Ruaan – Poetic English Translation of Arijit Singh Hit Song

Meta Description:  Ruaan is a Bollywood hit song from Salman Khan starrer Tiger 3.  This is a background song from the Arijit Singh – Pritam combine. Superimpose my English lyrics on the music of Ruaan and you will get a better fit than any other translation.

The Difficulties in Translating Ruaan Ruaan Ab Tere Naa Likhna

There are several translations of this song Ruaan on the Internet and I could not find any that is even worth a second glance. The most problematic line is the refrain Ruaan Ruaan Ab Tere Naa Likhna. There are two independent issues here and I shall take them up one by one.

 ·       The exact English translation of Ruaan in this context is goosebumps. Ruaan refers to the fine hair on the body that stand up during heightened emotions of ecstasy or fear. Unfortunately, the word goosebumps is totally unromantic and would mar the ethereal quality of the song. So, I have used words like joy and ecstasy to capture the emotions of the protagonist.

·       Ab Tere Naa Likhna has been interpreted in two different ways. Some translations have interpreted Naa as Naam, which is name, so the phrase becomes “You are the reason for my ecstasy”. But I ask the question, why has the lyricist used Naa instead of Naam, when using the latter would have no impact on the rhythm or the metre of the song. The only answer I get is that he meant the word Naa in its usual sense of “no”. My interpretation is that since you have given me the ecstasy it is now mine and no longer yours. I will not give it back to you. I have subtly tried to incorporate both points of view.

 

The Poetic English Translation of the Lyrics of Ruaan

 

Bewitching glances, languidly beckoning

With your looks you will kill me

Softly in my ear, your whispered sweet nothings

With honey they will fill me

 

My love runs deep

You’re mine for keeps

My darling, I am sure

The mists we will endure

 

The joy and ecstasy

That you have given me

Will no longer be your

 

I have never told you this

It is my heart’s deepest wish

You are mine my dear, won’t let anyone near

To be lost in love is bliss

 

Are you what you seem to be

I can’t solve this mystery

You are the same, I am the same

But the world looks changed to me

 

Each time is a season new

You hurt and then heal me too

I want to just gaze at your pretty face

I’m never ever leaving you

 

You first kindle my heart’s desire

Then you quench the raging fire

My soul feels your allure

I yearn for you even more

 

The joy and ecstasy

That you have given me

Will no longer be your

 

The Original Hindi Lyrics of Ruaan from Tiger 3

 

Harjaai Ankhiyan Alsayi Ankhiyan
Ankhiyon Se Loote Yaar Tu

Baaton Ke Dhaage Mithe Se Laage
Misri Si Toote Yaar Tu

 Ishq Gehra Mera
Tujhpe Pehra Mera
Raahon Mein Hai Maana
Dhuaan Hi Dhuaan

Mera Ruaan Ruaan
Mera Ruaan Ruaan
Ab Tere Naa Likhna

 

Maine Pehle Jo Tujhse Kahi Na
Keh Raha Hai Dil Wahi Na
Haq Bhi Tujhpe Shaq Bhi Tujhpe
Mujhko Toh Sudh-Budh Rahi Na

 

Tu Jo Dikhe Kya Hai Wahi Na
Dil Mein Uljhan Hai Yahi Na
Tu Wahi Hai Main Wahi Hoon
Par Yeh Duniya Woh Rahi Na

 

Tu Badal Deti Hai Mausam
Zakhm Tu Hai Tu Hai Marham
Dekh Tujhpe Hi Dobaara
Yaar Mar Jaaun Kahi Na

 

Aag Sulge Chahton Ki
Raah Mein Sab Rahton Ki
Yaara Hai Tere Nishaan Hi Nishaan

 

Mera Ruaan Ruaan
Mera Ruaan Ruaan
Ab Tere Naa Likhn

 

The Literal English Translation of the Lyrics of Ruaan

 

Unfaithful eyes, Languid eyes
You rob me with your eyes
Threads of our talk appear very sweet
You melt like a sugar cube

 

My love is deep
It will guard you
I agree that the path is
Filled with smoke

 

My goosebumps
My goosebumps
Are because of you

 

