Sanwre Tore Bin Jiya Jaye Na
17 May 2013

Year: 1995
Movie: Bandit Queen
Singer: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

'Sanwre' is a sorrowful song by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Its composition is fairly difficult. Musarrat Abbas in SaReGaMaPa 2007 sung it very well. Since then, many singers in Indian music competitions have attempted it.

Lyrics are simple. The translation below was mostly borrowed from comments by abs87iitm in this YouTube video.

'Sanwre' is one of the few songs on separation that I have translated. My motivation was to contrast its lyrics with a 'shabad' (hymn) by Guru Nanak: Mil Mere Preetama Jiyo. The first few couplets of both Sanwre and the shabad, a woman dearly misses her beloved. The depth of pain is significant. However, Guru Nanak's shabad presents a solution to come out of such misery!

Two more compositions that portray separation and longing are Kenu Sang Khelu Holi by Meera Bai and Raina Beeti Jaye by Anand Bakshi. Both of these have beautifully by Lata Mangeshkar.

Roman Script

(male)
Sanwre Tere Bina Jiya Jaye Na
Jalu Tere Pyar Mein, Karu Intezaar Tera
Kisi Se Kaha Jaye Na, Sanwre Tere Bina Jiya Jaye Na

Hindi

सांवरे तेरे बिन जिया जाए ना
जलूँ तेरे प्यार में, करूँ इंतज़ार तेरा
किसी से कहा जाए ना, सांवरे तेरे बिन जिया जाए ना

Translation

My beloved, I cannot live without you.
I burn in your love, waiting for you.
I cannot share my feelings with anybody. My beloved, I cannot live without you.

Roman Script

(female)
Dhunde Meri Preet Re, Tu Hai Kahan Meet Re
Aansu Bane Geet Re, Aahen Sangeet Re

Hindi

ढूंढे मेरी प्रीत रे, तू है कहाँ मीत रे
आंसू बने गीत रे, आहें संगीत रे

Translation

My love is searching for you. Where are you, my beloved?
My tears have become my songs. My sobs have become my music.

Roman Script

(male)
Yaad Tihari Mora Mann Tadpaye, Saari Raena Neend Na Aaye
Birha Ki Maari Dekhu Raah Tihari, Do Naino Ke Deep Jalaye

Jalu Tere Pyaar May, Karu Intezaar Piya
Kisi Se Kaha Jaye Na, Sanware Tore Bin Jiya Jaye Na

Hindi

(male) याद तोहारी मोरा मन तड़पाए, सारी रैना नींद ना आए
बिरहा की मारी देखूँ राह तिहारी, दो नैनों के दीप जलाए

जलूँ तेरे प्यार में, करूँ इंतज़ार तेरा
किसी से कहा जाए ना, सांवरे तेरे बिन जिया जाए ना

Translation

Your memories trouble my heart. I cannot sleep the whole night.
In the pain of separation, I wait for you. Waiting with my eyes open.

I burn in your love, waiting for you.
I cannot share my feelings with anybody. My beloved, I cannot live without you.

Roman Script

(male)
Doob Chale Meri Aas Ke Taare, Kaise Pahunchu Preet Ke Dwaare
Toot Gaye Sab Sang Sahare, Dole Naiya Door Kinare

Jalu Tere Pyaar Mein, Karu Intezaar Piya
Kisi Se Kaha Jaye Na, Sanware Tore Bin Jiya Jaye Na

Hindi

डूब चले मेरी आस के तारे, कैसे पहुँचूँ प्रीत के द्वारे
टूट गए सब संग सहारे, डोले नैया दूर किनारे

जलूँ तेरे प्यार में, करूँ इंतज़ार तेरा
किसी से कहा जाए ना, सांवरे तेरे बिन जिया जाए ना

Translation

My stars of hope are sinking. How may I reach the door of my beloved?
Gone are my near and dear ones, my support. My boat is wobbling and the shore is afar.

I burn in your love, waiting for you.
I cannot share my feelings with anybody. My beloved, I cannot live without you.

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