mere bhaggwann, yeh kyaa ho rahaa hai,
MY DIETY, WHAT’S THIS HAPPENING!

mere bhaggwann, yeh kyaa ho, rahaa hai,
MY DEITY, WHAT’S THIS HAPPENING!

kahaa.n teraa, insaaf hai,
WHERE’S YOUR JUSTICE?

kahaa.n, teraa, dastoor hai,
WHERE’S YOUR CUSTOM?

kahaa.n teraa, insaaf hai,
WHERE’S YOUR JUSTICE?

kahaa.n teraa dastoor hai,
WHERE’S YOUR CUSTOM?

mai.n toh hoo.n majboor o bhaggwann,
AS FOR ME, I’M HELPLESS, O GOD!

mai.n toh hoo.n majboor o bhaggwann,
AS FOR ME, I’M HELPLESS, O GOD!

kyaa tuu bhee majboor hai,
ARE YOU ALSO CONSTRAINED?

kahaa.n teraa, insaaf hai,
WHERE’S YOUR JUSTICE?

kahaa.n, teraa, dastoor hai,
WHERE’S YOUR CUSTOM?

kahaa.n teraa, insaaf hai,
WHERE’S YOUR JUSTICE?

kahaa.n, teraa dastoor hai....
WHERE’S YOUR CUSTOM?


sab kehte hai.n tuune, har ablaa kee laaj bachaaee,
EVERYONE SAYS THAT YOU’VE PROTECTED THE HONOUR OF EVERY WOMAN,

aaj huwaa kyaa tujh ko, tere naam kee raam duhaaee,
WHAT’S HAPPENED TO YOU TODAY, I COMPLAIN IN YOUR NAME O RAM!

aisaa zulm huwaa toh hogee, teree bhee rusvaayee,
IF SUCH OPPRESSION TAKES PLACE, YOU TOO WILL BE DISGRACED,

tereee bhee rusvaayee,
YOU TOO WILL BE DISGRACED,

aa.nkho.n me.n, aa.nsoo bhare hai.n,
TEARS HAVE SWELLED IN THE EYES,

dil bhee gham se choor hai,
EVEN THE HEART IS SHATTERED BY THE GRIEF,

kahaa.n teraa, insaaf hai,
WHERE’S YOUR JUSTICE?

kahaa.n, teraa, dastoor hai,
WHERE’S YOUR CUSTOM?

mai.n toh hoo.n toh, majboor o bhaggwann,
AS FOR ME, I’M HELPLESS O DIETY,

kyaa tuu bhee, majboor hai,
ARE YOU ALSO CONSTRAINED?

kahaa.n, teraa, insaaf hai,
WHERE’S YOUR JUSTICE?

kahaa.n, teraa dastoor hai....
WHERE’S YOUR CUSTOM?


kaisaa atyaachaar hai, shaadee yaa vyaapaar hai,
WHAT DEVIATION IS THIS! IS THIS A MARRIAGE OR TRADE?

daulat me.n sab zor hai, dharam ba.daa kamzor hai,
ALL STRENGTH LIES IN THE WEALTH, THE RELIGIOUS PIETY IS VERY WEAK,

bikte hai.n sa.nsaar me.n, insaa.n bhee baazaar me.n,
HUMAN BEINGS TOO ARE SOLD IN THE BAZAAR OF THE WORLD,

dunyaa kee yeh reet hai, bas paise kee jeet hai,
THIS IS THE WAY OF THE WORLD, ‘TIS MONEY THAT WINS,

aisaa agar nahee.n hai toh,
IF IT ISN’T LIKE THIS,

sach bhagvaan kahee.n hai toh,
IF GOD TRULY EXISTS SOMEWHERE,

sach bhagwaan kahee.n hai toh,
IF GOD TRULY EXISTS SOMEWHERE,

mere saamne aaye voh,
HE SHOULD COME BEFORE ME,

yeh vishwaas dilaaye voh,
THIS CONFIDENCE HE SHOULD INSPIRE,

mere saamne aaye voh,
HE SHOULD COME BEFORE ME,

yeh vishwaas dilaaye voh,
THIS CONFIDENCE HE SHOULD INSPIRE,

mere saamne aaye voh,
HE SHOULD COME BEFORE ME,

yeh vishwaas dilaaye voh,
THIS CONFIDENCE HE SHOULD INSPIRE,

mere saamne aaye voh,
HE SHOULD COME BEFORE ME,

yeh vishwaas, dilaaye voh.
THIS CONFIDENCE HE SHOULD INSPIRE,

NASIR.

