Shayad Meri Shaadi Ka Khayal Lyrics and Translation: Let’s Learn Urdu-Hindi

Posted on May 21, 2014 by mrandmrs55

Rajesh Khanna Tina Munim Shayad Meri Shadi Mauritius

Rajesh Khanna and Tina Munim fall in love by the beautiful Mauritian beaches in Souten (1983).

Today we present the lyrics and complete English translation to the duet “Shayad Meri Shadi Ka Khayal” from the film Souten (1983). A landmark film for prominently portraying the lives of Indians in the island of Mauritius, Souten tells the story of Mauritian businessman Rajesh Khanna and his relationship with Tina Munim who uses the romantic landscapes to her advantage. The song “Shayad Meri Shadi Ka Khayal” is a playful age-old favorite, with back-and-forth witticisms between an eager young woman anxious to marry a reluctant bachelor.

From frolicking through a forest of palm trees to dancing upon a yacht in a sapphire blue ocean, the song highlights the island’s natural beauty as one of India’s favorite foreign tourist destinations. More exotic than Kashmir, but more familiar than Toyko, Southern Africa’s hidden gem, Mauritius, became the ideal dream-world for filmi escapsim. The bungalow in which much of the Mauritian scenes are filmed was none other than the then Prime Minister of Mauritius’ own house. While filming, Rajesh Khanna loved the set so much that upon his return to India, he modeled his own bungalow “Ashirwad” after the house in Mauritius!

Saawan Kumar Tak, director of Souten, recalls of working with Rajesh Khanna on the film,

“I did a great film like Souten with him. He was born to play that role and I was born to make that film. Such was our rare match. It was a memorable experience working with him. Souten was the first Bollywood film to be shot in Mauritius and since then the beautiful destination gained popularity.”

Palm trees sway as Tina Munim playfully urges Mauritian businessman Rajesh Khanna to ask her parents for permission to marry in Souten (1983).

This song has a special parallel meaning for me and my fiancé, who is actually a Mauritian native who came to America for college where we met! Like the heroine in the film, I was all over trying to get him to marry me almost as soon as I heard his French accent the first time! I can totally relate to Tina Munim in this song. And he too went through an elaborate process of asking my parent’s permission to marry me, but unlike the couple in the film, we’ve been lucky. You have to see the movie to learn more about the troubles that follow the marriage of Rajesh Khanna and Tina Munim’s characters in Souten–but the title of the film, (“Second Wife”) can perhaps give you a clue!

Now Souten was actually not the first Indian film to have been shot in Mauritius (Sanjay Khan’s Chandi Sona in 1977 had precedence), however the huge success of Souten is credited for giving Mauritian the popularity it deserved. Dozens of more recent films have taken advantage of the economically-friendly and culturally-similar atmosphere of a country whose citizens are largely of Indian ancestry themselves. In fact, the big blockbuster of the 90s, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was shot at my fiance’s own high school, Royal College Curepipe!

Sweet red visor, Rajesh! Show those locals how we do it in Bombay!

Composed by glass-ceiling shattering female music director, Usha Khanna, “Shayad Meri Shadi” is sung by dynamic duo Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar. I hope our English translation of “Shayad Meri Shadi” opens up your horizons to the splendor of an island you perhaps otherwise would have never known. Follow along with our lyrics by watching the song here, and enjoy more sights of Mauritian beauty with some of our engagement pictures at Caselas Nature and Wildlife Park in Mauritius below!

Shayad Meri Shaadi Ka Khayal Lyrics and Translation:

Female:
Shaayad merii shaadi kaa khayaal dil mei.N aayaa hai
Perhaps the thought of my marriage came to her heart
Isii liye mummy ne merii, tumhe.N chaaii pe bulaayaa hai
For this reason, my mother has called you over for tea

Male:
Kyaa kahaa? Phir se doharaanaa na
What did you say? Repeat it again

Female:
Shaayad merii shaadi kaa khayaal dil mei.N aayaa hai
Perhaps the thought of my marriage came to her heart
Isii liye mummy ne merii, tumhe.N chaaii pe bulaayaa hai
For this reason, my mother has called you over for tea

Male:
Panchhii akelaa dekh ke mujhe, yeh jaal bichhaayaa hai
You saw me as a lone bird and set this trap
Isii liye mummy ne terii, mujhe chaaii pe bulaayaa hai
For this reason, your mother has called me over for tea
Kyuu.N hai na?
Isn’t that right?

