Along with millions of fans across the globe, we mourn the loss of Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar (1929-2022). With an unmatched career that has spanned more than three generations, she is more than India’s most celebrated and prolific singer. She expresses the collective voice of the South Asian diaspora. In her voice, we find the full spectrum of our emotions – our joys, our sorrows, our prayers, and our love. She leaves behind an unforgettable legacy of musical artistry at its finest peak. Today, in her honor, we share the aptly suited lyrics and English translation from one of her most memorable performances in Kinara (1977).
With eternal admiration and gratitude, -Mr. ’55
Naam Gum Jayega: Lyrics and English Translation
naam gum jaayegaa
My name will disappear
chaharaa yeh badal jaayegaa
My face will change with time
merii aavaaz hii pahchaan hai
My voice is my identity
gar yaad rahe
If you remember it..vaqt ke sitam kam hasii.n nahii.n
The whims of time are no less beautiful
aaj hai.n yahaa.n, kal kahii.n nahiin
We are here today, tomorrow nowhere
vaqt ke pare agar mil gaye kahii.n
May we meet beyond the limits of time
merii aavaaz hii pahchaan hai
My voice is my identity
gar yaad rahe
If you remember it...
jo guzar gayii kal kii baat thii
What has happened is in our past
umr to nahii.n ek raat thii
It was only a night, not a lifetime
raat kaa siraa agar phir mile kahii.n
May we uncover the night's end again
merii aavaaz hii pahchaan hai
My voice is my identity
gar yaad rahe
If you remember it...din Dhale jahaa.n raat paas ho
Where the sun sets, the night is close by
zindagii kii lau uu.nchii kar chalo
Ignite the flame of life and go forth
yaad aaye gar kabhii jii udaas ho
Memories of the past may bring despair
merii aavaaz hii pahchaan hai
My voice is my identity
gar yaad rahe
If you remember it...
naam gum jaayegaa
My name will fade away
Navin Nischol and Archana prove that two B-grade actors make an A+ in Buddha Mil Gaya (1971).
Today we showcase the lyrics and English translation of the romantic “Raat Kali Ek Khwab Mein Aayi” from the film Buddha Mil Gaya (1971).
I admit, I had my doubts when I checked out the B-grade lineup in this film. But I should have known that the same director Hrishikesh Mukherjee who brought us Anand (1971) and Bawarchi (1972) would not let us down! Buddha Mil Gaya (a reference to the memorable song of the same name from Sangam 1964) is an interesting blend of genres: a romantic-comedy-murder-mystery-musical (exemplified by the likes of Teesri Manzil1966). The “buDDha” (that is, elderly male) in question, is played delectably by Om Prakash and forms the core of the mystery. Is he an innocent missing person or a cunning murderer?
Archana glows as the romantic lead in the film Buddha Mil Gaya (1971) with lovable comic timing and simplicity.
The film’s ensemble shines in unexpected ways: Aruna Irani, usually stuck as the eternal vamp, plays a plucky feminist, and everyone’s favorite mean dadima, Lalita Pawar, milks the comic scenes. Perhaps my favorite moment is when sidekick Deven Verma cross-dresses in a big song-and-dance sequence at the film’s finale. He gives the film’s villain a seductive wink that truly nails it.
Of course, there is also a traditional romantic duo, played by Navin Nischol and Archana. While Nischol had a long television career after his Bollywood stint fizzled, Archana faded out of the entertainment industry almost entirely. I’ve tried to do some research to understand why and haven’t come up with any leads (please drop us a comment if you know!). She’s no glamour queen, but her “girl-next-door” charm wins you over and I would have liked to see her in more!
Archana has introduced her love interest, played by Nischol, to a flirtatious music student eager to learn singing from him. When she thinks Nischol might be tempted, Archana sulks, prompting Nischol to burst into “Raat Kali Ek Khwab” against a backdrop of the scenic Chowpatty beach in Mumbai (Hrishikesh really had a thing for these beaches and filmed “Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli” similarly the same year). In “Raat Kali” Majrooh Sultanpuri, the genius behind many of your favorite Urdu poems, blesses us with lines like “tum ne qadam to rakhaa zameen par | seene mei.N kyo.N jhankaar hui?” at which I die and go to heaven.
