Kyun --English Translation (from Barfi)

I simply love the lyrics by Neelesh Misra, the music by Pritam and the delightfully old-world voice of Papon in this song. I am attempting below a loose English translation. Here is the song, followed by the original and my translation/transcreation.




Kyun
By Neelesh Misra
(From the sound track of Barfi)

Kyun, na hum tum
Chalein tedhe-medhe se raston pe nange paanv re
Chal, bhatak le naa baawre
Kyon na hum tum
Phire jaake almast pehchaani raahon ke pare
Chal bhatak le na baawre
Inn timtimati nigaahon mein
Inn chamchamati adaaon mein
Luke huey, chhupe huey
Hai kya khayaal baawre

Kyun na hum tum
Chale zindagi ke nashe mein hi dhut sarphire
Chal bhatak le na baawre
Kyun na hum tum
Talashein bageechon mein phursat bhari chhanv re
Chal bhatak le na baawre
Inn gungunati fizaaon mein
Inn sarsarati hawaaon mein
Tukar-tukar yun dekhe kya
Kya tera haal baawre
Naa lafz kharch karna tum
Naa lafz kharch hum karenge
Nazar ke kankadon se
Khamoshiyon ki khidkiyan yun todenge
Mila ke mast baat phir karenge
Naa harf kharch karna tum
Naa harf kharch hum karenge
Nazar ki syaahi se likhenge
Tujhe hazaar chitthiyaan khamosh jhidkiyaan
Tere pate pe bhej denge
Sun, khankhanati hai zindagi
Le, humein bulati hai zindagi
Jo karna hai aaj kar naa isko taal baawre
Aha ha

Kyun, na hum tum
Chale tedhe-medhe se raston pe nange paanv re
Chal bhatak le na baawre
Kyun, na hum tum
Phire jaa ke almast pehchani raahon ke pare
Chal bhatak le na baawre
Inn, timtimaati nigaahon mein
Inn, chamchamaati adaaon mein
Luke huey, chhupe huey
Hai kya khayaal baawre.


Translation
Why

Why not, you and I
Walk barefoot the twisted ways
Let's roam then in a crazed daze

Why not, you and I
Roam beyond the trodden paths and known maps
Let's wander now, as true mad-caps

In the twinkle of your eyes
In your gestures so nice
What thoughts lurk in a haze
Let's roam then in a crazed daze


Why not, you and I
Intoxicated by life, wander amazed
Let's roam then in a daze

Why not, you and I
Scour the gardens in a restful shade
Let's roam then in a daze

In the humming of the breeze
In caressing winds through the trees
In the pitter-patter days that stretch
What's that you feel in your daze?

--
Don't waste a word then
Nor will I waste one
With the little stones of our glances we'll banter
Break the windows of silence in a canter

Don't waste a word
Nor will I waste one
I'lll write with the ink of my eyes
A thousand letters and chidings with sighs
And send it your way
To make your day

Listen! Life jingles as only it can
It beckons you, as only it can
Do what you want today
Don't put your moments away

Why not, you and I
Walk barefoot the twisted ways
Let's roam then in a crazed daze

Why not, you and I
Roam beyond the beaten paths and known maps
Let's wander now, as true mad-caps

In the twinkle of your eyes
In your gestures so nice
What thoughts lurk in a haze
Let's walk then in a daze!

Transation- (c) N. Madhavan, 2012