O Mere Sona Re Lyrics & Translation: Let’s Learn Urdu-Hindi

Posted on April 7, 2019 by mrandmrs55

Shammi Kapoor Asha Parekh in O Mere Sona Re Teesri Manzil

Asha Parekh flirts with Shammi Kapoor by poking hay in his ear during “O Mere Sona Re” from Teesri Manzil (1966).

Today we showcase the lyrics and English translation of “O Mere Sona Re” from the film Teesri Manzil (1966). This playful duet is one of many gems in R. D. Burman’s crowning soundtrack for this memorable film.

Teesri Manzil opens as a dark murder mystery when Asha Parekh’s sister falls to her death off the balcony of the third story of a hotel. Seeking revenge on her sister’s ex-lover Rocky whom she believes to be the culprit, Asha travels to Deradhun where Rocky is the lead singer in a band. However, she’s (almost literally) derailed by a train ride meet-cute with Shammi Kapoor, transforming the film into a slapstick romantic-comedy. Smooth operator Shammi Kapoor and corny, but savage Asha Parekh exchange a biting repartee that builds a perfect synergy between the two notoriously over-the-top actors.

After a misunderstanding about Shammi’s romantic, but honorable intentions, Asha leaves him in the lurch only for him to be beaten up by goons before her eyes–a consequence she deeply regrets. Asha cajoles him with the energetically flirtatious “O Mere Sona Re” on a sunny hillside. The song has particular significance in the film as she had hitherto refused to call him by his nickname “Sona.” Although she now uses this term of endearment for romantic effect, the joke is on her because the audience knows something he has been desperately hiding from her: Sona is actually Rocky!

Shammi Kapoor Asha Parekh Teesri Manzil.png

Asha Parekh and Shammi Kapoor create Vaudevillian chemistry in Teesri Manzil (1966).

Can you hear that single-note high-pitched violin? It’s the sound of your interest being piqued. We hope that you love our English translation of the beloved “O Mere Sona Re” below–it’s one of the most fun Asha-Rafi duets from that era! And we both know you never hit “skip” when it pops up on your iTunes shuffle.

O Mere Sona Re Lyrics & Translation:

O mere sonaa re, sonaa re, sonaa re
Oh my beloved, my beloved, my beloved
de duu.Ngii jaa.N judaa mat honaa re
I will give you my life, but let us not be separated
mai.N ne tujhe zaraa der mei.N jaanaa
I took some time to get to you know better
huaa qusuur khafaa mat honaa re
It was my fault, but do not become upset
O mere sonaa re, sonaa re, sonaa …
Oh my beloved, my beloved, my beloved…

o merii baaho.N se nikal ke, tu agar mere raste se haT jayegaa
Oh if you escape from my arms and leave my path
toh laharaake ho balkhaake, meraa saayaa tere tan se lipaT jaayegaa
Then swaying and billowing, my shadow will wrap around your body
Tum chhuDaao laakh damaa.N
You may release yourself from a hundred thousand of my embraces
chhoDte hai.N kab yeh armaa.N?
But when will you let go of these desires?
Ki mai.N bhii saath rahuu.Ngii rahoge jahaa.N
For I will stay together with you wherever you are

O mere sonaa re, sonaa re, sonaa…

O miyaa, hamse na chhipaao, woh banaavaT kii saarii adaaye.N liye
O gentleman, do not hide from me with all your artificial graces
Ki tum is pe ho itaraate, ki mai.N piichhe huu.N sau iltijaae.N liye
Why must you flaunt so much when I am behind you pleading a hundred times?
jii, mai.N khush huu.N, mere sonaa
Yes, I am happy my beloved
jhuuTh hai kyaa? Sach kaho na!
Is this a lie? Tell me the truth!
Ki mai.N bhii saath rahuu.Ngii rahoge jahaa.N
For I will stay together with you wherever you are

