"Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi" is a popular Hindi song from the Bollywood movie "Inkaar" (2013), sung by Arijit Singh and written by Javed Akhtar. Here are the lyrics with English translation:
Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi Lyrics (Hindi):
कल चौदवीं की रात थी और मैं ज़रा नशे में था तुम्हें एक ख्वाब में देखा और मैं ज़रा नशे में था
English Translation:
Kal Chaudhvin ki raat thi aur main zara nashe mein tha Tumhein ek khwab mein dekha aur main zara nashe mein tha
Meaning:
It was the night of the full moon and I was a little intoxicated I saw you in a dream and I was a little intoxicated
Next few lines:
ग़ुलाब के रंग जैसे तुम्हारे चेहरे की रौनक मुझे हर पल याद आती है, ओ मेरे दिल की रानी
Gulab ke rang jaise tumhare chehre ki raunak Mujhe har pal yaad aati hai, oh mere dil ki rani
English Translation:
The glow on your face was like the color of roses I remember you every moment, oh my queen
The song is a romantic ballad expressing the intoxicating feeling of love and a dream encounter with the beloved. The lyrics are a poetic expression of the emotions and do not always translate directly, but I've tried to provide a close English translation.
Roman: Haan tum ne kaha kuch aur hai, Insha ne kaha ye chaand hai Tum apni zaban rakhna, Hum apni zaban rakhte hain
English Translation: Yes, you say something else (it’s just a face), Insha says this is the moon. You keep your dialect/language (opinion), I will keep my dialect (opinion).
Explanation: The poet (signing off as Insha) concludes beautifully. A critic might say the moon is just a rock. A lover says it’s a face. The poet refuses to argue. “You believe what you want; I will believe what I want.”
The night was the 14th—the moon was full, the sky was clear, and the heart was full of longing. For lovers of Urdu poetry and Bollywood classics, few lines evoke the bittersweet ache of unrequited love quite like "Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi."
Originally penned by the renowned Pakistani poet Farhat Abbas Shah, this ghazal gained immortal fame through the silken, melancholic voice of Ghulam Ali. Over the decades, it has become a staple at night-long mushairas (poetry readings) and a benchmark for classical singing.
But for those who don't speak Urdu or Hindi, the magic of the words can feel just out of reach. This article provides a precise, line-by-line English translation of "Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi," along with an explanation of the cultural and emotional layers hidden within the verses.
"Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi" succeeds because it is not just a love song—it is a conversation. It moves from external observation (the moon/watching the beloved) to internal turmoil (cruelty and silence) to metaphysical unity (the shared breath).
Ghulam Ali’s rendition, with its slow, deliberate taans (melodic flourishes), turns the translation of these words into a spiritual experience. For the non-Urdu speaker, understanding the lyrics transforms the song from a pretty melody into a tragic masterpiece about pride, loss, and the madness of being truly in love.
Final Note: When listening to this ghazal, pay special attention to the pauses between "Hum hans diye" and "hum chup rahe." In those milliseconds, the entire universe of unspoken love lives.
Listen to the original song by Ghulam Ali to feel the full emotional weight of these translated words.
You can find the full lyrics and English translation for the iconic ghazal "Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi," penned by Ibn-e-Insha and famously performed by Jagjit Singh, at these websites: Lyricsraag Genius HindiKala Pachu's experiments Ek Fankaar
Kal Chaudhvin ki raat thi by Jagjit Sing - Pachu's experiments
Here’s a short story inspired by the request for an English translation of the classic lyrics "Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi" (by the poet Ibn-e-Insha). The story follows a character who stumbles upon the translation and, through it, rediscovers a lost love.
Title: The Night of the Fourteenth Moon
For years, Shabnam had avoided old Urdu poetry. It wasn't the language—it was the ache that came with it. But tonight, cleaning out her late father's study, she found a brittle, yellowed diary. Tucked inside was a single page, folded into a tight square. On it, in her own college handwriting, were two lines:
"Kal chaudhvin ki raat thi, shab bhar raha charcha tera"
Beneath them, a half-finished, hesitant English translation:
"Last night was the night of the fourteenth moon, the entire night your name was whispered..."
