Raat Ka Nasha Abhi (Asoka)

For an industry obsessed with love, Bollywood music industry has pretty little to show for love's carnal side. Even less so, something that is sensuous without being vulgar. Songs such as this one are few and far between.

The music by Anu Malik is very fresh, and for a change doesn't seem copied from anywhere. Lyrics penned by Gulzar describe beautifully the tale of the night of togetherness and the yearning of the day after, when the lovers are apart. One wishes though, that someone else with a more seductive voice had sung it.

Lyrics, and translation:

Raat ka nasha abhi, aankh se gaya nahin

Tera nasheela badan baahon ne chhoda nahin

Aankhein to kholi magar, sapna wo toda nahin

Haan, wahi, wo, wohi

Saanson pe rakha hua tere hothon ka sapna abhi hai wahin

[[The ecstasy of the night before, has not yet left my eyes

My arms have still not let go of the intoxication of your body

And though my eyes are wide open, that dream is still there

Yes, the same one ....

The dream that your lips told my breath still lingers within me]]

Tere bina bhi kabhi, tujh si machal leti hoon

Karvat badalti hoon to, sapna badal leti hoon

Tera khyaal aaye to, bal kha ke pal jaata hai

Paani ki chaadar tale, tan mera jal jaata hai

[[At times I pretend that it's you I'm sulking with

For every night spent tossing and turning, I invent a new dream to console me

When I think of you, that moment just refuses to leave

And even inside a veil of water, my body burns]]

[Haan, wohi, wo, wohi

Saanson pe rakha hua tere hothon ka sapna abhi hai wahin]

Tere gale milne ke mausam bade hote hain

Janmon ka waada koi, ye gham bade chhote hain

Lambi si ik raat ho, lamba sa ik din mile

Bas itna sa jeena ho, milan ki ghadi jab mile

[[Oh, such beautiful lines! I wouldn't even try to translate them word for word.

When compared to how eternally momentous the time we spend together is; these small things such as being apart in this lifetime don't even matter. Because I know we are destined to find each other in every single life.

As for this life, I only ask for one prolonged day and one lasting night of togetherness - I don't need anything else.]]

[Haan, wohi, wo, wohi

Saanson pe rakha hua tere hothon ka sapna abhi hai wahin]

Khudkushi (Yaar Julaahe)

"Yaar Julaahe" is a collection of Gulzar's nazm's, ghazals and triveni's compiled by Yateendra Mishra. Below is a nazm from the book, called Khudkushi (Suicide).

बस इक लम्हे का झगड़ा था -

दरो-दीवार पे ऐसे छनाके से गिरी आवाज़ जैसे काँच गिरता है -

हर इक शै में गयीं उडती हुई, जलती हुई किरचें!

नज़र में, बात में, लहजे में, सोच और साँस के अन्दर |

लहू होना था इक रिश्ते का, सो वह हो गया उस दिन-!

उसी आवाज़ के टुकड़े उठा के फ़र्श से उस शब,

किसी ने काट ली नब्ज़ें - 

न की आवाज़ तक कुछ भी,

कि कोई जाग न जाये!!!

A mere one-moment tiff -
And the voice crashed on the walls like a glass, shattered -
The splinters, stinging, flew into everything!
In our eyes, in our conversation and its tone, in our thoughts and breaths even |
A relation was to be murdered, and that happened eventually -!

Using a fragment of that very voice, that night,
Someone slit their veins -
Not making the slightest noise,
Lest someone wakes up!!!

--------------------------------

How easily can even the smallest tiff spell the end of a relationship! I love this poem for its imagery of a shattered glass. Truly, words hurt like nothing else could... and that's why I love the part where Gulzar says "उसी आवाज़ के टुकड़े उठा के फ़र्श से उस शब, किसी ने काट ली नब्ज़ें".

"जलती हुई किरचें" is another favorite line for depicting how some thoughtlessly said words burn and sting; and how these very words can change the whole tone of a conversation.

This poem was recited by Dia Mirza for "Dus Kahaniyaan" album. Here's the video from youtube:

Is Mod Se Jaate Hain (Aandhi)

Here is one song that always stumped me when I was younger. I wasn't able to make a head or tale of it. It was after I read the script of the movie (I haven't watched it yet) that the song really started to make sense. A bit delayed, but here it is on my blog :)

About the movie:
Though the movie (Aandhi, 1975) gained much notoriety (and a ban) for bearing a similarity to the life of a certain Ms Gandhi; in my opinion the whole political background was incidental to the movie which is essentially a story about love, ego and personality clashes. But mostly about love. 

The movie traces the love story (and marriage) of an ambitious daughter of a politician (Aarti) and a hotel-manager-by-profession but poet-at-heart guy JK. Aarti's political ambitions prove to be a bit too much for JK and his ego; and they decide to go their separate ways. The movie (constantly switching between flashes from past and present) revolves around what happens when a chance encounter brings them back.

The stage is set thus:
The song occurs at two very important junctures in the movie. First is a mod (turn) in their lives - JK and Aarti have just gotten married and are all starry-eyed about their future. [Spoiler alert!] The second time the song occurs at the climax of the movie; when they finally decide to go their own ways and marks the second mod of their journey.

With this background, let's move ahead to the translation part :)

Lyrics, and English translation:

Is mod se jaate hain

Kuchh sust kadam raste

Kuchh tez kadam raahein

[[From this turn walk by, 

Some lazy paths, 

And a few fast paced lanes.

