Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam Explanation and Translation

 Waqt Ne Kiya – English Translation and Meaning of Guru Dutt Song

Meta Description:  Waqt Ne Kiya is an iconic song from Guru Dutt’s Kaagaz Ke Phool. Several meanings are available for kya haseen sitam. Read my explanation of Geeta Dutt song.

The Meaning and Explanation of Kya Haseen Sitam

Haseen Sitam is a powerful oxymoron, juxtaposing the words for beautiful (haseen) and oppression (sitam). Such contradictions often require deeper interpretation rather than a literal understanding. In nature, beauty can indeed be terrifying, a phenomenon captured in the aesthetic concept of “awe.” For instance, the image of molten lava cascading down a mountainside and crashing into the ocean evokes both beauty and fear—a striking example of duality. Clearly, this will not apply to the song.

 

The narrative of Kaagaz Ke Phool unfolds as a textbook tragedy. The inevitable calamitous conclusion seems preordained, with fate relentlessly steering the characters toward their doom. This perfect progression toward an unfortunate end can be seen as beautiful, because perfection is often seen as beauty. Therefore, I interpret haseen sitam perfect tragedy.

The English Transcreation of the Lyrics of Waqt Ne Kiya 

Time sealed our fate perfect tragedy

From what we were then both changed fully

Time sealed our fate perfect tragedy

From what we were then both changed fully

Time sealed our fate

 

We came together impatient of heart

It was as if we were never apart

We came together impatient of heart

It was as if we were never apart

Then our separate paths were compelled to chart

After a few steps on the same journey

Time sealed our fate perfect tragedy

From what we were then both changed fully

Time sealed our fate

 

Where to go from here what’s the way ahead

Our hearts urge us on our minds filled with dread

Where to go from here what’s the way ahead

Our hearts urge us on our minds filled with dread

What do we desire there’s no clue no thread

We are weaving dreams no reality

Time sealed our fate perfect tragedy

From what we were then both changed fully

Time sealed our fate perfect tragedy

The Original Hindi Lyrics of Waqt Ne Kiya from Kaagaz Ke Phool

waqt ne kiya kya haseen sitam

tum rahe na tum hum rahe na hum

waqt ne kiya kya haseen sitam

tum rahe na tum hum rahe na hum

waqt ne kiya...

 

beqaraar dil is tarah mile

jis tarah kabhi hum judaa na the

beqaraar dil is tarah mile

jis tarah kabhi hum judaa na the

tum bhi kho gaye, hum bhi kho gaye

ek raah par chalake do qadam

waqt ne kiya kya haseen sitam

tum rahe na tum hum rahe na hum

waqt ne kiya...

 

jaenge kahaan soojhataa  nahin

chal pade magar raastaa nahin

jaenge kahaan soojhataa  nahin

chal pade magar raastaa nahin

kyaa talaash hai kuchh pataa nahin

bun rahe hain dil khwaab dam-ba-dam

waqt ne kiya kya haseen sitam

tum rahe na tum hum rahe na hum

waqt ne kiya kya haseen sitam

 

Meaning of Urdu words

 

Haseen = beautiful

Sitam = oppression, tragedy

Beqaraar = impatient

Bun = To weave

Dam-ba-dam = incessantly

The Literal English Translation of the Lyrics of Waqt Ne Kiya

Time imposed on us what a beautiful tragedy

You changed from what you were and so did I

 

Our impatient hearts met this way

As if we had never been separate from each other

Then you got lost somewhere and so did I

After taking just two steps on the same path

 

Cannot understand where we will go

We have embarked but there is no road

What are we in search of we have no idea

Our hearts are weaving dreams at every step

Waqt Ne Kiya Fact Sheet 

·       Movie: Kaagaz Ke Phool

·       Singer: Geeta Dutt

·       Lyricist: Kaifi Azmi

·       Composer: Sachin Dev Burman

·       On Screen: Guru Dutt & Waheeda Rehman

·       Director & Producer: Guru Dutt

 

Enjoy the video of Waqt Ne Kiya.  I have other Kaifi Azmi hit songs at Bollywood Translations with more in the pipeline.

 

·       Chalte Chalte (Pakeezah)

·       Milo Na Tum (Heer Ranjha)

·       Kar Chale Hum Fida (Haqeeqat)

·       Hoke Majboor Mujhe (Haqeeqat)

Awards and Tributes to Waqt Ne Kiya

Both the song and the movie have received several accolades and some controversies as well. I want to share two tributes here. First, I want to state that neither the song nor the movie had any impact on the Filmfare Awards.

Outlook India Magazine Poll

Waqt Ne Kiya was ranked #3 in the "20 Best Hindi Film Songs Ever" poll of 30 leading music composers, singers, and lyricists. The jury included Gulzar, Javed Akhtar, Khayyam, Kumar Sanu, Shankar Mahadevan, and Shreya Ghoshal.

102 Not Out

Waqt Ne Kiya was recreated in a way for the movie 102 Not Out and filmed on Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor. Amitabh Bachchan lent his voice. Enjoy the video here.

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All the translations are my original work. If you quote them, you must acknowledge my name and provide a link to Bollywood Translations.