Gulzaar Sahab is a poet whose lyrics and poems are evergreen. The tone of his poetry is conversational and casual. Lately, he has even used colloquial and English words in his songs to give it a contemporary flavour. In his ripe old age he is young at heart. His super hit songs appeal to the youth which bust the myth of generational time warp.
It’s difficult to imitate his flavour. It is hard to translate his poems and lyrics. In the film “Ijaazat” which is also directed by him, he has penned the lyrics of a beautiful, romantic song which speaks of unrequited love. The song is actually an open verse.
R. D. Burman, famous for his phenomenal music, in the beginning, refused to compose the tune for this song because of its unconventional meter. The lyrics did not rhyme. It’s like a one sided conversation of an estranged lover.
However, once the song was composed it bagged the highest honour of the country. The National Award for the Best Female Playback Singer went to Asha Bhonsaleji for her soulful rendition of this song.
Translating a poem from its original language is an impossible task. Without the approval of the poet more so. It will be relevant to mention that the world poet, Kobiguru Rabindranath Tagore, translated his own poems into English. It’s the poet who knows best how to transliterate his poems in any other language.
I give the original song in Hindi along with its You Tube link/clip (for those who wish to hear it)
For those who are not conversant with Hindi I have tried to present the essence of the song in English. It’s not a word to word or line by line transliteration. I am no poet. I am no translator either. I only wish to bring forth its uniqueness so that the lyricised verse can be fully appreciated. I hope my lack of competency will be excused keeping in view the intent behind my humble attempt. If it’s considered inappropriate and inexact, my version may be taken as just “inspired”.
मेरा कुछ सामान तुम्हारे पास पड़ा है
सावन के कुछ भीगे भीगे दिन रक्खे हैं
और मेरे इक खत में लिपटी रात पड़ी है
वह रात बुझा दो मेरा वो सामान लौटा दो
पतझड़ है कुछ, हैं न?
पतझड़ में कुछ पत्तों की
गिरने की आहट
कानों में एकबार पहन के लौट आई थी
पत्तों की वो शाख अभी तक काँप रहीं है
वोह शाख गिरा दो
मेरा वो सामान लौटा दो
इक अकेली छतरी में जब आधे आधे भीग रहे थे
आधे सूखे आधे गिले सूखा तो मैं ले आई थी
गिला मन शायद बिस्तर के पास पड़ा है
वह भिजवा दो
मेरा वो सामान लौटा दो
एक सो सोलह चांद की रातें एक तुम्हारे कांधे का तिल
गीली मेंहदी की खुशबू झूठमूठ के शिकवे कुछ
झूठमूठ के वादे भी सब याद करा दूं
सब भिजवा दो
मेरा वो सामान लौटा दो
एक इजाजत देदो मुझको जब इनको दफनाऊंगी
मैं भी वहीं सो जाऊंगी मैं भी वहीं सो जाऊंगी
A few of my belongings
Are still with you
A few wet days of rain and
A night in a letter woven
Blow off that night
Return what belonged to mine
Isn’t this the season of fallen leaves
I had adorned once it’s drift
Shivers still that autumnal twig
Pull it down
Return what belonged to mine
You and I when under a single shade
Half dried and half wet
The dried bit I’d brought along
The drenched heart yet remains
By the bedside
Return what belonged to mine
One hundred and sixteen moon nights
And that single mole on your shoulder blade
The wet henna and it’s fresh scent
The pet peeves and the fake complaints
And also those fake promises
Let me remind
Return what belonged to mine
Permit me to fall asleep
The place where I bury these
Permit to fall asleep
The beauty of the song lies in its simplicity and also the abruptness. Though the verse in English somewhat assumes a rhyming cadence, the original song does not. Interestingly, when the lyrics were first read out by the poet to the music composer, the latter mistook it as part of the script.
Though sad yet there is no trace of malice in the song. The poet says togetherness in a relationship is sharing life’s mundane moments which leaves indelible imprints behind. Humans may part ways but shared moments cannot be slotted and separated. By asking for those intimate moments back the poet actually contradicts as well as underscores their indivisibility and irreversibility.
Today is a shade of dark grey. It’s been drizzling since this afternoon. This song is playing on a loop in my mind. So I thought of sharing it with you all.
I cannot resist tagging this post in response to Sadje’s photo prompt which goes perfectly with the colour of the day and mood of the song. I hope I have not broken any rules. If yes, Sadje is fully authorised to exclude this post from the list.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=OlvXDGJAMT0&si=K8kLHxQHBCHmbpC4