Female:
Nahii.N, nahii.N!
No, no!
Thiik tum, chaar baje, ghar chale aanaa
At precisely four o’clock, come to the house
Meraa haath maang lenaa, zaraa naa sharamaanaa
Do not feel embarrassed to ask for my hand

Male:
Saat phere mere sang sapne dekh rahi ho
You are seeing dreams of wedding rituals alongside me
Khili huii dhuup mei.N, taare dekh rahi ho!
In broad daylight, you are seeing stars!
Are nahii.N, nahii.N baabaa, chaaii nahii.n peenaa!
No, no, lady, I will not drink tea!

Female:
Kyuu.N, kyuu.N?
Why, why?

Male:
Taubaa merii taubaa, maaf kar denaa!
Oh my goodness, forgive me!

Female:
Inhii.N adaao.N par to haaye apnaa dil aayaa hai
Because of your pretenses, my heart is sighing
Isii liye mummy ne terii, mujhe chaaii pe bulaayaa hai
For this reason, my mother has called you over for tea

Male:
Naa, naa, naa, naa!
No, no, no, no!

Female:
Dillagi na karo, chheDo na humko sanam
Do not play around, do not tease me, beloved
Haa.N kaho, ghar chalo, tumko meri qasam
Say yes, come to the house, swear by me

Male:
Jaan-e-man, maanaa ham tumpe marte hai.N
Darling, I accept that I have fallen for you
Pyaar to Theek hai, shaadii se Darte hai.N!
Love is fine, but I am afraid of marriage!
Shaadi se pehle to, sab achchhaa lagtaa hai
Before marriage, everything seems great
Saari umr ko phir, ronaa paDtaa hai!
But for the rest of my years, I will have to cry!

Female:
Inhii.N adaao.N par to haaye apnaa dil aayaa hai
Because of your pretenses, my heart is sighing
Isii liye mummy ne terii, mujhe chaaii pe bulaayaa hai
For this reason, my mother has called you over for tea

Male:
O, panchhii akelaa dekh ke mujhe, yeh jaal bichhaayaa hai
You saw me as a lone bird and set this trap
Isii liye mummy ne terii, mujhe chaaii pe bulaayaa hai
For this reason, your mother has called me over for tea

Female:
Tumhe.N merii qasam aaoge, na?
You swear by me that you will come, right?

Male:
Nahii.N, bilkul nahii.N!
No, absolutely not!
Haa.N terii qasam, aauu.Ngaa!
OK, yes, I swear by you that I will come!

Glossary:

shaayad: perhaps; shaadi: wedding; khayal: thought; dil: heart; isii liye: for this reason; chaaii: tea; doharaanaa: to repeat; panchhii: bird, akelaa: alone; jaal: trap; Thiik chaar baje: at precisely four o’clock; [kisi ka] haath maangnaa: to ask [for someone’s] hand in marriage; sharmaanaa: to become embarrassed; saath phere: Hindu wedding ritual of seven circles around a ceremonial fire; sapnaa: dream; dhuup: sunlight; taaraa: star; maa’af kar dena: to give forgiveness; adaa: style, grace, pretense; dillagi: amusement; chheDnaa: to tease; [kisi ki] qasam: to swear by someone; jaan-e-man: mind of my soul, darling; maannaa: to accept, to agree; [kisi pe] marnaa: to fall in love with someone; Darnaa: to be afraid of; pehlaa: first, before; umr: years; ronaa: to cry

This song is dedicated to another Mauritian ex-patriot and fan of Mr. and Mrs. 55, Ayoob! Hope you enjoy the reminder of paradise glamourized as only Rajesh Khanna in an all-white jumpsuit can. My challenge to you, Mauritian fans: which Mauritian beach do you think this song is film at? Grand Baie, Péreybère, Belle Mar Plage, etc.? Let us know your insider opinion!

-Mrs. 55

Despite the close-call of an on-screen kiss between Tina Munim and Rajesh Khanna, the blue beaches of Mauritius steal the show in Souten (1983).

