Afreen Afreen
husn-e-jaanaaN kii taariif mumkin nahiiN
It is not possible to praise the beauty of beloved.
aafriin aafriin
O the most beautiful one!
tuu bhii dekhe agar to kahe ham-nashiiN
Even if you see my beloved, you would also say
aafriin aafriin
O the most beautiful one!
aisaa dekhaa nahiiN Khuubsuurat ko’ii
jism jaise Ajanta kii muurat ko’ii
jism jaise nigaahoN pe jaaduu ko’ii
jism naGhmaa ko’ai jism Khushbuu ko’ii
jism jaise machaltii hu’ii raaginii
jism jaise mehakti hu’ii chaaNdnii
jism jaise ke khilta hu’aa ek chaman
jaise jaise suuraj kii pahlii kiran
jism tarsha hu’aa dilkash-o-dil-nashiiN
sandalii sandalii
marmarii marmarii
I never saw anyone so beautiful
[her] body is like the images of Ajanta*
[her] body is like a spell on eyes
[her] body is like a song [and] perfumed
[her] body is like ecstatic music
[her] body is like sweet-smelling moon-light
[her] body is like a blooming garden
[her] body is like the first ray of the Sun
[her] body is like carved statue, eye-catching and arresting
like sandalwood
like marble.
Note: Caves in India containing beautiful murals.
chehraa ek phuul kii tarah shaadaab hai
chehraa uskaa hai yaa ko’ii mahtaab hai
chehraa jaise Ghazal, chehraa jaan-e-Ghazal
chehraa jaise kalii, chehraa jaise kaNval
chehraa jaise tasavvur kii tasviir bhii
chehraa ek Khvaab bhii chehraa tabiir bhii
[Her] face is like a fresh flower.
Is it her face or moon?
[her] face is like a Ghazal, [her] face is like heart of Ghazal
[her] face is like a bud, [her] face is like lotus
[her] face is like manifestation of imagination
[her] face is like a dream, and its interpretation too.
chehraa ko’ii alif lailavii daastaaN
chehraa ek pal yaqiiN, chehraa ek pal gumaaN
chehraa jaise ke chehraa ko’ii bhii nahiiN
maah-ruuh maah-ruuh
maah-jabiiN maah-jabiiN
[Her] face is like the tales of Alif Laila*.
One moment real, another moment imagination
[her] face is like no other face
[her] forehead is moonlike
so is her body.
Note: Arabian Nights.
aaNkheN dekhii to maiN dekhtaa rah gayaa
jaam do aur donon hii do aatishah
aankheN yaa maikade ke ye do baab haiN
aankheN inko kahuuN yaa kahuuN Khvaab haiN
aankheN niichii hu’iiN to hayaa ban gayiiN
aankheN uuNchii hu’iiN to du’aa ban gayiiN
aankheN jhuk kar uThiiN to adaa ban gayiiN
aankheN jin meN haiN qaid aasmaan-o-zamiiN
nargisii nargisii
surmayii surmayii
I could not keep off my eyes after seeing her eyes
they are like two cups of wine and that too, burning
are these eyes or two doors of wine-house
her downward glance is abashness
her upward glance is prayer
when eyes look up after downward glance, is like a style
eyes, in which arrested are the sky and the earth
like Narcissus
[and] greyish
zulf-e-jaanaN kii bhii lambii hai daastaaN
zulf ke mere dil par hai parchaiiyaaN
zulf jaise ke ummRii hu’ii ho ghaTaa
zulf jaise ke ho ko’ii kaalii balaa
zulf uljhe to duniyaa pareshaan ho
zulf suljhe to ye giit aasaan ho
zulf bikhre siyaah raat chhaane lage
zulf lahraaye to raat gaane lage
zulf zanjiir hai phir bhii kitnii hasiiN
reshmii reshmii
ambariiN ambariin
The story of the tresses of beloved is also long
tresses are like shadows on my heart
tresses are like over-cast clouds
tresses like some black spectre
when tresses are entangled, so also is the world
when tresses are straight, then writing this song becomes easy
when tresses spread apart then black night downs
when tresses sway then the night sings
tresses are chains, but so beautiful
silken
[and] perfumed
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
October 11th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
the word is Zeest, not giit. zeest means life.
zulf suljhe to yeh zeest asaan ho.
October 16th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
excellent work. keep it up!
October 21st, 2007 at 10:58 pm
I love the song. Its fantastic
October 27th, 2007 at 1:07 am
Brilliant song……and brilliantly sung by a legend…….this song makes me cry….its a heart touching song!!
