Brothels (Chakley)
Here’s another translation of a nazm that has been made famous in the movie Pyasa 1957 (Guru Dutt, Waheeda Rehman). The original Urdu version of the nazm was slightly modified for the song that appeared in the feature film. I thought I’d start by posting the translation by K.C. Kanda first. The translation appeared in “Masterpieces of Urdu Nazm”, Sterling Paperbacks, published by Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi. ISBN 81 207 1952 2, Reprint 1998, 2000.
Soon, I’ll be posting the original Urdu version (post edit: Click here to read the original version in Roman Urdu) and the modified film song version (post edit: Click here to read the filmized version) as well. The links, once again, will be published in this post, but if you are an avid reader of this blog, then you will be sure not to miss it. 
Brothels
These lanes, these marts of rich delights,
Precious lives, undone, defiled;
Where are the defenders of virtuous pride?
Where are they who praise, the pious eastern ways?
These sinuous streets, these doors ajar,
The clinking coins, the moving masks,
Deals of honour, hagglings fast,
Where are they who praise, the pious eastern ways?
These dimly-lighted, stinking streets,
These yellowing buds, crushed and ceased,
These hollow charms, for sale and lease;
Where are they who praise, the pious eastern ways?
The jingling trinklets at casement bright,
Tambourins athrob’ mid gasping life;
Cheerless rooms with cough alive;
Where are they who praise, the pious eastern ways?
Boisterous laughs on public paths,
Crowds at windows, thick and fast,
Vulgar words, obscene remarks;
Where are they who praise, the pious eastern ways?
The betel spittal, the floral wreaths,
Audacious looks and filthy speech,
Flaccid figures, looks diseased;
Where are they who praise, the pious eastern ways?
Lecherous eyes in beauty’s quest,
Extended hands chasing breasts,
Springing feet on stairs pressed;
Where are they who praise, the pious eastern ways?
This is the haven of young and old.
Aging sires and youngsters bold,
Wife, mother and sister — she plays a triple role.
Where are they who praise, the pious eastern ways?
Help, O Help, this daughter of Eve!
Radha’s child, Yashoda’s breed;
The prophet’s race, Zuleikha’s seed;
Where are they who praise, the pious eastern ways?
Call, O call the leaders wise
Let them see these streets, these sights,
Where are the champs of eastern pride?
Where are they who praise, the pious eastern ways?
It is about time someone thought about Sahir and his poetic talents. He was a great poet who influenced me during my early days indulgence in writing poetry. I paid tribute to Sahir by writing a poem Mera’j-e-sukhan following his literary masterpiece, Kabhi kabhi…..
Thanks for your devotion to Sahir’s poetry.
April 24th, 2007 | #
beautiful translation!!!
August 4th, 2007 | #
Good attempt. But you seem to have changed the meaning and added your own meaning and words at some places. The original (atleast the one from the movie) doesnt have the four lines “Boisterous laughs …”. Nor does it have the stanza: “Lecherous …”. Personally, I think that being closer to the original would have been better … not that any translation could be perfect.
August 25th, 2007 | #
Well I didn’t translate the poem, the translation is taken from a book. Though I think the translation did justice to the poem, you are right when you say that no translation can ever be perfect. The original will be the original. Also remember that the translation is NOT of the version from the movie but rather its a translation of the one from the book, his original poem which has also been posted. Regardless of all this, its a good translation for those who don’t get the meaning or find the Urdu in his original poem to be too hard to understand.
August 27th, 2007 | #
thanks alot for sharing this. do you know his song CHALO PHIR SE AJNABI HOJAEIN, i tried to find the lyric to this song but i cudnt.
Cud you help me find the lyrics plz.
September 10th, 2007 | #
Indeed. The nazm actually is published on the blog already. This is the following link: http://www.sahirludhianvi.com/blog/index.php/2006/09/11/poetry/khoobsoorat-mor/
September 10th, 2007 | #
sahir is a very deep writer
September 13th, 2007 | #
thanks very much for posting the link,
loved the following couplet,
ta’arruf rog ho jaaye to usko bhoolna behtar
ta’alluq bhoj ban jaaye to usko toRna achchhaa
cheers
September 22nd, 2007 | #