P.S. Speaking of shaadis, it’s T-minus 7 months to my wedding! Mr. and Mrs. 55 and I have been busily planning our “surprise item” for the Sangeet (non-surprising spoiler alert: it’s going to be a performance of an old Hindi film love song!), and I just returned from India for an epic shopping trip that resulted in more Sabyasachi lenghas than should be legal. We’ll keep posting more details in future posts as the wedding day approaches!

Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli Lyrics and Translation: Let’s Learn Urdu-Hindi

Posted on April 14, 2014 by mrandmrs55

Rajesh Khanna Anand Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli

Dangerously attractive Rajesh Khanna proves that real men wear lavender in Anand (1971).

Next we showcase the lyrics and English translation of “Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli” from the sentimental mega-hit Anand (1971). Diagnosed with terminal lymphosarcoma of the intestine, Rajesh Khanna is determined to raise the spirits of those around him. With a smile, he explains his philosophy to his bewildered physician, Amitabh Bachhan:

“Babumushai, zindagii badii honii chahiye, lambii nahii.N.” [“Babumushai, life should be big, not long.”]

Brimming with rich symbolism from floating balloons to boatmen in the ocean, “Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli” explores the outlook of a man whose journey is approaching its destination. Rajesh Khanna give a tour de force performance as a character at peace with the mysteries of the world.

Rajesh Khanna gives out balloons at Juhu Beach

Rajesh Khanna buys out a lucky balloon-wala in “Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli” from Anand (1971).

The song begins with a distinctive, uplifting trumpet solo, establishing the tone. While other gorgeous songs of Anand such as “Kahin Door Jab Din” are sung by the gentle Mukesh, Manna Dey was chosen for “Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli.” Known better for his masterful Hindustani classical numbers of the 1960s, Manna Dey’s film career began to falter with the rise of Kishore Kumar’s heroic romantic vocals. But his popularity revived in the 70s with Anand when Rajesh Khanna himself asked music director Salil Chaudhary for a chance to lip-sync a Manna Dey song. As Manna Dey recalled in a 2012 interview,

“I loved the way he [Rajesh Khanna] picturised music. The success of a song depends upon how an actor picturises it. He was the number one in picturising songs. I will ever be indebted to him.”

We hope you enjoy the lyrics and English translation of “Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli” from Anand (1971). Follow along with the video here while reflecting on film lyricist Yogesh’s philosophical poetry!

Zindagi Kaisi Paheli Lyrics and Translation:

Zindagii kaisii hai pahelii, haaye!
Oh, what a riddle life is!
Kabhii to ha.Nsaaye kabhi yeh rulaaye
Sometimes it makes us laugh, sometimes it makes us cry

Kabhii dekho man nahii.N jaage, peechhe peechhe sapno.N ke bhaage
Sometimes the mind does not awaken, it chases dreams
Ek din sapno.N ka raahii chalaa jaaye sapno.N ke aage, kahaa.N?
One day that traveler of dreams will go beyond the dreams, but where?

Jin hone sajaaye yahaa.N mele sukh dukh sang-sang jhele
Those who bring people together, they experience joy and sorrow together
Wohii chunkar khaamoshii yuu.N chalii jaaye akele, kahaa.N?
Those same people choose silence and depart alone, but where?

Glossary:

zindagii: life; pahelii: riddle, puzzle; haaye: oh, sigh; ha.Nsaanaa: to make [someone] laugh; rulaanaa: to make [someone] cry; man: mind; jaagnaa: to awaken; peechhe: behind; bhaagnaa: to run; ek din: one day; sapnaa: dream; raahii: traveler; aage: ahead, future; melaa sajaanaa: to arrange a fair (literal), to bring people together; sukh: happiness; dukh: sadness; sang-sang: together; jhelnaa: to experience; chunnaa: to choose; khamoshii: silence; akelaa: alone

Juhu Beach Rajesh Khanna Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli Anand

“Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli” was famously filmed at suburban Bombay’s Juhu Beach, made even more gorgeous by the delicate silhouette of Rajesh Khanna against the shoreline.

It’s hard to believe we lost a legend like Manna Dey 6 months ago, a little more than a year after losing Rajesh Khanna. The singer was 95 years old. This beautiful tribute to those dream chasers we wish were with us, “Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli,” was requested by fan Ajay.