October 27th, 2007 at 3:48 am
Isn’t there another line?
aankheN jhuk kar uThiiN to adaa ban gayiiN
aakheN uthkar jhukiN to fazaa ban gayiiN
October 30th, 2007 at 5:15 am
hello…
exellent…
October 31st, 2007 at 3:01 pm
dear satyajeet ji, the word is kazaa means to win over. there is no word fazaa in urdu. fizaa means hawaa.
the lines are
“Ankhein uthh kar junkein to adaa ban gayein, Ankhein jhuk kar uthein to kazaa ban gaein”
to learn and understand the right meaning has the whole importance of poetry.
November 2nd, 2007 at 11:37 am
“Ankhein jhuk kar uthein to kazaa ban gaein”
that line has been left in the translation
November 4th, 2007 at 12:14 am
Fantastic imagination. Really a complete thing. COMPLETE.
November 27th, 2007 at 6:21 am
…amazing stuff, thanks for the translation!
November 30th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
I love this poem, Javed Akther is a wonderful poet and Nusrat Fateh ali Khan’s voice and singing has done magic and wonders to this poem. No other would have sung it this beautifully nor would have written this beautifully.
December 2nd, 2007 at 7:23 am
I LOVE THIS SONG.
THE LYRICS ARE BEUTIFUL AND IT HAS BEEN WONDERFULLY SUNG BY FATEH ALI SAHAB.
THANS FOR THE TRANSLATION.
December 4th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
I love this song even though I didn’t completely understand but with the translation I was able to understand thanku. I’d like to ask if u can translate “ishq da rutba” I luv this song as well but unfortunetly can’t understand :(. I would REALLY appreciate if you transtate it :). Even if you can’t, I thanku.
December 16th, 2007 at 11:33 am
lovely song…….a heart touching song….for a lovely romantic occasion for 2….!!!
December 17th, 2007 at 11:13 am
This is one of the many beautiful works of Ustad.He has used numerous expression to pronounce a word.I have heard many versions of this evergreen song of Ustad,but i like all his LIVE VERSION,where he had sung differently with great zeal.
We all miss you Ustad,May your soul rest in Peace.
Amen
January 3rd, 2008 at 6:31 pm
fuckin beautifull!!! luvv this track! work of a master! truely ustaad!
January 8th, 2008 at 4:19 am
No body can difine beauty like this
January 15th, 2008 at 2:30 am
simply speechless…..fateh ali sahab is maestro….
February 8th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
one of the best singer of this world.
February 9th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Can you please provide translation for ‘jism dhamakta’. Please mail me when you do.
Warm Regards
Kabir
February 27th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
It is the best ever songs to describe the beauty of a women, great work by javed sahab and Nusrat fateh ali sahab. really a pleasure to hear this song and if u use this poerty I sure she will get flattered.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Thank you Sameer. But if possible can you direct me to the translation. That would make the song much more beautiful.
March 31st, 2008 at 3:26 am
awesome song and usdaat nusrat fateh ali khan ji is d best singer
we’ll never forget u sir
April 1st, 2008 at 10:26 pm
I know a lot of you have already appreciated the song, but I still appreciate it once more, because no amount of appreciation is enough for the two legends.
Thank You Nusrat Sahab and Javed Sahab
April 11th, 2008 at 12:21 am
Amazing Song, and understanding the meaning makes it even more prestigious.
Thanks
April 21st, 2008 at 4:39 am
simply awesome…!
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
GHazal mein doob jaane ka man karta hai, afreen afreen.
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Kya taareef karun us ghazal ki jo khud hi sarapa taareef hi taareef ho…..
May 29th, 2008 at 11:59 am
hi i want to download this song tell me how to do it and which site i have to go pls reply
May 29th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
i love so mcuh so that i want to make it my ringtone so pls i am not able to download this
May 31st, 2008 at 2:13 am
one of the most beautiful imaginations of the poet, incarnated in equally beautiful rendering by the legend… indeed marvallous!
June 10th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
it is marvallous , according to me . i really love this song
June 17th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
speechless….
Fantastic…!
June 21st, 2008 at 7:30 am
Nusrat sahab, well he’s a god to me. I have a number of collection of his great work & this is for sure that god sends angels like him only once.
I am 31 now & my greatest disappointment in life is that i was not able to see him performing live. I am based in New Delhi & would appreciate if someone please let me know where i can find his visual collection.
July 1st, 2008 at 3:50 am
I have no words to say how beautiful this song is and hw beautifully is this sung.Enchanting
July 1st, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Hats of 2 nusrat saheb n javed saheb…..they r d real legends…..