Which I have not told you before
My heart wants to express that
I trust you and mistrust you as well
I have lost all my senses

 

Are you what you appear to be
This thought is bothering me
You are the same I am the same
But the world is not what it was

 

You change the seasons
You are the ailment and you are the cure
If I see you again
Darling I might die

 

My desire is aflame
The reliefs that you can provide
Are etched everywhere

 

My goosebumps
My goosebumps
Are because of you

 

 

I do not usually provide literal translations of the Bollywood songs. I am doing so for Ruaan to highlight the loss of poetry that occurs when one tries to closely follow the original meaning. And how the experience of poetry can be enhanced by slightly moving away from the context. If any reader can make changes in my poetic transcreation, bringing it closer to the original without loss of poetry, I will be obliged. I will incorporate the changes giving credit to the reader. Looking forward to your suggestions in the comments.

 

Ruaan Fact Sheet

·       Movie: Tiger 3

·       Singer: Arijit Singh

·       Lyricist: Irshad Kamil

·       Composer: Pritam

·       On Screen: Salman Khan & Katrina Kaif

·       Producer: Aditya Chopra (Yash Raj Films)

 

Enjoy the video of Ruaan.  I have other Arijit hit songs at Bollywood Translations with more in the pipeline.

·       Khairiyat from Chhichhore.

·       Shayad from Love Aaj Kal

·       Sajni from Laapataa Ladies

 

Sajni – Arijit Singh’s Hit Song Translated into English

Meta Description:  This is a poetic translation of the hit song Sajni sung by Arijit Singh. It has some of the elements of a Kajari. Keep reading Bollywood Translations for more haunting numbers by Arijit Singh.

Sajni from Laapataa Ladies as an Example of a Kajari

It has been established by tradition that the Kajari is sung by a lovelorn lady pining for her lover and the popular examples of this genre support this practise. But the male of the species is also affected by the pangs of separation and Bollywood has innumerable iconic songs portraying this male anguish. Sajni from Laapataa Ladies is one of the latest additions to this list. What brings this haunting Arijit Singh background song closer to a Kajari is the reference to clouds and rain, one of the prime elements of a Kajari.

English Translation of the Lyrics Sajni from Laapataa Ladies

 

O my darling
On strands of time I clutch
How do we get in touch
Painful is the yearning
O my darling

On strands of time I clutch 
I miss you very much
Painful! Painful is the yearning

 

The grey clouds forbode some distress
The rain heightens my loneliness
O tell me how I can supress
The deluge o’erflowing in my breast
I can’t live without your caress
O my darling

 

On strands of time I clutch
How do we get in touch
Painful is the yearning

 

O my darling
On strands of time I clutch
How do we get in touch
Painful! Painful is the yearning

Original Lyrics of Sajni from Laapataa Ladies

Ho sajni re 
Kaise katey din raat
Kaise ho tujhse baat
Teri yaad satave re

Ho sajni re

Kaise katey din raat
Kaise mile tera saath
Teri yaad teri yaad satave re

 

Kaise ghanere badra ghire
Teri kami ki baarish liye
Sailaab jo mere seene mein hai
Koi bataye ye kaise thame
Tere bina ab kaise jiye

Ho sajni re 

Kaise kate din raat
Kaise ho tujhse baat
Teri yaad satave re

 Ho sajni re

Kaise katey din raat
Kaise ho tujhse baat
Teri yaad teri yaad satave re

Sajni Fact Sheet

·       Movie: Laapataa Ladies
·       Singer: Arijit Singh
·       Lyricist: Prashant Pandey
·       Composer: Ram Sampath
·       On Screen: Sparsh Shrivastav & Nitanshi Goel
·       Director: Kiran Rao
 
Enjoy the video of Sajni.  I have other Arijit hit songs at Bollywood Translations with more in the pipeline.
·       Khairiyat from Chhichhore.
·       Shayad from Love Aaj Kal

 

Shayad – Arijit Singh’s Hit Song Translated into English

Metal Description:  This is a poetic translation of the hit song Shayad sung by Arijit Singh. The music has been composed by Pritam. Match the translation of the lyrics with the video of the song.

