Gurukant Desai (Abhishek Bachchan) and Sujata (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) are newly married. But the ambitious Gurukant is just a notch more in love with his work than his wife. So much so that Sujata feels Guru's work is like the other woman in his life.
This song, though picturised as a 'happy' song, is actually Sujata's reproach on the frequent absence of her husband.
(As pointed out very helpfully by soloescapes, this song comes up when Sujata goes away when she learns that Guru married him because of the dowry. The song shows glimpses of their happy times and the current "crisis". (Thanks!))
Lyrics, and translation
[Dum-daara dum-daara mast-mast dum
Dum-daara dum-daara mast-mast dum
Dum-daara dum-dum]
O humdum bin tere kya jeena
[[My love, what is a life without you...]]
Tere bina besuaadi-besuaadi ratiyaan o sajna (x2)
Rookhi re o rookhi re
Kaatoon re, kaate kate na
[[Without you, my nights are bland and monotonous, sweetheart. These dull and dry nights are impossible to go through.
Kanu's comments: 'Be-suaadi' is a very rarely used word, but very appropriate and effective here. Gulzar's lyrics often have a word that makes you to fall in love with itself; and for me in this song, it's definitely besuaadi.]]
[Dum-daara dum-daara mast-mast dum ...]
Na ja chaakri ke maare
Na ja sautan pukaare
Saawan aayega to poochhega, na ja re
[[Don't go away for your job; which, like a mistress, keeps calling you. What will I say when the rain comes and asks for you?
Kanu's comments: Love how these lines subtly imply that Guru is always on the beck and call of his job (na ja sautan pukaare), even if it means ignoring his wife and spending less time with her. Rains are often considered the romantic season, and to desert your newlywed wife in such a weather for your job will no doubt leave her feeling unloved.
[[These bland and insipid nights are impossible to go through.]]
[Dum-daara dum-daara mast-mast dum ...]
Tere bina chaand ka sona khota re
Peeli-peeli dhool uda de jhootha re
[[Without you, even the the moon seems to be fake - instead of showering gold it's blowing yellow dust at me.
Kanu's comments: 1. Love the use of khota (counterfeit) here. Gulzar's love of the moon is legendary, and could make for a long post in itself. The plethora of adjectives he has used to describe the moon can run into hundreds.]]
Tere bina sona peetal
Tere sang keekar peepal
[Aa ja katein na ratiyaan]
[[Without you, gold is like copper; while when you are with me even a Kikartree is like Peepal.
Kanu's comments: Love these lines. Very poetic, and have a nice musical ring to them.
Without you, even the most expensive things hold no value to me. - Gold and jewelry can't compensate for your absence.
बंद शीशे के परे देख, दरीचों के उधर
सब्ज़ पेड़ों पे, घनी शाखों पे, फूलों पे वहाँ
कैसे चुपचाप बरसता है मुसलसल पानी
कितनी आवाजें हैं, ये लोग हैं, बातें हैं मगर
ज़हन के पीछे किसी और ही सतह पे कहीं
जैसे चुपचाप बरसता है तसव्वुर तेरा
______________________________
Downpour
Beyond the panes of the closed window
See how the incessant rain quietly pours down
On the flowers and lush branches of those trees
Surrounded by myriad sounds, people and small talk
On the back of my mind, on a different plane altogether
Pours down a similar incessant rain of your thoughts
[Dareecha = Window
Musalsal = Continuous
Tasavvur = Thoughts]
This is what Gulzar has to say about the song, and it pretty much leaves no need for a translation:
"Shaad Ali wanted this song during the credit titles. People criticised me for what they called ridiculous images like Nange paao chand aayega, but I was using the moon to symbolise the hero's character. The hero and heroine are secretly married and he goes stealthily to her house every night. The song was the storyline in a nutshell." (Source)
Lyrics, and English translation
O humdum suniyo re, o janiya suniyo re
O janiya shaam ko khidki se
Chori-chori nange paaon chaand aayega
[[Listen, my love. When the night comes, the moon will come to be with you; barefoot, stealthily from the window. (I'll come to secretly meet you at night.)]]
