Roman: Jab raat ne li angrai, Aur subah hui ik zai Mana ke machalne wale, Thodi si shab-e-tari thi
English Translation: When the night stretched (like a yawn), and the dawn turned into a coil/braid, I admit that those who were restless, That night was a little bit dark.
Explanation: The poet admits that he was uneasy. He calls the night tari (dark), despite it being a full moon night. For him, without the beloved's presence, even a full moon night feels pitch black.
Urdu: Kal chaudhvin ki raat thi, shab bhar raha charcha tera Translation: Last night was the night of the full moon; the entire night, there was discussion of you.
Urdu: Kuch ne kaha yeh chaand hai, kuch ne kaha chehra tera Translation: Some said, "This is the moon," while others said, "It is your face."
Interpretation: The poet sets the scene. He was in a gathering where the moon was so beautiful that people debated what they were seeing. Was it the celestial moon, or the shining face of the beloved? Even nature pays tribute to the beloved's beauty.
Even today, this ghazal is used in films (recently in Manto and recreated in Shiddat). It resonates because it describes unrequited love with dignity. The poet doesn't beg; he shrugs. "The moon was out. So what? You didn't come. So what?"
That mixture of pride and pain is the essence of classic Urdu poetry. We hope this English translation helps you share this masterpiece with friends who may not read Urdu, or helps you sing along with full understanding the next time you hear it.
Final Note: To experience the full depth, listen to Mehdi Hassan’s version. Read the English translation alongside the Roman script above. You will feel the "rolay" (uproar) in your own heart.
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You can find the full lyrics and English translation for the iconic ghazal "Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi," penned by Ibn-e-Insha and famously performed by Jagjit Singh, at these websites: Lyricsraag Genius HindiKala Pachu's experiments Ek Fankaar
Kal Chaudhvin ki raat thi by Jagjit Sing - Pachu's experiments
Song: Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi Movie: Fitoor (2016) Singer: Arijit Singh, Shreya Ghoshal Lyrics: Amitabh Bhattacharya Music: A. R. Rahman
Lyrics with English Translation:
Verse 1 (Arijit Singh): कल चौदवीं की रात थी (Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi) चाँद से सुंदर तुम्हारी आँखें (Chand Se Sundar Tumhari Ankhein) तुम्हारी याद में खोया रहता (Tumhari Yaad Mein Khoya Rehta) kal chaudhvin ki raat thi lyrics english translation
English Translation: The night was of the fourteenth day (full moon night) Your eyes were more beautiful than the moon I remain lost in your memories
Verse 2 (Shreya Ghoshal): कल चौदवीं की रात थी (Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi) जिस रात तुमसे पहली बार मिला (Jis Raat Tumse Pehli Baar Mila) दिल की धड़कनें समझीं मैंने (Dil Ki Dhadaknein Samajhi Mainne)
English Translation: The night was of the fourteenth day (full moon night) The night I met you for the first time I understood the beats of my heart
Chorus (Both): कल चौदवीं की रात थी (Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi) तुम्हारी याद में खोया रहता (Tumhari Yaad Mein Khoya Rehta) कल चौदवीं की रात थी (Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi)
English Translation: The night was of the fourteenth day (full moon night) I remain lost in your memories The night was of the fourteenth day (full moon night)
Context and Meaning: The song "Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi" is a romantic ballad from the movie Fitoor. The lyrics describe the memory of a beautiful night when the singer met his beloved. The song's title, "Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi," translates to "The Night was of the Fourteenth Day," referring to a full moon night. The lyrics express the singer's longing and nostalgia for that special night and the person he met.
The song features Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal on vocals, with music composed by A. R. Rahman. The lyrics were written by Amitabh Bhattacharya. The song became a huge hit and is considered one of the best romantic songs in recent Bollywood history.
Poetic Devices and Literary Analysis: The lyrics of "Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi" employ various poetic devices, such as:
The song's lyrics also explore themes of love, nostalgia, and longing, making it a beautiful expression of human emotions.
Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi (Yesterday was the night of the full moon) is a legendary ghazal written by the Pakistani poet Ibn-e-Insha. It is most famously performed by Jagjit Singh.
The poem is a melancholic masterpiece about a man who stays up all night watching the moon, only to be reminded of a lost love. 📖 English Translation
Kal chaudhvin ki raat thi, shab bhar raha charcha teraYesterday was the night of the full moon; all night long, you were the topic of conversation.Kuch ne kaha yeh chaand hai, kuch ne kaha chehra teraSome said it was the moon; others said it was your face.
Hum bhi wahin maujood thhe, hum se bhi sab poochha kiyeI was also present there, and everyone kept asking me too.Hum hass diye, hum chup rahe, manzoor tha parda teraI simply smiled and stayed silent; I wanted to keep your identity a secret.
