Soliloquy

In this post, I attempt to decode and summarise the timeless ghazal ‘Dikhayi Diye Yun‘ by Mir Taqi Mir, which was immortalised by Lata Mangeshkar in Sagar Sirhadi’s film Baazar (1982).

While the film in itself is a painful portrayal of the bride-buying culture that is still pervasive in the old city of Hyderabad, its songs have left a lasting impression on aficionados of all ages.

Naseeruddin Shah’s character Salim, a writer and a thinker, remains rooted to his values as the city evolves around him and takes away from him the ideals he once thought held true in every relationship.

This haunting ghazal, in particular, speaks of yearning and separation, all the while remaining cognisant of the fact that one’s beloved is unattainable.

دیکھا دیا یون، کی بےخود کیا
ہم آپ سے بھی جوڑا بھی کر چلے

Dikhaayi diye yun, ki bekhud kiya
Hame aap se bhi juda kar chale

Literal translation:
The way I saw you knocked me out of my senses
Your presence has ensured that I am no longer myself

Actual translation:
Your presence in my life has uplifted me so much that I no longer know who I am, or what my identity is. You are the sole aim of my life now.

جبین سجدہ کرتا ہے، کرتا گیا ہے۔
حق بندگی ہم ادا کر چلے

Jabeen sajda karte hi, karte gayi
Haq-e-bandagi ham adaa kar chale

Literal translation:
I kept bowing my forehead in your presence
To seek the right I have to be devoted to you

Actual translation:
I am so devoted to you that I bow my head in reverence every time I even think of you. This act makes me feel as if I have the right to stay truthful and dedicated to you.

پراستش کیا تک کی ای مگر تجھے
نظر میں سبون کی خدا کر چلے

Parastish kiya taq ki e but tujhe
Nazar me sabhon ki khudaa kar chale

Literal translation:
I worshipped you so much, O idol!
That you became a God in everyone’s eyes

Actual translation:
I love and care for you as much as I would an idol of a God. My worshipping has, in turn, resulted in your esteem rising higher in everyone else’s eyes. (The concept of an idol takes a multifold meaning here since Islam forbids the worshipping of such images. Hence, the yearning of the speaker can also be translated to being so intense that they have surpassed all known societal limits and boundaries, especially those espoused by religion.)

بوہت آرزو تھی گلی کی تیری
تو یاس لہو میں نہ کر چلے

Bohot aarzu thi gali ki teri
So yaas-e-lahu me naha kar chale

Literal translation:
I yearned for the street where you lived so much
That I ended my days in a bloodbath near you

Actual translation:
I wanted to see you so much, but my wishes were not fulfilled. The yearning to even hear your voice got so much that, unable to take the pain of separation anymore, I lay in a pool of blood anticipating you to come to me.

Here is a video of the song for those who have still not been fortunate enough to have heard it:

If you like my work, consider visiting my website to get in touch with more of my writing. You can follow me on Twitter as well. Also, sign up for the newsletter to get regular updates coming your way. I would love to talk to you!