Dev Anand attempts to win over Geeta Bali under the guise of love in Jaal (1952).
We now will present the full lyrics and English translation to the haunting beauty “Yeh Raat Yeh Chandni” from the film Jaal (1952). Starring hit duo Dev Anand and Geeta Bali (who had wowed audiences together in Baazi the year before), Jaal was auteur Guru Dutt’s second film. Unlike Baazi, which mimicked film noirs of the West, Jaal looked outside the crowded cities to the gentle coast of Goa for inspiration. This film is truly one-of-a-kind, exploring life in the Portuguese fishing colony and the interwoven religious themes of forgiveness and love in the unfolding affair between two Christians, Tony (Dev Anand) and Maria (Geeta Bali). Note: Jaal was released before West Side Story hit Broadway, so the names of the lead characters are just a coincidence!
Dev Anand plays a Bombay gold thief who has escaped to Goa and who falls in love with the spunky village belle, Geeta Bali. Their love is tested by society, the law, and ultimately a vow before God that leads Tony to atone for his past and Maria to remain faithful until his sentence is fulfilled. Like most Guru Dutt films, the plot brings something new to the table. Watch out for some wild swing dancing, Johnny Walker making repeated attempts at Arabic, and a generous handful of “amens” throughout the film!
Spunky and fabulous, Geeta Bali leads a Goan dance in Jaal (1952)
The song “Yeh Raat Yeh Chandni” comes in two versions–the tragic Lata Mangeshkar duet, and the initial lilting Hemant Kumar solo. We will translate both to get a fuller understand of the role this song plays in the film, starting with the duet. This version occurs late in the film after Geeta’s friends and family discover Dev Anand’s true past and forcibly remove her from him. However, she is now in love despite his background and sings this tearful song of pining.
Geeta Bali declares her unwavering love for a wanted criminal in Jaal (1952).
Enjoy our English translation and full lyrics of “Yeh Raat Yeh Chandni” and it’s counterpart “Sun Ja Dil Ki Dastan” below!
Yeh Raat Yeh Chandni Phir Kahan Lyrics and Translation
Duet (Lata Mangeshkar & Hemant Kumar):
Yeh raat yeh chaandni phir kahaa.N
Where will we find this night and this moonlight again?
Sunjaa dil ki daastan
Listen now to the story of my heart
Chaandni raaten pyar ki baaten kho gayi jaane kahaa.N
Where have the moonlit nights and words of love become lost?
Yeh raat yeh chandni phir kahaa.N
Where will we find this night and this moonlight again?
Sunjaa dil ki daastan
Listen now to the story of my heart
Aati hain sada teri TuuTe hue taaro.N se
I sense your presence from the falling stars
AahaT terii suntii hoo.N khaamosh nazaaron se
I hear your footsteps with hushed glances
Bheegii hawa uudi ghaTa kheti hai.N teri kahanii
The moist winds, the soaring clouds speak of your story
Tere liye bechain hain sholo.N mei.N lipti jawaanii
My youth is ablaze in restlessness for you
Seene mei.N balkha raha hai.N dhuaa
The smoke engulfs my chest
Sunjaa dil ki daastan
Listen to the story of my heart
Chandni raaten pyar ki baaten kho gayi jaane kahaa.N
Where have the moonlit nights and words of love become lost?
Leheron ki labon par hai.N khoye hue afsaane
On the lips of the waves lie forgotten fables
Gulzaar umiidon ke sab ho gaye viraane
All the rose gardens of hope have become barren.
Tera pataa paaoo.N kahaa.N? Soone hai.N saare Thikaane
Where can I find where you are? All abodes are deserted
Jaane kahaa.N gum ho gaye jaake ho agle zamaane
I do not know where you have disappeared to in the other world
Barbaad hai.N aarzoo ka jahaa.N
The world of desire has been destroyed
Sunjaa dil ki daastan
Listen now to the story of my heart
Glossary:
raat: night; chaandni: moonlight; TuuTa taaraa: shooting star; aahaT: footsteps; khaamosh: silence, hushed; bheegi: wet; kahaanii: story; bechain: without peace, restless; sholaa: spark, fire: jawaanii: youth; seenaa: heart; chest; dhuaa: smoke; leher: wave; lab: lip; afsaanaa: fable, story; gulzaar: rose garden; umiid: hope; viiraane: wasted, desolate; pataa: whereabouts, address; soonaa: empty, lonely; Thikaanaa: shelter, abode; gumnaa: to become lost; aglaa: next; zamaanaa: world; barbaad: destroyed; aarzoo: desire; jahaa.N: world, place
But before this sad reprise, Dev Anand can be found singing the romantic solo version from his beach side abode. Hemant Kumar’s voice is absolutely magical in this song–he has the perfect blend of richness and allure. At this time in the film, Dev Anand is trying to cinch the deal with his romance and claims he knows that Geeat Bali will come to his hut when she hears this song. His version of “Yeh Raat Yeh Chaandni” has a uniquely tropical Goa flair, but it maintains an exciting sense of urgency in both the lyrics and style. As you can guess, Geeta comes running.
Dev Anand calls to Geeta Bali in the moonlight in Jaal (1952).
