Mehangai Maar Gai

Another filmi qawwali from my favorites playlist. You can hear this song and others at the Washerman's Dog.

Film: Roti Kapada Aur Makaan
Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Narendra Chanchal, Jani Babu Qawwal, Mukesh
Lyrics: Varma Malik
MD: Laxmikant - Pyarelaal

Us Ne Kaha: Tu Kaun Hai? Main Ne Kaha: Ulfat Teri
She said: who are you? I said: your affection.
Us Ne Kaha: Tu Kaun Hai? Main Ne Kaha: Ulfat Teri 
Us Ne Kaha: Takhta Hai Kya? Main Ne Kaha: Surat Teri
She said: what are you staring at? I said: your appearance
Us Ne Kaha: Chahata Hai Kya? Main Ne Kaha: Chahat Teri
She said:  what do you desire? I said: your love 
Main Ne Kaha: Samjha Nahin.  Us Ne Kaha: Kismat Teri 
I said:  I don't understand ? She said:  that is your fate


Ek Humein Ankh Ki Ladai Maar Gayee
 First, this meeting/entanglement of the eyes had defeated me (beaten me down)
Doosri Yeh Yaar Ki Judaai Maar Gayee
Second, separation from my love has defeated me
Teesri Hamesha Ki Tanhai Maar Gayee
Third, this constant loneliness has defeated me
Chauthi Yeh Khuda Ki Khudai Maar Gayee
Fourth, this existence created by the Almighty has defeated me 
Baaqi Kuch Bacha Tau Mehangai Maar Gayee, Mehangai Maar Gayee
As if there was anything else left, inflation has defeated me.
Baaqi Kuch Bacha Tau Mehangai Maar Gayee, Mehangai Maar Gayee


Ek Humein Ankh Ki Ladai Maar Gayee
Doosri Yeh Yaar Ki Judaai Maar Gayee
Teesri Hamesha Ki Tanhai Maar Gayee
Chauthi Yeh Khuda Ki Khudai Maar Gayee
Baaqi Kuch Bacha Tau Mehangai Maar Gayee, Mehangai Maar Gayee
Baaqi Kuch Bacha Tau Mehangai Maar Gayee, Mehangai Maar Gayee


Tabiyat Theek Thi, Aur Dil... hmmm
Tabiyat Theek Thi, Haan, Tabiyat Theek Thi
Tabiyat Theek Thi, Haan Haan, Tabiyat Theek Thi
Aur Dil Bhi, Haan Haan, Dil Bhi, Aji Dil Bhi Beqaraar Na Tha
O Tabiyat Theek Thi Aur Dil Bhi Beqaraar Na Tha
My temperament was fine, and my heart was not restless
Hmmm, Yeh Kabh Ki Baat Hai, Haan Haan, 
This is the tale of how it was way back when
Baat Hai Yeh Kabh Ki, Yeh Kabh Ki, Haan Haan
Tabiyat Theek Thi Aur Dil Bhi Beqaraar Na Tha
My temperament was fine, and my heart was not restless
Yeh Tabh Ki Baat Hai, Jab Kisi Se Pyar Na Tha
This is the tale of how it was back then when I was not in love with anyone
Jab Se Preet Sapnon Mein Samayi Maar Gayee
 Ever since love has entered my dreams, it has defeated me
Man Ki Meethe Dard Ki Gehrai Maar Gayee
The deepness of  my mind's sweet pain has defeated me.
Naino Se Yeh Naino Ki Sagai Maar Gayee
The engagement of eyes to eyes has defeated me.
Soch Soch Mein Jo Soch Aayee Maar Gayee
Anxiety interceding into my thoughts has defeated me.
Baaqi Kuch Bacha Tau Mehangai Maar Gayee, Mehangai Maar Gayee
Baaqi Kuch Bacha Tau Mehangai Maar Gayee, Mehangai Maar Gayee


Kaise Waqt Mein, Haye Haye, Kaise Waqt Mein
Kaise Waqt Mein, Haye, Kaise Waqt Mein
Aa Ke Dil Ko Dil Ki Lagi Bimari
Kaise Waqt Mein
Aaise Waqt Mein Aa Ke Dil Ko Dil Ki Lagi Bimari
In such a time/period, did the heart fall sick with love 
Mehangai Ke Daur Mein Ho Gayee Mehangi Yaar Ki Yaari
that during this cycle of inflation, my love's friendship become costly
Kaise Waqt Mein...
Dil Ki Lagi Dil Ko Jab Lagayee Maar Gayee
My heart falling in love has defeated me
Dil Ne Ki Jo Pyar Ki Duhai Maar Gayee
The clamour from my heart falling in love has defeated me
Dil Ki Baat Duniya Ko Batayi Maar Gayee
Telling the world the tale of my heart has defeated me
Aur Dil Ki Baat Dil Mein Jo Chuppai Maar Gayee
And hiding the tale of my heart in my heart has defeated me.
Baaqi Kuch Bacha Tau Mehangai Maar Gayee, Mehangai Maar Gayee
Baaqi Kuch Bacha Tau Mehangai Maar Gayee, Mehangai Maar Gayee