Unke tarif mein kitne v alfaz kaho,shayad kam honge……Ye khuda k bande hai…..aur kya kahu.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:44 am
” zulf suljhe to ye giit aasaan ho ”
its not giit, its “zeest”, zeest means life as u would know.
plz make the necessary correction, for benefit of others.
good work, keep it up!
July 5th, 2008 at 8:56 am
this song can be used to describe women’s beauty……………..
July 15th, 2008 at 1:43 am
Ultimate song i love this song last 2yrs. what i say abt nusrat fateh ali khan ji
was a ultimate singer & afreen song…………..superb
jism jaise ajanta kimurat koi.
August 8th, 2008 at 8:34 am
A real salute to both legends.
Wording touches to heart.
A good one to propose a girl with praising beauty of her eyes, face, hair…..
Truly OUTSTANDING…
August 15th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
its an excellent song. no comparison REALLY AFREEN AFREEN………….
August 17th, 2008 at 2:13 am
This is the one of the most beautiful songs…………just listen it!!!!!!!!
September 4th, 2008 at 1:34 am
Hi Husanbir,
Just to let you know….the word is Qazaa…and it does not mean winning over…it means end or death.
September 18th, 2008 at 6:39 am
AAJA WE NUSRAT PA TENU AKHIYAN UDEEK DIYAN
October 1st, 2008 at 9:39 am
Does this song have anything to do with Love for God? Or praise of His Beauty?
October 3rd, 2008 at 5:36 am
What a beautiful song it is.I really love it.I m a big Fan of him.
October 6th, 2008 at 11:00 am
I cant hear it often enough… extremely beautiful thoughts, beautifully portrayed… such deep meaning in such simple words… Very romantic… Its a surreal composition.
Salutes to Javed Akhtar Sahab and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Sahab…
October 6th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
i think that there is no one in this world like nusrat till now and no one in future
October 8th, 2008 at 5:47 am
i need to play afreen on harmonium.can anyone tell me the notes or provide me a link to it.its urgent.please.
October 17th, 2008 at 1:46 am
I think Nargisi has the meaning “sleepy” in this context, not “like narcissus”. “Sleepy grey eyes” makes sense :). Lisa Ray was so apt for the picturization; she has sleepy gey eyes indeed, and a body like a scuplture from ajanta
October 20th, 2008 at 5:53 am
i really like this song when i am lonely
October 29th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
mind glowing excellent incredible
November 5th, 2008 at 11:26 am
the song is really awesome its a breathtaking song
November 11th, 2008 at 3:08 am
i love this song very much n wanted its meaning cause i know that its meaning must be fabulous and it is. Afreen Afreen!!!!
November 11th, 2008 at 3:46 am
I loved the song wholely lyrics, singing, picturisation each n everything n every lower note to higher note of ustad nusarat sahab. i had both version original n remixed one n like both. but impact is great of remix version where beats of earthen pot used.
November 13th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Beautiful song..
Thanks a ton for translating it.
November 13th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
i love dis song til death
November 16th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
I’ve been asleep until now. I have just been blessed to be introduced to this talent. It is Allah meme qui m’amene la ou je va encontre cette chansson. But the work I am speaking of is Sab Vird Karo Allah Allah. I’ve been looking everywhere for the translation for this. Can someone help me? This song is too beautiful, I’ve been painting and listening all night.
November 21st, 2008 at 4:47 am
i need this qawwali plz plz plz . Tu kuja Mann kuja . by Ustad nusrat fateh ali. plz do ur best to find it. bndle of thnx.
November 23rd, 2008 at 1:47 pm
This is one of my favourite song,and i like this song so much that i always hear this song before going to the bed.
but some lines are not well translated and are missed like…..
ankhen uthkar jhuki to aada ban gayi…this part of line is missing here…
but iam no one to comment over this,the work done by you is amazing,and helpful to non-urdu peoples…
And more thing which i think is that no one can substitute nusrat sahab and javed sahab in their profession….
thank you!!!!!!!
November 26th, 2008 at 2:23 am
Hi
Wonderful lyrics and composition. Nusrath fateh ali khan saheb ko mera Salam.
javed Akhtar must be a gem to write such song.
No one can beat it.
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:37 am
MERE KHAYAL MEIN ISSE ACHA SONG AUR LYRICS AANE VALE HAZARON SALON MEIN NHI COMPOSE HO SAKTA
EXCELLENT!!!!!!
December 12th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
This is fantastic at the least.
December 23rd, 2008 at 3:32 am
The best …….. Discription and imagination of a beautiful one and mericulusly performed by the legend ustad NUSRAT FATEH ALI KHAN SAHEB HATS OF TO HIM.