-Mrs. 55

Zindagi Ke Safar Mein Guzar Lyrics and Translation: Let’s Learn Urdu-Hindi

Posted on December 31, 2013 by mrandmrs55

Rajesh Khanna reflects on the choices he made and the love he lost in Aap Ki Kasam (1974).

Happy New Year’s to all our fans and lovers of classic Bollywood! In the spirit of the holiday, we present the lyrics and full English translation to the thought-provoking “Zindagi Ke Safar Mein Guzar” from Aap Ki Kasam (1974). In this song, lyricist Anand Bakshi explores the regret of one man who loses his chance to spend time with the people he loves. Rajesh Khanna plays a successful businessman who neglects and mistrusts his loving wife Mumtaz, ultimately costing him his marriage and family. Wanting desperately to make amends, Khanna soon realizes he is unable to change the past. For anyone still thinking of a New Year’s Resolution, this Kishore Kumar hit is sure to inspire!

happier times with mumtaz in aap ki kasam

Ignoring the eyesore of Delhi that is Mumtaz’s horrendous puffy orange sari blouse, happier times once reigned for the estranged couple in Aap Ki Kasam (1974).

Like time itself, linear movement is the emphasis of director J. Om Prakash’s gorgeous mis-en-scène. From symbolic train tracks or plodding footsteps to fantasy-pixie Mumtaz’s unidirectional trajectory through the woods, Kishore Kumar’s rich vocals are underlined by a feeling of racing forward with no way of turning back. “Zindagi Ke Safar Mein” shines in stark contrast to the romantic “Karvaten Badalte Rahe” duet sung during a high-key moment of the film. Of equal importance, the song is also a textbook example of the Bollywood cliche demonstrating a strong correlation between despondency of the hero’s love life with the length of the hero’s beard.

By the time “Zindagi Ke Safar Mein” finishes, Rajesh Khanna has spiraled into total despondency as evidenced by his increasing length of beard.

We hope that listening to this song may inspire you to appreciate the moments you have with your loved ones over the holidays. So take a break from the daily grind and let those people know how much you care–don’t be a Rajesh Khanna! You’ll find the lyrics and our English translation of the sentimental hit “Zindagi Ke Safar Mein Guzar Jaate Hai” from Aap Ki Kasam (1974) below. Follow along with the video on youtube and let us know YOUR New Year’s resolution in the comments!

Zindagi Ke Safar Mein Guzar Jaate Hai Lyrics and Translation:

Zindagii ke safar mei.N guzar jaate hai.N jo maqaam
Those places you pass in the journey of life
Woh phir nahii.N aate
They never return
Woh phir nahii.N aate
They never return

Phuul khilte hai.N, log milte hai.N
Flowers bloom, people meet
Magar patjhaD mei.N jo phuul muDjhaa jaate hai.N
But that flower which dies in Autumn
Woh bahaaro.N ke aane se khilte nahii.N
It does not bloom with the coming of Spring
Kuch log ek roz jo bichhaD jaate hai.N
Those people from whom you are separated one day
Woh hazaaro.N ke aane se milte nahii.N
A thousand others may come, but you will not meet them again
Umr bhar chahe koi pukaaraa kare unkaa naam
Even though you may call their names the rest of your life
Woh phir nahii.N aate
They never return
Woh phir nahii.N aate
They never return

rajesh khanna wanders aimlessly in aap ki qasam

Overcome with regret, Rajesh Khanna wanders aimlessly in Aap Ki Kasam (1974).

Aa.Nkh dhokaa hai, kya bharosaa hai?
Your eye deceives you, what is the truth?
Suno, dosto.N, shak dostii kaa dushman hai
Listen, friends, doubt is the enemy of friendship
Apne dil mei.N ise ghar banaane na do
Do not let doubt reside in your heart
Kal tadapnaa paDe yaad mei.N jinkii
Those people whose memories will torment you tomorrow
Rok lo rooThkar, unko jaane na do
Stop them when they are upset, do not let them leave
Baad mei.N pyaar ke chahe bhejo hazaaro.N salaam
For later, even though you may wish to greet them with love a thousand times
Woh phir nahii.N aate
They never return
Woh phir nahii.N aate
They never return

In epic slow-motion, Mumtaz prances through the forest of Rajesh Khanna’s fantasy, chunni billowing in the wind.

