I have no words to describe my shock, confusion, anxiety, sorrow, and disappointment, my helplessness, my anger, my frustration, my irritation, at what is happening in my country now. I do now know how to voice my thoughts. I just follow the news and think, think, think constantly.
I just want to dedicate this to all those who lost their lives, whose families were destroyed, those who are injured and perhaps crippled forever, for the city, for all the citizens, for all those who were affected in any manner. This should not have happened. I pray for everyone affected, for my friends and family, for my country, for the world.
(Song is written by Amit Trivedi, from the soundtrack of Aamir, performed by Shilpa Rao)
Ek Lau Is Tarah Kyun Bhuji Mere Maula…
(Why was a flare extinguished like this, my Lord…)
Gardishon Mein Rehti, Behti Guzarthi,
Zindagi Aahein Kitni…
(Struggling through dark clouds, flowing, passing by,
There are so many lives [being lived]…)
In Mein Se Ek Hai, Teri Meri Agni,
Koi Ek Jaisi Apni…
(Your life and my life is just one flame amongst all of these)
Par Khuda Khair Kar, Aisa Anjaam Kisi Rooh Ko,
Na De Kabhi Yahaan…
Guncha Muskuratha Ek Waqt Se Pehle,
Kyun Chodd Chala Tera Yeh Jahaan…
(But God please, may no soul here receive, this kind of ending…
Why is it that a smiling bunch of flowers wilted/died before its time had come?)
{*writer refers to the gradual, sweet smelling natural death of a flower. Edited with Madhavi’s comments: thanks}
Ek Lau Is Tarah Kyun Bhuji Mere Maula,
Ek Lau Zindagi Ki Maula.
(Why was a flare extinguished like this, my Lord,
A flare of Life, my Lord)
Dhoop Ke Ujaale Se, Aus Ke Pyaale Se,
Khushiyan Mile Humko…
Zyada Manga Hai Kahaan, Sarhadein Na Ho Jahaan,
Duniya Mile Humko…
(The light of the sunshine, the beauty of the morning dew,
We recieve joy from all of this…
Is it too much that we ask for a world with no borders*)
{*As in, borders/divisions between people, ethnicities, religions…symbolizing all artificially created conflict amongst humanity}
Par Khuda Khair Kar, Uske Armaan Mein Kyun
Bewaja Ho Koi Qurbaan,
Guncha Muskuratha Ek Waqt Se Pehle,
Kyun Chodd Chala Tera Yeh Jahaan…
(But God please, why should anyone be sacrificed to fulfill this desire*…
Why is it that a smiling bunch of flowers wilted/died before its time had come?)
{*Why should there be sacrifice for the sake of creating this division-less, conflict-free society? Thank you to senthil to pointing out I had left this out, and for giving an apt translation}
Ek Lau Is Tarah Kyun Bhuji Mere Maula,
Ek Lau Zindagi Ki Maula. (2)
(Why was a flare extinguished like this, my Lord,
A flare of Life, my Lord)
Quite an apt song for the moment….
Nice blog…
and thanks for sharing that beautiful song…
i really have no words to express my feelings for this song and the relevance to the moment..I jus want to add that the second para should be as below cos it has much more depth in meaning…jus a suggestion mitasha..
Par Khuda Khair Kar, uske armaan mein kyun,
bewaja ho koi kurban…
(But God please, let there be no more sacrifice for this … he means that why should someone lose his life trying to achieve this dream of a divisionless/conflict-free society)
I really feel this line tells much more aptly how devastated the family of our martyrs will be feeling..
@Nikhil: Thank you.
@senthil: Thank you, your interpretation is much better and clearer, and like you said, is more apt. A beautiful song indeed. I will make the change.
I feel numb..but ur feelings reflect that of most of us here in india..
yes. i’m still numb, I believe. i started to write out this song just because thats all i could do. actually, I just re-listened and realized that I had missed completely that the second “Par Khuda Khair” was different. Good that you pointed it out.
Very apt lyrics. I don’t even know how to react to what’s happening. This helplessness is so frustrating. I hope we, as a country, can find a way to survive
I know exactly how you feel. It is so frustrating, and sad, and unfortunate. I’m alternatively sad, angry, irritated, upset, and then start all over again.
Thank you for translating this. I liked it from the first time I heard it on NDTV and now that I know what the words mean I like it even more.
