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
Rajesh Khanna soaks his blue bell bottoms as he croons to Hema Malini in the rain in Mehbooba (1976).
Today we highlight the lyrics and English translation of “Mere Naina Sawan Bhado” from Mehbooba(1976). Starring Hema Malini and Rajesh Khanna, Mehbooba is a dramatic reincarnation (punar-janam) love story that can only exist in Bollywood. When contemporary pop singer (played by Rajesh Khanna) is gifted an antique sitar for his birthday, he begins to unravel the mysteries of his past life and search for the woman whose musical talent once mesmerized him (played by the lovely Hema Malini). Mehbooba journeys from hip city life of 1970s Bombay to a countryside royal court of the 1800s where a court musician and dancer fall in love despite the misgivings of society.
First sung by Hema Malini in their past life when she believes Rajesh Khanna has deceived her, the female version of “Mere Naina Sawan Bhado” is a tragic rendition, bursting with lovely alaaps that befit the classical nature of that period’s music. “Mere Naina Sawan Bhado” is reprised later in the film in the modern day as Rajesh Khanna seeks to remind Hema Malini (now reincarnated as a local village belle) of their former bond. The male version is…well, steamier, in one sense of the word.
One of Mehbooba‘s most iconic scenes occurs when Rajesh Khanna begins to sing “Mere Naina Sawan Bhado” in the middle of a raging stormy night, luring Hema Malini from her sleep to discover the mysterious voice filling the air. Lightening flashes menacingly, everyone’s hair is blowing wildly, and still the guitar plays on (check out more on Bollywood rain songs here!). While the male version sung by Kishore Kumar is arguably more popular (Kumar himself ranked this song in his top ten personal favorites!), the female version sung by Lata Mangeshkar is as hauntingly beautiful and enhances our understanding of the former.
Hema Malini’s memories of a past life are stirred when she hears “Mere Naina Sawan Bhado” from Mehbooba (1976).
Mehbooba was written by Gulshan Nanda who also wrote the screenplay of Neel Kamal (1968)–a film about a woman who visits an old palace where she discovers she was a court dancer in her previous life and that her former lover is still searching for her. Sound kind of familiar? We all see what you did there, Gulshan. Mehbooba will also literally carry a sense of deja-vu for to anyone who has seen Kudrat (1981), conveniently also starring Rajesh Khanna and Hema Malini caught in a punar-janam love tangle. However, Kudrat is a darker film with flashes of expressionist inspiration that elevate the entire genre and likely contributed to its greater commercial success.
With music by R.D. Burman and lyrics by Anand Bakshi, “Mere Naina Sawan Bhado” is a passionate tribute to old memories. We hope you appreciate the lyrics and learn from our English translation of both versions of “Mere Naina Sawan Bhado” below!
Mere Naina Sawan Bhado Lyrics and English Translation:
Male version:
Mere nainaasaawan-bhaado.N My eyes are like the monsoons
Phir bhii meraa man pyaasaa Yet still my mind remains thirsty
Aye dildiiwaane, khel yeh kyaa jaane? Oh crazy heart, what does it know of this game? Dardbharaa yeh giitkahaa.N se From where does this pain-filled song
In ho.NTho.N pe aaye? duur kahii.N le jaaye come to these lips? Take me far away Bhuul gayaa kyaa? bhuulke bhii hai What have I forgotten? Even though I forget
Mujhko yaad zaraa saa, phir bhii meraa man pyaasaa I remember a little, yet still my mind is thirsty
Baat puraanii hai, ek kahaanii hai This is an old conversation, this is a story
Ab sochuu.N tumhe.N, yaad nahii.N hai Now I think you do not remember
Ab sochuu.N nahii.N bhuule woh saawan ke jhuule Now I think you could not forget those swing sets of the rainy season Rut aaye, rut jaaye deke I saw the seasons come and go JhuuThaa ek dilaasaa, phir bhii meraa man pyaasaa This lie is a consolation, yet still my mind is thirsty
Baraso.N biit gaye, hamko mile bichhaDe Ages have passed since we met and were separated Bijurii bankar, gagan pe chhamke We were like lightening that sparkled in the sky
Biite samay kii rekhaa, mai.N ne tumko dekhaa But that line of time has passed since I saw you
Man sang aa.Nkh-michaulii khele Playing hide and seek with my mind Aashaa aur niraashaa, phir bhii meraa man pyaasaa (were) hope and despair, yet still my mind is thirsty
Female version:
Mere nainaasaawan-bhaado.N My eyes are like the monsoons
Phir bhii meraa man pyaasaa Yet still my mind remains thirsty