O Pehle Muthi Vich Paise Le Kar
Pehli Muthi Mein Paise Le Kar Thaila Bhar Shakhar Laate Thay
At first, one would take money in a fist and bring back (buy) sugar in a sack.
Ab Thailay Mein Paise Jaate Hai, Muthi Mein Shakhar Aati Hai
Now, one takes money in a sack and brings back sugar in the fist.
Haye Mehangai Mehangai Mehangai
O inflation!
Duhai Hai Duhai Hai Duhai Hai Duhai
It's an outcry!
Tu Kahan Se Aayee? Tujhe Kyun Maut Na Aayee?
Where did you come from? Why did you not die?
Haye Mehangai Mehangai Mehangai


Shakhar Mein Yeh Aatay Ki Milai Maar Gayee
The contamination of sugar with flour has defeated me.
Powder Waale Doodh Di Malai Maar Gayee
The cream from powdered milk has defeated me.
Ration Waali Line Ki Lambai Maar Gayee
The length of the ration line has defeated me.
Janta Jo Cheekhi Chalai Maar Gayee
The cry of the people has defeated me.
Baaqi Kuch Bachaya Mehangai Maar Gayee, Mehangai Maar Gayee
Baaqi Kuch Bacha Tau Mehangai Maar Gayee, Mehangai Maar Gayee


Ghareeb Ko Tau Bache Ki Padhai Maar Gayee, Padhai Maar Gayee
 For the poor, a child's education has defeated them.
Beti Ki Shaadhi Aur Sagai Maar Gayee, Sagai Maar Gayee
The wedding and engagement of the daughter has defeated them.
Kisi Ko Tau Roti Ki Kamai Maar Gayee
For some, earning (money) for food has defeated them.
Kapade Ki Kisi Ko Salai Maar Gayee
For some, the (cost of the )tailoring of clothes has defeated them.
Kisi Ko Tau Roti Ki Kamai Maar Gayee
Kapade Ki Kisi Ko Salai Maar Gayee
O Kisi Ko Makaan Ki Banwayi Maar Gayee
For some, the building of a house has defeated them.
Jeevan De Bas Tin Nishaan: Roti, Kapada Aur Makaan
Life has only three marks/signs: food, clothes, and house
 Roti, Kapada Aur Makaan,  Roti, Kapada Aur Makaan
Doondh Doondh Ke Har Insaan
Doondh Doondh Ke Har Insaan Kho Baitha Hai Apni Jaan
In pursuit of these every person has lost their life.
Jo Sachi Sachi Bola Tau Sachai Maar Gayee, Sachai Maar Gayee, Sachai Maar Gayee
He who speaks the truth, the truth has defeated him.
Aur Baaqi Kuch Bacha Tau 
Mehangai Maar Gayee, Mehangai Maar Gayee
Aur Baaqi Kuch Bacha Tau Mehangai Maar Gayee, Mehangai Maar Gayee
O Paisa Kya, Kaisi Mehangai
O what is money? What is this inflation?
Baaqi Kuch Bacha Tau Mehangai Maar Gayee, Mehangai Maar Gayee

Ek Tara Bole

By request. :) A song featuring a simple yet endearing instrument described by "ajnabi" of washerman's dog blogspot. Personally when I think of the "Ektara" or "Ek Tara" instrument I think of the song Ek Tara Vajda Ve Ranjhana which is more traditionally sung as "Do Tara Vajda Ve". The word tara means string/wire and it sounds identical to the word in Hindi and Punjabi that means star. Recently it was sadly wrongly translated on the acoustic version of Ek Tara (from the album Pure Desi Volume 2, produced by Jeet Bhogal, vocals by Jaswinder Jassi) in the intro as "one star" instead of "one string". Both the Ektara and the Dotara show us that it does not take a fancy instrument to make beautiful music.