Often, boys find it difficult to say “I love you” to a girl, perhaps because of the fear of rejection. But they expect the girl to understand and reciprocate. Girls, on the other hand, need this verbal confirmation upfront before they express their own feelings. This quirky mismatch has led to the extinguishing of love before it has a chance to blossom in many Bollywood films. Shayad from Love Aaj Kal narrates exactly this tale.

English Translation of the Lyrics Shayad from Love Aaj Kal

 

Perhaps I am afraid to say I love you

Perhaps you will understand anyway

Perhaps wandering and lost in my thoughts

Perchance you will meet me somewhere one day

 

 

If you are not with me, then I cease to be, I guess

You are all I want and I won’t settle for anything less

If you are not around, I am not me, I confess

You are all I want and I won’t settle for anything less

 

 

I invite you and dream that you have come

And you admit that you love me beyond doubt

Without any work I set off aimlessly

And at your door wait for you to step out

 

The efforts to win you over, I will not supress

You are all I want and I will not settle for anything less

 

Original Lyrics of Shayad From Love Aaj Kal

 

Shayad kabhi na keh sakoon main tumko
Kahe bina samajh lo tum shayad
Shayad mere khayal mein tum ik din
Milo mujhe kahin pe gum shaayad

 

Jo tum na ho.. rahenge hum nahin
Jo tum na ho.. rahenge hum nahin
Na chahiye kuch tum se zyada tum se kam nahi

Jo tum na ho.. toh hum bhi hum nahi
Jo tum na ho.. toh hum bhi hum nahi
Na chahiye kuch tum se zyada tum se kam nahi

 

Aankhon ko khaab dena
Khud hi sawaal karke
Khud hi jawaab dena teri taraf se
Bin kaam kaam karna
Jaana kahin ho chaahe
Har baar hi guzarna teri taraf se

 

Ye koshishein toh hongi kam nahin
Ye koshishein toh hongi kam nahin
Na chahiye kuch tum se zyada tum se kam nahi

Jo tum na ho.. rahenge hum nahin
Jo tum na ho.. toh hum bhi hum nahin
Na chahiye kuch tum se zyada tum se kam nahi

 

Jo tum na ho..
Jo tum na ho..
Jo tum na ho...

 

Shayad Fact Sheet

·       Movie: Love Aaj Kal

·       Singer: Arijit Singh

·       Lyricist: Irshad Kamil

·       Composer: Pritam

·       On Screen: Kartik Aryan & Arushi Sharma

·       Director: Imtiaz Ali

 

Listen to the video track of Shayad and try and impose my English translation of the song in your mind.  Please follow this blog Bollywood Translations if you want more translations from the Arijit Singh – Pritam combine like Khairiyat from Chhichhore.

 

Khairiyat – Arijit Singh’s Hit Song Translated into English

Metal Description:  This is a poetic translation of the hit song Khairiyat sung by Arijit Singh. The music has been composed by Pritam and the lead actors on the screen are Sushant Singh Rajput and Shraddha Kapoor.

English Translation of the Lyrics Khairiyat From Chhichhore

 

Wonder how I am? Do you wonder how I feel?

The pain that torments me when you are not here.

Status does not count when compared with my heart’s zeal.

A day seems like an eon when you are not near.

 

It’s etched in my fate line

That you are only mine

The separations will soon disappear.

Separations will disappear.

 

I’ve endured ages, your image set in my heart.

My love is not fickle, like the waning moon.

Destiny demands, for a while we live apart.

Our spirits are as one, we will unite soon.

 

If love has caused this pain

Then why should I complain

Even with this pain, life for me is dear.

Separations will disappear.

 

Original Lyrics of Khairiyat From Chhichhore

 

Khairiyat pucho, kabhi to kaifiyat pucho
Tumhare bin deewane ka kya haal hai
Dil mera dekho, na meri haisiyat pucho
Tere bin ek din jaise sau saal hai

 

Anjaam hai tay mera
Hona tumhe hai mera
Jitni bhi hon dooriyan filhaal hain
Yeh dooriyaan filhaal hain

 

 

Tumhari tasveer ke sahaare mausam kayi guzaare
Mausami na samjho par ishq ko humaare
Nazron ke saamne main aata nahi tumhare
Magar rehte ho har pal manzar me tum humare

 

Agar ishq se hai mila
Phir dard se kya gila
Iss dard mein zindagi khush'haal hai
Yeh dooriyaan filhaal hain

 

Meanings of some of the Urdu based words, so that the literal meaning of Khairiyat can be understood.

