Ek Radha Ek Meera Lyrics and Translation: Let’s Learn Urdu-Hindi

Mandakini

Mandakini made her controversial debut as the heroine in Ram Teri Ganga Maili Ho Gayi (1985).

Today, we present the lyrics and English translation to ek radhaa ek miiraa from Ram Teri Ganga Maili Ho Gayi (1985), the last film directed by the legendary actor-director Raj Kapoor.

Ram Teri Ganga Maili Ho Gayi served as the debut for actress Mandakini, who was featured in two controversial scenes that raised eyebrows at the time of the film’s release. In true Raj Kapoor fashion, one of these scenes depicts a scantily clad Mandakini under a waterfall in a transparent white sari. Given all of the recent controversy over Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavat (2018), it makes you wonder what Raj Kapoor had to do to get such a scene approved by the Censor Board?

In this film, the River Ganges serves as a metaphor for the corruption of Indian society, as it flows from the pure heights of the Gangotri Glacier down to the devastatingly polluted banks of Calcutta. When the film’s heroine (naturally named Ganga) makes her journey from Gangotri to Calcutta, her honor is symbolically tainted at every step – by a woman who leads her to a brothel, a priest who attempts to ritually rape her, and a blind man who coerces her into life as a courtesan. In parallel to the pollution of the River Ganges, Ganga’s innocence is sullied by behavior that reflects the darkest facets of human nature.

The film’s soundtrack composed by Ravindra Jain features several hits by Lata Mangeshkar and Suresh Wadkar, but the Raga Kirwani-based ek radhaa ek miiraa is arguably the most memorable song of the group.  This song highlights a common trope employed in the realm of Hindi films: the mythological juxtaposition of Lord Krishna’s consort Radha against 16th-century mystic poet Meera Bai. Although both women are known for their utmost devotion to Lord Krishna, the lyrics of this song beautifully capture the nuances that set their feelings apart.

One more song that depicts the Radha versus Meera juxtaposition is another Ravindra Jain favorite shyam terii bansii pukare radhaa naam sung by Arati Mukherjee in Geet Gata Chal (1975).

At the end of the day, we’re dying to know one thing: are you #TeamMeera or #TeamRadha? Tell us in the comments!

-Mr. ’55
Mandakini

Born Yasmeen Joseph, she was given the stage name Mandakini by Raj Kapoor for her  film debut.

Ek Radha Ek Meera: Lyrics and English Translation

ik raadhaa ik miiraa, dono.n ne shyaam ko chaahaa
Radha and Meera both loved Krishna.
antar kyaa dono.n kii chaaha me.n bolo?
What was the difference in their love?
ik prem divaanii, ik daras diivaanii
One desired his love, the other desired his glance.

raadhaa ne madhuban me.n DhuunDaa
Radha searched for Krishna in the honey gardens,
miiraa ne man me.n paayaa
while Meera found him in her heart.
raadhaa jise kho baiThii voh govind
When Radha lost Krishna, 
miira haath bik aaya
he fell into Meera’s hands. 
ik murlii ik paayal, ik paglii ik ghaayal
One flute and an anklet, one madwoman and a wounded lover.
antar kyaa dono.n kii priit me.n bolo?
What was the difference in their love?
ik suurat lubhaanii, ik muurat lubhaanii
One desired his beautiful face, the other admired his idol.

miira ke prabhuu girdhar naagar, raadhaa ke manmohan
Krishna was Meera’s Lord and Radha’s beloved consort

sa ga ma pa dha, pa dha ma pa re ma ga
ga re sa ni dha re
re ga ma, ga ma pa, ma pa dha, pa dha sa, ni sa re, aa…

miira ke prabhuu girdhar naagar, raadhaa ke manmohan
Krishna was Meera’s Lord and Radha’s beloved consort
raadhaa nit shringaar kare aur miiraa ban gayii jogan
While Radha adorned herself with ornaments, Meera became an ascetic.  
ik raanii ik daasii, dono harii prem kii pyaasii
One queen and one maid, both longed for Krishna’s love.
antar kyaa dono.n kii triptii me.n bolo?
What was the difference in their fulfillment?
ik jiit na maane, ik haar na maane
One could not accept victory, the other could not accept defeat.

ik raadhaa ik miiraa dono.n ne shyaam ko chaahaa
Radha and Meera both loved Krishna.

Glossary:

raadhaa: Lord Krishna’s mythological consort; miiraa: 16th-century Hindu mystic poet and devotee of Lord Krishna; shyaam: dark-skinned one, a name for Lord Krishna; antar: difference; daras: glimpse, glance; madhuban: honey garden; khonaa: to lose; govind: a name for Lord Krishna; murlii: flute; paayal: anklet; paglii: madwoman, ghaayal: wounded; suurat: face; lubhaanaa: to desire, admire; muurat: idol; prabhuu: lord; girdhar: one who lifts the mountain, a name for Krishna; manmohan: one who pleases the mind, a name for Lord Krishna; nit: always; shringaar karnaa: to adorn, often with ornaments; jogan: female ascetic; raanii: queen; daasii: maid, slave; harii: a name of Lord Krishna; triptii: fulfillment, satisfaction; jiit: victory; haar: defeat, loss.