God’s justice, tardy though it prove perchance, Rests never on the track until it reach, Delinquency.
- Robert Browing

306. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Kaisi Mehfil Hai Yeh, Kaisa Mela Hai Yeh...

AASHIANA (1974)
Music: Hari Arjun
Lyrics: Neeraj



Rafi Sahaab’s another rare gem: Kaisee Mehfil Hai Yeh...
Original Lyrics Transliterated/Translated into English by NASIR ALI:

Note: The lyrics reflect a critique of societal norms and the lack of genuine human connection in such settings while questioning the authenticity of the people present and the value of participating in such gatherings

Kaisee mehfil hai yeh,
WHAT SORT OF PARTY IS THIS!

Kaisaa melaa hai yeh,
WHAT SORT OF CROWD IS THIS!

Hai.n farishte sabhee,
ANGELS ALL,

Koee insaa.n nahee.n
NOT ONE HUMAN BEING,

Kaisee mehfil hai yeh,
WHAT SORT OF PARTY IS THIS!

Kaisaa melaa hai yeh,
WHAT SORT OF CROWD IS THIS!

Hai.n farishte sabhee
ANGELS ALL,

Koee insaa.n nahee.n
NOT ONE HUMAN BEING,

Kaisee mehfil hai yeh,
WHAT SORT OF PARTY IS THIS!

Kaisaa melaa hai yeh.
WHAT SORT OF CROWD IS THIS!


Hamm khilauna bane.n,
WE BECOME PLAYTHINGS,

Hamm tamaasha bane.n,
A SPECTACLE WE BECOME,

Hamm khilauna bane.n,
WE BECOME PLAYTHINGS,

Hamm tamaasha bane.n,
A SPECTACLE WE BECOME,

Teree mehfil me.n hamm, jaane kyaa kyaa bane.n,

AT YOUR PARTY WHO KNOWS WHAT WE'LL  BECOME,

Teree mehfil me.n hamm, jaane kyaa kyaa bane.n,
AT YOUR PARTY WHO KNOWS WHAT WE'LL  BECOME,

Dil se khele koee,
SOME TOY WITH THE HEART,

Gham se khele koee,
SOME WITH THE SORROW PLAY,

Sab khilaune yahaa.n,
ALL ARE PLAYTHINGS HERE,

koee insaa.n nahee.n
NOT ONE HUMAN BEING!

Kaisee mehfil hai yeh,
WHAT SORT OF PARTY IS THIS,

Kaisaa melaa hai yeh...
WHAT SORT OF CROWD IS THIS!


Ek se ek qaatil nigaahe.n yahaa.n
KILLER LOOKS HERE, ONE BETTER THAN ANOTHER, 

Ek se ek qaatil nigaahe.n yahaa.n
KILLER LOOKS HERE, ONE BETTER THAN ANOTHER,

 Ek se, ek rangee.n adaaye.n yahaa.n,

FLASHY STYLES HERE, ONE BETTER THAN ANOTHER,

Ek se, ek range.n adaaye.n yahaa.n,

FLASHY STYLES HERE, ONE BETTER THAN ANOTHER,

Kaisaa gulshan hai yeh,
WHAT SORTA ROSE GARDEN IS THIS,

Kaisaa aalam hai yeh,
WHAT KINDA WORLD IS THIS,

Hai.n meherbaa.n sabhee,
ALL ARE FAVOURABLY INCLINED,

Koee insaa.n nahee.n,
NOT ONE HUMAN BEING!

Kaisee mehfil hai yeh,
WHAT SORT OF PARTY IS THIS,

Kaisaa melaa hai yeh,
WHAT SORT OF CROWD IS THIS,

Hai.n farishte sabhee,
ANGELS ALL,

Koee insaa.n nahee.n,
NOT ONE HUMAN BEING!

Kaisee mehfil hai yeh,
WHAT SORT OF PARTY IS THIS,

Kaisaa melaa hai yeh.
WHAT SORT OF CROWD IS THIS!


NASIR ALI.

 All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages.

