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
