Baat Niklegi…

Jagjit Singh is probably one of my most favorite singers (and my absolute favorite ghazal artiste). “Baat Niklegi To Phir Door Talak Jayegi” has always been one of my favorites but for some reason its been stuck in my head last few days. I thought I’d try to post a translation because I think its just such wonderful, poignant, lovely poetry. I love when my brother sings this one…

Because this is difficult Urdu for me, a lot will be lost in translation, and there are certain words that even I had to hunt. But hopefully some one out there will still appreciate it, because a lot of people stumble here looking for Jagjit Singh’s translations (I’ve posted some ghazals before, organized under categories). Please let me know if you have any alternate suggestions/thoughts about my translation or just about the ghazal itself. Its just so beautiful…short, but quite, quite lovely, especially in Jagjit Singh’s wonderful voice.

The translation itself may not make as much sense if you don’t get the gist of the song or the feeling behind it, or understand the voice of the writer. The wonderful thing about ghazals is that they may be interpreted so many different ways. My own analysis of this piece is as follows…it is a poem of admonition, where a lover warns his beloved about how the world will never understand their love. When the word (baat) goes out (niklegi) it will spread like wildfire (door talak jayegi), rumors and gossip about their relationship will be tossed around, it will be the talk of the town, but no one will understand. We learn that she is seperated from him, that this separation is painful, visible by the way she has stopped to take care of herself, stopped to do her hair, wash her face, visible by how she has aged, by the bangles she wears. And people, they notice all this, they conjecture on it, they gossip about her and her condition and the reason behind it, they may taunt her, be cruel to her by noticing all these faults and asking her persistently. They may bring up his name in conversation just to see her reaction for their own entertainment. But, he warns, don’t be dragged into it…don’t answer back, or question, or argue, or let it show on your face how much you love me. If you say anything, the expression on your face will give it all away, so be quiet, and bear it, and don’t talk about me with anyone. Because once the word gets out…it will go too far.

Feel free to post elswhere, but credit moi.

Baat Niklegi To Phir, by Jagjit Singh. Written by Kafeel Azar.

Baat Niklegi To Phir…Door Talak Jayegi

(If word goes out, it will spread too far)

Log Bewajah, Udasi Ka Sabab Poochenge

(People will, without reason, probe at the cause behind your sorrow)

Yeh Bhi Poochenge, Ki Tum Itni Pareshan Kyun Ho

(They will also ask about why you are so troubled)

Ungliyan Uthengi, Sookhe Baalon Ki Taraf

(Fingers will be raised to your dry [unwashed] hair)

Ek Nazar Dekhenge, Guzreh Huye Saalon Ki Taraf

(There will glance suspiciously at the years gone by)

Chudiyon Pe Bhi, Kayi Tanz Kiye Jayenge

(Even your bangles will become the subject of jokes/wisecracks)

Kaapten Haathon Pe Bhi, Fikre Kase Jayenge

(Even the old and the aged, whose hands tremble, will not hesitate to taunt you…)*

*fikre, I think, means understanding or comprehension, and I think this line means that people will even make something out of nothing, just to talk about it. Even if your hand shakes, people will say it means something. That’s my take. Edited per Bhuwan’s comments: fikre means teasing or taunting

Log Zaalim Hai, Harek Baat Ka Taana Denge

(People are cruel, they will taunt you for every single thing)

Baaton Baaton Mein, Mera Zikr Bhi Le Aayenge (2)

(Somewhere in the conversation, they’ll mention me too)

Unki Baaton Ka Zara Sa Bhi Asar Mat Lena…

(Don’t give their words any significance [attention] at all…)

Warna Chehre Ke Tasur Se Samajh Jayenge

(Or the expression on your face will give it all away)

Chahe Kuch Bhi Ho, Sawaalat Na Karna Unse (2)

(No matter what happens, don’t question/argue with them)

Mere Baare Mein Koi Baat Na Karna Unse

(Don’t talk about me with them)

Baat Niklegi To Phir…Door Talak Jayegi

(If word goes out…it will spread too far)