You can find the full lyrics and English translation of "Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi," the iconic ghazal by Ibn-e-Insha made famous by Jagjit Singh, at these sites: Rekhta Gaana Genius Ek Fankaar Pachu's experiments Share public link
It is a poem that doesn't just speak of beauty; it makes you feel the weight of the moonlight and the pain of unrequited love.
| | Transliteration | English Translation | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | कल चौदहवीं की रात थी, शब भर रहा चर्चा तेरा | Kal chaudhvin ki raat thi, shab bhar raha charcha tera | Last night was the fourteenth night (of the lunar cycle), and all night there was discussion about you. | | कुछ ने कहा ये चाँद है, कुछ ने कहा चेहरा तेरा | Kuchh ne kaha ye chaand hai, kuchh ne kaha chehra tera | Some said, "This is the moon," while others said, "(No,) this is your face." | | हम भी वहीं मौजूद थे, हम से भी सब पूछा किए | Hum bhi wahin maujood the, humse bhi sab poochha kiye | I was also present there, and everyone kept asking me as well. | | हम हँस दिए, हम चुप रहे, मंज़ूर था परदा तेरा | Hum hans diye, hum chup rahe, manzoor tha parda tera | I just smiled, I remained silent—I accepted your veil (i.e., your decision to remain hidden from me). | | इस शहर में किस से मिलें, हम से तो छूटीं महफ़िलें | Is shehar mein kis se milen, hum se to chhootiin mehfilein | In this city, who should I meet? I have been cut off from all gatherings. | | हर शख़्स तेरा नाम ले, हर शख़्स दीवाना तेरा | Har shakhs tera naam le, har shakhs deewana tera | Everyone takes your name, everyone is crazy for you. | | कूचे को तेरे छोड़ कर, जोगी ही बन जाएँ मगर | Kooche ko tere chhod kar, jogi hi ban jaayen magar | I could leave your street and become a hermit (ascetic), but... | | जंगल तेरे, परबत तेरे, बस्ती तेरी, सेहरा तेरा | Jangal tere, parbat tere, basti teri, sehra tera | ...the jungle is yours, the mountains are yours, the settlements are yours, and the desert is yours. (Your presence is everywhere; I cannot escape you). | | हम और रस्म-ए-बंदगी, आशुफ़्तगी उफ़्तादगी | Hum aur rasm-e-bandagi, aashuftagi uftaadgi | As for me, (I am trapped in) the rituals of worship (i.e., your devotion), anxiety, and distress. | | एहसान है क्या-क्या तेरा, ऐ हुस्न-ए-बेपरवा तेरा | Ehsaan hai kya-kya tera, ai husn-e-beparwa tera | What are your countless favors, O carefree beauty? | | दो अश्क जाने किस लिए पलकों पे आ के टिक गए | Do ashq jaane kis liye, palkon pe aa ke tik gaye | Two tears, I don't know why, came and settled on my eyelashes. | | अल्ताफ़ की बारिश तेरी, इकराम का दरिया तेरा | Altaaf ki baarish teri, ikraam ka dariya tera | (It is) your rain of kindness, your river of honor. | | ऐ बेदरेग ओ बे-अमाँ, हम ने कभी की है फुगाँ? | Ai bedareg-o-be-amaan, humne kabhi ki hai fughaan? | O ruthless and merciless one, have I ever cried out in lament? | | हमको तेरी वहशत सही, हमको सही सौदा तेरा | Hamko teri wahshat sahi, hamko sahi sauda tera | Even your madness is fine for me; even this deal (love for you) is fine for me. | | हम पर ये सख़्ती की नज़र, हम हैं फक़ीरे रहगुज़र | Hum par ye sakhti ki nazar, hum hain faqeere rehguzar | Your glance is harsh on me; I am a beggar on the path. | | रास्ता कभी रोका तेरा, दामन कभी थामा तेरा | Raasta kabhi roka tera, daaman kabhi thaama tera | Did I ever block your way? Did I ever catch hold of your hem? | | हाँ-हाँ तेरी सूरत हसीं, लेकिन तो ऐसा भी नहीं | Haan-haan teri soorat haseen, lekin to aisa bhi nahin | Yes, yes, your face is beautiful, but it's not as if it's like that... | | इस शख़्स के अशआर से शोहरा हुआ क्या-क्या तेरा | Is shakhs ke ashaar se shohraa hua kya-kya tera | ...(that) your fame hasn't spread far and wide because of this person's (the poet's) verses. | | बेदर्द सुन्नी हो तो चल, कहता है क्या अच्छी ग़ज़ल | Bedard sunni ho to chal, kehta hai kya achhi ghazal | If you (the beloved) are cruel and happen to hear it, just go ahead and say, "What a fine ghazal!" | | आशिक़ तेरा, रुसवा तेरा, शायर तेरा, 'इंशा' तेरा | Aashiq tera, ruswa tera, shaayar tera, 'Insha' tera | (I am) your lover, your disgraced one, your poet—(I am) 'Insha' (the poet's pen name), all yours. | kal chaudhvin ki raat thi lyrics english translation
The line "Hum hans diye, hum chup rahe" is a masterclass in ezhaaz (ambiguity). Was he smiling because he was happy thinking of her, or smirking sarcastically because the crowd couldn't understand his pain? The silence is louder than words.
Last night was the night of the full moon, All night long, there was a discussion about you. Some said, "This is the moon," Others said, "No, this is your face." You can find the full lyrics and English
The song's lyrics are as follows:
You can find the full lyrics and English translation for "Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi," written by Ibne Insha and famously sung by Jagjit Singh, at several websites. These platforms often provide the Urdu script, Hindi transliteration, and English translation: UrduPod101 Share public link | | हम हँस दिए, हम चुप रहे,
Aashiq tera, rusva tera, shayar tera, 'Insha' tera. Your lover, your disgraced one, your poet, your very own 'Insha'.
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)