She stopped. Her breath caught.
The rest of the page was blank—except for a faded phone number at the bottom. Kabir. She hadn't spoken that name in fifteen years.
Shabnam remembered the night she'd tried to translate those lyrics. It was a winter evening in Delhi, sitting cross-legged on Kabir's terrace. The moon had been so full and low it looked like a swollen pearl caught in the branches of the neem tree. He had recited the whole ghazal to her, his voice soft but sure.
"Last night was the night of the fourteenth moon," she had whispered back in English. "All night long, there was mention of you."
He had laughed gently. "That's not quite right. 'Charcha' isn't just 'mention.' It's gossip, talk, a ripple that spreads without permission. Like when everyone at a wedding starts asking, 'Where is she? Have you seen her? Isn't she lovely?'" kal chaudhvin ki raat thi lyrics english translation
She had tried again: "All night, the moonlit world kept murmuring your name."
Kabir had smiled—a slow, devastating thing. "Better. But you can't force Urdu into English. Some moons are only fourteen nights old. Some silences are heavier than words."
Then he'd taken her hand and said, "Shabnam, the poet isn't just saying the moon was beautiful. He's saying: I couldn't sleep. Because even the night conspired to remind me of you."
That was the night he had first kissed her. Under that impossible moon.
Now, fifteen years later, Shabnam sat on the floor of her father's study, the diary in her lap. Life had happened—a different city, a marriage that ended quietly, a child who asked hard questions about love. She had convinced herself that poetry was impractical. But here was proof: she had once tried to build bridges between languages, between hearts.
On impulse, she dialed the faded number. No answer. She left a voice mail: "Kabir. It's Shabnam. I finally finished the translation. 'Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi'... in English, it goes: 'Last night was the night of the fourteenth moon. The whole night, there was talk of you. I asked the moon for news of you, and the moon said—you are still the same. Still impossible. Still unforgettable.'"
She paused. Then, quietly: "I couldn't sleep either."
An hour later, her phone buzzed. A text: "They say the moon on the fourteenth night never dims. Neither have you. Meet me under the neem tree. Tomorrow. When the moon is full again."
Shabnam smiled, tears slipping down her cheeks. Some translations take a lifetime. But when they finally arrive, the meaning is perfect.
Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi (कल चौधवीं की रात थी)
The song begins with the description of a beautiful night, which is the night of the full moon (Chaudhvin).
English Translation: "Yesterday was the night of the full moon"
Lyrics: कल चौधवीं की रात थी, और आज तुम से मुलाकात थी मैं ज़रा सा बहका बहका सा, और तुम थे शरमाते
English Translation: "Yesterday was the night of the full moon, and today I met you I was a little bewildered, and you were shy"
The song goes on to describe the romantic encounter between the two lovers.
Lyrics: तुम थे शरमाते, मैं ज़रा सा बहका नज़रें थीं चुराते, और दिल था धड़कता
English Translation: "You were shy, I was a little bewildered We were stealing glances, and our hearts were beating"
The song continues with the description of the magical moment they shared.
Lyrics: कल चौधवीं की रात थी, और आज तुम से मुलाकात थी मैं ज़रा सा बहका बहका सा, और तुम थे शरमाते
English Translation: "Yesterday was the night of the full moon, and today I met you I was a little bewildered, and you were shy"
The song also expresses the longing and yearning for the next meeting.
Lyrics: अब तो हर रात, होगी तुम से मुलाकात अब तो हर रात, होगी हमारी चौधवीं
English Translation: "Now, every night will be a meeting with you Now, every night will be our full moon night"
The song ends with the repetition of the initial lines, emphasizing the special moment they shared.