Ghungharuu kii chham-chham, ban gayii dil kaa gham The sound of the dancing bells become the sadness of my heart Duub gayaa dil, yaado.N mei.N My heart drowned in memories of you Ubhariiberanglakiire.N, dekho yeh tasviire.N Only to emerge as colorless sketches, look at these portraits Suunemahal mei.N naach rahii hai In a lonely palace, still dancing
Ab tak ek rakkaasaa, phir bhii meraa man pyaasaa Even now is a performer, yet still my mind is thirsty
Glossary:
nainaa: eyes; saawan-bhaado.N: the 5th and 6th months of the Panjabi (Nanakshahi) calendar that comprise the monsoon season; man: mind; pyaasaa: thirsty; dil: heart; diiwaanaa: crazy; khel: game; dard: pain; bharaa: filled; giit: song; kahaa.N: where; ho.NTh: lips; duur: far; bhuulnaa: to forget; yaad: memory; puraanii: old; kahaanii: story, legend; sochnaa: to think; bhuulnaa: to forget; jhuulaa: swing set; rut: season; jhuuThaa: lie; dilaasaa: consolation; baras: age, years; biitnaa: to pass; milnaa: to meet; bichhaDnaa: to be separated; bijuri: lightening; gagan: sky; chhamaknaa: to sparkle; samay: time; rekhaa: line; aa.nkh-michaulii: hide-and-seek; aashaa: hope; niraashaa: despair; gham: sadness; Duubnaa: to drown; ubharii: raised; berang: without color; lakiraaa: line; tasviir: picture; suunaa: lonely, mahal: palace; naachnaa: to dance; tak: until; rakkaasaa: dancer
Smooth-operator Rajesh Khanna executes his devastating wink mid-guitar pluck, completely obliterating anyone’s initial repulsion at his haircut.
Did you know Rajesh Khanna actually sings the first antra of the song in a separate scene that takes place in broad daylight? He opens with his famous wink that still manages to induce swoons despite his distractingly dated ‘do! Think I’m the only one obsessed with the hair and outfits in these films? This week our local independent movie theatre happened to be doing a Bollywood series (obviously, I soaked up every moment), including a special screening of Om Shanti Om (2007). During the song “Main Agar Kahoon,” something felt eerily familiar…check out Shah Rukh Khan’s outfit below to see what I mean! It’s one of the many subtle meta classic film references that make Om Shanti Om such a brilliant work!
Shah Rukh Khan imitates Rajesh Khanna’s scarring unforgettable blue bell bottom ensemble with a rainbow top in Om Shanti Om (2007).
As many of our readers may already be aware, today marks the 86th birthday of melody queen Lata Mangeshkar. In commemoration of this special day, we would like to present the lyrics and English translation to one of the most exquisitely beautiful songs sung by the Nightingale of India during her long and illustrious career: ai dil-e-naadaa.n from Razia Sultan (1983).
Hema Malini stars as a 13th century empress of Delhi in Razia Sultan (1983)
Directed by Kamal Amrohi (of Mahal and Pakeezah fame), Razia Sultan narrates the story of the only woman to ascend the throne of Delhi and her alleged love affair with Abyssinian slave-turned-warrior Jaml-ud-Din Yaqut. Hema Malini stars in the title role, while her real-life beau Dharmendra plays the role of her love interest Yaqut. When Sultan Altamash decides that his beloved daughter Razia shall be the successor to his throne instead of his trouble-making son Ferozshah, the kingdom erupts in an uproar over the possibility of being ruled by a woman. After her father’s passing, Razia proves herself to be a compassionate and brave ruler who leads with an eye toward justice like her late father. Over time, Razia is accepted as the first female emperor of the kingdom until gossip spreads among the royal court about an affair between Razia and her former slave Yaqut. Although Yaqut is now a free man and army commander, the relationship between him and the empress is highly scandalous due to his roots as a dark-skinned African slave. When this controversy reaches its peak, Razia must make a choice between her kingdom and her love. In the end, in true Bollywood style, Razia makes the ultimate sacrifice for her love.
Although this film had the potential to provide a compelling view on the complexities of race and gender politics, it fails to meet the mark in many respects and was unable to achieve commercial success at the time of its release. It is likely that the heavy-handed use of formal Urdu made it difficult for audiences to understand many parts of the film’s dialogue. The pace drags in many scenes, and the starring duo provide few memorable moments throughout the film. Those familiar with this period of history will also note that many liberties were taken to create a fictionalized narrative suitable for presentation in a Bollywood movie.