Navin Nischol croons the Kishore Kumar solo hit “Raat Kali Ek Khwab” in the film Buddha Mil Gaya (1971).
We hope you enjoy the lyrics and our English translation of this beloved song below sung by Kishore Kumar and composed by R.D. Burman. Which line of Urdu poetry makes YOU swoon?
Raat Kali Ek Khwab Mein Aayi Lyrics & English Translation
Raatkalii ek khwaab mei.N aayii, aur gale ka haar huii A flower of the night came to me in a dream, and her embrace became a garland around me Subah ko jab ham nii.Nd se jaage, aa.Nkh tumhii se chaarhuii When I awoke in the morning, our eyes met Raat kali ek khwaab mein aayi, aur gale ka haar huii…
Chaahe kaho isse merii mohabbat, chaahe ha.Nsii mei.N uDaa do If you would like, call this my love, if you would like, laugh it away Yeh kyaa hua mujhe, mujhko khabar nahii.N, ho sake, tum hii bataa do What is this that has happened to me? Even I have no idea, but if you can, please tell me. Tum ne qadam to, rakhaa zameen par siine mei.N kyuu.N jhankaar huii? Your footsteps fell upon the ground, but why then did I sense a trembling in my heart? Raat kali ek khwaab mein aayi, aur gale ka haar huyi…
Aa.Nkho.N mei.N kaajal, aur laTo.N mei.N, kaalii ghaTaa ka baseraa In your eyes is kaajal, and you hair is like the shelter of a dark cloud Saa.Nvalisuurat, mohiniimuurat, saavan ruth kaa sa.Nveraa Your rich brown complexion, enchanting figure, you are like the morning of the monsoon season Jabse ye mukhDaa dil me khilaa hai, duniyaa merii gulzaar huii When this face bloomed in my heart, my world became a rose garden Raat kali ek khwaab mein aayi, aur gale ka haar huyi…
Yuu.N to hasiino.N ke, mahajabiino.N ke, hote hai.N roz nazaare By the way, beautiful women and gorgeous faces present themselves to me every day Par unhe dekh ke, dekha hai jab tumhe, tum lage aur bhii pyaare But when I see them, and then I look at you, you appear even more lovely Baaho.N mei.N le luu.N, aisii tamannaa, ek nahii.N, kaii baar huii I desire to take you in my arms, not once, but many times… Raat kali ek khwaab mein aayi, aur gale ka haar huyi…
Raat kalii ek khwaab mei.N aayii, aur gale ka haar huii A flower of the night came to me in a dream, and her embrace became a garland around me Subah ko jab ham nii.Nd se jaage, aa.Nkh tumhii se chaar huii When I awoke in the morning, our eyes met Raat kali ek khwaab mein aayi, aur gale ka haar huii…
Glossary:
raat: night; kalii: flower; khwaab: dream; gale: arms; haar: garland; subah: morning; nii.Nd: sleep; jaagnaa: to awaken; aa.Nkh chaar hona: to make eye contact (literally, two eyes became four); mohabbat: love; haN.sii: laughter; khabar: knowledge; qadam: footstep; zameen: earth; seenaa: chest; jhankaar: tremble, jingle; kaajaal: eyeliner; laT: hair locks; kaalii: dark; ghaTaa: cloud; baseraa: shelter, abode; saa.Nvalii: tanned, rich brown; suurat: face; mohinii: enchanting; muurat: image, figure; saavan ruth: rainy season; sa.Nveraa: morning; mukhDaa: face; khilnaa: to blossom; duniyaa: world; gulzaar: rose garden; hasiinaa: beautiful woman; mahajabeen: gorgeous face (see our deep dive into zohra jabeen for more!); roz: every day; baahe.N: arms; tamannaa: desire; kaii: many
This gem was requested by diehard fans Prabha Nair and Lakshmi. Thank you for this lovely request! We hope that wherever you are, you are continuing to stay safe and can get the vaccine soon!
