Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh | Poetic Translation

Sharath Komarraju is an author of fiction, a blogger, and a mentor for authors. He is a music lover and Bollywood Enthusiast as well, and likes to read poetry.

Here in this series of posts, tries to conjoin his love for poetry and Bollywood songs somewhat in a BollyMeaning fashion, albeit in a more poetic way, taking some poetic licence along with the translation and translates some classic Hindi songs 'in spirit', converting them into English poems and mood pieces.

The lyrics for the song, a Shankar-Jaikishan composition sung by Lata Mangeshkar, were written by Shailendra, for the 1960 film Dil Apna Aur Preet Parayi.

Hindi Lyrics

English 'Translation'

Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Yeh Kahan Shuru Kahan Khatam Yeh Manzile Hai Kaunsi Na Voh Samajh Sake Na Hum . Yeh Roshni Ke Saath Kyoon Dhuaan Utha Chiraag Se Yeh Khwaab Dekhti Hoon Main Ke Jag Padi Hoon Khwaab Se . Mubaarakein Tumhe Ke Tum Kisi Ke Noor Ho Gaye Kisi Ke Itne Paas Ho Ke Sab Se Door Ho Gaye . Kisi Ka Pyaar Leke Tum Naya Jahan Basaaoge Yeh Shaam Jab Bhi Aayegi Tum Humko Yaad Aaoge . Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Yeh Kahan Shuru Kahan Khatam Yeh Manzile Hai Kaunsi Na Voh Samajh Sake Na Hum

Here is a tale, unheard of, unseen Where does it end? Where does it begin? What is it that we both hunger for? Neither he nor I can tell for sure . The flame that burns ever so bright Spreads more smoke than delight In the gloom my eyes thinly sing Psalms of awakening . I bless your gay new world, dearest With love, joy, grace and zest Though you may find one distant day That I'm far, too far away . We must part; the sun has fallen The night's young, yet barren Alas, this song of you and me Is but a fond memory . Here is a tale, unheard of, unseen Where does it end? Where does it begin? What is it that we both hunger for? Neither he nor I can tell?for sure