The aspect in which director Kamal Amrohi has shined, as he has done in his previous productions, is in the selection of the music for the film’s soundtrack. Khayyam’s sublime and minimalistic compositions come together with Jaan Nisar Akhtar’s reticent yet expressive poetry to create a memorable album that is probably the single most redeeming quality of Razia Sultan. The crowning jewel of this soundtrack is ai dil-e-nadaa.n rendered flawlessly by the inimitable Lata Mangeshkar. Her voice captures the mysticism and tranquility of the poetry with remarkable ease. Jaan Nisar Akhtar’s poetry is beautiful in its simplicity as it probes the nature of human desire and the inevitable suffering that it causes. No discussion of this song would be complete without mention of the santoorinterludes interspersed with moments of silence, which provide gentle accompaniment to the serenity evoked by Akhtar’s words and Lata’s ethereal voice.
The elaborate costumes and sets used to shoot Razia Sultan (1983)make it one of the most expensive productions of its time. [Source]
A couple of anecdotes from key players involved in the making of this song to round out our discussion today:
Khayyam explains how he was inspired by the story of Razia Sultan during the composition of ai dil-e-naadaa.n: “
The caravan of Razia Sultan came to India from Turkey through a long and tortuous route traversing many countries. If you listen carefully, the tune and orchestration reflects the musical influences of all the regions she traveled across. The song is about the duel in her mind- the woman inside her is deeply in love with a black slave but the princess inside her is all too aware of her duty. The song depicts that dilemma in her mind. [Source]
Lata Mangeshkar has always ranked this song has one of the best of her career and included it in her An Era in An Evening concert that took place in Mumbai in March 1997 (see link above). In her own words, she says:
“Khayyam’s ai dil-e-naadaa.n from Razia Sultan is among the best songs I’ve sung. The way Kamal (Amrohi)-saab explained it to me, I could actually visualise the situation. I was very satisfied by the way I rendered the number. Kamal-saab found my Urdu pronunciation clear and chaste. The lyrics of ai dil-e-naadaa.n written by Javed Akhtar’s father Jaan Nisar Akhtar, were inspiring. I have sung several songs written by him.” [Source]
Are you wondering why Lata’s voice sounds so heavenly in this song even though it was past its prime at the time of the film’s release in 1983? That’s because Khayyam had this song recorded by Lata nine years earlier in 1974. After just two rehearsals, she had recorded the entire song in one take! Khayyam recollects how the popularity of this song helped him be selected as the music director for other major films in the 1970s like Kabhie Kabhie (1976):
“Actually the reason, I got Kabhie Kabhie was the song ai dil-e-naadaa.n. For Razia Sultan, I had recorded Lata-ji’s ai dil-e-naadaa.n and also Qabban Mirza’s aayii zanjiir kii jhankaar as early as in 1974. ai dil-e-naadaa.n had then created such a stir that practically everyone in the film industry was talking about that song. That fame had reached to Yash Chopra and one evening, when I returned after a Razia Sultan sitting at Kamaalistan, I found Yash-ji and Sahir-saab waiting for me. They told me that they were making a film about a love-story of a poet and they wanted me as a composer. I immediately said, ‘Yes’.” [Source]
In spite of a solid portrayal of the lead character by Hema Malini, Razia Sultan (1983)failed to achieve success at the box office. [Source]
Aye Dil-E-Nadaan Lyrics and Translation:
ai dil-e-naadaan
Oh, my naive heart! aarzuu kyaa hai? justujuu kyaa hai?
What do you desire? What do you seek?
ham bhaTakte hai.n, kyo.n bhaTakate hai.n dasht-o-sehraa me.n?
Why do I wander alone in this deserted wilderness? aisaa lagtaa hai maujpyaasii hai apne dariyaa me.n
It seems as if I am a wave thirsty for water in its own river. kaisii uljhan hai? kyo.n yeh uljhan hai?
What is this turmoil? Why is there this turmoil? ek saayaa-saa ruuh-ba-ruuh kyaa hai?