[Ho suniyo re, o janiya re
Ho suniyo re, o janiya re]
[Dheem-dheem tanana, dheem tananana]
Galiyon se aayega,
[Dheem-dheem tanana, dheem tananana]
Seeti bajaayega
[Dheem-dheem tanana, dheem tananana]
Neem ke ped se
[Dheem-dheem tanana, dheem tananana]
Paas bulayega
[[Listen, honey. (The moon) will come from the street, whistling a tune. From atop the neem tree, it will ask you to come closer.]]
My two cents
In a interview, Kunal Ganjawala remembered how Himesh Reshammiya asked him to sing "Dil keh raha hai" (Kyon Ki...) the same he sang this song; because Himesh loved the way Kunal sounded in "O humdum".
This is one of my favorite road trip tracks :)
PS: Can someone give me the rap portion's lyrics? The one that's available online doesn't seem right.
Time for one of the less celebrated Gulzar tracks - Marjaani from Billu Barber, oops "Billu" (since the term 'barber' is apparently offesnsive).
The song is about a a boy and girl in love, facing opposition from their elders in particular and the world in general. The couple has tried staying away from one another, but it doesn't seem to be working. So they decide to to ask the world to go to hell, and elope. IMO, the song is quite cute!
Without much ado, let's get to the translation :)
Lyrics, and English translation
At times I'll go into the thought behind the lines and then get to the translation part.
Theek hai theek-theek sab kuchh theek hai
Paas hai sab kuchh rab nazdeek hai
Rab ke hazoor mein kasmein bhi kha li
Duniya ki auni-pauni rasmein nibha li
[[Kanu's comments: In India, it's customary to have arranged marriage. In most cases, it is necessary to at least get elders' 'approval' before marrying. To pass this test you have to be good-looking, god-fearing, well-off and a lot of other things.
So the boy is saying "All right, so everything is satisfactory. I am well-off and I believe in God. We took our vows in the presence of God and complied with all sort of stupid worldly rituals."]]
Phir bhi na maane koi to dafa kar
Maane jo maane na maane to bhala kar
Duniya na maane khasmanukhaye
Khasmanukhaye marjaani
[[If they still wouldn't approve of our love, they should leave us alone. If they agree, that is good; and if they don't, that's OK too. Because if the wretched world doesn't approve of us, it can simply go to hell.]]
Hey! To mud ke dekha na kar, jo sar mein soch aayegi
To paaon mein moch aayegi
[[Now the girl is a bit apprehensive and she keeps thinking of the past, "I just keep thinking of one thing or the other. These thoughts prick me like needles."
The boy tells her to stop regretting, "Hey, don't look back. Because the more you think of the past, the harder our journey ahead will be."
I absolutely love the "Jo sar mein soch aayegi, to paaon mein moch aayegi" part. It literally translates to "If you think, you'll get a sprain in your foot". Walking with a sprain is very hard. So the boy's asking her to stop thinking of the past if she wants their journey ahead to be smooth.]]
Uth-uth ke raaton mein maine ye paala hai
Andhi jawaani mein, dard ek chhaala hai
[[G: "Night after night, I've stayed awake and nursed this pain. It's like an ulcer that's ruining my youth."]]
Dil tera na rogi baliye, dil tera na jogi baliye
Dil tera sansaari haiga, lage dil ko beimaani
[[B: "Your heart is neither sick, nor is it a monk. It's very much worldly. It hasn't denounced the world. So it's but natural for it to feel bad about the injustice."]]
[Marjaani-marjaani, Marjaani-marjaani
Marjaani-marjaani, o khasmanukhaaye Marjaani]-2
Haan, chalo ab door yahan se pahaadon se bhi aage
Woh, jahaan pe subah jaage
Ho, bade sab kahte hain ye chuno achchhe humsaaye
Samajh ke jo samjhaaye
[[Now the girl is quite convinced that it's the best to just take off to a place where things are not this bad, "Let's go somewhere far away; farther even than the hills - to the place where the morning awakes."
The boy is remembering how everyone kept pestering him about choosing a wise life-partner, "The elders kept asking me to choose a life partner who'd be intelligent enough to understand things I failed to; and in turn made me understand."]]
