Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi Lyrics English Translation -
The opening couplet sets the stage. A "Chaudhvin Ki Raat" is the night of a full moon, the symbol of perfect, unattainable beauty in Urdu poetry. The poet describes a night where everyone is in awe of the light, but they are not debating the moon's beauty. They are debating whether the moon is actually the face of the beloved. This establishes her as being more radiant than the most beautiful natural phenomenon. The poet's silent smile is an act of guarding her honor, preserving the mystery of her "parda" (veil).
This is the most poignant part. The poet waited all night. He drifted in and out of sleep (anxiety), but the beloved never checked on him. He uses taqrir (rhetoric) to hide his pain: "You didn't care? Fine. But why should I care?"
Kal Chaudhvin ki raat thi aur main zara nashe mein tha Tumhein ek khwab mein dekha aur main zara nashe mein tha
| | Transliteration | English Translation | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | कल चौदहवीं की रात थी, शब भर रहा चर्चा तेरा | Kal chaudhvin ki raat thi, shab bhar raha charcha tera | Last night was the fourteenth night (of the lunar cycle), and all night there was discussion about you. | | कुछ ने कहा ये चाँद है, कुछ ने कहा चेहरा तेरा | Kuchh ne kaha ye chaand hai, kuchh ne kaha chehra tera | Some said, "This is the moon," while others said, "(No,) this is your face." | | हम भी वहीं मौजूद थे, हम से भी सब पूछा किए | Hum bhi wahin maujood the, humse bhi sab poochha kiye | I was also present there, and everyone kept asking me as well. | | हम हँस दिए, हम चुप रहे, मंज़ूर था परदा तेरा | Hum hans diye, hum chup rahe, manzoor tha parda tera | I just smiled, I remained silent—I accepted your veil (i.e., your decision to remain hidden from me). | | इस शहर में किस से मिलें, हम से तो छूटीं महफ़िलें | Is shehar mein kis se milen, hum se to chhootiin mehfilein | In this city, who should I meet? I have been cut off from all gatherings. | | हर शख़्स तेरा नाम ले, हर शख़्स दीवाना तेरा | Har shakhs tera naam le, har shakhs deewana tera | Everyone takes your name, everyone is crazy for you. | | कूचे को तेरे छोड़ कर, जोगी ही बन जाएँ मगर | Kooche ko tere chhod kar, jogi hi ban jaayen magar | I could leave your street and become a hermit (ascetic), but... | | जंगल तेरे, परबत तेरे, बस्ती तेरी, सेहरा तेरा | Jangal tere, parbat tere, basti teri, sehra tera | ...the jungle is yours, the mountains are yours, the settlements are yours, and the desert is yours. (Your presence is everywhere; I cannot escape you). | | हम और रस्म-ए-बंदगी, आशुफ़्तगी उफ़्तादगी | Hum aur rasm-e-bandagi, aashuftagi uftaadgi | As for me, (I am trapped in) the rituals of worship (i.e., your devotion), anxiety, and distress. | | एहसान है क्या-क्या तेरा, ऐ हुस्न-ए-बेपरवा तेरा | Ehsaan hai kya-kya tera, ai husn-e-beparwa tera | What are your countless favors, O carefree beauty? | | दो अश्क जाने किस लिए पलकों पे आ के टिक गए | Do ashq jaane kis liye, palkon pe aa ke tik gaye | Two tears, I don't know why, came and settled on my eyelashes. | | अल्ताफ़ की बारिश तेरी, इकराम का दरिया तेरा | Altaaf ki baarish teri, ikraam ka dariya tera | (It is) your rain of kindness, your river of honor. | | ऐ बेदरेग ओ बे-अमाँ, हम ने कभी की है फुगाँ? | Ai bedareg-o-be-amaan, humne kabhi ki hai fughaan? | O ruthless and merciless one, have I ever cried out in lament? | | हमको तेरी वहशत सही, हमको सही सौदा तेरा | Hamko teri wahshat sahi, hamko sahi sauda tera | Even your madness is fine for me; even this deal (love for you) is fine for me. | | हम पर ये सख़्ती की नज़र, हम हैं फक़ीरे रहगुज़र | Hum par ye sakhti ki nazar, hum hain faqeere rehguzar | Your glance is harsh on me; I am a beggar on the path. | | रास्ता कभी रोका तेरा, दामन कभी थामा तेरा | Raasta kabhi roka tera, daaman kabhi thaama tera | Did I ever block your way? Did I ever catch hold of your hem? | | हाँ-हाँ तेरी सूरत हसीं, लेकिन तो ऐसा भी नहीं | Haan-haan teri soorat haseen, lekin to aisa bhi nahin | Yes, yes, your face is beautiful, but it's not as if it's like that... | | इस शख़्स के अशआर से शोहरा हुआ क्या-क्या तेरा | Is shakhs ke ashaar se shohraa hua kya-kya tera | ...(that) your fame hasn't spread far and wide because of this person's (the poet's) verses. | | बेदर्द सुन्नी हो तो चल, कहता है क्या अच्छी ग़ज़ल | Bedard sunni ho to chal, kehta hai kya achhi ghazal | If you (the beloved) are cruel and happen to hear it, just go ahead and say, "What a fine ghazal!" | | आशिक़ तेरा, रुसवा तेरा, शायर तेरा, 'इंशा' तेरा | Aashiq tera, ruswa tera, shaayar tera, 'Insha' tera | (I am) your lover, your disgraced one, your poet—(I am) 'Insha' (the poet's pen name), all yours. | kal chaudhvin ki raat thi lyrics english translation
I walked beneath that patient, watchful face, Counting the slow and tender steps of grace. Your silhouette in lantern glow — so near, so far — A distant lighthouse for my lonely heart.
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Someone introduced me to the perfect sun (i.e., the beloved's radiance) in such a way, Today the bargain is clear, and today the hem of my garment has risen (metaphor for being ready to sacrifice/pay any price). The opening couplet sets the stage
کسی نے مہرِ کامل سے ہمیں یوں آشنا کیا کھلا ہے آج سودا بھی، اٹھے ہیں آج دامن میں
Here are the lyrics with English translation.
Kal Chaudhvin ki raat thi by Jagjit Sing - Pachu's experiments They are debating whether the moon is actually
The lyrics of "Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi" are a beautiful expression of love, longing, and the passing of time. The song's poet, Ghalib, weaves a complex tapestry of emotions, using metaphors and imagery to paint a vivid picture of the human experience.
The poem is a melancholic masterpiece about a man who stays up all night watching the moon, only to be reminded of a lost love. 📖 English Translation
Here is the Romanized Urdu lyrics along with a detailed English translation.