Lyrics: कल चौधवीं की रात थी, और आज तुम से मुलाकात थी मैं ज़रा सा बहका बहका सा, और तुम थे शरमाते
English Translation: "Yesterday was the night of the full moon, and today I met you I was a little bewildered, and you were shy"
Overall, "Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi" is a beautiful and romantic song that captures the magic of a special night and a memorable encounter between two lovers.
| Urdu Term | Meaning | |-----------|---------| | Kal | Yesterday / Last night | | Chaudhvin | 14th (night of full moon) | | Shab-e-furqat | Night of separation (from the beloved) | | Charaghaan | Illuminated with lamps | | Mehr-e-kaamil | The perfect sun (beloved) | | Daaman | Hem of a garment (symbol of honor/protection) | | Zulf | Curls / locks of hair | | Rukh | Face / cheek |
This ghazal is best experienced through Ghulam Ali’s soulful rendition, where the slight tremble in his voice conveys the dard (pain) and longing far beyond words.
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" is a popular
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.
You're looking for a good paper or resource about the lyrics and English translation of "Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi"!
"Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi" is a popular Hindi song from the 1968 film of the same name, starring Shammi Kapoor and Kalpana Iyer. The song was sung by Mohammed Rafi and written by Rajinder Singh Bedi.
Here's a reliable source for the lyrics and English translation:
Lyrics and English Translation:
You can find the lyrics and English translation on the website Gaana.com. Gaana is a popular Indian music streaming service that provides accurate lyrics and translations for many Bollywood songs.
Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi Lyrics (Hindi):
कल चौधवीं की रात थी अब बारह की रात है कल चौधवीं की रात थी
English Translation:
Yesterday was the night of the full moon (14th day of the lunar cycle) Now it's the night of the 12th day Yesterday was the night of the full moon
You can visit Gaana.com and search for the song to find the complete lyrics and English translation.
Research Paper or Article:
If you're looking for a research paper or article about the song, I found a few academic sources that discuss the film and its music:
You can search for these papers on academic databases like JSTOR, ResearchGate, or Academia.edu.
Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi: A Poetic Ballad
Introduction
"Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi" is a popular Hindi song that has been a timeless classic for decades. The song, originally composed by R.D. Burman, was written by Sahil Ludhianvi and has been sung by several artists over the years, including Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. The song's lyrics are a beautiful expression of love, longing, and nostalgia, and have been widely appreciated for their poetic depth and musicality.
Lyrics and English Translation
The song's lyrics are as follows:
कल चौधवीं की रात थी और मैं यार से मिला नई मस्ती का नशा था, नई प्रेम की बहार थी कल चौधवीं की रात थी और मैं यार से मिला
English Translation:
Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi, and I met my lover There was a new intoxication of joy, a new spring of love Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi, and I met my lover Roman: Haan tum ne kaha kuch aur hai,
मैंने पूछा था उससे, मैंने पूछा था उससे कि तुम कौन हो और क्या हो, तुम कहाँ से आए हो उसने कहा था मुझसे, उसने कहा था मुझसे कि मैं यार हूँ, मैं प्यार हूँ, मैं दिल की धड़कन हूँ
English Translation:
I had asked him, I had asked him Who are you and what are you, where did you come from? He had told me, he had told me I am your lover, I am your love, I am the heartbeat of your heart
Poetic Analysis
The song's lyrics are a beautiful expression of the joy and excitement of meeting a loved one. The opening lines, "Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi, and I met my lover" set the scene for a romantic encounter on a night when the moon is full (Chaudhvin Ki Raat). The use of the phrase "new intoxication of joy" and "new spring of love" creates a sense of freshness and excitement, emphasizing the thrill of a new romance.
The second stanza, where the speaker asks the lover about their identity and origin, is a poetic exploration of the longing to know more about the one you love. The lover's response, "I am your lover, I am your love, I am the heartbeat of your heart" is a beautiful expression of the depth of their emotions and the connection they share.
Conclusion
"Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi" is a timeless classic that continues to captivate audiences with its poetic lyrics and memorable melody. The song's English translation provides a glimpse into the beauty of the original Hindi lyrics, and showcases the universal themes of love, longing, and connection that transcend language and culture. This paper has provided a brief analysis of the song's lyrics and poetic themes, highlighting the enduring appeal of this beloved Bollywood ballad.
References
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
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.
Let’s move beyond the mechanical translation to the emotional equivalent.
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