What is this shadow that stands face-to-face before me?
kyaa qayaamat hai! kyaa musiibat hai! What a disaster! What misfortune! keh nahii.n sakte kiskaa armaa.n hai
I am unable to say whom it is that I desire. zindagii jaise khoyii-khoyii hai, hairaa.n-hairaa.n hai It seems as if my life itself is lost and confused. yeh zamii.nchup hai, aasmaa.n chup hai The earth lies quietly, while the sky remains in silence. phir yeh dhaDkan-sii chaar-suu kyaa hai? Yet, what pulsates around me in every direction?
ai dil-e-nadaan aisii raaho.n me.n kitne kaa.nTe hai.n
Oh, my naive heart! There are many thorns along the path of love. aarzuuo.n ne har kisii dil ko dardbaa.nTe hai.n The pursuit of desires has given pain to every heart. kitne ghayal hai.n, kitne bismil hai.n
Many hearts are wounded; many hearts are sacrificed. is khudaayii me.n ek tuu kyaa hai? In the face of divinity, who are you alone?
ek tuu kyaa hai, ek tuu kyaa hai? Who are you alone? ai dil-e-naadaan, ai dil-e-nadaa.n Oh, my naive heart!
Glossary:
naadaa.n: naive, foolish; aarzuu: desire; justujuu: search, pursuit; bhaTaknaa: to wander; dasht: desert; sehraa: wilderness; mauj: wave; pyaasii: thirsty; dariyaa: river; uljhan: turmoil, confusion; saayaa: shadow; ruuh-ba-ruuh: face-to-face; qayaamat: disaster, crisis, Day of Judgment: musiibat: misfortune; armaa.n: desire, hope; khoyii: lost; hairaa.n: confused, distressed; zamii.n: earth, land; chup: quiet, silent; aasmaa.n: sky; dhaDkan: pulse, heartbeat; chaar-suu: all around, in all four directions; raah: path; kaa.nTe: thorns; dard: pain; baa.nTnaa: to allocate, to distribute; ghayal: wounded; bismil: wounded, sacrificed; khudaayii: divinity, world.
The use of the word bismil adds a unique spiritual dimension to the lyrics of this song. Bismil means wounded or sacrificed and originates from the Islamic ritual of sacrificing animals as an offering while uttering bismillah (in the name of God).
-Mr. 55
Intimate scenes between Hema Malini and Parveen Babi (particularly during the song khvab ban kar koii aayegaa) sparked some controversy at the time of this film’s release. [Source]
Hema Malini dances with joyful abandon in Sholay’s famous holi number “Holi Ke Din.”
The festival of Holi is among Bollywood’s favorite celebrations–an occasion at last as colorful as the country of its origin. Indeed Holi, a Hindu spring festival, is commonly known as the Festival of Colors. It is both a religious celebration signifying the triumph of Good over Evil, as well as a cultural one commemorating the onset of a new Spring season. It is marked by the throwing of colorful powders, the lighting of bonfires, and the strengthening of bonds between all individuals in colorful merriment. Its spirited catchphrase “Buraa na maano, Holi hai!” (Don’t bear any ill-feelings, it’s Holi!”) speaks to the underlying theme of the day – the burning of negative forces or ill-will, a sort of spiritual purging. The smearing of colors represents the deconstructing of identities and the breaking of social barriers, as all rejoice and participate together, regardless of social class. At the very least, it is a day to settle old scores and move on. Indeed, everyone is welcome and everyone is pardoned for his or her revelry. Thus, we mortals celebrate Holi today with fun and games, colors and powder, and Bollywood takes this grand opportunity to ignite romance.
Rajesh Khanna woos Asha Parekh with color at the Holi celebration of Kati Patang (1970).
There’s something inherent to the playful tag-style nature of Holi that lends itself so conveniently to flirtation and a male-female dichotomy. We discussed the appalling lack of Diwali-associated songs in classic Bollywood previously, and hazarded the guess that the festival is far less conducive to overt flirtation and bumping dance grooves like Holi invariably is. Whether wooing the mourning lover into a literal rainbow of joy or painting your sweetheart with a visible mark of your flirtatious overtures, Holi delivers the goods for Bollywood every time.
Even the old school epic Mother India takes a drama break for the holi festivities!
Below is our list of the 10 greatest Holi songs of classic Bollywood cinema. Happy Holi to all our readers–and if you’re stuck in a huge snowstorm like we are, here’s hoping Holi will usher in the Spring at last!
The ultimate old school Holi hit, this song will force anyone to get in the mood and join the festivities! Say what you want about Amitabh and Rekha’s clandestine affair, this dance number will get you on board in no time!
