The beauty of this ghazal lies in its contrast between the external moon (the full moon in the sky) and the beloved's face (referred to as "mahtab" or moonlight).
In the second verse, Ibn-e-Insha creates a stunning contrast: the moon in the sky burns like a hot flame, but the beloved's presence is cool and spreading like water. It signifies that while the world may be harsh and burning, the thought of the beloved brings a cooling, encompassing peace—or perhaps, an inescapable flood of emotion.
Did you know? Ibn-e-Insha was known for his humorous and satirical poetry, but this ghazal proved his mastery over poignant and romantic expression.
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Even today, this ghazal is used in films (recently in Manto and recreated in Shiddat). It resonates because it describes unrequited love with dignity. The poet doesn't beg; he shrugs. "The moon was out. So what? You didn't come. So what?"
That mixture of pride and pain is the essence of classic Urdu poetry. We hope this English translation helps you share this masterpiece with friends who may not read Urdu, or helps you sing along with full understanding the next time you hear it.
Final Note: To experience the full depth, listen to Mehdi Hassan’s version. Read the English translation alongside the Roman script above. You will feel the "rolay" (uproar) in your own heart.
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Song: Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi Movie: Fitoor (2016) Singer: Arijit Singh, Shreya Ghoshal Lyrics: Amitabh Bhattacharya Music: A. R. Rahman
Lyrics with English Translation:
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)
English Translation: The night was of the fourteenth day (full moon night) Your eyes were more beautiful than the moon I remain lost in your memories
Verse 2 (Shreya Ghoshal): कल चौदवीं की रात थी (Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi) जिस रात तुमसे पहली बार मिला (Jis Raat Tumse Pehli Baar Mila) दिल की धड़कनें समझीं मैंने (Dil Ki Dhadaknein Samajhi Mainne)
English Translation: The night was of the fourteenth day (full moon night) The night I met you for the first time I understood the beats of my heart
Chorus (Both): कल चौदवीं की रात थी (Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi) तुम्हारी याद में खोया रहता (Tumhari Yaad Mein Khoya Rehta) कल चौदवीं की रात थी (Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi)
English Translation: The night was of the fourteenth day (full moon night) I remain lost in your memories The night was of the fourteenth day (full moon night)
Context and Meaning: The song "Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi" is a romantic ballad from the movie Fitoor. The lyrics describe the memory of a beautiful night when the singer met his beloved. The song's title, "Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi," translates to "The Night was of the Fourteenth Day," referring to a full moon night. The lyrics express the singer's longing and nostalgia for that special night and the person he met. kal chaudhvin ki raat thi lyrics english translation
The song features Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal on vocals, with music composed by A. R. Rahman. The lyrics were written by Amitabh Bhattacharya. The song became a huge hit and is considered one of the best romantic songs in recent Bollywood history.
Poetic Devices and Literary Analysis: The lyrics of "Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi" employ various poetic devices, such as:
The song's lyrics also explore themes of love, nostalgia, and longing, making it a beautiful expression of human emotions.
Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi: A Timeless Bollywood Classic
"Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi" is a iconic Bollywood song from the 1968 film "Anamika". The song was sung by legendary playback singer Mohammed Rafi and written by Qamar Jalalabadi. The song's haunting melody and poetic lyrics have made it a timeless classic, and it continues to be one of the most popular and enduring songs in Indian cinema.
Lyrics and English Translation
Here are the lyrics to "Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi" along with their English translation:
Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi कल चौदवीं की रात थी, और वो मेरा साथ था चांदनी रात थी, और वो मेरा साथ था
English Translation Last night was the night of the full moon, and he was with me It was a moonlit night, and he was with me
Main Ne Usse Dekha Tha मैं ने उससे देखा था, 처음으로 उस रात को वो आया था मेरे पास, और मैंने देखा था उसे
English Translation I saw him for the first time on that night He came to me, and I saw him
Tere Ishq Ne Mere Dil Ko तेरे इश्क ने मेरे दिल को, क्या कर दिया मैं तो पागल हो गई, तेरा दीवाना हो गया
English Translation Your love has done what to my heart I've gone crazy, and become a fanatic of yours
Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi चौदवीं की रात थी, और वो मेरा साथ था चांदनी रात थी, और वो मेरा साथ था
English Translation It was the night of the full moon, and he was with me It was a moonlit night, and he was with me
The Magic of the Song
The song "Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi" is a masterpiece of Bollywood music. The lyrics are poetic and evoke a sense of longing and romance. The melody is hauntingly beautiful, and Mohammed Rafi's soulful voice brings the song to life. The song has been covered and remixed numerous times, but the original version remains the most popular and enduring.