Rajiv Kapoor

Rajiv Kapoor, Raj Kapoor’s youngest son, stars as the hero who falls in love with Mandakini in Ram Teri Ganga Maili Ho Gayi (1985).

Tere Mere Sapne Lyrics and Translation: Let’s Learn Urdu-Hindi

Dev Anand Waheeda Rehman Tere Mere Sapne Guide

Dev Anand reassures Waheeda Rehman that he’s the real deal singing “Tere Mere Sapne” from masterpiece film Guide (1965).

Today we present the lyrics and English translation to the love ballad “Tere Mere Sapne” from the film Guide (1965). I know, I know, we’ve been riding on a Guide high recently. But if you haven’t already relished in the provocative philosophy of this all-time masterpiece of Hindi cinema , cancel your Friday night plans right now.

“Tere Mere Sapne” is considered one of singer Mohammed Rafi’s finest moments–a romantic ballad that mingles gentle tenderness with unabashed passion. The song marks a transition point in the film as Guide’s hero (played by Dev Anand) re-invents himself from a tourist guide into a personal one, guiding a dancer with a broken first marriage (played by Waheeda Rehman) away from the fringes of society toward fulfillment (or, at least, so he wishes). Dev Anand will eventually undergo a final character re-invention that makes the multiple interpretations of the film’s namesake so famous.

Waheeda Rehman ashamed crying Guide Tere Mere Sapne

Waheeda Rehman covers her head modestly, afraid of tainting Dev Anand with her dishonorable past in Guide (1965).

Shut your eyes. Listen to this song in its entirety, devoid of any of the film’s imagery, and you’ll feel yourself swaying. It’s because the song is written as a waltz–one of a handful of waltzes from classic Bollywood films that utilize the buoyant 3-beat meter that bursts with romance at every turn. That lilting instrument that fades in after the first chorus like a continuation of Rafi’s own heartbeat? It’s a saxophone, modernizing the classic waltz croon with jazz-like flair. Bollywood composers of this decade loved mixing styles and instruments from across the globe this way. Shout out to Guide‘s genius music composer S.D. Burman who helped usher in this golden era of Hindi film music!

Now open your eyes. Watch the choreographed way that Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman engage and disengage with each other during the song: their yearning approaches followed by tense rejections. Interestingly, like the 3-beat waltz itself, the entire sequence is filmed in 3 fluid shots. The song, therefore, has only 2 cuts–each marking a new stage in Waheeda’s acceptance of Dev Anand’s offer. The camera itself swirls between them with the grace of a seasoned dancer, eschewing the traditional shot-reverse-shot approach to fully embrace capturing in real-time the space between them–and, in doing so, highlighting its slow diminishment. For me, this kind of camerawork that gives flight to the emotional fabric of the sequence, so unique to classic Bollywood film songs, is one of the reasons I fell in love with Hindi cinema. Moments like these earned Director of Photography Fali Mistry the Best Cinematography Filmfare Award for Guide. Songs like “Dekhi Zamane Ki Yaari” from Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) or “Lag Ja Gale” from Woh Kaun Thi? (1964) come to mind as other exemplifications of this style.

We hope you enjoy our English translation of the lyrics to “Tere Mere Sapne” below. Follow along with the video here and let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Tere Mere Sapne Lyrics & English Translation:

Tere mere sapne ab ek rang hai
Your and my dreams are now the same colour
Jahaa.N bhii le jaaye raahe.N, ham sang hai.N
Wherever these paths take us, we are together

Mere tere dil kaa tai thaa ek din milnaa
It was decided that our hearts would one day meet
Jaise bahaar aane par tai hai.N phuul kaa khilnaa
Just as it is decided that flowers bloom with the coming of Spring
O mere jeevan-saathii
O my life companion…

Tere dukh ab mere, mere sukh ab tere
Your sadness is now mine, my joy is now yours
Tere yeh do nainaa chaa.Nd aur suraj mere
Your two eyes are my moon and sun
O mere jeevan-saathii…
O my life companion…

Laakh manaa le duniyaa, saath na yeh chhuuTegaa
Society may appease us a hundred thousand times, but we will never be separated
Aake mere haatho.N mei.N, haath na yeh chhuuTegaa
Once you come to my hands, our hands will never be parted
O mere jeevan-saathii…
O my life companion…

Tere mere sapne ab ek rang hai
Your and my dreams are now the same colour
Jahaa.N bhii le jaaye raahe.N, ham sang hai.N
Wherever these paths take us, we are together

Glossary:

sapnaa: dream, rang: color; raah: path; sang: together; dil: heart; tai hai: to be decided; ek din: one day; milnaa: to meet; bahaar: Spring; phuul: flower; khilnaa: to bloom; jeevansaathii: life companion; dukh: sadness; sukh: happiness; nainaa: eyes; chaa.Nd: moon; suraj: sun; laakh: 100,000; manaa lena: to appease; duniyaa: society; saath chhuuTnaa: to become separated; haath: hand

Dev Anand comforts Waheeda Rehman Guide Tere Mere Sapne

Dev Anand’s bouffant-to-forehead ratio exceeds all expectations in Guide’s beautiful “Tere Mere Sapne.”