This is the beginning of a new phase in the relationship of JK and Aarti. Life could take the turn towards the unhurried life that JK dreams of; or could end up in the expressway of Aarti's ambitions. 

Even when de-referenced from the movie, this line sets the tone for the highly abstract yet deeply meaningful lyrics coming ahead.]]

Patthar ki haveli ko

Sheeshe ke gharaundon mein

Tinkon ke nasheman tak

Is mod se jaate hain

[[Towards a mansion made of stones,

In a house of glass

Or a nest of mere twigs

Can we go from this turn

The song further talks about how this turn could lead them towards an everlasting relationship (patthar ki haveli), a brittle one (sheeshe ke gharonde), or one which even the slightest of wind (of trouble) could wreck (tinkon ke nasheman).]]

Aandhi ki tarah ud kar ek raah guzarti hai

Sharmaati hui koi qadamon se utarti hai

In reshmi raahon mein, ik raah to wo hogi

Tum tak jo pahuchti hai, is mod se jaati hai

[[A road, like a raging storm, passes by

And one takes the steps demurely 

Of these silken roads, I look out for the one

That'll take me to you, when I take this turn

The song further speaks of the various tones this relationship could take - volatile like a gale, or a timid one. "But whatever form it takes, of the many enticing options I want to choose the one that'll lead me to you."]]

Ik door se aati hai, paas aa ke palatti hai

Ik raah akeli si, rukti hai na chalti hai

Ye soch ke baithi hoon, ik raah to wo hogi

Tum tak jo pahunchti hai, is mod se jaati hai

[[One road comes from far away and then suddenly takes a U-turn

And there's this lonely road, which neither stops not goes anywhere.

I sit here thinking, there must be a road out there

That'll take me to you, when I take this turn

You're quite sure of the direction of your life, and then it suddenly takes a U-turn. And at times you spend too much time down a road that won't lead you anywhere. 

"But I will sit here and wait for these roads to pass, till the one comes along that'll take me to my lover, my destination.]]

My Two Three cents:

1. This song was written as a nazm, and adapted in the movie. The nazm is not specific to marriage and  its consequences though. Neither is it a love ballad. It simply talks about how one turn could make you end up at a completely different place. Some lines from the nazm:

सहरा की तरफ़ जाकर, इक राह बगूलों में खो जाती है चकराकर

रुक-रुकके झिझकती-सी, इक मौत की ठंडी-सी वादी में उतरती है

इक राह उधडती-सी छिलती हुई काँटों से, जंगल से गुज़रती है -

इक दौड़ के जाती है और कूदके गिरती है, अनजानी ख़लाओं में 

Thanks to @stwta for giving the youtube video of the nazm by Bhupinder Singh.

2. In the movie Aarti tells JK "तुम्हारे पास ये कविता न होती तो तुम बहुत ऑर्डिनरी आदमी होते". I read somewhere that this was something that actually Rakhi told Gulzar. In fact, to me JK's character feels quite similar to Gulzar. His sense of humor and poetic sensibilities are trademark Gulzar. But then, he created the character!

3. Here, Gulzar talks about Sanjeev Kumar and the making of Aandhi.

Aadat (Ijaazat / Pukhraj)

This nazm written by Gulzar was also used by him (partially) in the very poetic movie Ijaazat. As it happens, one of the protagonist (Maya) is a poetess. And the hero (Mohinder), besotted by her, also keeps reciting her poems frequently (in this scene, for example). How one wishes our day-to-day conversations were as lyrical.

This poem talks about how one keeps on living even when there is nothing worth living for. It is as if we were living out of habit, just for the sake of it. "Aadatein bhi ajeeb hoti hain!"

_______________________
आदत 

साँस लेना भी कैसी आदत है
जिये जाना भी क्या रवायत है
कोई आहट नहीं बदन में कहीं
कोई साया नहीं है आँखों में
पाँव बेहिस हैं, चले जाते हैं 
इक सफ़र है जो बहता रहता है
कितने बरसों से कितनी सदियों से
जिये जाते हैं, जिये जाते हैं

आदतें भी अजीब होती हैं
_______________________
Habits

What a strange habit breathing is!
Such a peculiar custom - this thing called life!
Not even the slightest stirring in the body
Or so much as a shadow in the eyes...
Yet the feet keep walking senselessly
A purposeless journey that's been in motion
For many years, many centuries.
(And) we have kept on living (out of habit)

Habits are such strange things!
_______________________
[रवायत = Ravaayat = Custom
बेहिस = Behis = Unconscious]

Tere Bina (Guru)

The stage is set thus

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. 

(Blast from the past: Tere do takya di naukri, ve mera laakhon da saawan jaaye)]]

Pheeki-pheeki besuaadi ye ratiyaan 

Kaatoon re, kate na kate na

Ab sajna tere bina, tere bina, kaate kate na

Kate na kate na tere bina

Tere bina besuaadi-besuaadi ratiyaan o sajna 

[[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 Kikar tree 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.

With you, even a common tree like Kikar becomes sacred like Pipal (which is considered very sacred in Hindu and Buddhist mythology).]]

[Dum-daara dum-daara mast-mast dum ...]

Jhadi (Pukhraj)

झड़ी 

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]

O Humdum Suniyo Re (Saathiya)

A short post :)

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

1. 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".
2. 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.