Conclusion
"Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi" is a timeless Bollywood classic that continues to captivate audiences with its haunting melody and poetic lyrics. The song's themes of love and longing are universal, and its beauty lies in its ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia and romance. If you're a fan of Bollywood music, or just looking for a beautiful song to listen to, "Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi" is definitely worth checking out.
Rather than a simple word-for-word translation, this content explores the cultural, emotional, and linguistic layers that often get lost when moving from Urdu to English.
Verse 1
Kal chaudhvin ki raat thi Shab bhar raha charcha tera
Last night was the fourteenth night (of the full moon), And all night long, there was talk only of you.
Kuch bolti rahi zaban-e-haal Kuch sunta raha zaban-e-khaam tera
My silent state kept speaking (of my condition), While your half-open lips kept listening.
Verse 2
Shola tha ke jal raha tha mahtaab Phaila hua paani tha mahtab tera
Was it a flame? The moonlight was burning bright, But your moonlight was like water, spreading everywhere.
Hawa ke zariye kisi ne puchha Zara dekh ke hal-e-dil-e-naashaad tera
Through the breeze, someone asked, “Look a little at the state of my sorrowful heart.”
Verse 3
Waqt-e-safha-e-jahan-e-khwaab mein Aksaariyat-e-aam tera The beauty of this ghazal lies in its
In the pages of the world of dreams, Your presence was in the majority (you were everywhere).
Woh shakhs jo mushkilon mein kaam aata nahi Woh khwaab tha aksar pareshan-khaam tera
That person who is of no help in times of trouble, That dream of yours was often anxious and unfulfilled.
Verse 4
Kal chaudhvin ki raat thi Shab bhar raha charcha tera
Last night was the fourteenth night, And all night long, there was talk only of you.
For reference, here are the standard lyrics as sung by Ghulam Ali:
Kal chaudhvin ki raat thi, shab bhar raha charcha tera Kuch ne kaha yeh chaand hai, kuch ne kaha chehra tera
Hum bhi wahan maujood the, hum se bhi sab poochha kiye Hum hans diye, hum chup rahe, andaaz tha kya kya tera
Kahta hai har zalim sitam, lekin bura kya hai sitam Humne sitam apne kiye, pahle jawab-e-sitam kiya
Wo dekh le apni wafa, ya dekh le haalat meri Kaun aaina dekhe, khud ko dekhkar jab dekhle
Dono ne kar rakha hai kya, ulfat ka maara kya kare Ya zehar de de ya dawaa, hum dam magar hai dam tera
Roman: Afsana-e-gul sunte hi, Phoolon ne kaha mahtab se Hum tum se hum-kalam hain, Kuch aur nahi puchhte
English Translation: Upon hearing the tale of the flower, the flowers said to the moon, "We are in conversation with you; we do not ask anything else."
Explanation: The poet shifts to nature. The flowers tell the moon they are happy just talking to it. This is a subtle jab at the poet’s own situation—he is not happy just looking at the moon (nature); he wants the human beloved.
For lovers of Urdu poetry and classic Bollywood music, few ghazals resonate as deeply as "Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi." Originally penned by the legendary poet Ibne Insha, and immortalized by the melodious voice of Mehdi Hassan, this song is a masterclass in bittersweet romance. **Share
If you have searched for "kal chaudhvin ki raat thi lyrics english translation," you are likely not just looking for a word-for-word conversion. You want to understand the soul of the poem—the metaphors of the moon, the night, and the ache of unfulfilled love.
In this article, we provide the original Urdu (Romanized script), the precise English translation, and an explanation of why this ghazal remains timeless, 50+ years after its release.