Translation of a classic romantic number

Mere Mehboob Tujhe Meri Mohabbat  -  मेरे मेहबूब तुझे मेरी मोहब्बत की कसम

    The 14th of February, celebrated each year across the world as a day for lovers – to reaffirm the known feeling or lay bare the undisclosed feelings of love and yearnings. Love, especially, romantic love, is a key emotion that invokes extremes of reactions in all cultures and societies – especially when it is expressed outside the rigid behavioral norms that have been laid down in a society.

    And needless to say, since times immemorial, every civilization, culture and nation has creations in every form invoking this emotion – from simple verses to monuments. In whatever form, these symbols and utterances stir something deep within.

    The art of Indian cinema with all its tools has made music and lyrics the lynchpin to express the emotion of love and sure enough, is easy in its reach and understanding to the commoner as well as the scholar. Our great lyricists across languages hold the intelligence and taste of the masses in great esteem and have given us master pieces that have withstood the passing of time - endearing them to the masses.

    The classic Bollywood love songs of yester years continues to be my all time favorites and sits diligently on all playlists of my mind and of my digital avatars. I readily acknowledge the prime of position held by the compositions in the combo of Hindi and Urdu languages. The sheer beauty of these lyrics can never fade away. Every time I listen, it always appears fresh and full of life.

    So had this sudden inspiration to translate one such favorite song and share on this day – in prose form. Hopefully I can translate into a poetic form sometime in the near future.

    It is the title song from the Movie : Mere Meheboob starring yester year stars – Rajendra Kumar, Sadhana and Ashok Kumar. Lyrics penned by Shakeel Badayuni, Music by Naushad and Sung by Mohd. Rafi.

    This is an exciting journey and was a wonderful learning as well as it made me get right the meaning of so many words. And would like to express my thanks to my friend (MCA classmate from BIT Mesra) Vijayant for his oversight and suggestions that helped me to create a better version.

 

मेरे महबूब तुझे मेरी मुहब्बत की क़सम

फिर मुझे नरगिसी आँखों का सहारा दे दे

मेरा खोया हुआ रंगीन नज़ारा दे दे, मेरे महबूब तुझे ..

    Oh my beloved, (I entreat you) do promise upon my undying love (for you), (that you will) sustain me with the gaze of your beautiful eyes. Give me back those happy, colourful and joyous days that I have lost (due to your absence) by gracing me with your return

 

भूल सकती नहीं आँखें वो सुहाना मंज़र

जब तेरा हुस्न मेरे इश्क़ से टकराया था

और फिर राह में बिखरे थे हज़ारोँ नग़में

मैं वो नग़में तेरी आवाज़ को दे आया था

साज़-ए-दिल को उन्हीं गीतों का सहारा दे दे

    Forever etched in my heart is that delightful moment when my love had a brush with your unparalleled beauty. Thousands of poems lay scattered thereabouts (having escaped from my heart), And had been gifted away to your voice.  Do come back and sure enough my heartstrings (that have fallen silent) will start playing those very verses

 

याद है मुझको मेरी उम्र की पहली वो घड़ी

तेरी आँखों से कोई जाम पिया था मैने

मेरे रग रग में कोई बर्क़ सी लहराई थी

जब तेरे मरमरी हाथों को छुआ था मैने

आ मुझे फिर उन्हीं हाथों का सहारा दे दे

    Can I ever forget that moment in my life when I was intoxicated by the looks in your eyes. A sudden wave of current surged through every nerve of my body when I touched your gossamer hands. Do come and extend those very hands to support me

 

मैने इक बार तेरी एक झलक देखी है

मेरी हसरत है के मैं फिर तेरा दीदार करूँ

तेरे साए को समझ कर मैं हंसीं ताजमहल

चाँदनी रात में नज़रों से तुझे प्यार करूँ

अपनी महकी हुई ज़ुल्फ़ों का सहारा दे दे

    I have but caught your glimpse just once (and) am yearning to behold you again – Just so to express my love from deep within my heart  -  you whose very shadow shimmers as beautifully as the Taj Mahal on a full moon night. Do come back and support me with your fragrant tresses.

 

ढूँढता हूँ तुझे हर राह में हर महफ़िल में

थक गये हैं मेरी मजबूर तमन्ना के कदम

आज का दिन मेरी उम्मीद का है आखिरी दिन

कल न जाने मैं कहाँ और कहाँ तू हो सनम

दो घड़ी अपनी निगाहों का सहारा दे दे

    In vain, do I look for you on each and every path, in each and every gathering - the eager & hopeful strides having turned so tired and weary. Today’s the last day of that very hope (to behold you). For neither you, my beloved, nor I know our (respective) whereabouts henceforth. Do come back and behold me with your eyes

 

सामने आ के ज़रा पर्दा उठा दे रुख़ से

इक यही मेरा इलाज-ए-ग़म-ए-तन्हाई है

तेरी फ़ुरक़त ने परेशान किया है मुझको

अब मिल जा के मेरी जान भी बन आई है+

दिल को भूली हुई यादों का सहारा दे दे

    Do come back and just ever so lightly lift the veil off your face  - for this is the only cure for my loneliness that has arisen due to this separation. The torment inflicted by this parting has put my very life at stake.  Come back to refill my mind with those forgotten memories