Ro-ro ke raaton mein aankhein bhi khaali ki
Likh-likh ke taarekhein deewarein kaali ki
[[She is remembering the woeful days when they were apart, "I cried so much that now my eyes are void of tears. I kept writing and crossing out dates till there was no white space left on the walls."]]
Chup kar, chup-chup kar baliye
Bhaag le chhup-chhup kar baliye
Duniya se bhaagein duniya mein, duniya ko hui hairaani
[[B: "Hush, my love (You don't have to worry about all that any more). Let's run away from the world, yet somewhere in the world. This will surely leave the world baffled."
(Usually when someone's given up on the world they commit suicide. Staying in this world right in front of everyone's eyes will irritate the world no end.)]]
[Marjaani-marjaani, Marjaani-marjaani
Marjaani-marjaani, o khasmanukhaaye Marjaani]-2
My two cents
1. So far as I've understood, the word 'Khasmanukhaye' originally meant a woman who'd eat (bring misfortune to) her husband (khasam). But now it simply mean someone wretched, or someone who brings misfortune.
2. I came across this really cute piece on the internet where a girl explains why Punjabis use so many swear words. In her words, "In punjabi culture (at least what I saw of it) complimenting or gushing over someone was supposed to jinx (nazar lag jaati hai). So they go out of their way to be abusive. I know my friends mom always calls her grandaughter Chudail (witch) and jhalli and she loves her to bits. My grandma would say "Kinni soni lagdi hai marjaani" to me all the time if I dressed up and was looking pretty. It is harmless namecalling and very cute too." (Source)
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]]
Warning: Long post ahead. But interesting, I promise (Kaali kamli waale ki kasam khake)!
Kajrare - for me, the baap of all item songs ever! Shaad Ali, take a bow for bringing together the first family (OK, second) of Bollywood even before they were a family. And SEL, Gulzar, Alisha Chinoy, Javed Ali - take a bow for composing, writing and singing the perfect item song.
Why, some may ask, do I keep referring to it as the best ever? Many out there consider this song to be average at best - what is with Gulzar writing sub-par lyrics, a rather fat Aishwarya spilling out of her tiny clothes and vulgar dance moves anyway? Well, let me ask you a question - what is an item song? Surely you didn't expect words like "Katra-katra milti hai" in it! Surely you didn't think a super-fit, gym-toned Shamita Shetty type is the usual sight at a dhaba!
Here is what Gulzar has to say about the 'sub-par' lyrics:
"Just because it is popular it doesn't mean it's devoid of poetry. I don't think the words "Teri baaton mein kimaam ki khushboo hai, tera aana bhi to garmiyon ki loo hai", is frivolous. Poetry with a serious thought doesn't mean it has to be serious in mood."
"When it’s a song sung on the roadside, you have to write poetry with a different flavour altogether, similar to that you’d find on the backs of trucks and lorries. So you have lines like, Aisi nazar se dekha us zaalim ne chonk kar, humne kaleja rakh diya chaku ki nok par."
The stage is set thus
The two Bachchans are involved in a cat and mouse game - Bunty (Abhishek) being the mouse, and DCP Dashrath Singh (Amitabh) being the cat. Before this song, they have not come face-to-face. Initially, director Shaad Ali thought he'd have a scene that would bring them together. But then decided a song would work better. Hence this item song at a roadside bar, where the two get to know each other over a few pegs of cheap whiskey.
Before we begin Before the song begins, Amitabh has been telling the story of his brush with love in Delhi. Hence the various references to Delhi (specifically, old Delhi, in and around Chandni Chowk) in the song as well. There is this line "Ballimaran se Daribe talak, teri meri kahaani Dilli mein" - Ballimaran is Ghalib's haveli situated in Chandni Chowk. Dariba Kalan (Street of the Incomparable Pearl) is a street in Chandni Chowk, which used to be a popular market of precious stones, gems, gold and silver jewelry.
Lyrics, and translation (English)
(The translation follows the now usual format of translation followed by my interpretation.)
Aisi nazar se dekha us zaalim ne chowk par
Humne kaleja rakh diya, chaaku ki nok par
[[With such a vicious gaze did he look at me at the Chowk,
That I put my heart at knife's point
His conspicuous stare at me (in front of everyone) felt like a knife through my heart.]]
