Pakeezah - "Aaj Ham Apani Duaaon Ka"

This is the last song in the Hindi movie Pakeezah and is the climax of the movie as well. Pakeezah's lover has forsaken her under pressure from his family and now she has been asked to perform a mujra in his wedding. This is her last chance and she gives it all that she has. Befitting the challenge that the chorus of the song describes, Pakeezah dances on broken glass and gets her feet bloodied in order to win her love. The song has been sung by Lata Mangeshkar. The song and its translation are reproduced below.

Poetic Translation of the Lyrics

Today I will know whether my prayers have fructified
Or my female charm has failed, and my heart’s scars have lied

Your guilt makes you ashamed, you’ll not look me in the eye
You are so damn timid, your own heart beat you’ll deny
Feel the pain in my bosom, it will never subside

They say don’t fall in love, if you have a faint heart
Some say love makes you whole, some say it tears you apart
How love unfolds for me, this night’s end will decide

My love is now at test, it could all end tonight

Will the lamp burn to smoke or will there yet be light
To see the dawn tomorrow you must be at my side

Original Lyrics

Aaj Ham Apani Duaaon Ka Asar Dekhenge
Tir-E-Nazar Dekhenge, Zakhm-E-Jigar Dekhenge

Aap To Aankh Milaate Hue Sharamaate Hain,
Aap To Dil Ke Dhadakane Se Bhi Dar Jaate Hain
Phir Bhi Ye Zeed Hai Ke Ham Zakhm-E-Jigar Dekhenge,

Pyaar Karana Dil-E-Betaab Bura Hota Hai
Sunate Aaye Hain Ke Ye Khwaab Bura Hota Hai
Aaj Is Khwaab Ki Taabeer Magar Dekhenge

Jaanaleva Hai Muhabbat Ka Sama Aaj Ki Raat
Sham' a Ho Jayegi Jal Jal Ke Dhuaan Aaj Ki Raat
Aaj Ki Raat Bachenge To Sahar Dekhenge

Literal Translation of the Lyrics

Today I will see the fruits of my prayers
Of my amorous glances and of the wounds of my heart

You are unable to look me in the eyes
You are even afraid of your own heart beat
Yet I will insist on exposing my wounded heart to you

It is not good for people with weak hearts to fall in love
In fact it has been said that love is a bad dream
But today I will see how this dream unfolds for me.

Tonight the atmosphere of love may well be fatal
Tonight the lamp will burn and turn to smoke
If I survive the night then I will see a new dawn


The meanings of two words bear clarification

Tabeer means the interpretation of a dream. In the context of the song it means whether her dream will be realized or not.

Sahar means dawn or morning

Enjoy the video of Aaj Ham Apani Duaaon Ka