Thursday, April 7, 2011

PAGDI SAMBHAL JATTA- TRANSLATED: originally posted on 15 Aug 2010

Right from childhood we are fed on patriotic songs that fill us with a feeling of nationalism by spelling out the British Raj or neighbouring countries as the prime enemy. But what about the enemy within? Bhagat Singh had rightly predicted-'White rulers will go, to be replaced by brown rulers.' Has much changed still? The dignity of the common man on the street is always at stake. Why do people go hungry in India to fill the coffers of a chosen few while unused grain is left to rot in godowns? Why an event of national pride such as hosting an International sporting event has become a joke up until now? I find this song the most relevant to present times. Let these corrupt politicians not go scot free. Let us keep our eyes and ears open and bring to light all their mis-doings. Only then will we repay the great martyrs who gave their life for the idea of India. A translation of this adrenalin pumping song. If we replace the'goras' with today's politicians and the farmers in this song with citizens especially today's journalists, writers and social media enthusiasts, the song holds true still. Sadly 'tera lutda jae maal' still in this country. Unleash the power of a vigilant media and open forums of discussion for true independence and social change:

A translation of this inspiring song:

Look this way, oh ignorant one!
All that was yours is being stolen.
Take care of your turban, your dignity.
Make sure no one takes what is yours rightfully.
Break the shackles of slavery.
And change your destiny.
Get after these miscreants.
Dig out these tyrants,
And self serving sycophants.
Give them some hard times,
And let them pay for their crimes.

He who doesn’t lose courage
Can with grit, dwarf the sky.
If you decide to bring down stars
On earth, even stars comply.
Can you tame a strong wind that sweeps ashore?
Who has seen what lies in store?
Only your hard work and some reckless charm
Will change the lines on your palm.


Today let us take a vow
To refuse to bend and kowtow
To the will of these oppressors.
Let us exterminate these tormentors.
Your arms are like iron,
And your pen your sword.
Your heart is like stone.
These three things on board
Are enough to turn the table.
And make their life miserable.
Let’s smoke them out and prove them guilty.
At long last, let’s have some accountability.

Take care of your turban,your dignity.
Make sure no one takes what is yours rightfully.
Break the shackles of slavery.
And change your destiny

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

AGAR MUJH SE MOHABBAT HAI-TRANSLATED: originally posted on 8 July 2010

Okay so continuing with Lata's greats,this gem of a song (maybe for those crestfallen Cricket fans who were disappointed by a damp squib of a match!!). So much build up and anticipation but it turned out a bit of a wash out.

 Most of us fall in love precisely with these optimistic and positive sentiments but frankly, how many can continue that way a few years down the line? We are more than willing to add a little gham in each other's life!;-)) ...I think it's impossible to love with this honesty and devotion today, but one can not help marvel at the purity of this song............Madan Mohan at his best, bringing out the best in Lata.




A rough translation of this song by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan. I have added a few lines here and there that added to the meaning. Okay the views expressed in it are a tall order to follow in today's cut throat, selfish world. But if we can show even 10% of this compassion to the spouse/love interest in our life, it would be nice. Let's not forget the purity of our love the way it was right in the beginning. If nothing else we can give relationship advice to each other!:;-)

If you truly love me,
Give me all your sorrow.
Each tear that irks those eyes,
Come, let me borrow.

If I make your troubles mine,
I’ll be at ease.
If I hide your pain in my heart
I’ll be at peace.
Every such thing that rakes you,
Everything that makes you
Sad, give it to me.
Let me know all that stakes you or breaks you.
Let me be the dawn that wakes you.
And let me be the eve that makes you
Sleep in blissful reverie.

If I am a part of your life,
Then why not a part of your strife?
Why don’t you share your worries
And let me diminish all miseries.
The angst that burns your heart,
Of that let me be a part.

Let there be no tears that rile
These beautiful eyes for a while.
Keep the laughter alive in these eyes
And may these lips always smile.
But do give me all your sighs,
And give me all the pain that ails you.
For I’ll never be the one who fails you.

If you truly love me,
Give me all your sorrow.
Each tear that irks those eyes,
Come, let me borrow.....

TERA MERA PYAAR AMAR-TRANSLATED: originally posted on 5 July 2010

Some songs just have beautiful associations.......played it before...another Sadhna-Dev Anand-Lata whopper! If love were to have a near perfect depiction, it would be this song. There is romance oozing out of each word and there are no red roses or serenading crooners. Love is after all a state of mind. She could be in the middle of a riot and fall in love. You'd say never this person, or this situation but could get caught unawares. It is best not to even define it. What's shared between two hearts is priceless. That is where it lies and that is all that is important. On the contrary no amount of contrived gifts and orchestrated settings can ensure ever lasting love. So enjoy this song and wish to be so truly, madly, deeply in love! Dev Anand who did something undecipherable with his eyes that was magic is yours for the taking, and Sadhna, what a beauty! In this song she reminds me of a Ravi Varma painting. The lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri are ethereal and Shankar Jaikishan's music is perfect and unobtrusive. Sail on: Here's a translation of this mesmerising song by Hasrat Jaipuri. Pardon a few poetic liberties:


Our love is immortal.
Then why do these silly fears worry me?
Tell me oh my beloved
Why is my heart in a sweet reverie?

