Kabhii Kabhii Yaad Mein Ubharate
Hain Naqsh-E-Maazii Mite Mite Se
Vo Aazamaaish Sii Dil-O-Nazar Kii,
Vo Qurabaten Sii Vo Faasale Se
[Maazii=past; Naqsh=trace/memories; Aazamaaish=test;
Qurabaten=nearness; Faasale=distances]
(Sometimes Memories Of The Past
Come To Mind, Blurred And Faint
Subtly Testing The Heart And Eye,
Some Near, Some Far Away)
Kabhii Aarazuu Ke Seharaa Men
Aake Rukate Hain Qaafile Se
Vo Saarii Baaten Lagaav Kii
Sii Vo Saare Unavaan Visaal Ke Se
[Seharaa=desert; Qaafilaa=caravan; Lagaav=attachment]
[Unavaan=start; Visaal=meeting With A Beloved]
(They Stop In The Desert Of Desire,
Like Caravans Half-Unseen
Like Words Of Love Left Unsaid,
Like A Meeting That Might Have Been)
Nigah-O-Dil Ko Qaraar Kaisaa
Nishaat-O-Gam Men Kamii Kahaan Kii
Vo Jab Mile Hain To Un Se Har
Baar Kii Hai Ulfat Naye Sire Se
[Nishaat=joy]
(The Heart And Eye Have Found No Peace,
My Joys Or Sorrows Are Not Few
Everytime I Have Met Her,
I Have Started To Love Her Anew)
Bahut Giraan Hai Ye Aish-E-Tanhaa
Kahiin Sabukatar Kahiin Gavaaraa
Vo Dard-E-Pinhaan Ki Saarii Duniyaa
Rafiiq Thii Jisake Vaaste Se
[Giraan=expensive; Aish-E-Tanhaa=luxury Of Loneliness]
[Sabukatar=oppressive; Gavaaraa=acceptable; Pinhaan=hidden]
[Rafiiq=friendly]
(This Luxury Of Loneliness Is Expensive,
Sometimes Unbearable, Sometimes Appealing
The Inner Anguish That I Have Borne
For Which The World Befriended Me)
Tumhiin Kaho Rind-O-Muhtasib Men
Ho Aaj Shab Kaun Farq Aisaa
Ye Aake Baithe Hain Maikade Men
Vo Uthake Aaye Hain Maikade Se
[Rind=one Who Drinks; Muhtasib=one
Who Stops From Others Drinking]
(The Censor And The Profligate
Both Helped Maintain The Score
One Took His Place And Drank His Fill,
The Other Left By The Tavern Door)