This song is easily my favorite Bollywood holi song! Besides the fact that I grew up on the Kati Patang soundtrack, does it get much better than Rajesh Khanna-Asha Parekh shy seduction? Lata and Kishore are delightful, but don’t get me started on the bizarre chorus act that chops up the number like barbarians on holiday.
Oh, there’s no school like the old school! Bring it back Nargis-style with this classic song from Mother India that just overflows with romance and sass! The only thing better than a Holi song is a Holi village dance-off.
While this royal gem may be shot in black-and-white, you can practically see the colors flying in this fantastic Mohammed Rafi-Dilip Kumar celebration that invites the entire kingdom for a Holi song-and-dance sequence!
Retro flirting Queen Hema Malini proves to Dharmendra that she’s more than just a loud mouth in Sholay–her moves and dancing steal the show in this colorful song!
Classical dancer Sandhya wows the audience with this traditional stage performance, alternating as both the male and female character complete with ghungroo! Asha Bhonsle’s Hindustani vocals balance out Mahendra Kapoor’s mainstream sway in a Holi number that is well-known even today for its stunning classical choreography.
Looking for something a little classier? Go no further than this Waheeda Rehman semi-classical piece from the great philosophical Guide. Watch her prance around with so much joie de vivre, you’ll ignore how gaudy the stage is decorated and your feelings for high-pitched female choruses of the 1960s.
This song is just plain cute. While not a roaring shoulder-shaking dance off like some of these others, the song is playful and full of shy passion for Rajesh Khanna, which we always approve of.
I think this hidden jewel is under-appreciated by historians. While something of a repeat of previous Hema Malini-Dharmendra magic, Vinod Khanna holds his own in this fast-paced duet that once again brings an entire kingdom to the palace to party Holi-style!
OK, so this isn’t technically a Holi song per se, but it’s arguably the unofficial anthem! There’s something about a traditional, rich beat coupled with Kishore’s absolutely unabashed vocals that set the tone of a celebration and throwing inhibitions to the wind!
While Holi was born in India, it’s popularity was carried across the diaspora and is celebrated around the world each year with full force! The picture below is from my freshman year at Harvard where Holi was played on the Mac quad! Can you spot me in the pigtails with the orange-yellow face?
Dev Anand gazes longingly at Hema Malini through the kitsch 1970s windows of her living room in Johnny Mera Naam.
Next we present the lyrics and full English translation to “Pal Bhar Ke Liye Koi,” a timelessly catchy Dev Anand jingle from the 1970 blockbuster Johnny Mera Naam. The film became the highest grossing film of Bollywood in the 1970s, and the soundtrack rose with it to glory bringing hits like this playful Kishore solo, the duet “O Mere Raja,” and Lata’s “O Babul Pyaare.” Johnny Mera Naam is an action-thriller-mystery with a splash of glamour by the gorgeous Hema Malini and a touch of class from Pran. Those were the golden days when the name “Johnny” in Bollywood implied the height of suavity, second perhaps only to the villainous sophistication of “Robert!” While the film’s storyline does not quite match up to the genius and spectacle of his earlier films of a similar genre like Jewel Thief (1967), Johnny Mera Naam delivers good clean fun for the whole family.
“Pal Bhar Ke Liye Koi” is one of the all-time cutest songs picturized on screen. Besides the fact that Hema Malini probably wears a saari better than any actress of yesteryear, I love the set design. Hema Malini has to literally shut every single window and blind in the house to keep Dev Anand from singing to her from outside, and the designer was forced to get really creative! I love the painting that’s actually a hidden window and the the strangle holed wall that Dev Anand uses as handcuff props. It’s adorable how he tries to woo her throughout the song, begging her to just pretend to love him–and then the clever zinger of an ending where he throws it back in her face! It’s also one of the last Dev Anand films where I feel like he is still pulling off acting the hero and flirting with younger women. As much as we love him, we wish he had not acted in too many films past this…but that’s another story.
Hema Malini cleverly disguises a window with a traditional oil painting in the wacky fun house of the Johnny Mera Naam (1970) sets.
Below enjoy our English translation of this ever-popular Kishore Kumar song. Did you know that this song was even featured at the end of a Simpsons episode in 2006 entitled, “Kiss Kiss Bangalore”? You’re killing me, people.
