Khuda-E-Bartar by Sahir Ludhianvi Explained and Translated

 

Khuda-E-Bartar – Translation of Hit Urdu Song from Taj Mahal  

Meta Description:  Khuda-E-Bartar from Taj Mahal (1963) is about the futility of war. The inputs are by Sahir Ludhianvi, Roshan, and Lata Mangeshkar. Enjoy the poetic translation.

Setting the Background for Translating Ruaan

 

Prince Khurram, later known as Emperor Shah Jahan, (Pradeep Kumar) is deeply in love with Arjumand Banu, who would one day become Mumtaz Mahal (Bina Rai). However, his stepmother, the powerful Queen Consort Nur Jahan, seeks to remove him from the line of succession. To that end, she dispatches him on a needless and perilous military campaign, hoping he will perish on the battlefield.

As the war unfolds, Arjumand Banu waits in quiet anguish for news of his fate. It is against this backdrop that she sings the song, reflecting on the tragic futility of war. Its message remains timeless and resonant, perhaps even more so today in light of ongoing global conflicts, such as the tensions between the United States and Iran.

The Poetic English Translation of the Lyrics of Khuda-E-Bartar

 

O God almighty on this your realm
For a piece of land why do we all fight
On the banner of every victory
Human blood is shed why is that right
O God almighty

 

The land is yours and we are yours too
Then why this question of possession
Why the custom of killing and bloodshed
Why the battles and why the aggression
Those who desire the infinite world
Why are their hearts narrow and finite
O God almighty

 

Mothers and sisters deserving of respect
Give them a life of honour and peace
To those whom you have bestowed with strength
Show them the light of mercy and justice
Why are the heads filled with hubris and pride
Why are the hearts rusty with spite
O God almighty

 

Who is travelling on the path to death
Please ensure him a safe return
Do give shelter to the lovers
So the heart’s garden will never burn
Instead of amity and of loyalty
Why in arrows and cannons we delight

 

O God almighty on this your realm
For a piece of land why do we all fight
On the banner of every victory
Human blood is shed why is that right
O God almighty

 

The Original Hindi Lyrics of Khuda-E-Bartar from Taj Mahal

 

Khuda-e-bartar teri zameen par

Zameen ki khaatir yeh jang kyon hai

Har ek fatah-o-zafar ke daaman pe

Khoon-e-insaan ka rang kyon hai        

Khuda-e-bartar

 

Zameen bhi teri, hain hum bhi tere

Yeh milkiyat ka savaal kya hai

Yeh katl-o-khoon ka rivaaj kyon hai

Yeh rasm-e-jang-o-jidaal kya hai

Jinhe talab hai jahaan bhar ki

Unhi ka dil itana tang kyon hai 

Khuda-e-bartar

Gareeb maao shareef behano

Ko amn-o-izzat ki zindagi de

Jinhe ataa ki hai tune taakat

Unhe hidaayat ki roshani de

Saro mein kibr-o-gurur kyon hain

Dilo ke shishe pe jang kyon hai

Khuda-e-bartar

 

Kazaa ke raste pe jaanevaalo ko

Bach ke aane ki raah dena

Dilo ke gulshan ujad na jaaye

Muhabbato ko panaah dena

Jahan me jashn-e-vafa ke badle

Yeh jashn-e-teer-o-tafang kyon hai

Khuda-e-bartar teri zameen par

Zameen ki khaatir yeh jang kyon hai

Har ek fatah-o-zafar ke daaman pe

Khoon-e-insaan ka rang kyon hai        

Khuda-e-bartar

 

Meanings of Difficult Urdu Words

 

Bartar = Best

Khuda-e-bartar = God who is the best

Fatah-o-zafar = Victory and success

Khoon-e-insaan = Human blood        

Milkiyat = Ownership

Katl-o-khoon = Killing and bloodshed

Jidaal = War

Rasm-e-jang-o-jidaal = Custom of warfare

Talab = Desire

Jahaan bhar ki = Whole world

Tang = Narrow

Amn-o-izzat = Peace and honour

Ataa = Gift

Hidaayat = Guidance

Kibr = Pride

Kibr-o-gurur = Pride

Kazaa = Death, Destiny

Panaah = Shelter

Jashn-e-vafa = Celebration of loyalty

Tafang = Cannons

Jashn-e-teer-o-tafang = Celebration of arrows and cannons (i.e. war)

The Literal English Translation of the Lyrics of Khuda-E-Bartar

 

God almighty on your land
For a piece of land why is there war
On the garment of every victory and success
Why is there the colour of human blood
God almighty

The land is yours and we too are yours
Then why the question of ownership
Why the custom of killing and bloodshed
Why the custom of battles and wars
Those who desire the whole world
Why are their hearts so narrow
God almighty

Poor mothers and respectable sisters
Give them a life of peace and honour
To those whom you have gifted strength
Give them the light so that they may guide others
Why are the heads filled with hubris and pride
Why are the mirrors of the heart rusty
God almighty

 

Who is travelling on the path to death
Show him the way of returning safely
So that the gardens of the heart do not get devastated
Give shelter to love
In this world instead of celebrating loyalty
Why is there a celebration of arrows and cannons

 

God almighty on your land
For a piece of land why is there war
On the garment of every victory and success
Why is there the colour of human blood
God almighty

 

Khuda-E-Bartar Fact Sheet

·       Movie: Taj Mahal (1963)
·       Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
·       Lyricist: Sahir Ludhianvi
·       Composer: Roshan
·       On Screen: Bina Rai
·       Producer: A.K.Nadiadwala
 
Enjoy the video of Khuda-E-Bartar.  I have other Sahir Ludhianvi hit songs at Bollywood Translations with more in the pipeline.
 
·       Sansar Ki Har Shay Ka
·       Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar
·       Tadbeer Se Bigdi Hui
·      Na To Karavan Ki Talash Hai
·       Main Zindagi Ka Saath
 
 
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