Hum Hain Mataa-e-Koocha-o Lyrics from the Bollywood Film Dastak

Metal Description: Hum hain mataa-e-koocha-o is a ghazal in chaste Urdu written by Majrooh Sultanpuri. Three verses have been used in Rajinder Singh Bedi’s Dastak with music by Madan Mohan and sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Understand the literal translation in English and enjoy the transcreation as poetry.

Before the Translation of Hum Hain Mataa-e-Koocha-o from Urdu

 

Hum hain mataa-e-koocha-o from Dastak is a perfect candidate at Bollywood Translations.

It is one of the more difficult film songs to understand, because it has been penned in chaste Urdu and not in the usual Hindustani which is an amalgam of Urdu and Hindi. And there is a background story here.

 

When Rajinder Singh Bedi decided to make Dastak he approached Majrooh Sultanpuri to write the lyrics. While waiting for Majrooh, Bedi picked up a diary containing the poet’s ghazals and happened to read hum-hain-mataa-e-koocha-o. It was a love at first sight because the very first verse of the ghazal epitomised the central theme of the proposed movie. Majrooh offered to rewrite the ghazal in Hindustani because most Bollywood fans would not understand the original, but Bedi wanted the lyrics as written. He was a filmmaker who did not compromise, not even for his viewers.

 

Bedi ensured that the song was a handcrafted masterpiece. The music was composed by Madan Mohan and rendered in the soulful voice of Lata Mangeshkar. Rehana Sultan played the protagonist to perfection. Dastak performed handsomely at the National Film Awards 1971, winning the Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Music Direction accolades.

 

Hum Hain Mataa-e-Koocha-o As a Ghazal

The metrical structure and the rhyme scheme of a ghazal adheres to tradition, yet its thematic essence varies across its verses. Each stanza of a ghazal is expected to encapsulate a distinct idea, and so it was with Majrooh Sultanpuri's creation. Majrooh has included his name in the last verse as the poet, again as was the practice.

Rajinder Singh Bedi's discerning eye selected three stanzas from the original hum hain mataa-e-koocha-o and skilfully integrated them into the climax scene of Dastak. Those not in the know still believe that the song was custom-crafted for this specific moment. To unravel the profound meaning of hum hain mataa-e-koocha-o, one must delve into the story of Dastak.

Hum Hain Mataa-e-Koocha-o in the Context of Dastak

Hamid and Salma, newlyweds facing the harsh reality of limited housing options, find themselves settling in a flat situated in a red-light district, once occupied by a woman named Shamshad, known to the locals as a prostitute. Salma, unfairly judged and ostracized by the community due to this association, bears the brunt of their prejudice, particularly when Hamid is away at work. Their ordeal reaches a critical juncture when a former patron of Shamshad visits, confessing that his sole pleasure was listening to her sing. In a moment of raw emotion and frustrated by the taunts she has had to bear, Salma retrieves her tanpura and begins to sing hum hain mataa-e-koocha-o.

·       The ghazal’s poignant first verse mirrors Salma's struggle and the societal objectification of women while the patron ogles with lust drooling from his eyes.

·       As the ghazal moves to the second verse, Salma lost in her performance, is oblivious to her husband’s presence, but the viewer sees a jealous rage simmering on Hamid’s face.

·       As the song climaxes in the final verse, Hamid overcome by possessiveness reaches for a knife to stab her. The song ends here but what happens immediately thereafter is relevant.

·       Salma smashes her tanpura against the wall and Hamid drops the knife. Salma apologises for the seeming behavioural lapse and the couple resolve to confront the adversity together.

The Urdu Lyrics and the English Translation

These are the stanzas of hum hain mataa-e-koocha-o that have been included in the movie Dastak, followed by my interpretation. I have not gone for the literal word by word translation but have opted for transcreation of poetry to keep the English lyrics in sync with the events on the screen. See the video of hum hain mataa-e-koocha-o before going ahead.

Hum hain mataa-e-koocha-o-bazaar ki tarah

Uthati hai har nigaah kharidaar ki tarah

I’m like the cheap goods on the street market display

All who look at me wonder what price they’d have to pay

 

Vo to kahin hai aur magar dil ke aas paas

Phirti hai koi shai nigah-e-yaar ki tarah

 

My lover’s elsewhere but it feels as if he’s here

A loving gaze or jealous rage that I can’t say

 

Majrooh likh rahey hain vo ahl-e-wafaa kaa naam

Hum bhi khade huey hain gunahgaar ki tarah

He has always been proud of my fidelity

But I now stand guilty wishing my shame away

 

The Original and Complete Version of Hum Hain Mataa-e-Koocha-o

 

Though this blog is about Bollywood Translations I would like to address the original and complete lyrics of hum hain mataa-e-koocha-o written by Majuru Sultanpuri as a part of his personal poetry writing. See how the interpretation can vary when the movie context is ignored. Read the complete ghazal, understand the key Urdu words and phrases, and then enjoy my transcreation of this sublime poem.

 

Hum hain mataa-e-koocha-o-bazaar ki tarah

Uthati hai har nigaah kharidaar ki tarah

 

Mataa = goods

Koocha = lane

mataa-e-koocha-o-bazaar = goods from the lanes and markets

 

I’m like the cheap goods on the street market display

All who look at me wonder what price they’d have to pay

 

 

Is koo-e-tishnagi mein bahut hai ki ek jaam

Haath aa gayaa hai daulat-e-bedaar ki tarah

 

Koo = lane

Tishnagi = thirst

Bedaar = plentiful

 

One glass of wine would suffice to quench this road thirst

But here I am at the bar with bottles in an array

 

Vo to kahin hai aur magar dil ke aas paas

Phirti hai koi shai nigah-e-yaar ki tarah

 

Shai = thing

 

My lover’s elsewhere but it feels as if he’s here

I can touch his loving gaze be it night or day

 

 

Seedhee hai raah-e-shauq pe yunhi kahin kahin

Khum ho gai hai gesoo-e-dildaar ki tarah

 

Seedhee = straight

Raah e shauq = desired path

Khum = crooked

Gesoo = tresses of hair

 

I thought my desired path would be straight and easy

It twined like my lover’s plait much to my dismay

 

Be-tesha-e-nazar na chalo raah-e-raftagaan

Har naqsh-e-paa buland hai deevaar ki tarah

Be = without

Tesha = wood cutting tool

Raftagaan = past

Naqsh = what has been written

Paa = legs

 

Do not ponder on the past with your bleary eyes

Firmly plant each step ahead build a new today

 

Ab jaa ke kuchh khulaa hunar-e-naakhun-e-junoon

Zakhm-e-jigar huey lab-o-rukhsaar ki tarah

Rukhsaar = cheeks

 

My heart’s wounds now stand exposed like my lips and cheeks

It was a frenzied task to put them on display

 

Majrooh likh rahey hain vo ahl-e-wafaa kaa naam

Hum bhi khade huey hain gunahgaar ki tarah

Ahl e wafaa = loyal person

Majrooh is listing names of those faithful in love

I stand aside guilty wishing my shame away

More on Dastak at Bollywood Translations

 

Dastak was a movie way ahead of its time. If you missed out the first time around you can see it now by clicking the link. Each number in the soundtrack is a song to be cherished. I already have the translation of Mai Ri, and the other numbers will soon be incorporated in Bollywood Translations. Keep tracking this page. Please subscribe to this blog and if you have any requests put them in the comments below.

I have other interests as well and you can check out more blogs.

 

·       India My Country

·       Bharatiya Itihaas

·       Blackjack – Ace the Dealer

·       Ramayana (Hindi)

 

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