Portraying a man suffering a psychotic break, Sanjeev Kumar sings an appeal of love to Mumtaz in the ethically-fraught film “Khilona” (1970).
Today we are showcasing the poetic lyrics and English translation of “Khilona Jaan Kar” from the 1970 Filmfare Winner for Best Movie: Khilona. One of Mohammed Rafi’s iconic solo hits, “Khilona Jan Kar” is a deeply soulful appeal of a wounded man to a woman on the verge of leaving him.
Or at least that’s one way of looking at the song. I hadn’t watched Khilona (meaning “toy” in Urdu-Hindi) growing up, so hearing Anand Bakshi’s beautiful lyrics and seeing the music video, I was moved by the profound emotion only Rafi could imbibe so passionately into every reverberating “Ooooo khilona.” My father always burst into the song’s opening right after finishing up a satisfying vocal yawn. I think anyone can appreciate how that would transition quite smoothly.
Anyway, that’s my childhood in a nutshell. But now that I’ve seen the film, where, oh, where do I even begin?
In Khilona (1970), Mumtaz plays a pure-hearted courtesan who stumbles into the bizarre plot of a rotting patriarchy in order to help cure a stranger’s mental health crisis…at the cost of her own.
In Khilona, Sanjeev Kumar plays a famous poet who loses the love of his life in a traumatic incident, causing him to have a psychotic break. It’s hard to say precisely which disorder writer Gulshan Nanda was trying to convey here. Is it schizophrenia? Is it post-traumatic stress disorder? Sanjeev Kumar’s amalgamation of trope behaviors and unbridled basic instincts really underscore Bollywood’s overall troubling history portraying mental health disorders.
Speaking of Bollywood cliches, enter our courtesan with a heart of gold: Mumtaz. She is convinced to undergo a “fake” wedding ceremony and “pretend” to be Sanjeev Kumar’s wife in the hopes that this might help break his delusions. Then, using his psychosis as a shield, he rapes her and she is unable to seek restitution…partly due to the fact that she has gone full blown Stockholm Syndrome on the man who abuses her daily (another uncomfortable and relatively common theme in classic Bollywood films?). The lunacy of the plot is so stunning that it’s sad to believe it garnered Best Film of the year and really doesn’t reflect well on any of us.
Sanjeev Kumar reaches out to Mumtaz through a symbolic prison in Khilona (1970). The film won the FilmFare Award for Best Movie in 1970.
That said, Mumtaz deserves credit for accepting this difficult role, which had been rejected by other heroines who didn’t want to play such a controversial character. The role won her Best Actress that year and led to her starring in blockbusters like Aap Ki Kasam (1974) and Prem Kahani (1975).
None of this is obvious when you listen to the words of “Khilona Jan Kar.” However, now that you know the backstory, you can appreciate the tragic irony of the shehnaii (an instrument typically reserved for wedding celebration) melody that punctuates a song dedicated to a disenfranchised woman who is embroiled in a delusional marriage. Suddenly, the prison-like scaffolding of the windows through which Sanjeev Kumar gazes make sense: as a mental health patient, he is outcast by Indian society, but he is also a literal criminal who has assaulted Mumtaz. After all, who is the real khilona here? Despite the lyrics’ dripping self-pity, it’s not Sanjeev Kumar. Toyed with by every self-serving member of the patriarchy, Mumtaz is the real khilona of the film. In that context, this song is just emotional blackmail.Â
That’s plenty to chew on, I think! Without further ado, we hope you enjoy our English translation to “Khilona Jan Kar” below!