O mere sonaa re sonaa re sonaa…

O phir hamse na ulajhnaa, nahii.N laT aur uljhan mei.N paD jayegii
Oh, do not entangle me again, for if not, your hair will become even more tangled
O pachtaaogii kuch aise, ki yeh surakhii labo.N kii utar jaayegii
Oh, you will regret so much that the redness of your lips will disappear
yeh sazaa tum bhuul na jaanaa
Do not forget this punishment
pyaar ko Thokar mat lagaanaa
Do not knock down love again
ki chalaa jaau.Ngaa phir mai.N na jaane kahaa.N
For I will leave then, I do not know where

O mere sonaa re sonaa re sonaa…

Glossary:

sonaa: beloved (literally: gold/golden one); jaan: life; judaa: separation; der mei.N: late; qusuur: fault; khafaa: angry; baahe.N: arms; nikalnaa: to come out, to emerge; raastaa: path; haT jaanaa: to get out; laharaanaa: to sway, to wave; balkhaanaa: to billow; saayaa: shadow; tan: body; lipaT jaanaa: to wrap around, to twist; chhudaanaa: to release, to disengage; laakh: one hundred thousand; daamaa.N: embrace; chhodnaa: to let go of, to release; armaa.N: desire; miyaa: gentleman; chhipaanaa: to hide; banaavaT: artificial, fake; adaa: grace, style; itaraanaa: to flaunt, to show off; piichhe: behind; iltajaa: plea; khush: happy; jhuuTh: lie; sach: truth; phir: again, then; ulajhnaa: to bother, to entangle; laT: locks of hair; pachtaanaa: to regret; surakhii: redness; lab: lips; utarnaa: to get off, to descend; sazaa: punishment; bhuulnaa: to forget; Thokar: knock;

His pompadour ruffled irreparably, Shammi Kapoor reproaches Asha Parekh at the end of “O Mere Sona Re” from Teesri Manzil (1966).

You may now be asking yourself, what is poetic genius Majrooh Sultanpuri really saying on a deeper level with the whole “pachtaaogii kuch aise, ki yeh surakhii labo.N kii utar jaayegii“?

Like…are we just talking about lipstick getting smudged here…by her love interest perhaps? Or is she going to lose that red color because she grows pale from iron deficiency anemia? Will there be actual blood loss?

So many ways to interpret this. I leave it to you, O, gentle reader.

This winner was requested by superfan Shiraz. We love getting great requests like this one!

– Mrs. 55

Teri Pyari Pyari Surat Ko Lyrics & Translation: Let’s Learn Urdu-Hindi

Posted on February 14, 2019 by mrandmrs55

Teri Pyari Pyari Surat Sasural film — Rajendra Kumar scores big with the Mohammed Rafi’s chartbuster “Teri Pyari Pyari Surat Ko” from Bollywood film Sasural (1961).

Today we showcase the lyrics and English translation of “Teri Pyari Pyari Surat Ko,” one of Mohammed Rafi’s most romantic hits in honor of Valentine’s Day. Oozing with a dated flirtatious paternalism, Hasrat Jaipuri’s lyrics remind us of the incomparable beauty of the Urdu language. Who else but the great Mohammed Rafi (with that dreamy satin waterfall of a voice) could utter phrases like “chashme badduur” or “zarro.N ki nazar na lage” and induce seizures on the spot? He was awarded the Filmfare Award for Best Playback singer for “Teri Pyari Pyari Surat Ko” in 1961, having remarkably also won the year prior for “Chaudhvin Ka Chand!” Until 1967, male and female singers competed for the same singing award, so keep in mind that he crushed the Mangeshkar sisters twice in a row.

Now you are doubtless wondering, what the heck does “chashme badduur” mean? In Urdu-Hindi vernacular, the word “chashme” is often used for “eyeglasses,” so it seems awkward to start discussing your myopia just as you’re about to praise your crush’s beauty. Derived from Farsi, the phrase “chashme badduur” means literally “keep the evil eye far away.” We more commonly use the term “nazar” in Urdu-Hindi to mean “evil eye,” an omen of someone wishing ill upon you often from jealousy (of your beauty, wealth, achievements, etc). This is complicated by the fact that the term “nazar” in the right context bears no such connotations and could just mean “glance,” frequently employed in Bollywood love songs with poetic abandon. Context clues are everything.