Mera chain-vain sab ujDa, zaalim nazar hata le
Barbaad ho rahe hain ji, tere apne shahar waale
Ho, meri angdaayi na toote tu aaja,
Meri angdaayi na toote tu aaja
[[I've lost my calm and composure; now take your eyes off me, O pitiless brute!
After all, it's people of your own you're destroying.
Now, come to me before I become anxious ('cause I've been waiting long enough for you)
Angdai means stretching yourself after a sleep. So basically you're relaxed. So "Andgai na toote" could mean coming out of this relaxed state, becoming anxious etc.]]
Kajrare....
Kajrare-kajrare, tere kaale-kaale naina - x4 [[Your kohl-lined, black eyes]]
Ho mere naina, mere naina, mere naina judwa naina [[My eyes, my twin set of eyes]]
Kajrare-kajrare, tere kaale-kaale naina
Doesn't matter if the official soundtrack lists this song as "Kajra Re", I think it's "Kajrare". Because Kajrare naina (कजरारे नैना) would mean "kohl-lined eyes", while Kajra re naina(कजरा रे नैना) would mean absolutely nohing.]]
Surame se likhe tere waade, aankhon ki zabaani aate hain
Mere roomaalon pe lab tere, baandh ke nishaani jaate hain
[[Your promises, written with kohl, speak the language of eyes Your lips leave a mark on my handkerchief
Even when you don't say them out aloud, your eyes and your kisses on my handkerchief betray the promises you want to make.]]
Teri baaton mein kimaam ki khushbu hai,
Tera aana bhi garmiyon ki loo hai
[[Your words have the fragrance of kimam. When you come, the effect is that of a hot summer wind.
Kimam (aka Qiwam): A fragrant paste put in paan (betel leaves) made with tobacco leaves (boiled and soaked in water flavored with spices (cardamom, saffron etc)). The resulting pulp is mashed, strained, and dried into a paste. ]]
[Aa-ja, toote na, toote na andgaayi Meri angdaayi na toote tu aaja,
Meri angdaayi na toote tu aaja
Kajrare ... ]
Aankhein bhi kamaal karti hain, parshanal se sawaal karti hain
Palkon ko uthaati bhi nahin (hmmm), parde ka khyaal karti hain
[[Eyes, at times, cross their limits. And begin asking personal questions. But even while doing so, they keep the eyelids downcast, because they respect the tradition of purdah.
In India, the women keep purdah, which is the tradition of keeping women concealed from men. Even when they come out, they cover their faces while speaking to men.]]
Mera gham to kisi se bhi chhupta nahin
Dard hota hai dard jab chubhta nahin
[[My pain is for everyone to see (it's not hidden from anyone). I've become so used to pain, that it hurts when the pain doesn't sting enough.]]
[Aa-ja, toote na, toote na andgaayiMeri angdaayi na toote tu aaja,
Meri angdaayi na toote tu aaja
Kajrare ... ]
Ho, tujhse milna puraani Dilli mein
Chhod aaye nishaani Diili mein
Ballimaran se Daribe talak,
Teri-meri kahaani Dilli mein
[[I still remember meeting you in Old Delhi. The entire city is dotted with symbols of our love. From Ghalib's haveli in Ballimaran to Dariba Kalan, our story is famous in all of Delhi.]]
Kaali kamli waale ko yaad karke,
Tere kaale-kaale naino ki kasam khaate hain
Teri kaali-kaali naino ki balaayein le loon
Tere kaale-kaale naino ko duaayein de doon
Meri jaan udaas hai, hothon pe pyaas hai
Aa ja re, aa ja re, aa ja re
[[ (In the name of God), I swear upon your black eyes. I'll take away all troubles and bless these dark eyes. (Because) I'm heartbroken, and longing for love, So come to me.
Kaali kamli waale: Interestingly, it could mean either Krishna (he was dark-skinned) or Prophet Muhammad (he wore a black shawl / blanket). Balaayein le loon: Elders, while blessing the younger ones, often use this term. It means that they're taking away the evil from the person who's being offered blessing, and taking all their troubles upon themselves.]]