This lovely Mohammed Rafi love song was requested by multiple fans: Naina Agnestia, Kiran, and Sunita! Thank you all for the touching request, you sentimental fools! For more on the music of Guide, check out our translation of “Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamana Hai!”

– Mrs. 55

150 Urdu-Hindi Terms of Endearment To Call Your Lover This Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentine’s Day to our dear readers! We hope you a very romantic day with your loved one.

The Indian subcontinent has an amazing variety of terms of endearment for the word ‘lover’.  The origins of these terms arise from a wide diversity of languages within the South Asian diaspora, including Urdu, Hindi, Sanskrit, Punjabi, Farsi, Arabic and Nepali. It is important to note that even though the literal meanings of all the terms may not be the most flattering (e.g. bedardii, chhaliya, daghaabaaz, etc), the manner in which they are used in Bollywood is often romantic and flirtatious.

To our knowledge, the list below is one of the most comprehensive list of Urdu-Hindi terms of endearment compiled on the internet, and we hope you put this list to good use on  Valentine’s Day – and for the rest of the year!

Which of these endearment terms do you like the most? Leave us a note in the comments!

-Mr. ’55

A

aanevaalaa (m.) / aanevaalii (f.): one who arrives || aayegaa aanevaalaaMahal (1949)
aashiq​: lover || ham to tere aashiq hai.n sadiyo.n puraane – Farz (1967)
albelaa (m.) / albelii (f.): charming one || albelaa re ruk jaanaa Raampur Ka Lakshman (1972)
anaaDii: inexperienced one || balmaa anaDii man bhayeBahurani (1962)

Farz 1967 hum to tere aashiq hain Babita Jeetendra

Babita and Jeetendra in  “Hum To Tere Aashiq Hain” from Farz (1967)

B

baa.nke chhoDaa: handsome one || gore gore o baa.nke chhoDe – Samadhi (1950)
baa.nke yaarhandsome one || thaaDe rahiiyo o baa.nke yaarPakeezah (1972)
baa.nvaraa (m.)/ba.nvarii (f.): crazy one || piyaa baa.nvarii – Khoobsurat (1980)
baabuu: gentleman || koii saharii baabuu dil laharii baabuu – Loafer (1973)
baadshaahemperor || yaar baadshaah yaar dilrubaa – C.I.D. 909 (1967)
baalam: beloved ||  chhoD gaye baalamBarsaat (1949)
baalamavaa:  beloved ||  jaa jaa re jaa baalamavaaBasant Bahar (1956)
baaziigar: 
gambler || baaziigar o baaziigarBaazigar (1993)
babuaagentleman ||  o babuaa yah mahuaa – Sadma (1983)
bahaar-e-husn: spring of beauty || sun ai bahaar-e-husnNight in London (1967)
bairaagii: detached, recluse one || o mere bairaagii bhanvaraa –  Ishq Par Zor Nahin (1970)
bairii: vengeful one || bairii piyaa Devdas (2002)
balmaa: beloved ||  baiyaa.n na dharo, o balmaa – Dastak (1970)
baliye beloved || nii baliye rut hai bahaar kii – Kanhaiya (1959)
bannaa (m.)/banno (f.): groom/bride || mere banne kii baat na puuchho Gharana (1961)
bedardii: callous one || bedardii baalmaa tujh ko meraa man – Arzoo (1965)
beimaan: unfaithful one || mose chhal kiye jaaye saiyaa.n beimaanGuide (1965)
bekhabarignorant one || beqadar bekhabar bevafaa baalmaa – Ram Lakhan (1989)
beliyaabeloved || kitnaa pyaaraa vadaa…o beliyaa Caravan (1971)
beqadar: cruel one || o beqadar bedardii Desh Premee (1982)
bevafaa: unfaithful one || ek bevafaa se pyaar kiyaa – Awaara (1951)
bhanvaraa: bumblebee || bhanvaraa baDaa naadaan hai Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962)
bholaa (m.) / bholii (f.): innocent, gullible one || o mere bhole baalam – Padosan (1963)
bulbulnightingale || merii bulbul yuu.n na ho gul Biwi O Biwi (1980)

Pakeezah Thade Rahiyo 1972 Meena Kumari

Meena Kumari in  “Thade Rahiyo” from Pakeezah (1972)