Subaah aatii hai, raat jaatii hai
Morning comes, the night departs
Yuu.n hii waqt chaltaa hii rehtaa hai, ruktaa nahii.N
In this manner, time marches on, it does not stop
Ek pal mei.N yeh aage nikal jaata hai
In a single moment, time moves forward
Aadmi Theek se dekh paataa nahii.N
Man is unable to see this well
Aur parde pe manzar badal jaata hai
And the view continues to change
Ek baar chale jaate hai jo din raat subaah shaam
But once those days and nights, and those mornings and evenings pass
Woh phir nahii.N aate
They never return
Woh phir nahii.N aate
They never return

Zindagii ke safar mei.N guzar jaate hai.N jo maqaam
Those places you pass in the journey of life
Woh phir nahin aate
They never return
Woh phir nahin aate
They never return

Glossary:

zindagii: life; safar: journey; guzar jaanaa: to pass, maqaam: place, landmark, milestone; phuul: flower; log: people; patjhaD: Autumn; muDjhaanaa: to become destroyed; bahaar: Spring; khilnaa: to bloom; ek roz: one day; bichhaD jaanaa: to become separated; hazaar: a thousand; umr bhar: whole life; pukaarnaa: to call; naam: name; aa.Nkh: eye; dhokaa: deception, trick; bharosaa: trust; shak: doubt; dostii: friendship; dushman: enemy; ghar: home; taDapnaa: to torment, to flutter; yaad: memory; roknaa: to stop; rooThna: to be upset; jaanaa dena: to let someone leave; baad mei.N: later on, bhejnaa: to send; salaam: greeting; subaah: morning; raat: night; yuu.N hii: in this manner, like this; waqt: time; pal: moment; aadmi: man; thiik se: properly, well; pardaa: veil, [in this case, a movie screen]; manzar: view; badal jaanaa: to change; ek baar: once, one time; din: day; shaam: evening

In my favorite shot of the film, Rajesh Khanna walks away from the camera, leaving the viewer alone in the cold Winter morning in Aap Ki Kasam (1974).

For the Urdu snobs, you may note that the plural of the multi-layered term maqaam is technically maqaamaat. The suffix –aat is necessary to denote plurality of certain vocabulary with an Arabic origin, however modern Hindustani often omits this mark of purist pretension–particularly when it would throw off a song’s rhyming scheme! But if you’re quick, you’ll still hear it used in classic film dialogues. Other examples include:

kaaghazaat (pieces of paper)
zevaraat (jewels)
makaanaat (stores)
jawaharaat (rubies)
ma’luumaat (information)

“Zindagi Ke Safar Mei.N” was requested by fan Agar Raheem. Our resolution for the New Year is to keep up quicker with requests from fans! If you haven’t seen your request in one of our blog posts yet, don’t worry–it’s coming! Thank you for the fantastic year we’ve had together, and our best wishes for a joyful and prosperous 2014!

2014 is going to be a particularly memorable year for us because Mrs. 55 is getting married! Get ready because, you guessed correctly, it’s going to be a classic Bollywood-themed wedding!

-Mrs. 55

Yeh Jo Chilman Hai Lyrics and Translation: Let’s Learn Urdu-Hindi

Posted on September 19, 2013 by mrandmrs55

Leela Chandavarkar and Rajesh Khanna in Mehboob Ki Mehndi 1971

Leela Chandavarkar and Rajesh Khanna flirt through fabricated barriers in Mehboob Ki Mehndi (1971).

Today we present the lyrics and English translation of “Yeh Jo Chilman Hai” from Mehboob Ki Mehndi (1971). If you need a strong pick-me-up, this is your song. I just finished a series of harrowing exams at school, and nothing but Mohammed Rafi singing for Rajesh Khanna in a decadent Muslim social could really bring me back to life. It’s Rajesh Khanna at his finest. For anyone uninitiated, his signature, devastating wink is usually the much-anticipated climax of any of Rajesh Khanna’s songs. In Mehboob Ki Mehndi, Rajesh Khanna plays the handsome hero Yusuf: Lucknowi college student by day, winking hero by night. Blessed with the seduction-engorged vocals of Mohammed Rafi, he charms the “sharmilee” out of Leela Chandavarkar on the eve of their wedding in “Yeh Jo Chilman Hai” so deftly, I dare you to try watching it all the way through without blushing with delight!