AS YOU LIKE IT - Shakespeare

303. Translation of Sad Songs of Rafi: Woh Woh Naa Rahe...

Movie: BADALTE RISHTE (1978)
Music: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Lyrics: Anjaan


Rafi Sahaab’s intoxicating and divine voice in : Woh Woh Naa Rahe....

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


woh woh naa rahe,
SHE ISN’T THE SAME AS SHE USED TO BE,

jin ke liye hamm theh, beqaraar,
FOR WHOM WE USED TO BE RESTLESS!

woh woh naa rahe,
SHE ISN’T THE SAME AS SHE USED TO BE,

jin ke liye hamm theh, beqaraar,
FOR WHOM WE USED TO BE RESTLESS,

ab kis kaa intizaar,
NOW WHOM TO WAIT FOR?

ajee kaisaa, intizaar
OH! WHAT TO WAIT FOR?

woh woh naa rahe,
SHE ISN’T THE SAME AS SHE USED TO BE,

jin ke liye hamm theh, beqaraar,
FOR WHOM WE USED TO BE RESTLESS,

woh woh naa rahe....
SHE ISN’T THE SAME AS SHE USED TO BE...


honaa thaah jo huaa so huaa, kyaa buraa huaa,
WHAT HAD TO HAPPEN, HAPPENED! WHAT SO BAD ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED?

honaa thaah jo huaa, so huaa, kyaa buraa huaa, kyaa buraa huaa,
WHAT HAD TO HAPPEN, HAPPENED! WHAT SO BAD ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED?

achchhaa hee huaa, TuuT gayaa jhuuTaa, etibaar,
IT HAPPENED FOR THE GOOD; THE FALSE TRUST GOT EXPOSED,

ab kis kaa intizaar,
NOW WHOM TO WAIT FOR?

ajee kaisaa, intizaar,
OH! WHAT TO WAIT FOR?

woh woh naa rahe,
SHE ISN’T THE SAME AS SHE USED TO BE,

jin ke liye hamm theh, beqaraar,
FOR WHOM WE USED TO BE RESTLESS,

woh woh naa rahe...
SHE ISN’T THE SAME AS SHE USED TO BE...


ik phool TooT ne se toh, uj.Daa, nahee.n chaman,
BY THE SNAPPING OF ONE FLOWER, THE GARDEN ISN’T RUINED,

ik phool TooTne, se toh, uj.Daa nahee.n chaman,
BY THE SNAPPING OF ONE FLOWER, THE GARDEN ISN’T RUINED,

uj.Daa, nahee.n chaman,
THE GARDEN ISN’T RUINED,

gulshan me.n aur, bhee hai.n hasee.n phool, beshumaar,
COUNTLESS ARE THE OTHER BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS IN THE GARDEN,

ab kis kaa, intizaar,
NOW WHOM TO WAIT FOR?

ajee kaisaa, intizaar,
OH! WHAT TO WAIT FOR?

woh woh naa rahe,
SHE ISN’T THE SAME AS SHE USED TO BE,

jin ke liye hamm theh, beqaraar,
FOR WHOM WE USED TO BE RESTLESS,

woh woh naa rahe...
SHE ISN’T THE SAME AS SHE USED TO BE...


naakaamyaab ishq sahee, zi.ndagee nahee.n,
AN UNSUCCESSFUL LOVE ALRIGHT, NOT THE LIFE!

naakaamyaab, ishq sahee, zi.ndagee nahee.n,
AN UNSUCCESSFUL LOVE ALRIGHT, NOT THE LIFE!

zindagee nahee.n,
NOT THE LIFE...,

hai zi.ndagee toh, aur mile.nge, hazaar yaar,
IF THERE’S LIFE, THEN A THOUSAND FRIENDS WE’LL FIND,

ab kis kaa intizaar,
NOW WHOM TO WAIT FOR?

ajee kaisaa, intizaar,
OH! WHAT TO WAIT FOR?

woh woh naa rahe,
SHE ISN’T THE SAME AS SHE USED TO BE,

jin ke liye hamm theh, beqaraar,
FOR WHOM WE USED TO BE RESTLESS,

woh woh naa rahe.
SHE ISN’T THE SAME AS SHE USED TO BE.


NASIR

A mighty pain to love it is,
And ‘tis a pain that pain to miss;
But of all pains the greatest pain
It is to love, but love in vain.
Abraham Cowley.