Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas Tum Rehti Ho
10 Apr 2013

Year: 1973
Movie: Blackmail
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Lyricist: Rajinder Krishan
Music Director: Kalyanji Anandji
Lyrics: here

I heard this song yesterday on YouTube. It showcases absorption in the memory of the one you love. It made me smile, bringing back fond memories of a letter I once wrote :)

Other compositions on the theme of absorption in one's beloved:

  1. Yaar Teri Pooja Karoonga (1990s, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan)
  2. Teri Deewani (2006, Kailash Kher)
  3. Sanson Ki Mala Pe Simroo Main Pee Ka Naam (Meerabai, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan)
  4. Tu Is Tarah Se Meri Zindagi Mein Shaamil Hai (1980, Aap To Aise Na The)

Hindi

पल पल दिल के पास, तुम रहती हो
जीवन मीठी प्यास, ये कहती हो
पल पल ...

Translation

Every passing moment, you reside in my heart.
You remind me that life is a sweet thirst.
Every passing moment ...

Interpretation

The reference to 'sweet thirst' is interesting. The boy is smitten by the girl. He is expressing his love through his letters. The girl has not reciprocated yet. Even this phase of their friendship where the boy is thirsty for reciprocation is sweet for him.

The poet also refers to life as sweet thirst. Why? We all seek something in our lives. In that sense, we are thirsty. At the same time, our life journey takes us closer to what we are seeking. In that sense, life is sweet.

Hindi

हर शाम आँखों पर, तेरा आँचल लहराए
हर रात यादों की, बारात ले आए
मैं सांस लेता हूँ, तेरी खुशबू आती है
एक महका महका सा, पैगाम लाती है
मेरे दिल कि धड़कन भी, तेरे गीत गाती है
पल पल ...

Translation

Every evening, I remember you.
Every night, I roll in your memories.
With every breath of mine, I remember your fragrance.
A blossoming, aromatic message, it brings.
Every heartbeat of mine sings a song for you.
Every passing moment ...

Interpretation

The poet is absorbed in his beloved's memories. Each evening, each night, each breath and each heartbeat reminds him of her. The level of absorption is mind blowing! The only other context that I have read about such absorption is meditation, which helps us develop constant awareness.

Hindi

तुम सोचोगी क्यूँ इतना, मैं तुमसे प्यार करूं
तुम समझोगी दीवाना, मैं भी इक़रार करूं
दीवानों की ये बातें, दीवाने जानते हैं
जलने में क्या मज़ा है, परवाने जानते हैं
तुम यूँ ही जलाते रहना, आ आ कर ख़्वाबों में
पल पल ...

Translation

You will wonder why I love you so much.
You will perceive me crazy (intensely passionate). You will wonder how to express your feelings.
The sentiments of passionate people are understood only by equally passionate people.
What joy there is in losing oneself, only moths know.
May you continue to make me lose myself in you, by repeatedly visiting me in my dreams.
Every passing moment ...

Interpretation

Deevana means 'madly in love' or 'extremely passionate' or 'crazy for something'. One could be a deevana pursuing physical fitness or cooking or painting, for example. The line 'Deevano Ki Ye Baatein, Deevane Jaante Hain' reminds me of a Jagjit Singh ghazal from the movie Sarfarosh (2000): होश वालों को खबर क्या बेखुदी क्या चीज़ है , इश्क़ कीजे फिर समझिए ज़िंदगी क्या चीज़ है .

The symbolism of moths getting drawn to a flame is employed in many poems. In love poetry, it denotes losing oneself in passion. Its spiritual connotation is that through submission of one's ego, the moth (a spiritual seeker) merges with the flame (divinity) to experience oneness.

Hindi

कल तुझको देखा था, मैने अपने आंगन में
जैसे कह रही थी तुम, मुझे बाँध लो बन्धन में
ये कैसा रिश्ता है, ये कैसे सपने हैं
बेगाने हो कर भी, क्यूँ लगते अपने हैं
मैं सोच मैं रहता हूँ, डर डर के कहता हूँ
पल पल ...

Translation

Yesterday, I saw you in my courtyard.
As if you were telling me, "Let us bind ourselves in a union."
What kind of relationship is this? What kind of dreams are these?
Why do strangers feel like our own?
I keep pondering. With great hesitation, I say.
Every passing moment ...

Interpretation

The poet has imagined reciprocation of his love. He seeks a union. He is wondering what he is going through. How come a stranger seem so close to his heart? Every passing moment, he is absorbed in his beloved's memory.

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