C

chaa.nd/chaa.ndnii: the Moon/moonlight || chaudvii.n kaa chaa.nd hoChaudvin Ka Chand (1960)
chaa.nd kaa tukDaa: piece of the Moon || mere saamnevaali khiDkii me.n ek chaa.nd kaa tukDaa rehtaa hai – Padosan (1963)
chandramukhii: Moon-faced || o mrignayanii chandramukhiiRang Birangi (1982)
chhail chhabiilaa (m.): handsome beau || o meraa baabuu chhail chhabiilaaMan Ki Jeet (1972)
chhaliyaa: cheater || zaraa saamne to aao chhaliye – Janam Janam Ke Phere (1957)
chhammak chhallo (f.): stunning beauty || o merii chhammak chhallo – Pyaasa Sawan (1981)
chitchor: heart-stealer || baa.ndh priitii phuul Dor man leke chitchor – Malti Madhav (1951)

screen-shot-2013-07-17-at-1-10-26-am

Guru Dutt and Waheeda Rahman in the title track from Chaudvin Ka Chand (1960)

D

daghaabaaz: deceitful one || bedardii daghaabaaz jaa – Bluff Master (1953)
dhokebaaz: 
deceitful one || saiyaa.n jhuuTho.n ka baDaa sartaj…baDaa dhokebaaz niklaaDo Aankhen Barah Haath (1957)
Dholnaa: beloved ||  ere bin nahii.n jiinaa mar jaanaa DholnaaKachche Dhaage (1999)
diivaanaa (m.)/diivaanii (f.):  crazy/passionate one || ai kaash kisii diivaane ko ham se bhii muhabbat – Aaye Din Bahar Ke (1966)
dilbar: heart-ravisher ||  dilbar mere kab tak mujhe – Satte Pe Satta (1982)
dildaarheart-ravisher || chalo dildaar chalo chaa.nd ke paar chalo – Pakeezah (1972)
dilnashii.n: one who resides in the heart || aap-saa koii hasii.n dilrubaa o dilnashii.n – Chandi Sona (1977)
dilrubaa: heart-stealer || ai dilrubaa – Rustom Sohrab (1963)
dil toDnevaalaa (m.)/dil toDnevaalii (f.): heart-breaker || dil toDnevaale tujhe dil – Son of India (1962)
dil kaa sahaaraamy heart’s solace || dil toDnevaale tujhe dil — Son of India (1962)
dulhaa (m.)/dulhan (f.): groom/bride || chalii meri dulhan kii Dolii – Darpan (1970)
dulhaniyaa: bride || le jaaye.nge le jaye.nge dilvaale dulhaniyaa – Chor Machaye Shor (1974)

amitabh-bacchan-hema-malini-satte-pe-satta-dilbar-mere-19821.

Amitabh Bacchan and Hema Malini in “Dilbar Mere” from Satte Pe Satta (1982)

G

goraa (m.)/ gorii (f.): fair one || gorii teraa gaa.nv baDaa pyaaraa – Chitchor (1974)
goriyaa: fair one || goriyaa kahaa.n teraa desh re? – Caravan (1974)
gulbadanrose-bodied one || ai gulbadan phuulo.n kii mahekProfessor (1962)

Screen Shot 2016-02-11 at 12.49.49 AM.png

Amol Palekar and Zarina Wahab in “Gori Tera Gaon Bada Pyara” from Chitchor (1974)

H

hamdam: companion (who shares breaths) || koii hamdam na rahaaJhumroo (1960)
hamdard: companion (who shares pain) || manzile.n apnii jagah hai.n – Sharabi (1980)
hamjolii: companion (who shares age) || aaj na chhoDenge bas hamjolii – Kati Patang (1970)
hamnafas: companion (who shares breaths) || koii hamnafas nahii.n – Non-Film
hamnashii.n: companion (who shares a seat) || aa zara mere hamnashii.n – Poonam (1981)
hamnavaah: companion (who shares a voice) || mere hamnafas mere hamnavaah – Non-Film
hamqadam:  companion (who shares footsteps) || aa mere hamqadamHumkadam (1980)
hamraahii:  companion (who shares a path) || chheD mere hamrahii koii giit aisaa – Mastana (1970)
hamraaz:  companion (who shares secrets) || o mere hamraaz, kaisaa hai yah raaz? –Ghungroo (1981)
hamsafar:  companion (who shares a journey) || tum jo hue mere hamsafar –  12 O’Clock (1958)
harjaayii:  unfaithful one || jaa re jaa o harjaayii Kalicharan (1976)
hasiinaa: beautiful lady || o hasiinaa zulfo.nvaalii jaan-e-jahaa.nTeesri Manzil (1966)
hiiriye: diamond-like one || o merii soniye, o merii hiiriye – Insaaniyat Ke Dushman (1987)
hoshiyaarclever one || ek chatuur naar baDii hoshiyaar Padosan (1968)
husnvaalaa (m.) / husnvaalii (f.):  beautiful one || husnvaale teraa javaab nahii.n – Gharana (1961)
huur: fairy || yuu.n to ham ne laakh hasii.n dekhe hai.nTumsa Nahin Dekha (1957)
huzuur: 
master || aao huzuur tum ko – Kismat (1968)

