Shikayat Translation of Qawwali from Gangubai Kathiawadi

 

Shikayat – Poetic Translation of Gangubai Kathiawadi Qawwali

Meta Description: Shikayat is a Bollywood Qawwali from Sanjay Leela Bhansali film Gangubai Kathiawadi picturised on Huma Qureshi. Enjoy the translation set to the original music.  

Setting the Background for Translating Shikayat

 

Gangubai (portrayed by Alia Bhatt) is the matriarch of a brothel in Mumbai’s infamous red-light district, Kamathipura. For a brief time, she engages in a playful flirtation with Afsaan, the naïve son of a local tailor. But as she begins to sense the depth of Afsaan’s feelings, Gangubai confronts a painful truth: continuing their relationship would not only jeopardize his future but also tarnish his reputation beyond repair. So, she ends the romance and compels Afsaan to marry a suitable young woman selected by her.

 

The qawwali, performed during the wedding festivities, becomes a poignant reflection of their inner turmoil. Its lyrics echo the unspoken emotions between them. Afsaan, grieved (Shikayat translates as Grievances) and heartbroken, struggles with what he perceives as Gangubai’s betrayal. His hurt is palpable. Gangubai yearns to preserve the bond they once shared—perhaps not as lovers, but as companions who once found fleeting happiness in each other’s presence.

 

 

The Poetic English Translation of the Lyrics of Shikayat

 

In evenings dreaming about a past love that is dear

You wrench your heart to make the longing disappear

You have to kill your soul a thousand times each day

To present a feigned love and a cheerful veneer

 

 

I have heard that he bears deep grievance a plenty

I have heard that he bears deep grievance a plenty

So he harbours for me sweet feelings a plenty

I have heard that he breaks hearts just for the fun

I too am addicted to breakings a plenty

I have heard that he bears deep grievance a plenty

 

He does not now even look me in the eye

I no longer matter to him – don’t know why

Don’t know why; I do not matter; Don’t know why

Though I cross his path almost every day

He does not stop me - simply passes by

Yes, he simply passes by

Yes, yes, he simply passes by

 

I have heard that he bears hatred towards me

His hatred for me grants cold blessings a plenty

I have heard that he bears deep grievance a plenty

I have heard that he bears deep grievance a plenty

 

If you want, lay waste the city of my life

But with one last glance please give me a surprise

That you love me I bear the misimpressions

And my dear I permit you your transgressions

About his transgressions, resentful I am not

Of our shared past moments, forgetful I am not

I am not, forgetful I am not, I am not

Let him hurl charges as many as he wants

My loyalty is true, unfaithful I am not

Yes, yes, unfaithful I am not

Yes, yes, unfaithful I am not

 

I have heard he does not remember past friends

From his memory rise rich longings a plenty

I have heard that he bears deep grievance a plenty

I have heard I have heard deep grievance a plenty

 

Yes sir, yes sir, I have heard sweet feelings a plenty

Yes, yes, his disdain grants cold blessings a plenty

I too am drawn to heart breakings a plenty

Grievances, sweet feelings, yes, blessings a plenty

From his memory rise rich longings a plenty

I have heard, yes heard, yes yes I have, I have heard

Have heard, have heard, have heard, yes

I have heard that he bears deep grievance a plenty

 

The Original Hindi Lyrics of Shikayat from Gangubai Kathiawadi

 

kisi ki yaad mein shaamein guzaarne ke liye
kaleja chahiye khud ko maarne ke liye
ke ghaat maut ke har din utarna padta hai
yeh ishq dil mein meri jaan utaarne ke liye

 

suna hai ke unko shikayat bahut hai
suna hai ke unko shikayat bahut hai
toh phir unko humse mohabbat bahut hai
suna hai ke woh tod dete hai dil toh
suna hai ke unko shikayat bahut hai
humein tootne ki bhi aadat bahut hai

 

nazar bharke woh dekhte bhi nahi hai
humare liye sochte bhi nahi hai
nahi hai nahi sochte bhi nahi hai
guzarte hain hum roz pehlu se unke
magar woh humein rokte bhi nahi hai
haan rokte bhi nahi hai
haan haan rokte bhi nahi hai

suna hai ke nafrat woh karte hai humse
humein unki nafrat se raahat bahut hai
suna hai ke unko shikayat bahut hai
suna hai ke unko shikayat bahut hai

 

shehar chahe jeewan ka veeran kar do
magar dekh kar humko hairaan kar do
bharam aaj bhi hai wafaon ka humko
ijaazat hai jaana khataon ki tumko

 

khata par bhi unki khafa hum nahi hai
kisi haal mein bhi juda hum nahi hai
nahi hai nahi haan juda hum nahi hai
woh ilzaam jitne bhi chahe laga le
wafadaar hain bewafa hum nahi hai
haan haan bewafa hum nahi hai
haan haan bewafa hum nahi hai

 

suna hai ke woh bhool jaate hai milkar
humein unki yaadon ki daulat bahut hai
suna hai ke unko shikayat bahut hai
suna hai suna hai shikayat bahut hai
haan ji haan ji suna hai mohabbat bahut hai
haan haan unki nafrat se raahat bahut hai
humein tootne ki bhi aadat bahut hai
shikayat mohabbat haan raahat bahut hai
humein unki yaadon ki daulat bahut hai
suna hai suna haan haan humne suna hai
suna suna suna hai

suna hai ke unko shikayat bahut hai

 

Meanings of Urdu Words

 

Maut ke ghaat utarna = To die

Shikayat = Grievances

Nazar bharke dekhana = To glance

Pehlu = Side

Raahat = Relief

Khata = Error

Khafa = Angry

 

The Literal English Translation of the Lyrics of Shikayat

 

To spend evenings remembering someone

You need guts to suppress your true desires

You have to “die” every day

You exhibit feigned love, my dear

(A prostitute’s lament: She has to supress her true love and pretend to romance with her customers)

 

I have heard that he has many grievances

This means that he is still in love with me

I have heard that he is a master at breaking hearts

I am habituated to getting my heart broken

 

He does not even glance at me

He does not even think about me

I pass by him every day

But he does not stop me

I have heard that he bears hatred towards me

His hatred gives me substantial relief

(hatred as an indication that he is getting over the past love)

 

You can lay waste the city of my life if you want

But give me a surprise bu looking at me

I carry the delusion that you still love me

(Because you appear unhappy with your marriage)

My dear, I permit you being annoyed with me

I am not angry at his grievances

Whatever the present circumstances, I still share the bond with him

Let him hurl as many accusations as he wants

I am loyal to him, I am not unfaithful

I have heard that he forgets people after meeting them

But I have a wealth of memories about him

 

Shikayat Fact Sheet

·       Movie: Gangubai Kathiawadi
·       Singer: Archana Gore
·       Lyricist: A. M. Turaz
·       Composer: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
·       On Screen: Huma Qureshi & Alia Bhatt
·       Director & Producer: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
 
Enjoy the video of Shikayat.  I have other qawwalis at Bollywood Translations with more in the pipeline.
 
·       Nigahen Milane Ko
·       Na To Caravan Ki
·       Aye Meri Zohrajabeen
·       Sachchayee Chhup Nahin Sakti
 
 
Please follow Bollywood Translations and give your feedback in the comments section. Connect with me on X and Instagram @HarshNev. In case you want any song to be translated, whether from Hindi films or otherwise, please mention in the comments.
 
All the translations are my original work. If you quote them, you must acknowledge my name and provide a link to Bollywood Translations.