Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat | Thi Lyrics English Translation
Below is a line-by-line translation that balances literal meaning with poetic flow.
Original (Urdu script):
کل چودھویں کی رات تھی، شب بھر رہی چراغاں میں
نکلے تھے ہم جو گھر سے تو اکثر تھے راہ مشکل میں
Transliteration:
Kal Chaudhvin ki raat thi, shab bhar rahi charaghaan mein
Nikle the hum jo ghar se to aksar the raah mushkil mein
Translation:
Last night was the night of the full moon, the entire night was illuminated.
When I left home, the path was often full of difficulties.
Original:
کسی نے مہرِ کامل سے ہمیں یوں آشنا کیا
کھلا ہے آج سودا بھی، اٹھے ہیں آج دامن میں
Transliteration:
Kisi ne mehr-e-kaamil se humein yun aashna kiya
Khula hai aaj sauda bhi, uthe hain aaj daaman mein
Translation:
Someone introduced me to the perfect sun (i.e., the beloved's radiance) in such a way,
Today the bargain is clear, and today the hem of my garment has risen (metaphor for being ready to sacrifice/pay any price).
Original:
چمک تیرا بھی کم تھا کچھ، نکھرا تیرا بھی کم تھا کچھ
تری زلفوں کے کھلنے سے، تیرے رخ کے سنورنے سے
Transliteration:
Chamak tera bhi kam tha kuch, nikhra tera bhi kam tha kuch
Teri zulfon ke khilne se, tere rukh ke sanwarne se
Translation:
Your glow was somewhat incomplete, your brilliance somewhat incomplete,
Until your curls spread open, and your face was adorned.
Original (Most famous line):
شبِ فرقت نے جاگا کر بہت بے چین کر ڈالا
نہیں معلوم تجھ کو بھی، کوئی رات ایسی گزری ہے؟ kal chaudhvin ki raat thi lyrics english translation
Transliteration:
Shab-e-furqat ne jaaga kar bohat bechain kar daala
Nahin maloom tujh ko bhi, koi raat aisi guzri hai?
Translation:
The night of separation has made me restless by keeping me awake.
I don't know if you, too, have ever spent such a night?
Original (Climax of the ghazal):
ہوا جب درد سے سینہ، سوئے مہرِ جہاں تاباں
ہماری خاک کو اُس نے، بنایا شمع گلشن میں
Transliteration:
Hua jab dard se seena, suye mehr-e-jahan taabaan
Hamari khaak ko usne, banaya shamma-e-gulshan mein
Translation:
When my chest became radiant with pain, turning toward the world-illuminating sun (the beloved),
He/She turned my dust into a candle in the garden.
Before diving into the translation, it is crucial to understand the title. "Chaudhvin ki raat" means the night of the 14th day of the lunar month. In Islamic and South Asian culture, this is the night when the moon is at its absolute fullest and brightest.
By saying "Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi" (Last night was the 14th night), the poet establishes a paradox. The night was perfect, bright, and beautiful, yet the speaker is heartbroken. The implication is clear: even the most magnificent natural beauty cannot compete with—or is cruelly juxtaposed against—the pain of separation.
Urdu: Kahta hai har zalim sitam, lekin bura kya hai sitam Translation: Every tyrant talks about cruelty, but what is so bad about cruelty?
Urdu: Humne sitam apne kiye, pahle jawab-e-sitam kiya Translation: I have committed my own cruelties; first, I responded to her tyranny (with my own).
Interpretation: This verse is philosophically complex. The poet admits that if the beloved is cruel, he was cruel first. He is not a pure victim; he is an active participant in the toxic dance of love. He defines his own actions as "answers" to her cruelty, creating a cycle of mutual suffering.
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. Below is a line-by-line translation that balances literal
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.
This masterpiece, written by Hafeez Hoshiarpuri, captures the paradox of a perfect moment that is destined to end. The metaphor of the Chaudhvin (the fourteenth moon, or the full moon) represents the peak of beauty—a night so bright it feels like a dream, yet fleeting.
Mehdi Hassan’s rendition transforms the poem into a spiritual experience. The way his voice lingers on the word “Khwab” (dream) and drops on “Mere naseeb mein na tha” (She was not in my destiny) conveys a heartbreak that words alone cannot express.
What is your favorite line from this ghazal? Let us know in the comments. 👇
#MehdiHassan #Ghazal #KalChaudhvinKiRaat #UrduPoetry #ClassicMusic #HafeezHoshiarpuri #ShahenshahEGhazal #SufiMusic #PoetryLovers
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 Last night was the night of the full
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.
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.