So move past any disbelief in the cultural trope of the “evil eye” (just try winning an argument with your grandparents on this one), and you can appreciate what a sweet compliment it is to say, “chashme badduur.” This simple, respectful phrase conveys a desire to protect as well as admire. I recognize that this line of reasoning can quickly become a slippery slope, but hey, a 1960s romance is what it is. And I bet you’re already feeling lightheaded.

Still not sure what song to sing to your boo on Valentine’s Day? I’ll let the “Teri Pyari Pyari Surat Ko” lyrics do the rest of the talking and I’m confident your confusion will dissipate. Don’t let the mediocre looks of Rajendra Kumar wear you down (he always manages to snag the best Rafi songs–“Yeh Mera Prem Patra“or “Husnwale Tera Jawab Nahin” to name but a few). While everyone loves to hate on Saroja Devi, I think she does everyone a favor by distracting from the bigger on-screen eyesore.

Saroja Devi in Sasural, — As the film’s heroine, Saroja Devi uncomfortably dons the pigtails and bows of a middle-schooler in Sasural (1960). Fully grown women dressing as little girls is so classic of that era. It really deserves a separate conversation.

Teri Pyari Pyari Surat Ko Lyrics & Translation:

Terii pyaarii pyaarii suurat ko, kisii kii nazar na lage
Let no one cast an evil eye upon your lovely face
Chashm-e-badduur
Keep the evil eye far away
MukhaDe ko chhupaa lo aa.Nchal mei.N, kahii.N merii nazar na lage
Hide your face in the drape of your sari, lest I cast an evil eye upon you
Chashme baddur
Keep the evil eye far away

Yuu.N na akele phiraa karo, sab kii nazar se Daraa karo
Do not wander alone like this, be wary of everyone’s gaze
Phuul se zyaadaa naazuk ho tum, chaal sambhal kar chalaa karo
You are more delicate than a flower, be careful of how you walk
Zulfo.N ko giraa lo gaalo.N par, mausam kii nazar na lage
Let your hair fall upon your cheeks, lest the atmosphere cast an evil eye upon you
Chashme baddur
Keep the evil eye far away

Ek jhalak jo paata hai, raahii wahii ruk jaata hai
Upon gaining one look at you, a traveler halts right there in his tracks
Dekh ke teraa ruup salonaa, chaa.Nd bhii sar ko jhukaataa hai
Upon seeing your stunning beauty, even the moon bows its head
Dekhaa na karo tum aaiinaa, kahii.N khud kii nazar na lage
Do not keep looking into the mirror, lest you cast an evil eye upon yourself
Chashme baddur
Keep the evil eye far away

Dil mei.N chhupaa voh tiir ho tum, chaahat kii tasviir ho tum
You are the arrow hidden in my heart, you are the image of my desire
Kaun na hogaa tum se diiwaanaa? pyaar bharii tasviir ho tum
Who would not go mad for you? You are a picture filled with love
Nikalaa na karo tum raaho.N par zarro.N kii nazar na lage
Do not keep coming out upon this path, lest even a particle cast an evil eye upon you
Chashme baddur
Keep the evil eye far away

Terii pyaari pyaari suurat ko, kisii kii nazar na lage
Let no one cast an evil eye upon your lovely face
Chashme badduur
Keep the evil eye far away