Lisa, I’m very glad my translation was helpful to you. I was not aware it was used by NDTV…interesting.
What a coincidence that you both chose it then. I guess this song really does suit the mood of the country.
This is the clip that NDTV uses it in:
I really wanted a translation of this song… Thank You! It is the most appropriate in the current situation. I believe all us Indians have the same thoughts right now
The song is brilliant and apt. And the album surely deserved a lot more.
Nice blog ! Henceforth, do give a URL to this blog when you comment at News You Can’t Use [:)]
@Lisa
Thanks for the link, I hadn’t seen that, I’m always a little wary of news programs using songs, but that video was touching.
@Jyotika
I’m glad my translation was helpful…I do hope we all put together our thoughts and look for a solution together.
@Deepak
Thanks, appreciate your compliment. Agree on the album…it sort of just passed away without due recognition.
Soothing and peaceful Music ,heart Touching Lyrics
Hey Mitasha,
My search for the song has finally ended, managed to catch the singer on NDTV this morning and figured they made this brilliant song for the movie Aamir.
Thank you for taking the effort of translating this song. Listening to it with my eyes closed (after understanding what it means) reminds me of being human, its only natural to feel the pain people around us feel, but sadly we forget this all too often.
Hats off to the creators o the song and thank you for showing your dedication.
God Bless
Warm regards,
Ashwin Valecha
Chennai
Ashwin, your words describing the emotions this song incites are beautiful. Thank you, and I am glad the translations were useful to you.
Thank you for the song and the meaning…. its a very apt description.
thanks a lot for the song…i think this is the best song to describe the present scenario…i heard this song on NDTV…this is an extremely touching song…whenever i listen to this song i’m reminded of all the martyrs and my eyes are filled wih tears…
Hi Mitasha,
Just another suggestion – guncha in urdu means bunch ( of flowers – i.e.guncha-e-gul). So, IMHO, the lyricist/poet is saying, why is it that a smiling bunch of flowers wilted/died before its time to leave your world has come?
Regards,
M
@Amulya, fatima: thank you for commenting. Yes, truly, it is a beautiful song, and quite apt…
@Madhavi: thank you for the suggestion. Have edited accordingly. Appreciate your comment.
Just saw this song on IBNLive, thought you might be interested.
Composed by Amit Trivedi as a tribute to the victims and Mumbaikars :
http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/81371/in-tune-tribute-to-mumbaikars-amit-trivedis-lahoo.html?from=rssfeed
His arrangements are really refreshing to hear although they sound almost raw and unprocessed at times.
Thanks, Deepak! It is good to hear his arrangements, though, you’re right, this one feels especially raw. But its quite lovely too.
[...] About Aamir, it was earthy, it was simple, it was melodious. Heck, at some points it was so raw that it would make an A.R. Rahman cringe at the sound ! But it was very good music, it was different, it was experimental. I still listen to the songs of Aamir almost daily. The sufi number Ha Raham, the folk and earthy Chakkar Ghumyo, the fast Phas Gaya, the experimental Haara and of course the philosophical Ek Lau, which assumed great significance in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks (lyrics and translation here). [...]
Amazing song and very meaningful. It is so apt at this time when we are facing so many probems in our country.
[...] Song (Lyrically and Melodically): This was a tie for me between Khwaja Mere Khwaja and Ek Lau. Amit Trivedi’s lyrics for Ek Lau are undoubtedly amazing: they are simple, beautiful, touching. In a few lines, he says so much of [...]
@sindhu
Thanks for commenting, and yes, it is very apt. I feel right now it speaks for the whole world, and especially the Middle East crisis…
ths song has brought tears in my eyes…i’ve nvr cryd in any song….but jss listen this…shilpa rao song…n thnk about thos mmbai atax…u wl hv th tears too……………….
very beautiful song with true human emotions this song explains the true feelings of the people who suffered mumbai attacks
i pay my tributes to the people who died fighting this tragedy.
The loss of life and their livelihood has brought the whole nation to feel the pain of the familes they suffer everyday .
This song is a true musical tribute.
i never heard such a emotional song in my entire life
hats off 2 all d peoples who r behind dis song
The loss of life and their livelihood has brought the whole nation to feel the pain of the familes they suffer everyday
Thanks for the translation~
I like this song so much yet have no idea about it!
Thank you for leting me having the chance to understand hindi song better~
Lulu, I’m glad I could help you understand and enjoy this song!