Khilona Jaan Kar Lyrics and English Translation:
Khilonaa jaan kar tum to meraa diltoD jaate ho You consider it a toy, and break my heart Oooo mujhe is haal mei.N kiske sahaarechhoD jaate ho? Oh, with whose support do you leave me alone in this condition? O khilonaa jaan kar…
Khudaa kaa vaastaa dekar manaa luu.N duur huu.N lekin For God’s sake, I would mollify you, yet I am far away Tumhaaraa raastaa mei.N rok luu.N majbuur huu.N lekin I would stop you in your path, yet I am weak Ki mai.N chal bhii nahii.N saktaa huu.N, aur tum dauDh jaate ho For I am unable to even walk, and you run away O khilonaa jaan kar…
Gilaa tumse nahii.N koii, magarafsosthoDaa hai I have no complaint against you, but I do have a little regret Ki jis gham ne meraa daamanbaDimushqil se chhoDaa hai That the sadness which left my side with great difficulty Usii gham se meraa phir aaj rishtaajoD jaate ho Is the same sadness you are binding to me today O khilonaa jaan kar…
Mere dil se na lo badlaazamaane bhar ki baato.N kaa Do not take revenge upon my heart for a world of issues Theher jaao! Suno! Mehemaan huu.N mai.N chand raato.N kaa Wait! Listen! I am a guest for only a few nights Chale jaanaa abhii se kis liye muu.N moD jaate ho? You must go eventually, but why turn your face away from me right now? O khilonaa jaan kar…
Glossary:
Khilonaa: toy; dil: heart; toDnaa: to break; haal: situation, health; sahaaraa: support; chhoDnaa: to leave; Khudaa: God; [kisii ka] vaastaa: the sake [of someone]; manaanaa: to mollify; lekin: yet; raastaa: path; roknaa: to stop; majbuur: weak; chalnaa: to go, to walk; dauDhnaa: to run; gilaa: complaint; magar: but; afsos: regret; thoDaa: a little; gham: sadness; daaman: side; embrace; baDaa: big, very; mushqil: difficulty; rishtaa: relationship, alliance (often in reference to a marriage proposition); joDnaa: to join, to bring together; badlaa lenaa: to take revenge; zamaanaa: the world, earth; Theher: to pause, to wait; sunnaa: to listen; mehmaan: guest; abhii: now; muu.N: face; moDnaa: to turn
Compound verb creation with “jaanaa”: A quick lesson from your Urdu-Hindi grammar school junkie
This is a concept that I still find takes finesse to use well and “Khilona Jaankar” is filled with compound verbs so it’s a great place to start! In Urdu-Hindi, you can create a special type of compound verb by taking a regular verb, such as “toDnaa” (to break), and combining it with “jaanaa” (to go). So instead of saying “you break my heart” as “dil toDte ho,” you would say “dil toD jaate ho.” The addition of “jaana” adds a sense of completion and finality to the verb preceding it. In these scenarios, the “na” is removed from the primary verb and the “jaanaa” is subsequently conjugated according to the tense you want to convey. Other commonly used compound verb examples include “denaa” or “lenaa“!
I highly encourage you to contrast Sanjeev Kumar’s performance here with his role in Aandhi (1975), where he shined playing the estranged, ultimately supportive husband to a rising female politician. Unlike Khilona for which he was nominated, but lost), Sanjeev Kumar won the Filmfare Best Actor Award for Aandhi, redeeming us all!Â
– Mrs. 55
Sanjeev Kumar truly embodies the male gaze in Khilona (1970) as he emotionally blackmails Mumtaz into staying in their unhealthy relationship.
Rajesh Khanna plays a patient with a terminal illness and endless optimism in classic Bollywood film Anand (1971).
As the year draws to a close, the lyrics of “Maine Tere Liye Hi” from classic Bollywood film Anand (1971) seems a fitting note with which to reflect on everything that has passed. 2020 has been one of the most bizarre, tragic, and tiring years many of us have experienced. I say “many” to acknowledge that our grandparents, who actually survived far worse–whether the Partition of India or World War II–became among the greatest victims of the pandemic. As a physician, I always spend extra time with my elderly COVID patients who are alone just to talk, even when it’s hard to otherwise feel as motivated to dive into the abyss as we did in the Spring. If you haven’t called your grandparents this week, stop reading this post and call them now.