Khairiyat = well being

 Kaifiyat = news, description

 Haisiyat = status

 Filhaal = for now

 Mausami = seasonal

 Manzar = sight

 Khush'haal = prosperous

 

Khairiyat Fact Sheet

·       Movie: Chhichhore
·       Singer: Arijit Singh
·       Lyricist: Amitabh Bhattacharya
·       Composer: Pritam
·       On Screen: Sushant Singh Rajput & Shraddha Kapoor
·       Director: Nitesh Tiwari
 
Listen to the bonus track of Khairiyat and relive your favourite scenes from the movie.  Please follow this blog Bollywood Translations and if you want more translations from the Arijit Singh – Pritam combine please let me know in the comments.

 

Wahan Kaun Hai Tera (Guide) Lyrics Translated to English

Meta Description:  The lyrics of the popular background song Wahan Kaun Hai Tera from the blockbuster Bollywood film have been translated into English. Unlike other translations on the Internet, the poetic quality of the lyrics is maintained at Bollywood Translations. Follow me @HarshNev on Instagram.

Wahan Kaun Hai Tera – The Background Context to Guide

 

The movie Guide begins with Raju being released from jail and then advances on two parallel tracks. One is a flashback that depicts the events leading up to the imprisonment of Raju. The other track shows Raju not returning to his old life and ultimately becoming a revered Swami. Wahan Kaun Hai Tera plays in the background while Raju wrestles with his dilemma and decides to move on.

 

The Hindi Lyrics of Wahan Kaun Hai Tera

 

Wahan kaun hai tera
Musafir, jaayega kahan
Dum lele ghadi bhar
Yeh chhaiyan payega kahan

Wahan kaun hai tera

 

Beet gaye din
Pyar ke palchhin
Sapna bani woh raatein
Bhool gaye who
Tu bhi bhula de
Pyar ki woh mulakatein

Sab door andhera

Musafir, jaayega kahan
Wahan kaun hai tera

Koi bhi teri
Raah na dekhe
Nain bichhaaye na koi
Dard se tere

Koi na tadpa
Aankh kisi ki na royi

Kahe kisko tu mera
Musafir, jaayega kahan
Wahan kaun hai tera

Kehte hain gyani
Duniya hai faani
Paani pe likhi likhayi
Hai sabki dekhi
Hai sabki jaani
Hath kisi ke na aayi

Kuchh tera na mera
Musafir, jaayega kahan
Wahan kaun hai tera

Bollywood Translation of Wahan Kaun Hai Tera from Guide

 

 

You’re a stranger there now,

Traveller, why should you go back

You can tarry awhile

This haven here, what does it lack

 

You’re a stranger there now,

 

 

Those moments of passion

Days and nights, are now memories

Look, she has forgotten

You too forget the old soirees

 

The past is pitch black

Traveller, why should you go back

You’re a stranger there now,

 

She did not wait for you

Counting seconds till you returned

She shed no tears for you

You have been well and truly spurned

A joker in the pack

Traveller, why should you go back

You’re a stranger there now,

 

Life is an illusion

Writing on water, wise men say

Its there in our senses

But it is never there to stay

 

Nothing’s left in the sack

Traveller, why should you go back

You’re a stranger there now,

 

Background Songs in Bollywood Movies

 

Background songs are those that play out in the background without any of the actors lip syncing the lyrics. They reflect the inner mood, usually mental turmoil, of the protagonist at that point in the narrative. Background songs are far more common today, but they used to be a rarity in the 1960s and 1970s.

The maestro Sachin Dev Burman, usually contracted to himself sing a background song in each of the movies for which he composed the music. Wahan Kaun Hai Tera was the song that he sang in Guide. Enjoy the video of the full song.

Follow me on Instagram and X @HarshNevand please do not forget to subscribe to this blog. I value any comments that you may have on Bollywood Translations. Next on my list is the song Khairiyat from the movie Chhichhore, so if you are a fan of Arijit Singh, please keep watching this space.