Glossary:

pyaarii: beloved, lovely; suurat: face; nazar: evil eye; chashm-e-badduur: keep the evil eye afar; mukhaDaa: face; chhupaa lenaa: to hide; aa.Nchal: the fancy end of a saarii that drapes over the shoulder; phirnaa: to wander, to revolve; [kisii se] Darnaa: to be afraid [of something]; phuul: flower; [kisii se] zyaadaa: more [than something]; chaal: gait; sambhal karnaa: to be careful; chalnaa: to go; zulfe.N: hair; girnaa: to fall; gaal: cheek; mausam: season, atmosphere; jhalak: glimpse; raahii: traveler; ruk jaanaa: to halt; ruup: beauty; salonaa: gorgeous, stunning; chaa.Nd: moon; sar jhuknaa: to bow [one’s] head; aaiinaa: mirror; khud: self; dil: heart; tiir: arrow; chaahat: love, desire; tasviir: picture; diiwaanaa: mad; bharaa: filled; nikalnaa: to emerge; zarr: particle (see use in “O Mere Shah-e Khuban“)

Rajendra Kumar and Saroja Devi in — Rajendra Kumar and Saroja Devi fall unavoidably in love during the Urdu lover’s paradise that is “Teri Pyari Pyari Surat” from Sasural (1960).

This incredibly apt Mohammed Rafi song was requested by mega-fan Ravi Chandran. Hope you and your special someone love it!

As for me, I wish a Happy Valentine’s Day to my sweet husband who still writes me love letters that would make Hasrat Jaipuri envious! Fortunately, knowing my style, he has entirely avoided mention of the whole “nazar” cliché…

– Mrs. 55

Yeh Zindagi Usi Ki Hai Lyrics & Translation: Let’s Learn Urdu-Hindi

Posted on January 13, 2019 by mrandmrs55

Bina Rai's lovely smile in Anarkali (1953)

Bina Rai’s enchanting smile commands the screen in Anarkali (1953).

Today we present the lyrics and English translation to “Yeh Zindagi Usiki Hai” from Anarkali (1953). “Yeh Zindagi Usiki Hai” is a true Bollywood legend, one of Lata Mangeshkar’s most iconic numbers picturised upon a nail-biting thriller of historical mythology.

The doomed tale of 16th century Mughal Prince Salim and fabled courtesan Anarkali has been a favorite of the Bollywood film industry dating back to the pre-talkie days. A silent film in 1928 and then a talkie in 1935 starred Sulochana in the title role (who incidentally also plays Queen Jodha in the 1953 version).

In 1944, K. Asif too announced he would remake the film with Nargis as the lead, but unfortunately, the film was put on hold with the partition of India when his producer Shiraz Ali Hakim moved to Pakistan. Almost a decade after Bina Rai’s 1953 version became a blockbuster, K. Asif picked up steam on his “period” project, toyed with casting Nutan before honing in on Madhubala, and eventually released his magnum opus Mughal-e-Azam (1961).

Pradeep Kumar and Bina Rai star in Anarkali 1953.png

Pradeep Kumar and Bina Rai star as Prince Salim and his songstress lover in Anarkali (1953).

In Filmistan’s magnificent 1953 version, the song “Yeh Zindagi Usiki Hai” both opens and ends the film. A romantic version starts the movie on a high note (literally) while an ominous version carries the film’s climax as the heroine is entombed alive. The cinematography, particularly of the first iteration, is stunning: dream-like extreme close-ups of Bina Rai lend a lyrical quality to the Salim-Anarkali courtship. Every shot is infused with languid glamour matched by the actress’ complete command of the screen. I remain awestruck by Bina Rai’s performance–she possess that elusive je ne sais quoi, which eclipses beauty or theatrics to make her unquestionably a star. You cannot stop watching her even as the last brick is placed in front of her face (Geeta Bali from that era possesses a similar enchanting appeal).