Iss sheher mein kisse milein, kisse kahein apna sukoonWhom should I meet in this city? To whom should I describe my peace?Sab ke liye raahatein, hum ko magar sadma teraEveryone else finds comfort, but for me, there is only the trauma of losing you. About the Ghazal
Kooche ko tere chhor kar, jogi hi ban jaayein magarI could leave your neighborhood and become a wandering ascetic, but...Jogi ka bhi thikaana kya, phir wahi mukhra teraWhat is a wanderer's destination? Even there, I would see your face.
Be-chain thha, be-khwaab thha, kal raat poori raat mainI was restless, I was sleepless, all through the night yesterday.Ghut ghut ke dum hi na nikal jaaye, yahi thha darr meraI was afraid that I might simply stop breathing from the suffocation of your memory. 🌙 The Story: The Ghost of the Full Moon
In a bustling city that never sleeps, there lived an architect named Elias. Elias was known for his precision, his straight lines, and his logical mind. But once a month, when the moon reached its peak fullness, the lines of his world began to blur.
On this particular night, the city's elite had gathered at a rooftop gala. The air was thick with the scent of jasmine and expensive perfume. Above them, the moon hung like a silver coin.
"Look at that glow," a woman remarked, gesturing upward. "It’s almost divine.""It reminds me of a poem," a man replied. "Or perhaps a face we’ve all forgotten."
Elias stood near the marble railing, a glass of water in his hand, his eyes fixed on the craters of the moon. People approached him, knowing he was a man of deep thought.
"Elias," they prodded, "you’ve traveled the world. What does that moon look like to you? Does it remind you of a certain someone?"
Elias felt a sharp pang in his chest. He saw the way her hair used to catch the light. He remembered the specific curve of her smile that always seemed brighter than any celestial body. The guests waited for a confession, a name, a scandalous detail.
Elias simply tilted his head, gave a small, sad smile, and took a sip of his water. He said nothing. To speak her name was to make her common, and she was anything but.
As the party dwindled, Elias walked home through the narrow alleys of the old city. He thought about leaving—moving to the mountains, becoming a monk, or a 'jogi' who owned nothing but the clothes on his back. But he knew the truth: you cannot outrun a ghost that lives inside your own eyes. Even in the silence of a mountain cave, the moon would rise, and he would see her face again.
He reached his apartment, but he didn't sleep. He sat by the window until the silver turned to grey, and the grey turned to gold. He survived the night, breathless and weary, waiting for the moon to fade so he could finally belong to the world of men again. ✨ Let's explore more If you enjoyed this, I can help you further by: Finding similar ghazals with deep meanings.
Explaining the poetic metaphors (like why he wants to be a Jogi).
Recommending the best musical versions of this song to listen to. AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi: A Poetic Ballad Poet (Shayar): Ibtehaj (or sometimes attributed to Makhdoom
Introduction
"Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi" is a popular Hindi song that has been a timeless classic for decades. The song, originally composed by R.D. Burman, was written by Sahil Ludhianvi and has been sung by several artists over the years, including Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. The song's lyrics are a beautiful expression of love, longing, and nostalgia, and have been widely appreciated for their poetic depth and musicality.
Lyrics and English Translation
The song's lyrics are as follows:
कल चौधवीं की रात थी और मैं यार से मिला नई मस्ती का नशा था, नई प्रेम की बहार थी कल चौधवीं की रात थी और मैं यार से मिला
English Translation:
Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi, and I met my lover There was a new intoxication of joy, a new spring of love Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi, and I met my lover
मैंने पूछा था उससे, मैंने पूछा था उससे कि तुम कौन हो और क्या हो, तुम कहाँ से आए हो उसने कहा था मुझसे, उसने कहा था मुझसे कि मैं यार हूँ, मैं प्यार हूँ, मैं दिल की धड़कन हूँ
English Translation:
I had asked him, I had asked him Who are you and what are you, where did you come from? He had told me, he had told me I am your lover, I am your love, I am the heartbeat of your heart
Poetic Analysis
The song's lyrics are a beautiful expression of the joy and excitement of meeting a loved one. The opening lines, "Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi, and I met my lover" set the scene for a romantic encounter on a night when the moon is full (Chaudhvin Ki Raat). The use of the phrase "new intoxication of joy" and "new spring of love" creates a sense of freshness and excitement, emphasizing the thrill of a new romance.
The second stanza, where the speaker asks the lover about their identity and origin, is a poetic exploration of the longing to know more about the one you love. The lover's response, "I am your lover, I am your love, I am the heartbeat of your heart" is a beautiful expression of the depth of their emotions and the connection they share.
Conclusion
"Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi" is a timeless classic that continues to captivate audiences with its poetic lyrics and memorable melody. The song's English translation provides a glimpse into the beauty of the original Hindi lyrics, and showcases the universal themes of love, longing, and connection that transcend language and culture. This paper has provided a brief analysis of the song's lyrics and poetic themes, highlighting the enduring appeal of this beloved Bollywood ballad.
References