Film: Yaadgar

Singer: Mahendra Kapoor & Chorus
Lyrics: Varma Malik
MD: Kalyanji - Anandji

Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun
ektara says "tun tun"
Kya Kahe Yeh Tum Se, Sun Sun
what is it saying to you? listen...
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun
Kya Kahe Yeh Tum Se, Sun Sun
Baat Hai Lambi, Matlab Gol
it's a long story, it's meaning circular
Khol Na De Yeh Sab Ke Pol
I hope it doesn't expose everyone's secrets
Tau Phir Us Ke Baad...
then after that
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun
Kya Kahe Yeh Tum Se, Sun Sun
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun

Kuch Aaise Log Bhi Hote Hai
Kuch Aaise Log Bhi Hote Hai
there are such people
Apni Galti Pe Rote Hai
that cry about their mistakes
Apna Tau Bhet Nahin Bhartha
they can't fill their own stomachs
Par Das Das Bachay Hote Hai
Par Das Das Bachay Hote Hai
yet they have 10 children
Har Saal Calendar Chhap Diya
every year a calendar gets printed
Parivaar Niyojan Saaf Kiya
family planing disappears
Tau Phir Us Ke Baad...
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun
Kya Kahe Yeh Tum Se, Sun Sun
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun

Pehle Tau Tha Chola Burkha
Pehle Tau Tha Chola Burkha
first, there was the chola (long shirt) and burkha (veil)
Phir Khat Khat Ke Woh Hua Kurta
then it was cut and became the kurta (short shirt)
Chole Ke Ab Choli Hai Bani
now the chola (long shirt) has become the choli (very short shirt)
Choli Se Aage Kya Hoga
what will come next? (after the choli)
Choli Se Aage Kya Hoga
Yeh Fashion Bhartha Bhartha Gaya
if fashion keeps growing like this
Aur Kapda Tan Se Khatda Gaya
and cloth that covers the body keeps diminishing
Tau Phir Us Ke Baad
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun
Kya Kahe Yeh Tum Se, Sun Sun
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun

Arre He Teri Aaisi Taisi
Arre He Teri Aaisi Taisi
tit for tat
Surat Hai Ladki Jaisi
you look like a girl
Tang Pant, Patli Tangein
(with your) tight pants, tight pantlegs
Lagti Hai Cigarette Jaisi
(you) look like a cigarette
Lagti Hai Cigarette Jaisi
Desh Ka Yehi Jawan Hai Tau
if the soldiers (youth) of this nation are like this
Desh Ki Yeh Santan Hai
if the children of this nation are like this
Tau Phir Us Ke Baad
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun
Kya Kahe Yeh Tum Se, Sun Sun
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun

Arre Rocket Koi Chadhata Hai
Arre Rocket Koi Chadhata Hai
someone flies a rocket
Koi Atam Bomb Banata Hai
someone else makes an atom bomb
Aman Ke Naam Pe Dekho Woh
look, in the name of peace
Duniya Pe Rob Jamata Hai
they demonstrate their power
Duniya Pe Rog Jamata Hai
Barood Agar Yeh Chal Jaye
if these weapons go off
Saari Duniya Jal Jaye
if the whole world burns
Tau Phir Us Ke Baad
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun
Kya Kahe Yeh Tum Se, Sun Sun
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun

Mandir Se Log Ghabrate Hai
Mandir Se Log Ghabrate Hai
people are afraid of the Mandir
Aur Roz Club Mein Jaate Hai
and go to clubs all the time
Log Bhakti Bhajan Sab Bhool Gaye
people have forgotten the religious hymns
Aur Filmi Gaane Gaate Hai
and they sing film songs
Jab Dharm Nahin Aur Sharm Nahin
when there is no religion and no shame
Koi Bhi Accha Karm Nahin
and no good deeds
Tau Phir Us Ke Baad
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun
Kya Kahe Yeh Tum Se, Sun Sun
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun

Do Kism Ke Neta Hote Hai
Ek Deta Hai Ek Paata Hai
there are two kinds of leaders
Ohhhhh
Ek Desh Ko Loot Ke Khata Hai
one that takes from his country
Ek Desh Pe Jaan Lootata Hai
and one that gives his life for his country
Ohhhhh
Ek Zinda Reh Kar Marta Hai
one dies while living
Ek Mar Kar Jeevan Paata Hai
and one gains life only after dying
Ek Marra Tau Naam-o-Nishaan Hi Nahin
one dies without any remembrance (symbolic name)
Ek Yaadgar Ban Jaata Hai
and the other cannot be forgotten
Ek Yaadgar Ban Jaata Hai
Bhagwan Kare Mere Desh Ke Sab Neta Hi Ban Jayein Aaise
may god will it so, that all the leaders of my country would become like this:
Thode Se Lal Bahadur Ho
some like Lal Bahadur
Thode Se Ho Nehru Jaise
some like Nehru
Thode Se Ho Nehru Jaise
Ram Na Kare Mere Desh Ko
Ram Na Kare Mere Desh Ko Kabhi Bhi Aaisa Neta Mile
may god not will it so, that the leaders of my country would be like this:
Jo Aap Bhi Doobe, Desh Bhi Doobe, Janta Ko Bhi Le Doobe Arre, Janta Ko Bhi Le Doobe
one who drowns, taking the country and people with him
Vote Liya Aur Khisak Gaya Jab Kursi Se Chipak Gaya
or one who wins votes but then disappears after gaining his chair
Tau Phir Us Ke Baad
Us Ke Baad?
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun
Kya Kahe Yeh Tum Se, Sun Sun
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun
Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun
Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun
Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun



Jis Ghar Mein Daku Chor Chhupe
a house that has hidden dacoits and thieves
Us Ghar Ki Mehanat Kya Hogi
what hard work would such a house have?
Jis Daur Ke Yeh Annadata Ho
an era that has such a provider of food
Us Daur Ki Kismat Kya Hogi
what would be that generations's destiny?
Jis Maa Ke Bachay Bhooke Rahe
a mother who's children remain hungry
Us Maa Ki Haalat Kya Hogi
what would be the state of such a mother
Jo Desh Milavat Khata Hai
a country that eats contaminated food
Us Desh Ki Taaqat Kya Hogi
what strength will such a nation have?
Us Desh Ki Taaqat Kya Hogi
Yehi Woh Ration Waala Hai
Yehi Woh Ration Waala Hai
this is the same "rationwaala" (person who doles out the ration)
Jis Ne Kuch Kiya Ghotala Hai
that has made such a mess of things
Attay Mein Reth Milai Hai
mixing sand into flour
Shakr Mein Atta Daala Hai
(and) flour into sugar
Shakr Mein Aata Daala Hai
Duniya Yeh Ration Khati Rahi
the world eats this ration
Nit Nayi Bimari Aati Rahi
and (because of that) new illnesses are borne
Tau Phir Us Ke Baad
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun
Kya Kahe Yeh Tum Se, Sun Sun
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun
Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun
Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun
Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun


Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun
Kya Kahe Yeh Tum Se, Sun Sun
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun
Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun
Jo Doctor Ban Kar Aata Hai
he who becomes a doctor
Pehle Yeh Kasmein Khata Hai
first takes this oath
Sewa Main Karoonga Janta Ki
"I will serve the people"
Yehi Vishwas Dilaata Hai
he assures us
Ohhhhh
Aur Jab Degree Mil Jaati Hai
and after getting his degree
Eis Baat Ko Bhool Hi Jaata Hai
he forgets about this promise
Bhagwan Ke Peeche Doctor Hi, Insaan Ki Jaan Bachata Hai
next to God, it's a doctor that can save a human life
Insaan Ki Jaan Bachata Hai
Bimaar Pe Jo Na Taras Khaye
he who does not feel pity for the sick
Bimaar Pe Jo Na Taras Khaye
Aur Lahparvahi Kar Jaaye
and is careless
Woh Hi Doctor Is Desh Ki Sab Se Badi Bimaari Ban Jaye
that same doctor becomes this nation's biggest illness
Badi Bimaari Ban Jaye
Jo Jaan Ki Keemat Na Samjhe
he who does not understand the value of a life
Insaan Ki Keemat Na Samjhe
does not understand the value of a human being
Tau Phir Us Ke Baad
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun
Kya Kahe Yeh Tum Se, Sun Sun
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun
Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun


Yeh Laal Hai Bharat Maata Ke
these are the dear (children) of their motherland
Maa Se Hi Daga Kamaate Hai
they deceive their mother
Yeh Cheen Ke Roti Bhaiyon Ki
steal food from their brothers
Apni Jebein Bhar Jaate Hai
and fill their own pockets
Ohhhhh
Us Thali Mein Hi Chhed Kare Jis Thali Mein Yeh Khate Hai
they make a hole in the same plate that they eat from
Jis Thali Mein Yeh Khate Hai
Apni Janani Ke Doodh Me Dekho, Aap Hi Zehar Milate Hai
they themselves poison their own mother's milk
Aap Ki Zehar Milate Hai
Janta Ki Kamai Khate Rahe
if they keep feeding off the people's wealth
Yeh Yun Hi Loot Machate Rahe
keep on looting
Tau Phir Us Ke Baad
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun
Kya Kahe Yeh Tum Se, Sun Sun
Ek Tara Bole, Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun
Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun
Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun
Tun Tun Tun Tun Tun