Showing posts with label patriotic Bollywood songs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label patriotic Bollywood songs. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Translation of Tiranga Patriotic Song from Hindi Movie Yodha

 

Tiranga – Translation of Patriotic Song by Manoj Muntashir

Meta Description:  Yodha is a 2024 patriotic Hindi movie. Tiranga was penned by Manoj Muntashir. It was used in the reels of Indian performances in the Commonwealth Games 2026.

Setting the Background for Translating Tiranga

I first encountered this song as the soundtrack to numerous reels celebrating the outstanding performances of Indian athletes at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Curious about its origin, I discovered that it was from the 2024 Hindi film Yodha, a movie that failed at the box office. The lyrics are by Manoj Muntashir, who has emerged as the latest in the tradition of patriotic Bollywood lyricists established by Kavi Pradeep and Prem Dhawan.
With India's Independence Day approaching, this seems an appropriate occasion to add Tiranga to Bollywood Translations.

Maa Se Hai Maati

Maa means "mother." In this line, Muntashir cleverly plays on two words that begin with the same sound: maati (earth or soil) and maatha (forehead). The alliteration reinforces the emotional connection between the motherland and the individual. Such wordplay is impossible to reproduce naturally in English, so some of its effect is inevitably lost in translation. That is one of the occupational hazards of literary translation.

The Poetic English Translation of the Lyrics of Tiranga

 

Let your Himalaya touch the heavens

Let your Ganga forever flow

May your tricolour soar so high

That the stars remain far below

 

Blessed is the earth

The forehead bows down

Earth on the forehead

We’ll adorn with pride

 

O mothers let ever blow

The fearless breezes

The tricolour sway as a hero

You be free and you be prosperous

That the stars remain far below

 

Blessed is the earth

The forehead bows down

Earth on the forehead

We’ll adorn with pride

 

O mothers let ever blow

The fearless breezes

The tricolour sway as a hero

You be free and you be prosperous

That the stars remain far below

 

Mothers we will lay our lives at your feet

Be assured your children will not retreat

 

Whenever danger threatens you

Call and we will surely come

Grant us time and again

The honour of martyrdom

 

Our trifling life is

Nothing compared to you

But only a brave heart

Can bid it adieu

 

Blessed is the earth

The forehead bows down

Earth on the forehead

We’ll adorn with pride

 

O mothers let ever blow

The fearless breezes

The tricolour sway as a hero

You be free and you be prosperous

That the stars remain far below

 

What is the worth of

This blood of mine

If it’s not shed

For you divine

 

O mothers let ever blow

The fearless breezes

The tricolour sway as a hero

You be free and you be prosperous

That the stars remain far below

 

The tricolour sway as a hero

That the stars remain far below

The tricolour sway as a hero

That the stars remain far below

 

The Original Hindi Lyrics of Tiranga from Yodha

 

Tera Himalaya Aakash Chhoo Le
Behti Rahe Teri Ganga
Ooncha Ho Itna, Itna Buland Ho
Taaron Ko Choomein Tiranga

 

Maa Se Hai Maati
Maa Se Hai Maatha
Maathe Pe Maati
Saza Ke Chalein

 

Maaye Chalti Rahe
Bekhauf Hawa Yeh
Lehra Ke Jhoomein Tiranga


Aazad Rahe, Aabaad Rahe Tu
Taaron Ko Choomein Tiranga

 

Maa Se Hai Maati
Maa Se Hai Maatha
Maathe Pe Maati
Saza Ke Chalein

 

Maaye Chalti Rahe
Bekhauf Hawa Yeh
Lehra Ke Jhoomein Tiranga


Aazad Rahe, Aabaad Rahe Tu
Taaron Ko Choomein Tiranga

 

Maaye Tere Liye Mar Mitenge
Tere Bete Na Peechhe Hatenge
Jab Tujhpe Aanch Aaye
Humein Tu Pukaar Lena
Balidaan Ka Bahaana
Humein Baar Baar Dena


Yeh Jo Jaan-Vaan Hai
Tere Saamne Kya Hai
Koyi Shoorveer Hi
Praan Daan Deta Hai

 

Maa Se Hai Maati
Maa Se Hai Maatha
Maathe Pe Maati
Saza Ke Chalein

 

Maaye Chalti Rahe
Bekhauf Hawa Yeh
Lehra Ke Jhoomein Tiranga

Aazad Rahe, Aabaad Rahe Tu
Taaron Ko Choomein Tiranga

 

Mere Lahu Ka
Hai Fayda Kya
Aye Na Maa
Jo Yeh Kaam Tere

 

Maaye Chalti Rahe
Bekhauf Hawa Yeh
Lehra Ke Jhoomein Tiranga

Aazad Rahe, Aabaad Rahe Tu
Taaron Ko Choomein Tiranga

 

Jhoomein Haan Jhoomein Tiranga
Taaron Ko Haan Choomein Tiranga
Jhoomein Haan Jhoomein Tiranga
Taaron Ko Haan Choomein Tiranga

 

 

Meanings of Difficult Words

 

Buland = Grand
Maati = Earth or Soil
Maatha = Forehead
Bekhauf = Fearless
Aabaad = Prosperous
Aanch aana = To be in trouble
Shoorveer = Braveheart

 

The Literal English Translation of the Lyrics of Tiranga

 

Let your Himalaya touch the skies

Let your Ganga keep flowing

Let it be so high, and so grand

That the tricolour will kiss the stars

 

Maati (Earth) begins with Maa (Mother)

Maatha (Forehead) begins with Maa (Mother)

On our foreheads the earth (of our motherland)

We will adorn and move

 

Mothers, let flow

This fearless breeze

In which the tricolour will flutter and sway

You remain free, you remain prosperous

The tricolour will kiss the stars

 

Mothers, we will die for you

Your children will not retreat

When you are in trouble

You call us

An excuse for martyrdom

Give us again and again

 

This trifling life

Is nothing compared to you

Only a brave heart

Sacrifices his life

 

My blood

Has no utility

If mother

It does not serve you

 

Tiranga Fact Sheet

·       Movie: Yodha
·       Singer: B Praak
·       Lyricist: Manoj Muntashir
·       Composer: Tanishk Bagchi
·       On Screen: Siddharth Malhotra
·       Producer: Karan Johar (Dharma Productions)
 
Enjoy the video of Tiranga.  I have other patriotic songs at Bollywood Translations with more in the pipeline.
 
·       Maatrubhumi
·       Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna
·       Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon
·       Lehera Do
 
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.

Sunday, April 13, 2025

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.
 
 
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.