Almost more than 75% of searches that lead to my blog are of the translation of the song Salaam from Umrao Jaan. I personally didn’t think the lyrics were any good, but I feel responsible towards people who are looking for the translation.
so here it is. I hope some of you will leave a comment.
The non itallics are the original and the bold itallics are the translation.
Lyrics courtesy : www.bollywoodlyrics.com
laakh is dil ko humane samajaayaa
dil yahaa phir bhi humako le aayaa
salaam salaam
I tried to make my heart see reason, a million of times
My heart still brought me here
Salaam salaam
(Salaam is a form of greeting in Urdu/Arabic/Persian)
tumhaari mehfil main aa gaye hai
to kyun naa hum ye bhi kaam karale
salaam karane ki aarajoo hai - 2
idhar jo dekho salaam karale) – 2
I have come to your gathering, so why shouldn’t I do this also (it’s more like , I might as well as do this)
I have the desire to greet(more like welcome you)
Just look this side, and I shall do the salaam
ye dil hai jo aa gayaa hai tum par
magar naa sach hai ye bandaa parwar) - 2
jise bhi hum dekhale palat kar - 2
usiko apanaa gulaam karale
salaam karane ki aarajoo hai
idhar jo dekho salaam karale
My heart has taken a fancy to you,
But isn’t this true Mister/gentleman
That who ever I turn and look at
Becomes my slave
I have the desire to greet(more like welcome you)
Just look this side, and I shall do the salaam
bahut si baate hai tumako kehni
bahut si baate hai humako kehni) - 2
kabhi jo tanahaa milo kahi tum - 2
to baate hum ye tamaam kar le
salaam karane ki aarajoo hai - 2
idhar jo dekho salaam karale
I have a lot of things to say
to you,
If you ever meet me alone
We will talk of the rest (that is to say, we will take lots or finish all that we have to say to each other )
I have the desire to greet(more like welcome you)
Just look this side, and I shall do the salaam
wo lailaa majanu ki ho muhobbat
ke shirifarhad ki ho ulfat) - 2
jaraasi tum jo dikhao jurrat - 2
to hum bhi un jaisaa naam karale
The love of Laila Majnu, the love of Shireen Farhaad
If you have the guts, we shall also do that (love like Majnu, Frahaad etc)
I have the desire to greet(more like welcome you)
Just look this side, and I shall do the salaam
tumhaari mehfil main aa gaye hai
to kyun naa hum ye bhi kaam karale
salaam karane ki aarajoo hai
idhar jo dekho salaam karale
I have come to your gathering, so why shouldn’t I do this also (it’s more like , I might as well as do this)
I have the desire to greet(more like welcome you)
Just look this side, and I shall do the salaam
P.S: Laila Majnu and Shirin Farhaad were legendary/fictitious lovers. That is they are the Indian/Pakistani version of Romeo Juliet
Thank you for this translation 🙂
Thanks so much!
thank you for the translation! it’s greatly appreciated. Umrao Jaan, the remake, is one of my top 5 favorite movies. Thank you for sharing and for taking on the responsibility of translating, it’s greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much ,now I have an idea what I am dancing about