Showing posts with label Yash Chopra films. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yash Chopra films. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Jab Bhi Jee Chaahe Poetic Translation of Hit Song from Daag

 Jab Bhi Jee Chaahe: Poetic Translation of Lata Hit from Daag


Meta Description:  Jab Bhi Jee Chaahe is a hit song from Daag, the first Yash Chopra film as producer. Enjoy the Lata Mangeshkar – Sahir Ludhianvi – Laxmikant Pyarelal combine.


Setting the Background for Translating Jab Bhi Jee Chaahe


Sonia kills an assailant in self-defence and her newly married husband Sunil takes the blame to protect her. On his way to court, a tragic accident occurs, and Sunil is presumed dead. Heartbroken, Sonia tries to rebuild her life while holding on to the memory of her lost love.

 She is later befriended by Chandni, who takes her home. To Sonia’s shock, she discovers that Chandni’s husband—now living under the name Sudhir—is none other than Sunil himself.

The poignant lyrics of Sahir Ludhianvi. brought to life by Lata Mangeshkar’s soulful voice, capture Sonia’s anguish and sense of betrayal with haunting beauty.

 

Sringara Rasa in Bollywood Songs

 

Sringara Rasa, as described by Bharata in the Natya Shastra, is the aesthetic sentiment that celebrates love and beauty. It is traditionally divided into two main forms: Sambhoga Sringara, the joy of love in union, and Viyoga Sringara, the pathos of love in separation. Both these facets of love have been beautifully explored in classic Bollywood songs. Jab Bhi Jee Chaahe is a remarkable example of Viyoga Sringara, and we will look at more timeless songs that exemplify both categories later in this blog.


The Poetic English Translation of the Lyrics of Jab Bhi Jee Chaahe

 

Some people just set up a new life whenever they wish

Some people just set up a new life whenever they wish

They don a succession of masks their true face to banish

They don a succession of masks their true face to banish

Some people just set up a new life whenever they wish

They don a succession of masks their true face to banish

They don a succession of masks their true face to banish

 

 

No one remembers at all what the world was like before

No one remembers at all

All desire grows frigid all devotion turns sore

Now what has love become just a means of income

I was naïve that the shroud of past memories I wore

Otherwise, to live anew their past they extinguish

Otherwise, to live anew their past they extinguish

They don a succession of masks their true face to banish

 

 

Who were those people that for fidelity did care

Who were those people that

What transpired in the souls of others they were aware  

Now you have hearts of stone emotions are unknown

The world where lovers flourished is now not seen anywhere

They just profess false loyalty to causes that are selfish

They just profess false loyalty to causes that are selfish

Some people just set up a new life whenever they wish

They don a succession of masks their true face to banish

They don a succession of masks their true face to banish

 

 

The Original Hindi Lyrics of Jab Bhi Jee Chaahe from Daag

 

Jab bhi jee chaahe nai duniya basa lete hain log

Jab bhi jee chaahe nai duniya basa lete hain log

Ek chehre pe kai chehre laga lete hain log

Ek chehre pe kai chehre laga lete hain log

Jab bhi jee chaahe nai duniya basa lete hain log

Ek chehre pe kai chehre laga lete hain log

Ek chehre pe kai chehre laga lete hain log

 

Yaad rehta hai kise guzre zamaane ka chalan

Yaad rehta hai kise

Sard pad jaati hai chahat haar jaati hai lagan

Ab mohabbat bhi hai kya, ik tijarat ke siwa

Hum hi naadan the jo odha beeti yaadon ka kafan

Warna jeene ke liye sab kuchh bhula lete hain log

Warna jeene ke liye sab kuchh bhula lete hain log

Ek chehre pe kai chehre laga lete hain log

 

Jaane woh kya log the jeenko wafa ka paas tha

Jaane woh kya log the

Doosre ke dil pe kya guzregi yeh ehsaas tha

Ab hain patthar ke sanam jeenko ehsaas na gam

Woh zamana ab kahan jo ehl-e-dil ko raas tha

Ab to matlab ke liye naam-e-wafa lete hain log

Ab to matlab ke liye naam-e-wafa lete hain log

Jab bhi jee chaahe nai duniya basa lete hain log

Ek chehre pe kai chehre laga lete hain log

Ek chehre pe kai chehre laga lete hain log

 

Meaning of Difficult Urdu Words

 

Chalan = practice

Sard = Cold

Tijarat = Commerce

Kafan = Shroud

Paas = Respect

Ehsaas = Realisation

Patthar ke sanam = Lovers with hearts of stone

Ehl-e-dil = Hearts of people

Raas = Pleasurable

Naam-e-wafa = Loyalty in name only


The Literal English Translation of the Lyrics of Jab Bhi Jee Chaahe

 

People establish a new world whenever they want

People cover their face with many masks

 

Who remembers the practices prevalent in times past

Desires become cold and devotion loses out

Now what else is love, other than a trade

I was naïve to wear a shroud of past memories

Otherwise, people forget everything to carry on living

 

Who were those people that respected fidelity

They realised what transpired on others’ hearts

Now they are stone like lovers without feelings or pathos

Now where is the world where people with hearts could feel joy

Now people remain loyal in name for their own ends

 

Jab Bhi Jee Chaahe Fact Sheet

·       Movie: Daag
·       Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
·       Lyricist: Sahir Ludhianvi
·       Composer: Laxmikant Pyarelal
·       On Screen: Rajesh Khanna & Sharmila Tagore
·       Director & Producer: Yash Chopra
 
Enjoy the video of Jab Bhi Jee Chaahe
 
Here are some songs of Sambhoga Sringara.
 
·       Yeh Dil Aur Unki
·       Baiyaa Na Dharo
 
And some songs of Viyoga Sringara, of which the Kajari is a special form.
 
·       Sawan
·       Morani Baaga Ma
 
 
 
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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.