Finished your call? Did you tell them to watch The Crown and promise to eat a tablespoon of sugar before your next exam? Great. We’ll move on. “Maine Tere Liye” for me has the perfect blend of nostalgia, sorrow, and optimism to encapsulate the end of 2020. A truly must-see film (which I actually watched on zoom with a group of my non-Hindi speaking colleagues this year! A crowd-pleaser to say the least!), Anand (1971) unfolds the tale of a doctor (played by Amitabh Bachhan) whose cynicism of a failing medical system is dismantled by the joie-de-vivre of a patient (played by Rajesh Khanna) diagnosed with lymphosarcoma of the intestine. I was struck by how true Amitach Bachhan’s criticisms of healthcare delivery in 1971 India rang so painfully true in 2020 America: poor patients often cannot access the care they desperately need. Luckily, to balance out these profound, sobering thoughts, I was also struck by Rajesh Khanna’s impeccable comedic timing and, as always, his absolutely dashing good looks (why, yes, he drops his famous wink in this song so be ready to check your pulse!).
At a casual dinner party in Anand (1971), Rajesh Khanna sings for his friend Amitabh Bachhan like it’s no big deal and he just woke up with that voice.
The soundtrack of Anand is as legendary as its performances, with hits like “Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli” and “Kahin Door Jab Din.” “Maine Tere Liye Hi” stands out uniquely as a poem of friendship: something everyone needs in 2020. With lyrics by Yogesh and music by Salil Chaudhary, playback singer Mukesh croons about relishing in memories of the past and awaiting a better future. We dedicate this song to all of our amazing readers with whom a deep love of music and film from a bygone era brings us together. We hope our English translation of “Maine Tere Liye” offers a bright moment to your day!
Maine Tere Liye Hi Lyrics & English Translation
Maine tere liiye hii saatrang ke sapnechune I have chosen a dream of seven colors just for you Sapne, suriile sapne, Dreams, beautiful dreams Kuch ha.Nsii ke, kuch gham ke, Some with laughter, some with sorrow Terii ankho.N ke saayechuraayerasiiliiyaado.N ne These rich memories have stolen shadows of your eyes Maine tere liye hi saat rang ke…
ChhoTii baate.N… Small words… ChhoTii chhoTii baato.N kii hai yaade.N baDIi, Small words can leave big memories Bhuule nahii.N biiThii huii ek chhoTii ghaDii I haven’t forgotten even small moments that have passed Janam janam se, aankhe.N bichaaye, tere liiye in raho.N mei.N With every lifetime, my eyes are spread upon these paths for you Maine tere liye hi saat rang ke…
Bhole-bhaale Innocent Bhole-bhaale dil ko behlate rahe I kept amusing my innocent heart Tanhaii mei.N tere khayalo.N ko sajaate rahe In my loneliness, I kept adorning my thoughts of you Kabhii kabhii to, aawaaz dekar, mujhko jagaayaakhwaabo.N ne From time to time, my dreams called out to wake me up Maine tere liye hi saat rang ke…
RuuThiraate.N Upset nights RuuThi huii raato.N ko manaayaa kabhi Sometimes, I’m able to soothe the upset nights Tere liye biiThiisubaah ko bulaayaa kabhii For you sometimes I call back the morning that has passed Tere binaa bhii, tere liiye hii, diye jalaaye aaho.N ne Ever when you are gone, for you alone, the lamps are lit by my sighs Maine tere liye hi saat rang ke…
Glossary:
saat: seven, rang: color; sapnaa: dream; chunnaa: to choose; suriilaa: beautiful; ha.Nsii: laughter; gham: sorrow; aa.Nkh: eyes; saayaa: shadow; churaanaa: to steal; rasiilii: rich, delicious; yaade.N: memories; chhoTaa: small; baate.N: words; baDaa: big; bhuulnaa: to forget; biiThnaa: to pass; ghaDii: moment; janam: lifetime; bichaanaa: to spread, to lay; bholaa-bhaalaa: innocent, naive; dilbehlaanaa: to amuse, to sweet talk; tanhaaii: loneliness; khayaal: thought: sajaanaa: to decorate, to adorn; kabhii kabhii: sometimes, occasionally; aawaaz: voice, jagaanaa: to wake up; khwaab: dream; ruuThaa: upset; raat: night; manaanaa: to placate, to soothe; subaah: morning; bulaanaa: to call; [kisii ke] binaa: without [someone]; [kisii ke] liye: for [someone]; diyaa: lamp; jalaanaa: to burn, to light: aah: sigh
Rajesh Khanna pretending to play the piano and holding the camera hostage with his smoldering gaze in Anand (1971).
