Tuesday, June 3, 2008

English Translation of 'Chaudhvin Ka Chand'

One of Mohd. Rafi's most popular and romantic songs. I'm sure the English translation cannot compare to the beautiful Hindi lyrics.

Song: Chaudhvin Ka Chand
Movie: Chaudhvin Ka Chand
Singer: Mohd. Rafi
Actors: Guru Dutt, Waheeda Rehman



Chaudhvin ka chand ho, ya aaftaab ho
Jo bhi ho tum Khuda ki kasam, laajawab ho
Chaudhvin ka chand ho...
Are you the full moon, or the sun?
Whatever you are, I swear to God, you are beyond compare!

Zulfein hain jaise kaandhon pe baadal jhuke hue
Aankhen hain jaisi mey ke peyaale bhare hue
Masti hai jis mein pyar ki, tum woh sharaab ho
Chaudhvin ka chand ho...
Your hair is like a soft cloud kissing your shoulders
Your eyes are like two goblets
And you are the wine that fills them with a zest for love.


Chehra hai jaise jheel mein hansta hua kanwal
Ya zindagi ke saaz pe chaidi hui ghazal
Jaane bahaar tum kisi shaayar ka khwaab ho
Chaudhvin ka chand ho...
Your face is like a beautiful lake on which your smile is a blooming lotus flower
Or, it is like an ode from the instrument of life
My dear, you are a poet's dream.

Honthon pe khelti hain tabassum ki bijiliyaan
Sajde tumhaari raah mein karti hain kaikashaan
Duniya-e-husno ishq ka tum hi shabaab ho
Chaudhvin ka chand ho, ya aaftab ho
Jo bhi ho tum Khuda ki kasam, lajawaab ho...
Your smile is lightning upon your lips
Upon your entrance, any group of people will fall to the ground, overwhelmed.
Of all the beauties in the world, you are the epitome.
Are you are a full moon, or the sun?
Whatever you are, my God you are incomparable!

61 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. It takes back in time. Live that moment in memory that we all dream of.
      Cannot justify the English translation to the full meaning of Hindi meaning!!

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    2. Its still worth the effort. Kudos to the translator

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    3. Indeed, the translation does capture the 'spirit' of the poetry, However, in my view the epitome is the line:
      'Sajday tumhari raah mein karti hai Kahkashaan' literally translates to:
      "The Milky Way [Kahkashaan or Aakaash Gangaa in the skies] prostrates (in beauty) in your path"

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  2. thank you so much!

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  3. this translation is amazing...

    use of epitome and zest and goblets - wow!

    --Basumani

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  4. chaudhvin means the on 14th day right?.. how come it is the full moon..?

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  5. Thank you for translating the lyrics. Beautiful song.

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  6. Thanks a lot. I am able to understand the full meaning of the song. Now i am enjoying this song better.

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    1. If you fully understood the song with that translation, ....I really doubt on what you understood. A good dictionary would have given a better translation. Remember, moods and feelings can be translated only poetically, not through plain literature.

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    2. maya.gandhi@excelind.comMarch 18, 2014 at 2:23 AM

      Very Bad translation, ruined a very beautiful poetry..

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    3. For a non Urdu or Hindi speaker who is simply mesmerized by the sound and just want to understand even the simplest translation is like gold. And I really appreciate what the writer here has done. Helped me understand. We should not criticize like this. Thanks a lot.

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    4. No one can translate better than this. Please understand the limitations of translation.

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  7. The pathetic translation has, in general, seared the soul of the song.

    Poetic translation is different from the prosaic one.

    It is not only replacing word for word in a new language - which is precisely what you have done. In verse, the soul, the meter, the artistic bent has to blend. Nothing such in your attempt.

    Hope you fare better in future endeavors.

    Arth Desai

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  8. Arth Desai,
    Most folks that seek the translation are looking for English meanings of the Urdu words. So, the effort of the translator serves the purpose.

    Now that you know the meanings of each of the words, why don't you make an effort at a "poetic" translation?

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  10. Madame Sunita, may I congratulate you on an excellent rendition of the translation. I am not that good in Hindi, so I really, really appreciate your efforts. Thank you.

    As for Arth despair and others who may have a problem! with the poetic translations . - why don't you try to achieve, by yourself, what you so pompously advise, and in the meanwhile, keep your stupid criticism to yourself.