Pal Bhar Ke Liye Koi Lyrics and Translation
Pal bhar ke liye koii hume.N pyaar kar le
Let somebody give me momentary love JhuTa hii sahii
Even if it is false Do din ke liye koii iqraar kar le
Somebody say yes for a couple of days JhuTa hii sahii
Even if it is false Pal bhar ke liye koii hume.N pyaar kar le
Let somebody give me momentary love JhuTa hii sahii
Even if it is false
Hum ne bahut tujhko chhup chhupke dekhaa
I have often viewed you secretively Dil pe khiichii hai tere kaajal kii rekhaa
The darkness of your eyeliner is etched on my heart Kajal kii rekhaa banii Lakshman kii rekhaa
That line has become a line of control now Ram mei.N kyuu.N tuu ne Raavan ko dekhaa?
Why did you mistake Ram for Raavan? KhaDe khiDkii pe jogii, swiikar kar le
At your window stands a Yogi, accept him JhuTa hii sahii
Even if your acceptance is a lie Pal bhar ke liye koii hume.N pyaar kar le
Let somebody give me momentary love JhuTa hii sahii
Even if it is false
Hiire se jaDe tere nain baDe
Your big eyes were embedded with diamonds, Jis din se laDe tere Dar pe paDe
The day our eyes made contact, I was floored, Sun sun kar terii “nahii.N nahii.N”
Listening to your constant no’s, Jaa.N apnii nikal jaaye.N na kahii.N
My life may slip away Zaraa haa.N keh de, merii jaa.N, keh de
Just say yes, my love, say it Merii jaa.N keh de, zaraa haa.N keh de
Call me “my love,” just say yes Jab rain paDe ,nahii.N chain paDe
When night falls I have no peace Nahii.N chain paDe jab rain paDe
I have no peace when night falls
Maanaa tu saare hasiino.N se hasii.N hai
I agree you are the prettiest of the pretty Apnii bhii surat burii to nahii.N hai
But my face isn’t too bad either Kabhii tu bhii humaaraa diidaar kar le
Why don’t you sometimes take a look at me? JhuTaa hii sahii
Even if you are faking Pal bhar ke liye koii hume.N pyaar kar le
Let somebody give me momentary love JhuTa hii sahii
Even if it is false
Pal bhar ke pyaar pe nisaar saare jeevan
For a moment of your love, I would sacrifice my entire life Hum woh nahii.N jo choD de teraa daaman
I am not someone who would leave your embrace Apne honto.N kii ha.Nsii hum tujhko de.Nge
I will give you the laughter from my lips Aa.Nsoo tere apni aa.Nkho.N mei.N le.Nge
And I will take the tears from your eyes Tuu humaari wafaa kaa ek baar kar le
Believe in me just once JhuTa hii sahii
Even if I’m just lying!
Pal bhar ke liye koii hume.N pyaar kar le
Let somebody give me momentary love JhuTa hii sahii
Even if it is false
Glossary
jhuuTaa: untrue; iqraar: acceptance; chhup chhupke: secretively; kaajal: eyeliner; Lakshman ki rekha: the circle of protection and control drawn by Lakshman for Sita in the Ramayana; Raavan: the villain of the Ramayana into whose hands Sita temporarily fell (until Raam saved the day once more); khiDkii: window; jogii: yogi; swiikarkarna: to accept; hiire: diamonds nain: eyes; Dar: doorstep; jaa.N: life; rain: night; chain: peace of mind; maanaa: agree; hasiino.N se hasii.N: the most beautiful of the beautiful; suurat: face; diidaar: glimpse; nisaar: sacrifice; damaan: embrace; ho.Nto.N: lips; ha.Nsii: laughter; aa.Nsuu: tears; wafaa: faith, belief
Note that I’ve translated “JhuuTaa hii sahii” in many slightly different ways throughout the song’s translation, to match the meaning in each stanzas particular context. But he’s basically always just saying if it’s a lie, that works too.
Hema Malini stops lying to herself and joyfully sings along to Dev Anand’s catchy “Pal Bhar Ke Liye” from Johnny Mera Naam (1970).
My favorite line from the song is from the final antra is: “Pal bhar ke pyaar pe nisaar saaraa jeevan.” Nisaar is such a fabulous Urdu vocabulary word that works so poetically right here before the word saaraa. Unfortunately, this stanza is often missing from most recordings that people have of the song (see our post on songs with hidden stanzas for more!) And without this final stanza in which initially Kishore’s voice becomes the most sweet and sincere of the whole film, you miss the whole surprise ending where Dev Anand shows that he can be just as sassy! Such a shame.
This song request came from one of our absolute favorite readers Bhuvesh! Always, if you have a request for a translation or post, be sure to send us a message!
Mr. & Mrs. 55 - Classic Bollywood Revisited! 