Screen Shot 2016-02-11 at 1.05.20 AM.png

Rajesh Khanna and Asha Parekh in “Aaj Na Chhodenge Bas Humjoli” from Kati Patang (1970)

J

jaaduugar:  wizard, magician || jaaduugar saiyaa.n, chhoD morii baiyaa.n – Nagin (1954)
jaa.n:  soul, life, love || merii jaa.n, mujhe jaan na kahoAnubhav (1971)
jaan-e-adaa: soul of charm || jo vaadaa kiyaa vah nibhaanaa paDegaaTaj Mahal (1963)
jaan-e-bahaar:  life of Spring || jaan-e-bahaar, husn teraa bemisaal hai  – Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya (1963)
jaan-e-chaman:  life of the flower garden || jaan-e-chaman sholaa badan – Gumnaam (1965)
jaan-e-ghazal: soul of poetry || mere mahbuub tujhe merii muhabbat kii qasam –Mere Mehboob (1963)
jaan-e-hayaa:  soul of modesty || jo vaadaa kiyaa vah nibhaanaa paDegaa – Taj Mahal (1963)
jaan-e-jaa.n:  love of my life || aa jaan-e-jaa.n – Inteqaam (1969)
jaan-e-jaanaa: love of my life || jaan-e-jaanaa yuu.n na dekho mujhe aaj nafrat se – Faulad (1963)
jaan-e-jahaa.n: love of my world || dasht-e-tanhaayii me.n ai jaan-e-jahaa.n – Non-Film
jaan-e-janaana: love of my life || o mere shaah-e-khubaa.n, o merii jaan-e-janaana Love in Tokyo (1966)
jaan-e-jigar:  love of my heart || are jaan-e-jigar duniyaa me.n – Pukar (1983)
jaan-e-man: love of my heart || jaan-e-man ek nazar dekh le – Mere Mehboob (1963)
jaan-e-tamanna: love of my desires || dil me.n ek jaan-e-tamanna ne jagaah paayii hai -Benazir (1964)
jaan-e-vafaa:  soul of faithfulness || ghairo.n pe karam apno.n pe sitam, ai jaan-e-vafaa – Aankhen (1968)
jaan-e-zindagaanii: love of my life || mujhe ishq hai tujh hi se, merii jaan-e-zindagaanii – Ummeed (1962)
jaanam: darling || jaanam samjhaa karo – Non-Film
jaanevaalaa (m.) / jaanevaalii (f.):  one who leaves || ruk jaa o jaanevaalii – Kanhaiya (1959)
jaanii:  darling || jaanii o jaanii Raja Jani (1972)
jaanuu:  darling || jaanuu merii jaan, mai.n tere qurbaan – Shaan (1980)
janaab:  your honor/excellency || maanaa janaab ne pukaaraa nahii.n – Paying Guest (1957)
janaab-e-aalii: your honor/excellency || nain tumhaare mazedaar o janaab-e-aalii – Professor (1962)
jhuuThaa (m.) / jhuuThii (f.)
: liar || manmohanaa baDe jhuuThe Seema (1955)
jiivan saathii: life partner || mere jiivan saathii – Ek Duje Ke LIye (1981)
jogii:  yogi/devotee (often refers to Lord Krishna) || jogii jab se tu aayaa mere dvaare – Bandini (1963)
jogiyaa:  yogi/devotee (often refers to Lord Krishna) || jogiyaa se priit kiye dukh hoye – Garam Coat (1955)

Screen Shot 2016-02-11 at 1.14.00 AM


Nutan in “Jogi Jab Se Tu Aaya Hai from Bandini (1963)

K

kaanchaa (m.)/kaanchii (f.): young boy/girl (Nepali origin) || kaanchii re kaanchi re – Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1972)
kamsin
: delicate one || tum kamsin ho nadaan ho Aayi Milan Ki Bela (1966)
khilaaDii: player ||  manmohanaa baDe jhuuThe Seema (1955)
khvaab kii taabiir: interpretation of my dreams || mere mahbuub tujhe merii muhabbat kii qasam –Mere Mehboob (1963)

Screen Shot 2016-02-11 at 1.31.59 AM.png

Sadhana in the title track from Mere Mehboob (1963)