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    Replies
    1. This song is a medicine to my heart.

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  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  12. kaikashaN means "GALAXY"
    You have very good translated.i appreciate you that you are very very good. i want to an Urdu song translate, i will present a song if you allow me

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  13. I really doubt on what people will understand here. A good dictionary would have given a better translation. Remember, moods and feelings can be translated only poetically, not through plain literature.

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  14. Thanks a lot Sunita. Naming singer and actors is fine but please always give credit to the great poet (lyricist) who wrote this....Shakeel Badayuni. To all those who are not happy: This is just an English translation and not a poetic English translation. It is meant for our gen who doesn't know much of Urdu. we can now appreciate the song more

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    1. Absolutely, I agree and your efforts are much appreciated. For us, english speaking people, the above translation is good. Once again, many thanks for your efforts.

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  15. Wow Great translation!!!! I thouroguly enjoyed the translation now...I am a singer too...I sing this song every now and then...beautiful song....

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  16. Thank you so much for the translation. Such beautiful lines.

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  17. Thank you for the poetic translation!! of the song, which is as sweet as hearing it.

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  18. That was a reasonably good translation for someone like me who knows very little Urdu...arguably word for word translation might not convey the full import of emotions that the poet intended but this translation gives us the jist of the song....thanks for the effort!

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  19. That was a reasonably good translation for someone like me who knows very little Urdu...arguably word for word translation might not convey the full import of emotions that the poet intended but this translation gives us the jist of the song....thanks for the effort!

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  20. I am a Hindu of the highest class & love Urdu. Mogul period of history brought in Urdu & popularized it. Urdu is a mixture of Persian, Arabic, Turk & Afghan and when mixed with Hindi in songs, the songs are very romantic & beautiful. Islamic culture has many, many good things in it. Rafi, Guru Dutt & Waheeda are great. Fantastic song.

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  21. We need such kind of translation to understand the Lyrics better. The language used in olden days are very rich and deep.

    Thanks a ton for giving such deep translation.

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  22. I am from Sri Lanka and we enjoyed this song for decades . Thanks a lot for the translation.

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  23. Incorrect translation. Many mistakes. Please take it out. For instance the face is not compared to lake in the lyric. Like that there are many errors.

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  24. This is in Urdu!!! Not in Hindi!

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  25. Thanks for the translation. As someone from non-Hindi speaking background but keen to listen and understand Hindi songs I find such translations very useful.
    I note a few people have criticised the translation. I am not surprised as even the best efforts would not satisfy everyone. It's not just Hindi to English translation, but any translation from one language to another will obviously have drawbacks because not all languages have expressions that convey the true intended meaning of the lyricist or poet. People who criticise have to note that a simple translation site such as this is not meant for experts in Hindi or Urdu but only meant for simpletons like me who are looking for basic translations. Obviously the people who ctiticise are welcome if they can do a better job for the benefit of more advanced learners. But everything has audience at different levels. Thanks again for the translation.

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    1. Being a Bengali speaking Bangladeshi, I was looking for an authentic translation of this beautiful, touching and romantic song. Sunita made great efforts in translating it to the best of her ability and I admire her courage and appreciate her efforts very much. It is good enough to quench my thirst. Those who feel they can improve on Sunita's work are welcome to give it a try. We can only enrich ourselves in the process by getting exposed to different interpretations and perspectives. I request you to forward your translation to my WhatsApp number +8801713091569.

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  26. This mesmerizing song was my favourite for 2 decades.

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  27. Translation excellent. There may be short comings yet it serves the purpose of those who don't know hindi or urudu. Thanks.

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  28. Excellent translation and almost a poem in English by itself👌

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  30. Thank you for the translation Sunita! 🙏 I am learning Hindi and it is very helpful to me.

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  31. Great effort! Good songs are hard to translate. Reminded of a remark by Robert Frost “Poetry is what gets lost in translation,”

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  32. Last 50 years I was just enjoying humming with the song knowing its meaning here n there .

    Today after going through the meaning of the lyric by reading this took me to another level of pleasure of listening to the song which was lost all these years .

    Thank you so much.

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  33. Not a single improved translation version who fault an admirable effort. Idle minds?

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  34. Panchapakesan KrishnanMarch 11, 2024 at 8:04 AM

    Nice

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