 

Translation of Bollywood Songs through Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna

Metal Description:  The translation of songs from Hindi to English is a fine art. Factors like content, context, rhythm, rhyme, and the essence of poetry must all be balanced in exact proportions. Understand this process through my Bollywood Translation of Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna from the movie Guide.

Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna - Translating Poetry from Hindi to English

 

Hindi and English are different both idiomatically and structurally. The metaphors and idioms in one language usually do not have correspondences in the other. Therefore, literal translations fail to convey the context. The sentence structure is also different, being subject-verb-object in English and subject-object-verb in Hindi. This creates difficulties in maintaining the rhythm and rhyme. Compromises are unavoidable when translating Bollywood songs into English.

 

·       The translator can follow the content and the context closely, but sacrifice the prosody of the original song.

·       Bollywood songs have a strong metrical and rhyme structure and readers want that to be maintained in the translation. The translator would have to tweak the content a bit in this case, particularly the idiomatic content. I refer to this as transcreation.

·       It is possible that the translator force-fits the content and prosody into the translation but loses the poetic essence entirely. Most translations of Bollywood songs on the Internet fall into this third and undesirable category.

Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna from Guide Lends itself perfectly to both translation and transcreation and in this blog I present both. In the Comments, please let me know which is preferred by you.

 

Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna: The Original Song

 

 

Kaanto se kheench ke ye aanchal 

Tod ke bandhan baandhee paayal

Koi naa roko dil ki udaan ko,

Dil wo chalaa

Aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai

Aaj phir marne ka iraada hai 

 

Apne hi bas mein nahin main

Dil hai kahin to hoon kahin main

Jaane kya paake meri zindagi ne

Has kar kaha, ha ha ha..ha ha..

Aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai

Aaj phir marne ka iraada hai 

 

 Main hoon gubaar ya tufaan hoon

Koi bataaye main kahaan hoon

Dar hai safar mein kahin kho na jaun main

Rasta naya, aa..aa..

Aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai

Aaj phir marne ka iraada hai 

 

Kal ke andheron se nikal ke

Dekha hai aankhein malte malte 

Phool hi phool zindagi bahaar hain

Tay kar liya, aa..aa..

Aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai

Aaj phir marne ka iraada hai 

Shailendra’s language is extremely simple, with only one word needing explanation.

Gubaar = dust storm or sandstorm

Translation of Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna in English

 

Freeing my garment from the thorns

I defied custom and wore my anklets

No one stop the flight of my heart

See it soar

Today I want to live life again

Today I don’t care if I die

 

I am not in my own control

My heart refuses to listen to me

I don’t know why but my life has just

Laughed and said

Today I want to live life again

Today I don’t care if I die

 

I am like a desert sandstorm

Someone tell me where I am

I am afraid that I will lose my way

The path is new

Today I want to live life again

Today I don’t care if I die

 

Emerging from the darkness of the past

I am beginning to look around

My life is like spring in full bloom

I have decided

Today I want to live life again

Today I don’t care if I die

 

The Transcreation of Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna in English

 

I have broken all shackles that bound me

I will not let anybody hound me

Let me now soar above the clouds

Set my heart free

Today I want to live life recklessly

Today I don’t care if I die

 

I have crossed the point of inflection

And am moving towards resurrection

I do not know why but my life is

An ecstasy

Today I want to live life recklessly

Today I don’t care if I die

 

I am hurtling like a sandstorm

Someone tell me where I come from

I am afraid that I will lose my way

I cannot see

Today I want to live life recklessly

Today I don’t care if I die

 

Emerging from the shadows of the past

I am beginning to see sense at last

The spring in full bloom is beckoning

I will be me

Today I want to live life recklessly

Today I don’t care if I die

 

 

About Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna from Guide

Guide was a movie destined for success. Produced under the Navketan banner, it had Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman in the lead. It was directed by Vijay Anand and the maestro S.D. Burman composed the music. All the lyrics were penned by Shailendra. The story was based on the critically acclaimed novel The Guide by R.K. Narayan. Today the movie is remembered for its lilting songs, each of them being a hand-crafted gem. Ironically S.D. Burman missed out on the Filmfare Awards that year, while Dev Anand, Waheeda Rehman, Vijay Anand and R.K. Narayan won in their respective categories. Best Film, Best Dialogues, and Best Cinematography were the other Filmfare Awards won by Guide.

Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna features Waheeda Rehman, as Rosie, dancing in gay abandon on the precarious ramparts of Chittorgarh Fort with the Victory Tower in the background. The scene remains etched in memory as the anthem for freedom from repression and following one’s heart’s desire. Enjoy the full video of the song. The film was also released in English, with the screenplay by Pearl S Buck. More songs from Guide (Din Dhal Jaaye, Kya Se Kya Ho Gaya, Piya Tose Naina Lage Re, Wahan Kaun He Tera) are in the pipeline at Bollywood Translations, so keep tracking this page.

Baiyaa Na Dharo Lyrics English Translation from Dastak

 Baiyaa Na Dharo Lyrics English Translation from Dastak

Metal Description:  This is an English translation of Baiyaa Na Dharo, a song from the Hindi film Dastak. It depicts an intimate moment between the protagonists played on screen by Sanjeev Kumar and Rehana Sultan. Check out the Bollywood Translations of other hit songs from Dastak.

This week I am doing something differently. I will start with the English translation of the lyrics up front, so that you are not cluttered with the original lyrics nor with the background of the song. You can judge the English version as a stand-alone poem. Please do comment if you like this change.

English Translation of the Lyrics Baiyaa Na Dharo From Dastak

 

Darling, don’t take me in your arms

But do not quarrel with me as well

Darling, don’t take me in your arms

My chunri will slip off my breast

And my bangles will taunt me in jest 

My passions will surge and swell 

Darling, don’t take me in your arms 

Not in your arms

 

Please let go of my wrist, darling

And please do not insist, darling

The lamp is watching, it will tell 

Darling, don’t take me in your arms 

Not in your arms

 Oh! I am not in my senses 
Clouded by jasmine fragrances
I wander as if in a spell
Darling, don’t take me in your arms
Not in your arms

 

The Original Lyrics of Baiyaa Na Dharo

Baiyaa na dharo o balamaa
Na karo mose raar
Baiyaa na dharo o balamaa

Dhalegi chunariyaa tan se
Hansegi re chudiyaan chhan se
Machegi jhanakaar
Baiyaa na dharo na dharo
Na dharo o balamaa

Mohe chhodo hay sajanaa
Diyaa sees uthaaye sajanaa
Rahaa mohe nihaar
Baiyaa na dharo na dharo
Na dharo o balamaa

Mai to aap bahaki bahaki
Chalun jaise mahaki mahaki
Chameliyaa ki daar
Baiyaa na dharo na dharo
Na dharo o balamaa.

Majrooh Sultanpuri’s lyrics are surprisingly simple, with only one word needing translation. “Raar” means quarrel. “Diya sees uthaaye” is an interesting metaphor. The flame from the wick will raise its head above the rim of the earthen lamp as if to witness their romancing. The scene in the movie shows an electric lamp to maintain realism, but the thought will not be lost to the discerning aficionado.

Enjoy the video of Baiyaa Na Dharo

 The Playing Hard to Get Genre of Bollywood Songs

There was a saying in the Bollywood movies of the previous century – ladki ki na main bhi usaki haan hai or even though the girl actually says no she means yes. Then it was considered unseemly for the heroine to admit wanting to participate in a romantic interlude. So, she would start off by resisting the hero’s advances and by the end of the song would coyly submit to them. This scenario plays out in Baiyaa Na Dharo as well. During the first verse Salma is seen avoiding Hamid’s embrace, but in the last verse she stretches out on the bed beckoning him to join her.

Here are some more Bollywood songs where the heroine pretends to play the tease.

·       Nahin Nahin Abhi Nahin from Jawani Diwani

·       Baagon Mein Bahaar Hai from Aradhana

Check out the Bollywood Translations of some other hit numbers from Dastak

·       Hum Hain Mataa-e-Koocha-o

·       Mai Ri Main Kaase Kahoon

Please subscribe to my blog and let me know the songs whose translations you would enjoy. Follow me on X: @HarshNev.