What did the mighty moon say afterall?
What were the words that lift and buoy,
The moonlight today as it dances
on these waves in an abundant joy?
It sways and swirls and prances,
As if it stars in a vibrant, medieval ball.
Everywhere that I see are signs of love’s joyful glee.
Tell me oh my beloved………
Why is my heart in a sweet reverie?

My heart says that this memorable night
Should never come to an end.
This caravan of happiness should move on bright
And never reach a craggy bend.
And no matter how much I try to hide
I know that you are by my side.

My beauty now has a vibrance too.
Every joy is alive and young.
It’s almost as if the sky, fresh, anew
Is bathed in a celestial light,
And in my arms copiously hung.
I feel I am walking on stars tonight.

Our love is immortal.
Then why do these silly fears worry me?
Tell me oh my beloved………
Why is my heart in a sweet reverie?

YEH RAATEIN NAYEE PURANI-TRANSLATED: originally posted on 2 July 2010

One of those timeless melodies...........well, I am a night person. I am sure everybody who likes the mystique and allure of night time will like this.........
Here's a translation of this mystifying number.....Bon Nuit!

These nights, new and old
Speak of many tales untold……….

...People go about their business.
Their eyes may be misty and lost,
But their hearts alive and aflutter like birds.
For night is the time when silences
speak louder than words.

What a lovely time it is!
Fragrant wafts emanate in flashes.
As if a pageant of beautiful dreams
Passed through the lanes of my eyelashes.

Who knows which way the winds blow?
What the coming days have in tow?
I hope that atleast for a year
You remember me, dear.
Make sure we don’t forget
This beautiful night we met.

These nights, new and old
Speak of many tales untold..........

Sunday, April 3, 2011

YEH DIL AUR UNKI NIGAHON KE SAAYE-Originallyposted on 30 June 2010

I am in love with this song at the moment, Lata you are a goddess and I can worship you in this. Not many people name Jaidev as their favorite composer but he gave some stunning music- Hum Dono:Abhi na Jao, Allah tero Naam; Gaman: Aap ki yaad aati rahi, Seene mein Jalan; Reshma aur Shera:Tu chanda main chandni to name a few. This melody actually gives the feel of walking down a cool, misty mountain path. And the lyrics are outstanding, by Jan Nisar Akhtar who after all was Javed Akhtar ka Baap!!!

Here's a translation of this breathtaking number. Pardon a few poetic liberties:

All I have is my heart
And the shadows of his gaze…
And soon I am engulfed by the
...Warm feel of his embrace....

The naughty sunrays kiss the mountain tops.
The breeze kisses the river as it runs and hops.
All along this way from here to the hills above,
Are the warm silhouettes of our love.

Dense clouds reach out and cuddle
The tall shadowy trees.
Light and darkness huddle
In an interplay of mysteries .
The long, misty road ahead
Promises of many words unsaid.

Our hearts beat free, undaunted
A lot like these valleys that are haunted
By love’s colorful alcoves
And a hundred unseen treasure troves.

All I have is my heart
And the shadows of his gaze.
And soon I am engulfed
By the warm feel of his embrace…………..

RESTORED COMMENTS:
Sanjay Shende:Massst gaana hai ye.It has got a haunting echo effect, if you notice.
01 July 2010 at 09:30

Shivani Mohan:Yes, I am mesmerised since yesterday, Shende. 20 hrs ka power cut bhi feel nahin hua iss gaane ke sahare........
01 July 2010 at 09:59 · ·

HUM TO HAIN PARDES MEIN-originally posted on 27 June 2010

Indian poetry especially ghazals are all about pathos. I love translating these ghazals and the challenge is to make them sound like poetry still. I so want to share these very Indian sensibilities with some of my friends who do not understand my language and also some Angrez Indians who may be a bit alienated from their own culture. So here's a translation of this beautiful ghazal that I had written 4yrs ago on some loony moonlit night:

I have added the last stanza from a version of the ghazal recorded later by Jagjit as solo, but it is missing on Youtube. It's a beautiful stanza-
'Jin aankhon mein kaajal ban kar utari kali raat,
Un ankhon mein aansoo ka ik katra hoga chand'

So here goes:


I am away from home,
Overseas all alone.
A silver moon must have risen
Like a radiant bride
Over my countryside.
Standing all alone
On the dark roof forlorn
Of an ink blue night.

Staying away from my moon
Each day passes as if eons.
Wonder how he has fared without me.
I hope my moon is alright
Standing all alone
On the dark roof forlorn
Of an ink blue night.

The night would plot a conspiracy.
The kite string would break free.
The kite-like moon would be stuck on the Neem tree,
Growing on my courtyard’s boundary.

Those eyes smeared dark
with the kohl of the night,
The moon would be but a spark,
A teardrop in their fading light.

I am away from home
Overseas all alone.
A silver moon must have risen
Like a radiant bride
Over my countryside.

P.S: 'The moon' is a term often used for a beloved. In this poem too the physical moon often interchanges with the poet's loved one.
See more


Some restored comments:

Neelima Choahan-I used to listen to this song when I first moved to australia...:-).

Aijaz Zaka Syed-This is beautiful Shivani...it's one of my all time favourites...it's one of those rare gems that are both penned and sung exquisitely and complement each other...And you've added further value to the gazal with your translation...it's beautiful and manages to convey what the poet said in original Urdu...you should do this more often.

Shivani Mohan-Oooh! I am so happy you liked it, Aijaz. Your opinion means a lot to me. I guess I'll be boring people with some more of my poetry now.:-)