Naam Ada Likhna (Yahaan)

"Sugar and spice and all things nice, that's what little girls are made of", go the words to a famous nursery rhyme.

Human mind forms connections between two completely unrelated things at times. My mind has adopted this as a hobby. For one fine day, listening to "Naam ada likhna" reminded me of this little nursery rhyme. Specifically this line (and others of this metre):

"Kabhi-kabhi aas-paas chaand rahta hai

Kabhi-kabhi aas-paas shaam rahti hai"

"The moon perches by my side at times; and at others the colors of evening cloak me."

 

The heroine of "Yahaan" is Ada, a child-woman who, though caught right in the middle of the Kashmir conflict (her brother is an insurgent), somehow remains untouched by it. For her, the world still holds hope; and joys however small (such as getting to wear a pair of jeans) still make her jump about in delight ("Urzu durkut"). And it is perhaps this optimism, that allows her to fall in love with Aman, a captain of the Indian army.

This is a song of young love, the kind that fills hearts with hope, against all odds.  

"Barf pade to, barf pe mera naam dua likhna" 

(When it snows, right down my name on it as a wish.)

"Aao na, aao na, Jhelum mein bah lenge

Vaadi ke mausam bhi, ik din to badlenge"

(Let's float about in the Jhelum till love is allowed to blossom in the valley once again)

"Kal jo mile to maathe pe mere sooraj uga dena"

(If we get a future together, mark it with a red dot of sindoor)

Composed by Shantanu Moitra and sung by Shreya Ghoshal and Shaan; it is the kind of song that fills you with calm and puts a smile on your face. (Somehow I always assumed it was composed by Vishal Bhardwaj, Kashmir + Gulzar connection, I guess. Anyway, all credit to Shantanu Moitra for creating a timeless tune.)

Lyrics and Translation:
Poochhe jo koi meri nishaani, rang henna likhna
Gore badan pe ungli se mera, naam ada likhna

[[If asked who I am, tell them I am "Ada",
The name scrolled on my fair body, in the color of henna]]

Kabhi-kabhi aas-paas chaand rahta hai
Kabhi-kabhi aas-paas shaam rahti hai

[[The moon perches by my side at times; 
and at others the colors of evening cloak me]]

Aao na, aao na, Jhelum mein bah lenge
Vaadi ke mausam bhi, ik din to badlenge

[[Let's float about in the Jhelum,
till love is allowed to blossom in the valley once again]]

[Kabhi-kabhi aas-paas chaand rahta hai
Kabhi-kabhi aas-paas shaam rahti hai]

Aaun to subah, jaaun to mera naam saba likhna
Barf pade to, barf pe mera naam dua likhna

[[When I arrive, see me as your morning; and if I leave, say I was a gust of wind
When it snows, right down my name on it as a wish]]

Zara-zara aag-vaag paas rahti hai
Zara-zara kaangde ki aanch rahti hai

[[She warms me like a blazing fire
There is a kaangdi-like glow about her]]

[Kabhi-kabhi aas-paas chaand rahta hai
Kabhi-kabhi aas-paas shaam rahti hai]

Shaamein bujhaane aati hain raatein
Raatein bujhaane tum aa gaye ho

[[The way nights come to put out evenings,
You have come to put an end of my nights]]

Jab tum hanste ho, din ho jaata ho
Tum gale lago to, din so jaata hai

[[Your smile makes the sun shine brighter
The comfort of your embraces make the days drift off]]

Doli uthaaye aayega din to, paas bitha lena
Kal jo mile to, maathe pe mere suraj uga dena

[[When the day comes, make me sit next to you
And if we get another tomorrow, make the sun rise on my forehead]]

Zara-zara aas-paas dhoop rahegi
Zara-zara aas-paas rang rahenge

[[We'll always have our bit of sunshine
And we'll always have our share or colors]]

Bekaraan (7 Khoon Maaf)

Lillah! [(Praise be) to Allah!]

I'm lost for words... I mean, really.

What a perfect way to describe someone so divinely stunning she takes your breath away! This song is so beautiful that the word 'beautiful' doesn't even begin to describe it. 100% pure poetry.

Let's not waste any time, and jump right to the translation part :)

Lyrics, and translation

Bekaraan hain bekaraan,

Aankhein band keeje na

Doobne lage hain hum,

Saans lene deeje na

[[Bekaraan = Infinite, limitless

Will you please close your deep, enormous eyes; because I'm getting drowned in these? At least let me breath. 

Kanu's comments: Ever since I came to know the meaning of word bekaraan, I've been in love with it. 'Infinite eyes' is such a beautiful expression. I think it is Pablo Neruda-esque.]]

Lillah!

[Praise be to the Lord! (for creating such a divine beauty)]

Ek zara chehra udhar keeje, inaayat hogi

Aapko dekh ke, badi der se, meri saans ruki hai

[[Will you please do me a favor and turn your face the other way? Because your beauty has taken my breath away. And if I keep looking at you, I'll surely lose my breath.]]

[Bekaraan hain bekaraan...]

1. Ek zara dekhiye to

Aapke paaon tale

Kuchh to atka hai kahin

Waqt se kahiye chale

[[Have a look, I think there's something (stuck) under your feet. Oh, it is time that has gotten stuck there. Now would you give it the permission to move? Because it stops when you stop.

Kanu's comments: What a beautiful way to say that the time stops to look at your beauty when you stop. And how utterly it is ruined in translation!]]

Udti-udti si nazar

Mujhko chhoo jaaye agar

Ek tasleem ko har baar meri aankh jhuki hai

[[When you even fleetingly look at me, I lower my eyes in salutation.]]

[Aapko dekh ke badi der se meri saans ruki hai]

2. Aankh kuchh laal si hai

Raat jaage to nahin

Raat jab bijli gayi

Darr ke bhaage to nahin

[[Your eyes seem a little bloodshot, I hope you didn't stay awake last night. I hope the power cut last night didn't scare you.]]

Kya laga honth tale

Jaise koi chot chale

Jaane kya soch ke is baar meri aankh jhuki hai

[[What is it (like a bruise) under your lips? 

I don't know what thought just crossed my mind, which has made me lower my gaze.

Kanu's comments: I didn't really get the essence of this para ... Was it in reference to how Irrfan Khan plays the role of a sadistic, abusive husband who used to beat Priyanka up? Help - anyone who has seen the movie?]]

[Aapko dekh ke badi der se meri saans ruki hai]

[Bekaraan hain bekaraan...]

Aankhein teri bekaraan

Aasmaan hi aasmaan

[[Your infinite eyes - like the sky]]

The song begins with the following sher:

Ik baar to yun hoga, thoda sa sukoon hoga
Na dil mein kasak hogi, na sar pe junoon hoga

[[Someday, it will be so - I'll find my peace
There will be neither this longing in my heart, nor this madness in my head]]