M

maahii:  beloved || maahii o maahii dupaTTa de de meraa de – Meena Bazaar (1950)
maahiyaa: beloved || mahiyaa terii qasam haaye jiina nahii.n jiinaa – Ghayal (1989)
maalik (m.)/malikaa (f.): emperor/empress || ai phuulo.n kii raanii, bahaaro.n kii malikaa – Arzoo (1965)
maashuuq (m.)/maashuqaa (f.): lover || maashuuqaa maashuuqaa – Aaj Ka Arjun (1990)
maharbaa.n:  merciful/gracious one || aaiye maharbaa.n baiThiye jaan-e-jaa.n – Howrah Bridge (1958)
mahbuub (m.)/mahbuubaa (f.):  beloved || mere mahbuub qayamat hogii – Mr. X in Bombay  (1964)
mahjaabii.n: moon-faced beauty || sun ai mahjabii.n Dooj Ka Chand (1964)
makhnaa: beloved || mere pyaar kaa ras zaraa chaknaa, oye makhnaa Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan (1988)
man-basiyaa:
one who resides in the heart ||  aajaa rasiyaa more man-basiyaa Pilot Officer (1961)
manbhaavan
: one who pleases the mind || manbhaavan ke ghar jaaye gorii Chori Chori (1956)
manmohanaa: enchanter of the heart (often refers to Lord Krishna) || manmohanaa baDe jhuuThe – Seema (1955)
mastaanaa/mastaanii: intoxicating one || diivaanii mastaaniiBajirao Mastani (2016)
matvaalaa (m.)/matvaalii (f.): intoxicated one ||  koii matvaalaa aayaa mere dvaare – Love in Tokyo (1966)
miit: beloved || aa lauT ke aa jaa mere miit Rani Roopmati (1957)
mitvaa:  beloved || mere mitvaa mere miit re – Geet (1970)
mrignayanii: doe-eyed || o mrignayanii chandramukhiiRang Birangi (1982)
musaafirtraveler || path bhuulaa ek aayaa musaafir Door Gagan Ki Chaaon Mein (1964)

Screen Shot 2016-02-10 at 1.24.42 AM.png

Madhubala in “Aaiye Meherbaan” from Howrah Bridge (1958)

N

naadaa.n: innocent, naive one || balmaa baDaa naadaan re – Albela (1951)
naaznii.n: 
worthy of pride || naaznii.n baDaa rangii.n hai / hamdam mere – Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963)
naazuk: delicate one || kahii.n ek maasuum naazuk-sii laDkiiShankar Hussain (1977)
nargis-e-mastaanaa: one with intoxicating eyes || ai nargis-e-mastaanaa 
 Arzoo (1965)
natkhat: naughty one || jaa re haT naTkhaT ghunghaT ke paT – Navrang (1959)
naujavaa.n: youthful one || ai naujavaa.n hai sab kuchh yahaa.n Apradh (1972)
nuurii: my light || aa jaa re aa jaa o mere dilbar…nuurii nuuriiNoorie (1979)

Screen Shot 2016-02-10 at 1.28.42 AM.png

Helen and Feroz Khan in “Aye Naujawan Sab Kuch Yahan” from Apradh (1972)

P

pardaanashii.n: veiled one || sharmaake ye kyo.n sab pardaanashii.n  Chaudvin Ka Chand (1960) 
pardesii:
foreign lover || ghar aayaa meraa pardesii – Awaara (1952)
​pardesiyaa: foreign lover || pardesiyaa yah sach hai piyaa – Mr. Natwarlal (1979)
parii: fairy || yuu.n to ham ne laakh hasii.n dekhe hai.nTumsa Nahin Dekha (1957)
patthar kaa sanam: stone-hearted lover || patthar ke sanam tujhe ham ne – Patthar Ke Sanam (1967) 
piharavaa: 
beloved || ab aage terii marzii – Devdas (1955)
pii: beloved || pii bin suunaa re Hamdard (1953)
piyaa: beloved || piyaa tose naina laage re  Guide (1965)
priye (m.)/priyaa (f.): beloved || kaun hai jo sapno.n me.n aayaa…o priyaa! – Jhuk Gaya Aasman (1967)
priitam: beloved || priitam daras dikhaao – Chacha Zindabad (1959)
pyaar: love || o mere pyaar aa jaa – Bhoot Bangla (1965)

WaheedaRahman3_Guide

Waheeda Rahman in “Piya Tose Naina Lage Re” from Guide (1965)

Q

qaatildangerous one || jaadugar qaatil – Kohinoor (1960)

R

raajaa (m.)/raanii (f.):  king/queen || raajaa kii aayegii baaraat – Aah (1949)
raajkumaar (m.)/raajkumaarii (f.): prince/princess || aa jaa aayii bahaar…o mere raajkumaar – Rajkumar (1964)
raanjhanaa: beloved || aa mere raanjhanaa – Heer (1956)
raazdaar: secret-bearer || itnaa hai tum se pyaar mujhe mere raazdaar – Suraj (1963)
rangiilaa (m.)/rangiilii (f.): colorful one || tuu ne o rangiile kaisaa jaduu kiyaaKudrat (1981)
rang rasiyaa: one who romances with colors || o rang rasiyaa re – Paap Aur Punya (1974)
rasik (m.)/rasikaa (f.): passionate one || rasik balmaa – Chori Chori (1956)
rasiyaa: beloved || chalaa bhii aa aa jaa rasiyaa – Man Ki Aankhen (1970)

Screen Shot 2016-02-11 at 1.39.01 AM.png


Nargis in “Rasik Balma” from Chori Chori (1956)

