I’ve a tendency not to close my old posts. The way I see it, if someone finds something worth leaving a comment, then the age of the post really doesn’t matter. The nice reward for this is when I’m not only reminded of older topics, but inspired to do a newer post on the same or similar subject.
And so, when a reader named Sarah left a comment on a post from last August, I took it as a bit of a challenge. Obviously, she’s yet another fan of that fabulous slice of Bollywood awesome known to some as “Jaan Pehechaan Ho” (from the Indian horror-musical (?), Gumnaan) and known to most as the hyper-kinetic movie clip that inspires Thora Birch to cut loose during the opening credits of Ghost World. But specifically, she was wanting to know the rest of the lyrics. In English. Hmm.
The title of the original post was all I knew of the translation. “If I knew you, living would be easy.” But what comes after?
Well, the first good source for an answer to this question is Sepia Mutiny. Sepia Mutiny is a great blog that I don’t read nearly enough. After all, without them, I would’ve never heard about the music-stealing treachery committed by The Black Eye Peas. (For shame, Will.I.Am.)
So Sepia Mutiny’s take on it goes like this …
If I knew you,
living would be easy.
All you heart-stealers,
don’t hide your eyes too—
at least tell me your name.
Heart-stealers. That’s pretty awesome.
Elsewhere on the Interwebs, I’ve found another variation on the first couple of lines. The differences aren’t great, but interesting all the same.
If we come to know each other,
Life will be a little easier
But neither of these finds offers everything that we’re looking for. Translating a couple of lines is great, particularly when you’ve no grasp of the language what-so-ever. We’re still left on our own to wonder about the rest.
Luckilly, I’ve found a cached AOL Video page via Google that offers a lot more information. The original link is dead. Now, I have no reason to believe this translation is true. But I’ve no reason to believe otherwise, either.
Let’s get to know each other
Life would become easier
You who have stolen my heart
Do no be so elusive
At least tell me your nameMay this wonderful evening
Not pass unavailed
For it will not return
On anyone’s call
Whether you speak or not
Your message is clearThe hard blow fell
Right on my heart
Stolen glances,
Impassioned looks
Let this small matter
Not become a huge tale
Now we’re getting somewhere. In fact, I was ready to call this quest over and done, but then I found one more trove of Hindi-English treasure. In a comment on a blog entitled There Is No Cat, someone seems to have taken the task of translating as a personal project. His (or her) output is very literal, but in light of the other attempts, it only adds to our understanding. So for the final word (or something close to it), on the meaning of this song, we turn to the mysterious “N.S.”
Jaan Pehchaan Ho (If There Would Be References (Contacts Or Knowhows))
Jeena Asaan Ho (Life Would Be Simple)
Dil Ko Churane Walo, Aankh Na Churao (Oh You Stealer Of Heart… Dont Avoid Eye Contact..)
Naam To Batao…. ((At Least) Tell Your Name..)
Haha Jaan Pehchaan Ho..Haaye, Aaj Ye Shaam Jawa….(Oh, Today This Young Evening..)
Yun Na Chali Jaye….(May Not Go Away Just Like This (Redundantly))
Aaj Ye Shaam Jawa….(Today This Young Evening..)
Yun Na Chali Jaye….(May Not Go Away Just Like This (Redundantly))Fir Se Na Aayegi Ye, Kisi Ke Bulaye… (It Will Not Come Back, By Anybodys Calling…)
Fir Se Na Aayegi Ye, Kisi Ke Bulaye… (It Will Not Come Back, By Anybodys Calling…)
Fir Se Na Aayegi Ye, Kisi Ke Bulaye… (It Will Not Come Back, By Anybodys Calling…)
Yeaaahh… Hooh Hooh Jaan Pehchaan Ho..Bolo Ye Na Bolo Tum… (You Say This Or Not…)
Ho Gaye Ishare.. (Hints Have Been Passed..)
Bolo Ye Na Bolo Tum… (You Say This Or Not…)
Ho Gaye Ishare.. (Hints Have Been Passed..)Seedhi Seedhi Chot Lagi, Dil Pe Hamare… (Straight Straight Harm Struck, To My Heart…)
Seedhi Seedhi Chot Lagi, Dil Pe Hamare… (Straight Straight Harm Struck, To My Heart…)
Seedhi Seedhi Chot Lagi, Dil Pe Hamare… (Straight Straight Harm Struck, To My Heart…)
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaa Huh Huh Huh Huh… Jaan Pehchaan Ho..Oh, Chup Chup, Dekha Dekhi.. (Oh, Silent Silent, Watching, Watching…)
Nazren Diwani… (By The Mad Mad Eyes….)Zara Si Ye Bat, Ban Jaye Na Kahani (This Little Talk, May Not Become A Story)
Zara Si Ye Bat, Ban Jaye Na Kahani (This Little Talk, May Not Become A Story)
Zara Si Ye Bat, Ban Jaye Na Kahani (This Little Talk, May Not Become A Story)
Haaaaye Ooh Ooh Ah Ah Ah… Jaan Pehchaan Ho…
So there you have it. The deeper meaning of Mohammed Rafi’s “Jaan Pehechaan Ho,” now filled with more longing and unrequited admiration than anyone ever thought possible.
Too much analysis? Would you rather just dance? Well, don’t let me stop you …
(This clip is part of a series called “Bollywood A Go Go,” all compiled by YouTube user BossBeat.)