Let me be clear: no matter how you slice it, the biggest star of this piece is Lata Mangeshkar whose vocals could overpower any Mughal army–from her gorgeous opening alaap to the haunting final farewell. It’s one of those mind-numbing songs that makes me sad when I remember some people live their whole pathetic lives without ever hearing this angel’s voice. Music composer C. Ramachandra famously shafted Geeta Dutt by switching the soundtrack to a pure Lata production halfway through (fortunately, one Geeta Dutt number was salvaged). The expert sitar that punctuates both versions of “Yeh Zindagi Usiki Hai” is performed by none other than Abdul Halim Jaffer Khan (yes, the same genius who wowed you in “Madhuban Mein Radhika“).

Now that your cup runneth over with tea, check out the lyrics and our English translation to “Yeh Zindagi Usiki Hai” below!

Yeh Zindagi Usiki Hai Lyrics & English Translation:

Romantic version:

Yeh zindagii usii kii hai jo kisii ka ho gayaa
This life belongs to only to whomever gives themselves to another
pyaar hii mei.N kho gayaa
To whomever becomes lost in love

Yeh bahaar yeh samaah keh rahaa hai pyaar kar
This spring and this moment are telling us to fall in love
Kisi kii aarzuu mei.N apne dil ko beqaraar kar
They tell us to make ours hearts restless in desire of another
Zindagii hai bewafaa…
Life is unfaithful
Zindagii hai bewafaa, luuT pyaar kaa mazaa
Life is unfaithful, so we must steal the pleasures of love
Yeh zindagii usii kii hai…

dhaDak rahaa hai dil, to kyaa? Dil ke dhaDakane.N na gin
So what if my heart is racing? Do not count your heartbeats
Phir kahaa.N yeh fursate.N, phir kahaa.N yeh raat-din
Where again will we have this leisure time, where again will we have these days and nights?
Aa rahii hai yeh sadaa…
The call is coming
Aa rahii hai yeh sadaa mastiiyo.N mei.N Duub jaa
The call is coming for us to immerse ourselves in these intoxications
Yeh zindagii usii kii hai..

Yeh zindagii usii kii hai jo kisii ka ho gayaa
This life belongs to only to whomever gives themselves to another
pyaar hii mei.N kho gayaa
To whomever becomes lost in love

Bina Rai as Anarkali gazes at the audience one final time before she is (in theory) entombed alive in Anarkali (1953).

Sad version:

Yeh zindagii usii kii hai jo kisii ka ho gayaa
This life belongs to only to whomever gives themselves to another
pyaar hii mei.N kho gayaa
To whomever becomes lost in love

Jo dil yahaa.N na mil sake, mile.Nge us jahaa.N mei.N
Those hearts which could not meet here will meet in the other world
Khile.Nge hasrato.n ke phuul, jaa ke aasmaan mei.N
The flowers of our wishes will bloom as they reach heaven
Yeh zindagii chalii gayii…
Even if this life goes away
Yeh zindagii chalii gayii jo pyaar mei.N, to kyaa huaa?
Even if this life goes away, if it was for love, then so what?
Yeh zindagii usii kii hai…

Sunaayegii yeh daastaa.N, shamaa mere mazaar kii
The flame of my shrine will tell this story
Khizaa.N mei.N bhii khilii rahii, yeh kalii anaar kii
This pomegranate flower will keep blooming even in Autumn
Isse mazaar mat kaho…
Do not call this a shrine
Isse mazaar mat kaho, yeh mahal hai pyaar kaa
Do not call this a shrine, this is a palace of love
Yeh zindagii usii kii hai…
This life…

Hai zindagii kii shaam aa, tujhe gale lagaauu.N mai.N
Let the evening of my life come, I would take you in my arms
Tujhii mei.N Duub jaauu.N mai.N
I would immerse myself in you
Jahaa.N ko bhuul jaauu.N mai.N
I would forget the world
Bas ek nazar, mere sanam…
Just one last glance from you, my dear

Alviidaah….alviidaah…
Farewell…farewell…
Alviidaah….alviidaah…
Farewell…farewell…
Alviidaah….alviidaah…
Farewell…farewell…
Alviidaah….alviidaah…
Farewell…farewell…