S

saa.nvalaa (m.)/saa.nvalii (f.): dark one (often refers to Lord Krishna) || jaa re saa.nvale salone natkhat baanvaarii – Payal (1957)
saa.nvaraa (m.)/saa.nvarii (f.): dark one (often refers to Lord Krishna) || saa.nvare saa.nvareAnuradha (1960)
saa.nvariyaa: dark one (often refers to Lord Krishna) || mohe bhuul gaye saa.nvariyaaBaiju Bawra (1952)
saajan: beloved || mere saajan hai.n us paar – Bandini (1963)
saaqii-e-maikhaanaa: wine-bearer of the tavern || ai nargis-e-mastaanaa – Arzoo (1965)
saaqiyaa: wine-bearer || saaqiyaa aaj mujhe nii.nd nahii.n aaye – Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962)
saathii: companion || saathii re Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978)
saathiyaa: companion || saathiyaa nahii.n jaanaa – Aaya Sawan Jhoom Ke (1969)
sahibaa: gentleman || sun sahibaa sun – Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985)
saiyaa.n: beloved || saiyaa.n dil me.n aanaa re – Bahar (1951)
sajanavaa: beloved || sajanavaa bairii ho gaye hamaar Teesri Kasam (1966=)
sajaniyaa: beloved ||  are chhoD de sajaniyaa Nagin (1954)
sajnaa (m.)/sajnii (f.):  beloved || sajnaa barkhaa bahaar aayii – Parakh (1960)
salonaa (m.)/salonii (f.): dark one (often refers to Lord Krishna) ||  o more saa.nvare salone piyaa – Kanhaiya (1959)
sanam: beloved || o mere sanam – Sangam (1964)
sangdil: merciless one || baDe bevafaa hai.n ye husnvaale – Roop Tera Mastana (1972)
sarkaar: overlord || badle badle mere sarkaar aate hai.n – Chaudvin Ka Chand (1960)
shaah-e-khubaa.n: empress of beauty || o mere shaah-e-khubaa.n – Love in Tokyo (1966)
shahazaadaa (m.)/shahazaadii (f.): prince/princess || vaadii-e-ishq se aaya hai meraa shahazaadaa – Non-Film
sharaabii: intoxicated one || mai.n huu.n saaqii, tuu hai sharaabii || Ram Aur Shyam (1967)
sharmiilaa (m.)/sharmiillii (f.): shy one || o merii sharmilii – Sharmilee (1972)
sonaa (m.)/sonii (f.): golden one || o mere sonaa re – Teesri Manzil (1966)
soniyaa (f.)/soniye (m.): handsome/beautiful one || ni soniye – The Train (1970)

Screen Shot 2016-02-11 at 1.44.52 AM.png

Joy Mukherjee and Asha Parekh in “O Mere Shah-E-Khuban” from Love in Tokyo  (1966)

Y

yaar: friend/lover ||  nii mai.n yaar manaanaa niiDaag (1973)
yaaraa: friend/lover ||  yaara silii silli – Lekin (1991)

Z

zaalim: cruel one ||  zaalim terii aa.nkho.n ne – Devta (1956)
zaalimaa: cruel one || sun sun sun zaalimaaAar Paar (1954)
zohraa-jabii.n: one with a forehead shining like Venus || ai merii zohraa-jabii.n Waqt (1969) 
zulmii: cruel one || zulmii sang aa.nkh laDii – Madhumati (1958)

Screen Shot 2016-02-11 at 1.48.21 AM.png

Vyjayanthimala in “Zulmi Sang Aankh Ladi” from Madhumati (1958)


 

Tu Jahan Jahan Chalega Lyrics and Translation: Let’s Learn Urdu-Hindi

Reposting a translation from Mera Saaya (1966) in tribute of actress Sadhana Shivdasani who passed away today at the age of 74. Her legacy of style, grace, and beauty lives on through many of the unforgettable songs filmed on her during Bollywood’s Golden Era.

Mr. & Mrs. 55 - Classic Bollywood Revisited!

SD Against the stunning backdrop of the Lake Palace in Udaipur, Sunil Dutt mourns the loss of  his deceased wife in Mera Saaya (1966)

Today, we present the lyrics and English translation to the title track from Raj Khosla’s Mera Saaya (1966): tuu jahaa.n jahaa.n chalegaa. This timeless classic is embedded within the hearts of Hindi film music fans as an ode to love and its ability to provide strength and support during the most trying of circumstances.  

Unlike many songs from this era, tuu jahaa.n jahaa.n chalegaa is not used exclusively as a playback song in Mera Saaya. One version of this song plays in the background while a tormented Sunil Dutt sulks in confusion after an accused dacoit resembling his deceased wife (double role played by Sadhana) claims to be his wife weeks after her death. As he trudges around the beautiful Lake Palace

View original post 826 more words

Interview with Bollywood Playback Singer Minoo Purushottam: A Mr. & Mrs. 55 Exclusive!

