Sarfaroshi Ki Tammana Poetic Translation of Patriotic Song

 

Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna – Translation of Bismil Azimabadi Poem

Meta Description:  Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna is a patriotic poem by Bismil Azimabadi popularised by Ram Prasad Bismil in the freedom struggle. Enjoy the translation of this ghazal.

Setting the Background for Translating Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna

 

Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna was penned in 1921 by Bismil Azimabadi in response to the horrific Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The ghazal became a clarion call to arms for those engaged in the freedom struggle against British colonial rule. It was most famously embraced by Ram Prasad Bismil, a revolutionary icon, who is said to have recited the poem on route to the gallows—an act that cemented the poem’s place in the annals of India's fight for independence.

 

The full ghazal consists of eleven couplets and has since been featured in various abridged or adapted forms in Bollywood patriotic films. Its first cinematic appearance was in Manoj Kumar’s Shaheed (1965), that rekindled the patriotic fervour in a generation born after India’s independence. I have based my translation of Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna on this adaptation. I am also reproducing the transliteration of the full ghazal.

 

Translating Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna as a Ghazal

 

The qafiya (rhyme) and radif (refrain) are essential structural elements in the composition of a ghazal. However, one of the greatest challenges in translating Urdu ghazals into English lies in adapting the radif—primarily due to the stark grammatical differences between Urdu and English sentence structures.

 

In most of my translations of Bollywood ghazals, I have managed to incorporate both the qafiya and radif to preserve the integrity of the original poetic form. Unfortunately, in the case of Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna, the use of a consistent radif has proven elusive. As a result, the relevant lines conclude with the qafiya alone, without the accompanying refrain. If you have a suggestion for a suitable radif that works naturally within the rhythm and spirit of this translation, please feel free to share it in the comments. I would be happy to consider revising the translation accordingly and will be sure to acknowledge your contribution.

 

Translating Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna has required a fair degree of transcreation to retain the poem’s patriotic fervour and emotional intensity. To offer readers a fuller understanding of the original, I have also included a literal translation.

 

The Poetic English Translation of the Lyrics of Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna

 

Why are people so afraid

To speak what’s on their mind

Everywhere I look around

I see them cowering like mice

I see them cowering like mice

 

We are committed to perform

The ultimate sacrifice

We are committed to perform

The ultimate sacrifice

Let us test how much power

In the tyrant’s arms lies

We are committed to perform

The ultimate sacrifice

 

When the hour of truth arrives

We’ll speak up what must be said

When the hour of truth arrives

We’ll speak up what must be said

Why to reveal our hand before

The final roll of the dice

The final roll of the dice

 

We are committed to perform

The ultimate sacrifice

Let us test how much power

In the tyrant’s arms lies

We are committed to perform

The ultimate sacrifice

 

We will take the battle to

The enemy’s streets and gates

We will take the battle to

The enemy’s streets and gates

In this war for liberty

Gladly we will pay the price

Gladly we will pay the price

 

We are committed to perform

The ultimate sacrifice

Let us test how much power

In the tyrant’s arms lies

We are committed to perform

The ultimate sacrifice

 

 

The Original Hindi Lyrics of Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna from Shaheed (1965)

 

Ek se karta nahi kyon

Doosra kuchh baat cheet

Dekhta hu mai jise

Wo chup teri mehfil mein hai

Wo chup teri mehfil mein hai

 

Sarfaroshi ki tamanna

Ab hamare dil mein hai

Sarfaroshi ki tamanna

Ab hamare dil mein hai

Dekhna hai zor kitn

Bazu-e-qaatil mein hai

Sarfaroshi ki tamanna

Ab hamare dil mein hai

Waqt aane par bataa

Denge tujhe o aasman

Waqt aane par bataa

Denge tujhe o aasman

Hum abhi se kya bataye

Kya humare dil mein hai

Kya humare dil mein hai

Sarfaroshi ki tamanna

Ab hamare dil mein hai

Dekhna hai zor kitna

Bazu-e-qaatil mein hai

Sarfaroshi ki tamanna

Ab hamare dil mein hai

 

Khaich kar layi hai sabko

Qatl hone ki ummeed

Khaich kar layi hai sabko

Qatl hone ki ummeed

Aashiqon ka aaj jamaghat

Kuchaa-e-qaatil mein hai

Kuchaa-e-qaatil mein hai

Sarfaroshi ki tamanna

Ab hamare dil mein hai

Dekhna hai zor kitna

Bazu-e-qaatil mein hai

Sarfaroshi ki tamanna

Ab hamare dil mein hai

Meanings of Difficult Urdu Words

 

Sarfaroshi = Willingness to sacrifice one’s life

Bazu-e-qaatil = The arms of the murderer (enemy)

Kuchaa-e-qaatil = The lanes of the murderer

 

The Original Urdu Complete Lyrics of Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna by Bismil Azimabadi

Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai
Dekhna hai zor kitna baazu-e-qaatil mein hai

Karta nahin kyun doosra kuch baat-cheet
Dekhta hun main jise woh chup teri mehfil mein hai
Aye shaheed-e-mulk-o-millat main tere oopar nisaar
Ab teri himmat ka charcha ghair ki mehfil mein hai
Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai

Waqt aanay dey bata denge tujhe aye aasman
Hum abhi se kya batayen kya hamare dil mein hai
Khainch kar layee hai sab ko qatl hone ki ummeed
Aashiqon ka aaj jumghat koocha-e-qaatil mein hai
Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai

Hai liye hathiyaar dushman taak mein baitha udhar
Aur hum taiyyaar hain seena liye apna idhar
Khoon se khelenge holi gar vatan muskhil mein hai
Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai

Haath jin mein ho junoon katt te nahi talvaar se
Sar jo uth jaate hain voh jhukte nahi lalkaar se
Aur bhadkega jo shola-sa humaare dil mein hai
Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai

Hum to ghar se nikle hi the baandhkar sar pe kafan
Jaan hatheli par liye lo barh chale hain ye qadam
Zindagi to apni mehmaan maut ki mehfil mein hai
Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai

Yuun khadaa maqtal mein qaatil kah rahaa hai baar baar
Kya tamannaa-e-shahaadat bhi kisee ke dil mein hai
Dil mein tuufaanon ki toli aur nason mein inqilaab
Hosh dushman ke udaa denge humein roko na aaj
Duur reh paaye jo humse dam kahaan manzil mein hai
Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai

Wo jism bhi kya jism hai jismein na ho khoon-e-junoon
Kya lade toofaanon se jo kashti-e-saahil mein hai
Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai.
Dekhna hai zor kitna baazu-e-qaatil mein hai.

 

The Literal English Translation of the Lyrics of Ruaan

 

Why ia a person not

Talking to anyone else

Whoever I see

Is silent in your party

 

The desire to sacrifice our lives

Is now within our hearts

We have to see how strong are

The arms of the oppressor

 

When the time comes we

Will reveal all to the skies

Now why should we say

What is in our hearts

 

We all have been dragged here

By the desire to die for our cause

The lovers of freedom are assembled

In the lanes of the oppressor

 

Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna Fact Sheet

·       Movie: Shaheed (1965)
·       Singers: Manna De, Mohammad Rafi, Rajendra Mehta
·       Lyricist: Bismil Azimabadi
·       Composer: Prem Dhawan
·       On Screen: Manoj Kumar, Prem Chopra, and others
 
Enjoy the video of Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna.  You may also like the Rang De Basanti Chola from the same movie.
 
 
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