This beautiful song was requested by long-time fans Prasad Sakhamuri and Sheza Iqbal. Thank you both for the very apt choice! As you’ve noticed, Mr. 55 and I have been busy in the hospitals this year, but we read all your requests and kind messages and respond as soon as we can! What classic Bollywood songs have inspired YOU in 2020? We’d love to know in the comments!
– Mrs. 55
My husband and I living large on vacation at the Shangri-La in Mauritius days before the U.S. shut its borders in March 2020. That feels like such an alternate reality now! We’ll be dreaming of that time for many months to come.
Rishi Kapoor stars as a Muslim qawwali singer in Amar Akbar Anthony (1977)
Rishi Raj Kapoor died at the age of 67 on April 30th, 2020 after a two-year struggle with acute myeloid leukemia. He is best known for his work as a leading hero in over one hundred Bollywood films including his debut role in Bobby (1973), Karz (1980), Saagar (1985), and Chandni (1989) among many others.
Today, we present the lyrics and English translation to pardaah hai pardaahfrom Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), which remains one of the most cherished performances by Bollywood’s original chocolate boy.
Directed by Manmohan Desai, Amar Akbar Anthonyis an ode to secularism and religious tolerance that tells the story of of three brothers separated during childhood. Amar, played by Vinod Khanna, is the eldest Hindu-born brother who grows up to become a policeman. Anthony, played by Amitabh Bachchan, is the middle brother who becomes a practicing Christian and works as a liquor dealer. Finally, Akbar played by Rishi Kapoor, is the youngest brother who goes on to become a Muslim qawwali singer. Following a host of complicated turns and twists, the three brothers are reunited many years later after discovering their mutual roots.
In this film, Rishi Kapoor gives one of his most memorable performances in the beloved qawwali “pardaah hai pardaah.” Sung during his late-70’s comeback, Mohammad Rafi deserves equal praise for his expressive vocals under the direction of music composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Although the remainder of the soundtrack’s lyrics are standard Bollywood masala fare, Anand Bakshi’s lyrics for this number are exquisitely penned surrounding the common man-unveils-woman trope (see parde me.n rahnedo, yeh jo chilman hai). With the use of words like shabaab, shahazaadii, and mahjabii.n, you might want to brush up on your Urdu vocabulary with our glossary provided below.
Need another movie to add to your quarantine watch list? Pay your tribute to the departed Mr. Kapoor and look no further than Amar Akbar Anthony – the full movie can be found here!
-Mr. ’55
R.I.P. Rishi Kapoor (1952 – 2020)
Rishi Kapoor woos his real-life wife Neetu Singh in this animated qawwali performance
Parda Hai Parda: Lyrics and English Translation
MR: shabaab pe mai.n zaraa-sii sharaabphai.nkuu.ngaaI shall pour some wine over this youth.
kisii hasii.n kii taraf yeh gulaab phai.nkuu.ngaa
I shall throw this rose toward a beauty.
pardaah hai pardaah, pardaah hai pardaah
There is a veil, there is a veil.
parde ke piichhe pardaanashii.n hai
There is a woman behind the veil.
pardaanashii.n ko bepardaah na kar duu.n to
If I do not unveil the woman behind the veil...
