English Translation of Mun Bairagi – A Ghazal by Nida Fazli

Meta Description:  Mun Bairagi is a ghazal written by the Urdu poet Nida Fazli. The opening verse of the poem was recited at the end of the Bollywood movie Aiyaari. Enjoy the English translation of this ghazal set to the same metre as the original.

The Bollywood Connection of Mun Bairagi

Mun Bairagi does not feature as a song in the movie Aiyaari, which starred Manoj Bajpai and Siddharth Malhotra in the lead roles. The first two couplets of the ghazal are recited at the very end of the movie. “Aiyaar” means an imposter, particularly one who cons other people through his disguises. In the context of the movie, the characters played by both Malhotra and Bajpai are secret service officers and masters at misleading others through their craft.

Nida Fazli’s ghazal uses the word “aiyaari” and elaborates on the characteristics of an “aiyaar” as a person that reinvents himself according to the need of the situation.   

The Original Urdu Lyrics of Mun Bairagi by Nida Fazli

Mun bairagi tan anuragi kadam kadam dushvari hai

Jivan jeena sahal na jaano bahut badi fankari hai

 

Auron jaise ho kar bhi hum ba-izzat hain basti mein

Kuchh logon ka seedhapan hai kuchh apni aiyaari hai

 

Jab jab mausam jhooma hum ne kapde phade shor kiya

Har mausam shaista rahna kori duniyadari hai

 

Aib nahin hai is mein koi laal pari na phool gali

Ye mut poochho vo achchha hai ya achchhi nadari hai

 

Jo chehra dekha vo toda nagar nagar veeran kiye

Pehle auron se nakhush the ab ḳhud se bezari hai

 

Meanings of Urdu words

 

Bairagi = renunciate

Anuragi = hedonistic (here)

Dushvari = misery

Sahal = easy

Fankari = artistry

Ba-izzat = with honour

Aiyaari = cunning (here)

Shaista = humble

Duniyadari = worldliness

Aib = fault

Laal pari = red fairy (literally); wine (metaphorically)

Phool gali = flower lane (literally); here the reference is to courtesans’ halls because flower garlands are usually sold in the lanes outside

Nadari = poverty

Nakhush = unhappy

Bezari = displeasure 

The English Transcreation of the Lyrics of Mun Bairagi 

Spirit abjures but flesh desires life is not a piece of cake

To surmount its obstacles you must be quick on the uptake

 

I am as crooked as the next but they call me Honest Joe

In part people are simpletons in part I know how to fake

 

When there’s been a change of guard I’ve sloganeered with the crowd

To blend in with every scene is a change that I can make

 

There is no fault in frequenting night clubs nor red-light districts

Hedonism or poverty tell me which you will forsake

 

Like a frenzied iconoclast I smashed all that came my way

First I believed the world was wrong now I know of my mistake

More Ghazals at Bollywood Translations

The ghazal is an ethereal form of poetry, traditionally written in Urdu. However, Hindustani (Urdu and Hindi) is increasingly the language of ghazals, particularly in the context of Bollywood songs. When translated perfectly in English, readers will enjoy the same heightened experience. Check out these ghazals translated at this blog site.
 
·       Sansar ki har shay ka
·       Champayi rang yaar aa jaye
·       Hum hai mataa-e-koocha-o
 
 
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