Yeh Raat Yeh Chandni Phir Kahan Lyrics and Translation
Male Solo (Hemant Kumar):
Yeh raat yeh chaandnii phir kahaa.N
Where will we find this night and this moonlight again?
Sun ja dil ki daastan
Listen now to the story of my heart
Hey peDo.N ki shaakho.N pe
On the branches of the trees
PeDo.N ki shaakho.N pe soyii soyii chaandnii, peDo.N ki shaakho.N pe…
On the branches of the trees the moonlight slumbers
Tere khayaalo.N mei.N khoyii khoyii chaandnii
In thoughts of you, the moonlight wanders
Aur thoDi der mei.N thak ke laut jaayegii
And soon it will become tired of waiting and return
Raat yeh bahaar ki phir kabhii na aayegii
This night of spring will never come back
Do ek pal aur hai yeh samaa
We have but a few moments left of this atmosphere
Sun ja dil ki daastan
Listen now to the story of my heart
Hey lehero.N ke honTho.N pe
Oh, on the lips of the waves
Lehro.N ke hontho.N pe dhiima dhiima raag hai, lehro.N ke hontho.N pe
On the lips of the waves is a soft melody
Bhiigii hawaao.N mei.N thanDii thanDii aag hai
In the moist wind is a cool fire
Is hasee.N aag mei.N tuu bhii jalke dekhle
In this beautiful fire, you should see what it feels like to burn
Zindagii ke geet ki dhun badal ke dekhle
See what it feels like to change the tune of life’s song
Khulne de ab dhaDkano.N ki zubaan
Free the voice of our heartbeats
Sun ja dil ki daastan
Listen now to the story of my heart
Hey jaatii bahaare hai.N
Oh, the Spring is receding
Jaatii bahaare hai.N uThti jawaaniiyaa, jaatii bahaare hai.N
The Spring is receding, our youth is rising
Taaron ke chaao.N mei.N pehle kahaaniiyaa
In the shadows of the stars lie our stories
Ek baar chal diye gar tujhe pukaarke
If it leaves after calling to you,
Lautkar na aaye.Nge kaafile bahaar ke
The caravans of Spring will not return
Aaja abhi zindagii hai jawaan
Come, life is still young
Sun ja dil ki daastan
Listen to the story of my heart
Glossary:
raat: night; chaandnii: moonlight; peD: tree; shaakh: branch; khayaal: thought; thoDii der mei.N: in a short while, soon; thak hona: to become tired; laut jaanaa: to go back; bahaar: spring; samaa: atmosphere; leher: waves; honT: lip; dhiima: softly; bheega: moist, rainy: ThanDaa: cool; aag: fire; hasee.N: beautiful; dhun: tune; dhaDkan: heartbeat; zubaan: words, language; jawaanii: youth; chhaaye: shadow; kaafile: caravans
Did you know that it was in this movie that Guru Dutt first hired cinematographer V. K. Murthy? V.K. Murthy would continue to work as Guru Dutt’s D.P. (Director of Photography) for all of his following films. In fact, between Guru Dutt and V.K. Murthy grew such trust and friendship, that Murthy eventually encouraged Dutt to start acting in his owns films, including the haunting classics Kaaghaz Ke Phool and Pyaasa. In this film, Guru Dutt actually makes his first cameo–as a shirtless fisherman no less! Ladies, please calm down.
– Mrs. 55
Guru Dutt makes a brief film debut in Jaal (1952) as a rugged and shirtless fisherman.
Mr. & Mrs. 55 - Classic Bollywood Revisited! 
I haven’t heard the male version but Lata’s version is one of my all time favorite songs. It strikes just the right mix of haunting melody, angst and beautiful tension to make it a song that has lasted for decades without getting stale.
I had never heard the Hemant version either for many years, but I had grown up listening to the Lata duet. It’s true–no one can sing a haunting melody like that the way Lata can! However, give the Hemant solo a shot–it’s a totally different mood, but I gotta admit it’s absolutely grown on me! I just can’t pick which one to love more!
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Greetings from Guyana.I have recently stumbled upon this site while searching for lyrics and translation of Yeh Raat Yeh Chandni and I must say I’m awe struck to find such an informative treasure mine.Its user friendly and so simple.Congrats to you both for giving the English speaking world so much vital vintage hindi cinema knowledge.I’m a die hard 1930’s-1950’s film fan.But,but I don’t know Hindi!!!!That’s were your edifying Mr&Mrs 55 site is teaching me.Shukriah,Shukriah,Shukriah.Cheers.
We’re glad you enjoy our blog and that it’s helped you learn something! Best wishes to you in Guyana!
Fantastic!
I am glad you gave both the pensive and the happy versions with meanings.
Thanks again!
I would take Hemant Kumar’s version any day….the voice is soothing unlike LAta’s..somehow I feel it has been somewhat unfortunate the amount of influence LAt Mangeshkar has had on the Hindi film music…I feel that because of her very high pitch singing usic directors and Sound Engineers and Mixers neglected Bass octaves for a prolonged period of time.
That apart I find that Hemant Da’s version is a little more the kind of poetry that feels a bit more familiar…in the sense… just a hint of predictability but with a profound thought behind it…I’m never able to explain….