Minoo Purushottam tanpura

Minoo Purushottam, renowned Hindi film playback singer. Photo: Personal collection of Minoo Purushottam.

Last year, we published a popular post on the career of one of our favorite yesterday playback singers, Minoo Purushottam. In one of those great twists of fate taken straight from a 60s masala flick, shortly afterwards, we received an email from Minoo-ji’s son who re-connected Mrs. 55 with her Hindi classical voice teacher, Minoo-ji herself, from years before! Minoo-ji was gracious enough to grant Mr. and Mrs. 55 – Classic Bollywood Revisited! an exclusive interview about her career. After spending many years in Houston since leaving Bombay, Minoo-ji has now settled into her new home in Illinois near her son where she continues to teach new students and perform at concerts. We are honored to share with you a transcript of our delightful conversation with her that includes reminiscing about her early schooldays when she was first recognized as a musical prodigy, that time Mukesh blew his 16th take during a recording session, and what advice she has for aspiring singers!

MRS. 55: Could you tell us a little bit more about your early music training?

MINOO: I grew up in Bombay. There were music classes in school. A South Indian teacher used to come and teach us the ragas. At that time, I was chosen to lead the school prayers. That was a great time for me, I was not thinking then that I would become a singer when I was at school. I wanted to become a schoolteacher actually. I had very simple ambitions. When suddenly I realized I was a singer, I started seriously practicing, four hours every day, every day, every day. This was because I had to prepare for my exams: 25 ragas for the sangeet visharad in the first year. It was very difficult. But I always loved to teach, and I still love it. Everybody now thinks they can sing without practice. I think karaoke messed things up that way. If you know the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna said we have 4 Vedas, and there is a Samaveda based on music. The whole universe is singing if you carefully listen to it. All the sounds are like singing. It affects one a lot.

MR. 55: Who was your favorite duet partner in the past?

MINOO: All these singers are great humans. I was working all my life with Mohammed Rafi. At that time I was very young and toured with Asha Bhonsle too. But after the great singers were gone, I was not interested in staying in Bombay. With whom should I sing? I was feeling sad. But still I love to work, I love to sing. Even now I practice every day.

Minoo Purushottam and Asha Bhonsle rehearsing

Playback singers Minoo Purushottam and Asha Bhonsle rehearsing together in a recording studio. Photo: Personal collection of Minoo Purushottam.

MRS. 55: Some singers have commented on the difficult of breaking into the industry when it was dominated by a few select singers. How did you overcome that?

MINOO: I didn’t have any difficulty. It seemed that everybody loved me so much, they wanted to give me a chance. I was doing my job well. All the music directors were very happy with me when I was working with them. I never said that, “I want this, I want that.” I never made demands, so I was very easy to work with. At that time music was so great. The stories in the films were so good. You can see those films 100 times. From my childhood, I saw the film Mahal. It’s a very old movie. I can see that film over and over. I love all those songs. I can see it 1000 times. But my time was after that, mostly colour movies.

MR. 55: You worked with many great music directors. What lessons did they teach you?

MINOO: I was working a lot with Madan Mohan. He was my teacher, teaching me ghazals and pronunciation and accent of ghazals. Jaidev was also my teacher.

MRS. 55: I remember when I took lessons from you, you talked fondly about the actors you worked with, especially Sanjeev Kumar.

MINOO: You know, Sanjeev Kumar’s sister is in Houston and used to come to meet me. We were very good friends. But things change a lot. Madhumati was very good friend of mine as well.

Minoo Purushottam and Manna Dey

Bollywood playback singers Minoo Purushottam and Manna Dey. Photo: Personal collection of Minoo Purushottam.

MR. 55: Are there any new artists that you enjoy?

MINOO: I have a habit of listening to old songs from singers like Talat Mehmood. It’s hard to change that. But some students do want to learn new songs, and then I help them. We should be open-minded, it’s a part of the job.

MRS. 55: What is your favorite film song that you sang?

MINOO: I love all of them. You put so much time and effort into each one. You have to concentrate very hard, you can’t play around with it. One should be very serious. Nowadays they can break the song down in pieces to record just the pieces, and then put them together. But in those days, you and all the musicians had to sing it perfectly all the way through. If you make a mistake, you’d be rejected. One day I was sitting for the recording and Mukesh-ji was making so many mistakes! He was on his 16th take and he said, “If I don’t get it right this time, I’m going to forget this song.” I think my voice has changed with age, and it suits bhajans and ghazals now. And anyway, who would compose film music now the way S.D. Burman and C. Ramchandra did? This time people just want to make money, not make real music.

MRS. 55: Is there anything you’d like to tell your fans?

MINOO: If you really want to sing, you must learn something. Find a teacher. But I can tell you, it’s hard to find time to devote just to music. But you must do it.

– Mr. and Mrs. 55

Minoo Purushottam and Mohammed Rafi

Playback singers Minoo Purushottam and Mohammed Rafi often toured together in the 60s and 70s. Photo: Personal collection of Minoo Purushottam.