Ek Ladki Ko Dekha – Translation of Javed Akhtar Hit Song
Meta Description: Ek Ladki Ko Dekha is a Bollywood song
from 1942 A Love Story. Javed
Akhtar, R. D. Burman, and Kumar Sanu are contributors. Enjoy the English
translation.
Setting the Background to Ek Ladki ko Dekha
I have always believed that beauty, or any
strong emotion, is best expressed through comparison rather than direct
definition. Javed Akhtar’s Ek Ladki Ko Dekha embodies this idea perfectly.
When I first heard
this song, it immediately reminded me of two cherished pieces of poetry. The
first is My Favourite Things from The Sound of Music. You can
listen to it here.
The second is a verse from the Ramcharitmanas, where Rama describes Sita
upon seeing her for the first time:
Her beauty enhances beauty itself,
Like purifying incense in a temple,
All the similes of poets fall short in her presence—
How then should I describe the beloved daughter of Janak?
Tulsidas acknowledges
that even comparisons are inadequate, yet they remain our only means to capture
such transcendent beauty.
The Poetic English Translation of the Lyrics of Ek
Ladki Ko Dekha
O, when I saw her I
felt, a flow of emotions
When I saw her I felt,
a flow of emotions
Like a flowering rose,
Like a gemstone that
glows,
Like a bright ray of
hope,
Like the bubbles of
soap,
Like a clear full-moon
night,
Like the winter
sunlight,
Like a supplicant
feels humble devotion
O, when I saw her I
felt, a flow of emotions
O, when I saw her I
felt, a flow of emotions
When I saw her I felt,
a flow of emotions
Like the freshness of
dawn,
Like an innocent fawn,
Like a poet’s grand
dream,
Like the waves in a
stream,
Like a twining green
vine,
Like a presence
divine,
Like her each step was
poetry in motion
O, when I saw her I
felt, a flow of emotions
O, when I saw her I
felt, a flow of emotions
When I saw her I felt,
a flow of emotions
Like a peacock’s bright
wings,
Like a web of silk
strings,
Like an angelic choir,
Like a sandalwood fire,
Like a bride’s
blushing cheeks,
Like the virgin snow
peaks,
Like the euphoria of
love’s magic potion
O, when I saw her I
felt, a flow of emotions
I have not been able to match comparison
for comparison the original Hindi lyrics and the English translation, but this
was inevitable. I would be grateful to any reader who can produce a more
accurate translation. Please indicate your similes in the comments and I will
acknowledge your contribution. I am not providing a literal translation because
Javed Akhtar’s lyrics are simpler than simple.
The Original Hindi Lyrics of Ek Ladki Ko Dekha from
1942 A Love Story
Ho, ek ladki ko dekha
to aisa laga
Ek ladki ko dekha to aisa laga
Jaise khilta gulaab,
Jaise shayar ka khwaab,
Jaise ujali kiran,
Jaise ban mein hiran,
Jaise chandni raat,
Jaise narmi ki baat,
Jaise mandir mein ho ek jalta diya
Ho, ek ladki ko dekha to aisa laga
Ho, ek ladki ko dekha
to aisa laga
Ek ladki ko dekha to aisa laga
Jaise subah ka roop,
Jaise sardi ki dhoop,
Jaise veena ki taan,
Jaise rangon ki jaan,
Jaise balkhaayen bel,
Jaise lehron ka khel,
Jaise khushboo liye aaye thandi hawa
Ho, ek ladki ko dekha to aisa laga
Ho, ek ladki ko dekha
to aisa laga
Ek ladki ko dekha to aisa laga
Jaise naachta moar,
Jaise resham ki dor,
Jaise pariyon ka raag,
Jaise sandal ki aag,
Jaise solah shringar,
Jaise ras ki phuhaar,
Jaise aahista aahista badhta nasha
Ho, ek ladki ko dekha to aisa laga
Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Fact
Sheet
· Movie: 1942 A Love Story
Ek Ladki Ko Dekha in 40th
Filmfare Awards 1995
Though 1942 A Love Story was
nominated for the big four awards, it lost out in all of them. However, the
song, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha, won in all three categories that it was
eligible for.
· Best Music Director: R. D. Burman
· Best Lyricist: Javed Akhtar
· Best Male Playback Singer: Kumar Sanu
The movie won six
other Filmfare Awards that year.
Enjoy the video of Ek Ladki Ko Dekha.
I have other Javed Akhtar hit songs at Bollywood Translations with more
in the pipeline.
