Chori pe chori (Saathiya)

[Do read the actual translation, because it's not word for word; and I've tried to express my interpretations of the lines. Especially a few paras in between.]

Saathiya (2002) is amongst one of my all-time favorite Hindi movies. Though hundreds of romantic dramadies are churned out by Bollywood every year, this one stands out - mostly because it begins where most other movies end, with the two protagonists getting married against the wishes of their parents. But also because it gets its basics right - a very believable story, backed by first-rate cinematography, amazing music (AR Rehman and Gulzar) and witty, witty dialogs (again by Gulzar). Readers, if you haven't watched Saathiya lately, I suggest you do so once more, if only for its dialogs. Of course, the story is beautifully executed by the cast, with both Vivek Oberoi and Rani Mukherjee pitching in one of their best performances. A word must also be put in for Sandhya Mridul.

Though I can (and most probably, will) write a separate post for each one of Saathiya's songs (I love them all), let's do the shubharambh with one of its least celebrated songs - 'Chori pe chori'.

The stage is set thus:

Suhani (Rani) and Adi (Vivek) are definitely over their honeymoon period, and are coming face to face with harsh realities of their married life. Fights are frequent, and words of fondness - few and far between.

Lyrics, and translation:

This is not a literal translation, because this song has some typical Hindi and Urdu expressions and idioms, which will lose meaning if translated word for word.

Chori pe chori, chori pe chori

Ek dakaiti aur seena-zori

[['Chori aur seena zori' is an idiom in Hindi/Urdu for someone who has committed some crime, yet instead of being ashamed of it, audaciously behaves as if he/she has done the right thing]]

Chori pe chori, chori pe chori

Haath pakad ke ungli marodi

[[You first held my hand, and then hurt me (literally: twisted my finger)]]

Tauba tauba tauba, yaar meri tauba

Tauba tauba tauba, yeh to nahin hoga

[[This is wicked and vile.
This is something I refuse to undergo.]]

Chori pe chori, chori pe chori

Katthe ki chutki, choone ki bori

[[Literally, 'a pinch of kattha and bagful of choona'.
Basically 'kattha' and 'choona' are two ingredients of 'Paan', which should be put in a certain quantity to make it perfect. Too much of 'choona' can burn your tongue and mouth. A bagful of choona is enough to burn it beyond cure.]]

Jhoothi jahaan ki, aafat hai jaan ki

Ek dakaiti aur seena-zori
[[Add to this, she's a liar and a constant botheration. First she commits a crime, then acts as if she's done the right thing.]]

Doston, taare-vaare todne ki baat bhi puraani ho gayi, you know
[[In many Hindi songs, the lover talks about 'pulling off stars from the sky' for their love. Here, the heroine says that gone are the days when the hero promised such things.]]

Raat-raat bhar ka intezaar bhi kahaani ho gayi, you know
 Gone are the days when lovers used to stay awake the whole night, waiting for their beloved - such things have become a mere tale!]]

Dil ka jalte rahna dost ab to zindgani ho gayi
[[A constant heart-burn is what has become of life.]]

Ik raat milne ki, baaki sulagne ki, saavan nahin hai kahin
Do-chaar lahrein hain, baaki samundar hai, saahil nahin hai kahin
[[Literally: We were together for only one night. All nights since, I have only burned in a slow fire, with the rain nowhere in sight.
Just a few waves, otherwise I'm at sea, with no shore in sight.]]

Bandhu, do gaj ki kashti, meelon samundar hai
Doob-doob kar jaana hoga, meelon samandar hai baba
[[My boat is but two-meter long, and the sea stretches for miles
There's no alternative but to drown, since the sea stretches for miles]]

Repeat: Chori pe chori ....

Doston, ek khyaal ke bagal mein kaise saari zindagi guzaar dein
[[Friends, how can I spend my life in the illusion of a dream I once saw?]]

Bane to hum tere khyaal ko libaas ki tarah utaar de
[[If possible, I would have stripped off your dream like a piece of clothing.]]

Jaane bhi do yaar, kaise banegi, kaise guzar hoga
Yeh ainwe ke phere, yeh ainwe ke chakkar, yaar bhanwar hoga
[[Just leave it, because it's impossible to sort out things (reconcile) and carry on with such a life.
This is a spinning, churning whirlpool - there's no way out of it.]]

Bandhu, do gaj ki kashti, meelon samundar hai
Doob-doob kar jaana hoga, meelon samandar hai baba
[[My boat is but two-meter long, and the sea stretches for miles
There's no alternative but to drown, since the sea stretches for miles]]

Repeat: Chori pe chori ....

1. The song is sung by the inimitable Asha Bhosle (I was aiming on posting her song on her birthday (8 September), but the plan got derailed, like many of my plans). And by Karthik.
2. All you Gamophobic (fearful of marriage) young people, not all marriages lead to songs like this. I, for one, feel I've had some awesome luck in getting married to the most perfect person for me. :)