Did I mention Leela Chandavarkar is perfection itself in this film? Her doll-like face almost steals the show–and that’s no easy feat with Rajesh Khanna in the room!

A complement to genre favorites “Chaudhvin Ka Chand” and “Mere Mehboob Tujhe,” this song is the swoon-worthy achievement of a rare Rafi-Rajesh Khanna merger. So to lift the spirits, I present to you a complete gallery of Rajesh Khanna’s inimitable winks from this gem of a song, a bouquet of mid-wink glimpses of our favorite lady-killer. Click each wink for more detail. I counted a total of 15 winks throughout the song! You do the math, folks. That’s about a wink every 17 seconds. It’s exhausting!

Rajesh Khanna Wink Bouquet:

Rajesh Khanna starts us off nice and easy.

With a devastating close-up shot, Rajesh Khanna displays the full range of his eyelashes.

Rajesh Khanna strikes a manly pose for his third wink of the song.

Moving in for the kill, Rajesh leans forward whilst winking.

Rajesh Khanna gets caught in the philosophical moment of the song mid-wink.

A rarely seen behind-the-pardah wink!

That’s right, come a little closer.

Shy winking is where Rajesh Khanna really shines.

With a perfectly oval coiffe, Rajesh Khanna winks his heart out as the song climaxes.

The giggly wink, another Rajesh Khanna speciality.

Rajesh Khanna flutters those legendary long eyelashes once more, causing earthquakes across the sub-continent.

Leela Chandavarkar can only play coy for so long with those moves.

A peaceful wink to find himself again, Rajesh Khanna’s closing efforts are as powerful as his starting ones.

Although his target is locked in a hot embrace and cannot make eye contact, Rajesh Khanna continues to wink unabated.

Rajesh Khanna finishes strong as always, reeling in the song with a final, bittersweet wink.

As if that wasn’t enough, “Yeh Jo Chilman Hai” reprises at the very end of the film on their wedding night–and the final shot is of Rajesh Khanna breaking the fourth wall to give a scintillating wink straight to the audience! Now that you’ve got the moves, come master the lyrics written by Anand Bakshi! We hope you enjoy our full English translation of “Yeh Jo Chilman Hai” below!

Yeh Jo Chilman Hai Lyrics and Translation:

Yeh jo chilman hai dushman hai hamaarii
This curtain is my enemy
Kitni sharmiilii dulhan hai hamaari
My bride is so shy
Yeh jo chilman hai…

Doosraa aur koii yahaa.N kyuu.N rahe?
Why must there be anyone but us here?
Husn aur ishq ke darmiyaa.N kyuu.N rahe?
Why is there a barrier between beauty and love?
Darmiyaa.N kyuu.N rahe?
Why is there a barrier?
Yeh yahaa.N kyuu.N rahe?
Why is this here?
Haa.n ji haa.N kyuu.N rahe?
Yes, why is this here?
Yeh jo aa.Nchal hai shikwaa hai hamaaraa
I have a complaint against the end of your saari
Kyuu.N chhupaataa hai chehraa yeh tumhaaraa?
Why must it hide your face?

Kaise deedaar aashiq tumhaaraa kare?
How can your lover steal a glimpse of you?
Rukh–e roshan ka kaise nazaaraa kare?
How can he behold the splendor of your face?
Ho nazaaraa kare
How can he see?
Ho ishaaraa kare
How can he make a signal?
Haa.N pukaaraa kare
How can he call to you?
Yeh jo gesuu hai.N baadal hai.N qasam se
I swear, your hair is like a cloud
Kaise bikhre hai.N gaalo.N pe sanam ke
How it billows across my beloved’s cheeks!

Rukh se pardaa zaraa jo sarakne lagaa
The veil is beginning to fall from your face
Uff yeh kambakht dil kyuu.N dhaDakne lagaa?
Oh, why has my accursed heart started to beat?
Ho dhaDakne lagaa
Oh, it has started beating
Haa.N bhaDakne lagaa
Yes, it is beating faster
Dum atakne lagaa
I have started to lose my breath
Yeh jo dhaDkan hai dushman hai hamaarii
This heartbeat has become my enemy
Kaise dil sambhale uljhan hai hamaarii?
How can my heart bear such entanglement?

