Ek Zindagi Guzar Gayi English Translation

Ek zindagi guzar gayi translates to English as, one lifetime has passed... It was a song from the 1992 film Jaanam. This song is about when a person discovers that they did not really know the person they loved and it would take another lifetime just to understand them. They usually find their reality is shattered because everything they held dear turns out to be an illusion like a shadow. There are two versions of this song, and both indicate that the couple loved each other deeply because both are hurting. This was one of the first songs of Anuradha Paudwal that totally besotted me to her lovely angelic voice. She throws so much emotion into her words giving the lyrics life in a way I have never experienced before. Both versions of this song are exceptional, but I tend to like her version because there is something about her voice that is so expressive. The sadness and sorrow conveyed in this song are so tragic that it often makes people want to weep. Consequently, it occurred to me that no translation can ever do justice because what I feel and what I can write are very different expressions. If you really feel this song, then have some handkerchiefs ready. There is a full version of this song on YouTube so listen to that whilst you read the translation at the same time.

For saanse bhi tuut jayengi, I am not using a literal meaning here as it does not translate well. If your breathing breaks, then you essentially die, and therefore I approximate that line to my life too is going to end...

These are two line verses; hence you need to read both lines for it to make complete sense. Some parts come out in reverse, but I have left them that way as it is easy to figure out in English, and it gives the reader a better idea of how the words map out in different languages.

Meaning and Context

Jisme (Hindi), body. In Persian it is similar to jesm, and in Arabic it is similar to jasuma.

Jaan, soul

Zaalim (Urdu), heartless, similar to sang dil. It can also mean tyrannical.

Zindagi (Hindi), Life. For Urdu speakers it is similar to hasti, and ruuh. In Arab speaking places it is similar to aish

Umer, lifetime, or span of life

Bey rahem, without mercy, merciless. In Arabic rahhm means mercy or pity, whilst sympathy is rahhima.

Khwaab, dream

Bey rukhi, inattention, aloof, or cold and distant

Majbuuriyon, vulnerability in this context

Silah, reward or award. Similar to enaam (Hindi). In Arabic regions you might say sharrafa.

Ilzaam, accusation. Towards Arabic regions it becomes lazima which approximates to blame

Ruswaiyo, illusions in this context

Parchhaiyon, shadow

Saanse (Hindi), breathing. In Urdu it is similar to dam kashi, or tanaffus in Arabic speaking regions

Common/Chorus

Ek zindagi guzar gayi, zindagi samaj ne mein,

One lifetime has passed, just to understand life,

ek umer aur chahiye, ab tujhe samaj ne mein.

(and) I will need another lifetime just to understand you now.

Girls Version

Aai bahaar bhi magar, phool kyun na khil sake?

The spring came and yet, why could the flower not blossom?

ye baat hai nasib ki, milkar bhi ham na mil sake.

it is fate; I could not have that which was already mine.

ab sochti hoon har ghadi, tumne ki jo beyrukhi,

I still wonder every second, when you were inattentive,

shayad abhi bhi reh gai, mere pyar me kami.

that perhaps something was still left out or missing in my love.

Saanse bhi toot jayengi, ik tujhe samjhne me,

My life too is going to end, just trying to understand you,

Majburiyon ka meri, tumne ye sila diya,

For my vulnerability, you gave me this reward,

ilzaam bewafaai ka, kyun mujhpar laga diya?

accusation of unfaithfulness, why did you place upon me?

Ye, pyar, chahat, dosti, ruswaiyo ka naam hai,

This, love, affection, friendship, are names of illusions,

Kahte hain jisko zindagi, parchhaiyon ka naam hai,

They say that this is life, (but are mere) names of shadows,

Hamne bahut hi daer ki, dillagi samjhne me,

I left it too late, to understand matters of the heart,

ek umer aur chahiye, ab tujhe samaj ne mein.

(and) I will now need another lifetime just to understand you.

Boys Version

Do jisme eek jaan hain hum, tune kaha tha yeh kabhi,

We are two bodies and one soul, you sometimes said that,

dil ka pata na bhulenge, humne soona tha yeh kabhi.

I will never forget where your heart is, I sometimes heard that.

Kasme teri woh kya hui, aaj yeh bata mujhe,

What happened to your promises, show them to me today,

zaalim kahun, ya beraham, ya phir bewaffa tujhe.

(I don’t know whether to) call you heartless or merciless, or unfaithful again.

Ek pal bhi to nahi laga, khwaab ke bikhar ne mein,

It did not even take one second, to mess the dream,

Zindagi se thaak chooka hoon, maut se derta hoon main,

I have become tired of living, and am afraid of dying,

jee raha hoon pyar tujhko, aaj bhi karta hoon main.

(still) today I continue living in this memory of your love.

Tum jo karo talash toh, koi mil hi jayega.

If you search, then you will find anyone (you want).

lekin meri tarah sanam, kaun tumko chahega?

but who will love you as I have?

Hain waqt zara phir soch lo, waqt ke badal ne mein,

Take some time to think about it again, time is (a healer) for change,

ek umer aur chahiye, ab tujhe samaj ne mein.

(and) I will need another lifetime just to understand you now.