Akbar meraa naam nahii.n hai!
then my name is not Akbar!
mai.n dekhtaa huu.n jidhar, log bhii udhar dekhe.n
Wherever I look, people look in the same direction.
kahaa.n Thahartii hai jaa kar merii nazar dekhe.n
They look at where my gaze stops.
mere khvaabo.n kii shahazaadii, mai.n huu.n Akbar ilaahabaadiiOh, the princess of my dreams! I am Akbar of Allahabad.
mai.n shaayar huu.n hasiino.n kaa, mai.n aashiqmahjabiino.n kaa
I am a poet of beauty. I am a lover of beautiful women.
teraa daaman na chhoDuu.ngaa, mai.n har chilman ko toDuungaa
I shall not leave your side. I shall tear every curtain between us.
na Dar zaalimzamaane se, adaa se yaa bahaane se
Do not fear this cruel world. By grace or pretense,
zaraa apnii suurat dikhaa de, samaakhuubsuuratbanaa de
please show your face and beautify the mood.
nahii.n to teraa naam leke, tujhe koii ilzaam deke
Otherwise I will sully your name with an accusation.
tujhko is mahfil me.n rusvaa na kar duu.n
If I do not dishonor you in this gathering...
pardaanashii.n ko bepardaah na kar duu.n to
If I do not unveil the woman behind the veil...
AK: Akbar teraa naam nahii.n hai!
then your name is not Akbar!
MR: khudaa kaa shukr hai, chahraa nazar to aayaa hai
Give thanks to the Lord, her face has been revealed!
hayaa kaa rang nigaaho.n pe phir bhii chhaayaa hai
Yet a tinge of modesty remains in her eyes.
kisii kii jaan jaatii hai, kisii ko sharm aatii hai
As I suffer, she shies away from me.
koii aa.nsuu bahaataa hai, to koii muskuraataa hai
As I shed tears, she cracks a smile.
sataa kar is tarah aksar, mazaa lete hai.n ye dilbarMy lover takes pleasure in torturing me so.
yahii dastuur hai in kaa, sitammashahuur hai in kaa
Her cruel practices are known to all.
khafaa hoke chahraa chhupaa le, magar yaad rakh husnvaale
Hide your face in anger, my beautiful one, but remember this: jo hai aag terii javaanii, meraa pyaar hai sard paanii
my love is like cold water for the fire of your youth.
mai.n tere ghusse ko ThanDaa na kar duu.n haa.n
If I do not calm your anger...
pardaanashii.n ko bepardaah na kar duu.n to
If I do not unveil the woman behind the veil...
AK: Akbar teraa naam nahii.n hai!
then your name is not Akbar!
MR: pardaah hai pardaah, pardaah hai pardaah
There is a veil, there is a veil.
*MR = lines sung by Mohammed Rafi, AK = lines sung by Amit Kumar
GLOSSARY
shabaab: youth; sharaab: wine, alcohol; phainknaa: to throw; hasii.n:
beautiful one; gulaab: rose; pardaah: veil; pardaahnashii.n: veiled
woman; bepardaah karnaa: to unveil; Thaharnaa: to stop; khvaab: dream;
shahazaadii: princess; illahabaadii: from Allahabad, a city in the Indian
state of Uttar Pradesh; shaayar: poet; aashiq: lover; mahjabii.n: moon-
like beauty; daamanchhoDnaa: to leave one's side; chilman: curtain;
zaalim: cruel; zamaanaa: world; adaa: grace; bahaanaa: pretense; suurat:
face; samaa: ambience, atmosphere; khuubsuurat banaanaa: to beautify;
ilzaam: accusation; mahfil: gathering: rusvaa karnaa: to dishonor; shukr:
thanks; chahraa: face; hayaa: modesty; nigaahe.n: eyes; sharm aanaa: to
feel shy; sataanaa: to torture; mazaalenaa: to take pleasure; dilbar:
lover; khafaa: angry; husnvaale: beautiful one; aag: fire; javaanii:
youth; sard: cold; ghussaah: anger.
Rishi Kapoor’s character is named after a Urdu poet Syed Akbar Hussain, popularly known as Akbar Illahabadi
Mr. & Mrs. 55 - Classic Bollywood Revisited! 