Glossary:

zindagii: life; pyaar: love: kho jaanaa: to become lost; bahaar: Spring; samaa: moment, time; aarzuu: desire; beqaraar: restless; bewafaa: unfaithful; luuTnaa: to steal; mazaa: enjoyment, pleasure; dhaDaknaa: to beat [heart]; dil: heart; ginnaa: to count; fursaat: leisure time; raat-din: night and days; sadaa: call, cry; mastii: intoxication; Duubnaa: to drown, to immerse; hasrat: wish, desire; phuul: flower; aasmaa.N: sky, heaven; sunaanaa: to tell, to make heard; daastaa.N: story; shamaa: light, flame; mazaar: shrine, tomb; khizaa: Autumn; khilnaa: to bloom; kalii: flower; anaar: pomegranate; mahal: palace; shaam: evening; gale lagaanaa: to take in [one’s] arms; bhuulnaa: to forget; nazar: glance; sanam: lover, dear; alviidaah: farewell

Sulochana or Ruby Myers as Anarkali and Queen Jodha

Sulochana (also known as Ruby Myers) was a silent Indian film star of Jewish ancestry who starred in Anarkali (1928) (left) and later played Queen Jodha in the 1953 remake (right).

You are doubtless asking yourself, why did they have to entomb Anarkali alive though? Was there no more humane way of doing things? Okay, fine, the Mughals were not exactly known for their humane war strategies, but sheesh, when Prince Salim arrives at her tomb, don’t you think he would try tearing it down and checking if she’s alive rather than just having a meltdown and crying? Seriously, there had to be enough oxygen in there to last at least a little while longer!

As it turns out, Indian audiences couldn’t get enough of Pradeep Kumar and Bina Rai in a good old Mughal romance so they were cast again ten years later as Shah Jahan (Prince Salim’s real life son) and his queen Mumtaz Mahal in the film Taj Mahal (1963). Check out “Jo Wada Kiya Woh” or “Paao.N choo lene do” for more epic period Urdu poetry!

– Mrs. 55

O Mere Dil Ke Chain Lyrics and Translation: Let’s Learn Urdu-Hindi

Posted on December 2, 2018 by mrandmrs55

Mere jeevan saathi o mere dil ke chain.png

In “Mere Jeevan Saathi” (1972), a film that is peak Rajesh Khanna, our dashing hero serenades us all with “O Mere Dil Ke Chain.”

Today we present the lyrics and English translation to the palpably romantic Kishore Kumar hit “O Mere Dil Ke Chain” from Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972).

Starring silver-screen gold Rajesh Khanna and Tanuja, Mere Jeevan Saathi will scar you for life if you are not careful. Along with Pakeezah and Kabhi Kabhi, Mere Jeevan Saathi was one of the favorite films my sister and I watched on the daily as two perfectly normal, socially-adept kids in suburban America. Although often billed as a romantic-comedy, the film at times foreshadows the Stephen King novel “Misery” and in the finale, showcases a miraculous eye surgery with horrific POV shots that is probably the reason I can never wear contacts.

These necessary warnings aside, I highly recommend this film for the sublime music and superstar Rajesh Khanna’s hypnotizing performance, which kept luring me and my sister back despite our PTSD. R.D. Burman’s creative soundtrack with Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar at the helm is precisely the type of music that makes your parents sigh at dinnertime and wonder where the good olden days have gone.

Rajesh Khanna Tanuja o mere dil ke chain.png

Rajesh Khanna’s billowing puffy sleeves fail to deter Tanuja from biting the sweet bait in Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972).

For a hot minute, I was tempted to describe this song as evergreen, and then checked myself. “O Mere Dil Ke Chain” has unquestionable timeless appeal, but the blaring hallmark of the 1970s steamrollered this song. Do I love it even more because of it? Obviously. Jim Morrison himself would have smiled from heaven had he lived to hear R.D. Burman’s genius use of the cathedral-like organ as a primary instrumental. And sure, the size Rajesh Khanna’s shirt collar warrants its own zipcode and maybe Tanuja could easily hide a dead body in the folds of her ginormous wigs, but one smoldering wink is all it ever takes to forgive and forget the excesses of that psychedelic decade.