[Teri baaton mein kimaam ki khushbu hai,
Tera aana bhi garmiyon ki loo hai
Aa-ja, toote na, toote na andgaayi
Meri angdaayi na toote tu aaja,
Meri angdaayi na toote tu aaja
Kajrare ... ]
(The video contains a few dialogues before the song begins)
Omkara is a tale of love, passion, loyalty and betrayal. If you haven't watched this movie, let me also pitch in my recommendation here - because this is one Bollywood movie that absolutely must be watched. All those who are allergic to swear words (like my mom :D) can stay away, though. But even for them, once you begin to overcome the initial shock of these words, this movie is like poetry. It's heartbreaking and it'll also make you angry. It'll grab your attention from the first scene and hold it till the end credits roll.
Coming to the song in question, it beautifully complements (and sums up) the movie. The lyrics are majestic in their simplicity. For once, Gulzar has stayed away from ornate words and seems to have consciously chosen stark severity to complement the movie's complexity.
Lyrics, and translation
Naino ki mat maaniyo re, naino ki mat suniyo
Naino ki mat suniyo re
Naina thag lenge
Naina thag lenge, thag lenge, naina thag lenge
[[Don't trust your eyes, do not listen to them
They'll con you.
Don't trust everything your eyes show you. Because sometimes appearances fool us, and things are not what they seem to be on the first look.
'Thagna' is such a nifty little word. It combines deceiving and stealing. So basically you trust someone and they con you - it hurts more than when an unknown person steals from you.]]
Jagte jaadu phookenge re, jagte-jagte jaadu
Jagte jaadu phookenge re, neenden banjar kar denge
Naina thag lenge
[[When awake, they'll cast a spell on you.
And then even sleep will desert you.
These eyes will fool you.
You'll have respite neither sleeping nor awake, since when you're awake you're under their spell and you'll have no dreams to comfort you in your sleep.]]
Bhala-manda dekhe na, paraya na saga re
Naino ko to dasne ka chaska laga re
Naino ka zahar nasheela re
[[They'll not differentiate between good or bad, a stranger or their own
Since they have become addicted to biting
And their venom is intoxicating.
Dasna is basically snake-bite. So just like a snake doesn't care who it is biting, eyes can also deceive their owner. Add to that, once you have fallen prey to their deception, you only take things at face value and lose your sense of right or wrong.]]
Baadlon mein satrangiyaan boyein, naina baavra kar denge
Naina thag lenge
[[They'll sow rainbows in the clouds, and make it rain till the morning
They'll surely drive you crazy.
These eyes will cheat you.
I don't know what these lines mean, but I'll try. If we associate it with the previous line (naino ka zahar nasheela re (their venom is intoxicating)) - you know, how when you're inebriated, everything seems more psychedelic and beautiful and colorful. Similarly, these eyes will make you see rainbows in the clouds. -- What do you think these lines mean?]]
Naina raat ko chalte chalte swarga mein le jaavein
Megh-malhar ke sapne beejein, hariyali dikhlaavein
[[These eyes will transport you to Utopia
They'll sow dreams of rain and it would appear as if everything is perfect.
Rains and greenery is associated with prosperity and happiness. Plus swarg (heaven/Utopia) is an imaginary place where there're no worries and everything is well. Your eyes will make you see good things when there are none.
Again, this may be in continuation to the previous para (baadalon mein satrangiyaan boyein)]]
Naino ki jabaan pe bharosa nahin aata
Likhat-padhat, na raseed na khaata
Saari baat hawaai hai
[[Don't take their word for anything
Because there's no written agreement, no receipt or record to hold against them
Everything they say is just hot air.
- My favorite lines. These eyes cannot be held accountable for anything, because you have nothing in writing against them. Everything they say is just empty talk.]]
Bin baadal barsaayein saawan, saawan bin barsaata
Bin baadal barsaayein saawan, naina baavra kar denge
[[They'll make it rain when there're no clouds
They'll surely drive you crazy
These eyes will cheat you.]]
Special mention
I love the poster design of this movie. In various posters, each major character is identified along with their primary characteristic. It's very different and creative, and IMO pretty awesome! (I've spent some time in finding all these poster, so direct some appreciation towards me as well :P )
