Chhoti si kahaani se (Ijaazat)

Since most of the comments on my previous post wanted the next post to be more Gulzar-esque, here we are, with a song that defines the 80's Gulzar that we all fell in love with.

This song is so much more than the sum of the beautiful, beautiful lyrics, music and voice. It is a perfect introduction to the movie Ijaazat, which is poetry in itself. Ijaazat is arguably Gulzar's best screenplay till date - and the dialogues should find a place in every cinema-lover's bookshelf.

The movie sets off against the magically surreal beauty of rain-soaked Konkan (or is it North-east?). And playing in the background is 'Chhoti si kahaani se' in Asha's heart-achingly beautiful voice. The song transports you to a different world altogether - pure and passionate, yet melancholic. It also makes you long for something, someone.

The song is pure liquid magic in the ears. And that's why it is impossible to 'translate' it. It can only be felt.

The situation: Mahinder (Naseeruddin Shah) and Sudha (Rekha) (an estranged couple) come across one another once again on a small railway station. It's pouring heavily outside, and they have no one but each other for company. This song gives us a glimpse of how they feel at this unexpected encounter.

Warning: The translation below is literal. It's so bad, it's almost ranging on blasphemous.

Lyrics and translation:

Chhoti si kahaani se, baarishon ke paani se

Saari vaadi bhar gayi

Na jaane kyun, dil bhar gaya

Na jaane kyun, aankh bhar gayi

[[This small tale, in this rain, is making the valley overflow.

I don't know why, but my heart is also overflowing (with emotions).

My eyes are also welling up.]]

Shaakhon pe patte the, patton pe boondein thi,

Boondon mein paani tha, paani mein aansoo the

[[There are rain-drops on the leaves on the branches

The water in these rain-drops is actually someone's tears]]

Dil mein gile bhi the, pahle mile bhi the,

Mil ke paraaye the, do humsaaye the

[[When we met before, we had bitterness in our hearts

And though we were like each others' shadows, still we were strangers to one another]]

Rukti hai, thamti hai, phir bhi barasti hai
Baadal pe paaon rakh ke, baarish machalti hai
[[It stops and starts again, yet it keeps pouring down
With its feet on clouds, the rain too has become whimsical]]

As a bonus, here is an artist's (mine :P) impression of Ijaazat poster. I know, I know - the faces look nothing like the actors in the movie. The focus was on getting the thought right. And also dishing something out quickly ;) Click on the image to view a larger version.