Yeh jo chilman hai dushman hai hamaarii
This curtain is my enemy
Kitni sharmiilii dulhan hai hamaari
My bride is so shy
Yeh jo chilman hai…

Glossary:

chilman: curtain, screen; dushman: enemy; sharmiilii: shy; dulhan: bride; husn: beauty; ishq: love; darmiyaa.N: in-between; yahaa.N: here; aa.Nchal: the end of a woman’s saari; shikwaa: complaint; chhupaanaa: to hide; chehraa: face; deedar karna: to see, to steal a glimpse; aashiq: lover; rukh: beautiful face; roshan: shine, splendor; gesuu: hair; baadal: hair; qasam se: to swear by; bikhrnaa: to billow, to spread; gaal: cheeks; sanam: beloved; pardaa: veil; saraknaa: to fall; kambakht: accursed; bhaDaknaa: to increase; dum ataknaa: to stop breathing; dhaDkan: heartbeat; uljhan: entanglement, confusion

The only thing I love more than a classy aadab arz gesture is Rajesh Khanna doing a classy aadab arz gesture.

As a filmi gossip aside, did you know angel-faced Leela Chandavarkar was really a rebel? She became widowed at the age of 25 and quickly re-married a then much-senior Kishore Kumar against her father’s wishes! She joined the illustrious ranks of Ruma Guha Thakurta, Madhubala, and Yogeeta Bali (all former wives of Kishore Kumar) when she became his 4th one-and-only soulmate. Did she ever react to Kishore Kumar songs they way she reacts to Mohammed Rafi here? I’m curious!

– Mrs. 55

A Beginner’s Guide to Bollywood Tree Courtship: The Best Tree Songs of Classic Films

Posted on July 1, 2013 by mrandmrs55

Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz engage in a playful treeside encounter in Aap Ki Kasam (1974).

A tree is the ideal wingman. It’s an insider trick Bollywood heroes and heroines learned early on that rarely fails to end in matrimonial bliss. Many of the best songs of Bollywood occur in a forest, taking full advantage of that lovable prop whose stability is matched only by its generosity. In honor of Van Mahotsav, the annual Indian tree-planting festival taking place this week, we too would like to honor the cultural importance of the all-mighty tree in the greatest reflection of our society: film. Why a tree? Newcomers to classic Bollywood may ask with due naivite. The archetypal significance of entering the forest–delving deep into the mysteries of the mind and soul–do have some place in the escapism of romantic fantasy, but the logic of singing and dancing around a tree is actually quite simple.

Sharmila Tagore hugs a tree for emotional stability in Kashmir Ki Kali (1964).

In most romantic-dramas of the Golden Age, emotions are just brimming over with adorable intensity. With a tree as a wingman, you can simultaneously practice your moves with a literal tree hug while catching your breath from a potentially close encounter with the real object of your desire. See, the tree doesn’t judge. The tree doesn’t ask for a return favor next Friday. The tree is neutral ground–a seemingly innocent bystander in the forest of love to which both parties have full claim. Sometimes the woman peeks behind the tree, sometimes the man. As a friendly chaperone, the tree legitimizes everyone’s behavior in that bashful innocence of bygone romance. Yes, censorship laws may prevent you from making real moves on your loved one, but they won’t stop you from snuggling a tree.

Dilip Kumar Vijayantimala dil tadap tadap ke tree

Although Vijayantimala tightly embraces a forgiving tree trunk, it’s clear who she really wants to be hugging in Madhumati (1958).

Bollywood has been perfecting the tree ritual since time immemorial. It’s a cinematic institution, particularly for the benefits of discreet pans to the sunlit treetops or a calming mountainside when a love scene threatens to quickly advance from G to PG. We even emulated basic tree positioning in a photograph on our “About Us” page!

Enjoy our list of classic Bollywood’s best tree songs below. Study them thoroughly and know your part well before embarking on your next trip to the forest. While this list could honestly go on forever, we’ve chosen our top 15 tree songs based on creativity of tree choreography. Which of YOUR favorite tree numbers would you add? Share your thoughts in the comments!