Tanuja’s perfectly wing-tipped eyeliner punctures the romantic tension in “O Mere Dil Ke Chain.”

“O Mere Dil Ke Chain” is undeniably one of Rajesh Khanna’s most seductive and romantic hits, nestling into history amongst the likes of “Roop Tera Mastana” or “Woh Shaam Kuch Ajeeb Thi.” Without further ado, check out the lyrics and English translation of “O Mere Dil Ke Chain” below! And please describe how much you love Tanuja’s cat-eyeliner in the comments!

O Mere Dil Ke Chain Lyrics and English Translation:

O mere dil ke chain
Oh, one who calms my heart
Chain aaye mere dil ko duaa kijiye
Pray that calmness comes to my heart

Apnaa hii saayaa dekh ke tum, jaan-e jahaa.N, sharam aa gaye
Seeing your own shadow, my dear, makes you shy
Abhii to yeh pehlii manzil hai, tum to abhii se ghabaraa gaye
Now is merely the first destination, and you have already become nervous
Mera kyaa hogaa? Socho to zaraa
What will happen to me? Think about that a little bit
Haaye, aise na aahe.N bharaa kijiye
Sigh, do not sigh like this

O mere dil ke chain…
Oh one who calms my heart…

Aap ka armaa.N, aap ka naam, meraa taraanaa aur nahii.N
Your desire and your name, my song is about nothing more than these things
In jhuktii palko.N ke sivaa, dil ka Thikaana aur nahii.N
Beyond these lowered eyelids of yours, my heart has no other dwelling
Jachtaa hii nahii.N, aankho.N mei.N koii
It does not seem right to behold anyone else in my eyes
Dil tumko hii chaahe, to kyaa kijiye?
My heart wants only you, so what should I do?

O mere dil ke chain…
Oh comfort of my heart…

Yuu.N to akelaa bhii aksar, gir ke sambhal saktaa huu.N mai.N
I am alone often, and can steady myself when I fall
Tum jo pakaD lo haath meraa, duniyaa badal saktaa huu.N mai.N
But if you were to hold my hand, I could change the world
Maa.Ngaa hai tumhe, duniyaa ke liye
I asked for you in exchange for the world
Ab khud hii sanam faislaa kijiye
Now you yourself make a decision, my darling

O mere dil ke chain
Oh, one who calms my heart
Chain aye mere dil ko duaa kijiye
Pray that calmness comes to my heart

Glossary:

chain: rest, calmness; duaa: prayer; saayaa: shadow; jaan-e jahaa.N: life of the world [an Urdu-Hindi term of endearment]; sharam aanaa: to become shy, to feel embarrassed; abhii: now; pehlaa: first; manzil: destination; ghabaraanaa: to become nervous, to feel worried; zaraa: a little bit; aah: sigh; armaa.N: desire; naam: name; taraanaa: song; jhuknaa: to lower; palke.N: eyelids; Thikaanaa: shelter; jachtaa: correct; aa.Nkhe.N: eyes; akelaa: alone; aksar: often; girnaa: to fall: sambhalnaa: to steady [oneself]; haath pakaDnaa: to hold hands; duniyaa: world; badalnaa: to change; maa.Ngnaa: to ask; khud: self; faislaa karna: to make a decision

Tanuja and Rajesh Khanna in Mere Jeevan Saathi

Tanuja feels shy as Rajesh Khanna croons to her in Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972), wondering if anyone noticed her ringlets are the wrong length.

This song was requested by obsessed fans Mohandas and Venkatesan! Thank you both for giving us an excuse to deliver a little extra Rajesh Khanna to people’s lives this holiday season.

-Mrs. 55

Tum Hi Mere Mandir Lyrics and Translation: Let’s Learn Urdu-Hindi

Posted on October 30, 2018 by mrandmrs55

Nutan embodies the essence of an archetypal pativrata wife in Khandaan (1965)

Today, we present the lyrics and English translation to “Tum Hi Mere Mandir” from Khandaan (1965).

In light of the ongoing #MeToo movement that has now made its way to the echelons of Bollywood elite, perhaps this song was not the most timely choice. Let me be clear: I do not support the misogynistic undertones of husband-worshipping expressed in this song. I do, however, love this song for Ravi’s delicately crafted tune that has been rendered to perfection by Lata Mangeshkar in her all-time prime.

Viewed with modern eyes, Rajendra Krishan’s words can certainly be construed as misogynstic and downright cringeworthy. However, appreciating these lyrics in the context of the story depicted in Khandaan adds a bit of tempering nuance. In this film, Sunil Dutt plays a man with special needs who feels that he is not a worthy partner to his wife. To strengthen his spirit, the ever-graceful Nutan comforts him with a serenade of this lilting gem. The lyrics of “Tum Hi Mere Mandir” take on a more egalitarian meaning in this context: instead of espousing blind subservience, marital love is portrayed as a divine commitment that should not be weakened by judging our partners for their flaws and imperfections.

This iconic song took home some of the big prizes at the Filmfare Awards Ceremony of 1966. Ravi won Best Music Director, Rajendra Krishan won Best Lyricist, and Lata Mangeshkar received a well-deserved Best Singer award (her third of four total). I mean, it can’t just be my heart that skips a beat as Lata begins to hum that lullaby in the third stanza?

-Mr. ’55

Nutan comforts her husband Sunil Dutt with this iconic love song in Khandaan (1965)

Tum Hi Mere Mandir: Lyrics and English Translation

tum hii mere mandir, tum hii merii puujaa
You are my temple, you are my prayer.
tum hii devtaa ho
You are my God.
koii merii aa.nkho.n se dekhe to samjhe
If someone were to see through my eyes, they would understand
ki tum mere kyaa ho
what you mean to me.

jidhar dekhtii huu.n, udhar tum hii tum ho
Wherever I look, I see you and only you.
na jaane magar kin khayaalo.n me.n gum ho
But I do not know what thoughts you are lost in.
mujhe dekh kar tum zaraa muskuraa do
Show me a smile when you glance at me,
nahii.n to mai.n samjhuungii mujh se khafaa ho
or else I will think that you are angry with me.

tum hii mere maathe kii bindiyaa kii jhilmil
You are the sparkle of the bindi on my forehead.
tum hii mere haatho.n ke gajaro.n kii manzil
You are the destination of the flower garlands in my hands.
mai.n huu.n ik chhotii-sii maaTii kii guDiyaa
I am just a little clay doll.
tum hii praaN mere, tum hii aatmaa ho
You are my life, you are my soul.

bahut raat biitii chalo mai.n sulaaa duu.n
It is late in the night; come, let me put you to sleep.
pavan chheDe sargam, mai.n lorii sunaa duu.n, mmmm….
The wind carries a tune, while I sing you a lullaby.
tumhe.n dekh kar yeh khayaal aa rahaa hai
When I look at you, I feel that I am watching
ki jaise farishtaa koii so rahaa ho
an angel in peaceful slumber.

tum hii mere mandir, tum hii merii puujaa
You are my temple, you are my prayer.
tum hii devtaa ho
You are my God.

Glossary

mandir: temple; puujaa: prayer; devtaa: God; gum: lost; muskuraanaa: to smile; khafaa: angry; bindiyaa: decorative mark worn in middle of forehead by Indian women; jhilmil: sparkle; gajraa: flower garland; manzil: destination; maaTii: clay; guDiyaa: doll; praaN: life; aatmaa: soul; sulaanaa: to put to sleep; pavan: breeze, wind; sargam: melody, tune; lorii: lullaby; farishtaa: angel.