My grasp of languages might still be developing, but that doesn’t diminish my love for beautiful poetry. When I encounter a captivating ghazal, especially in Hindi/Urdu, a deep desire to translate it into Tamil, my mother tongue, sparks within me. Gazals are a series of couplets with unique rules regarding meter, rhyme, and content, where each couplet stands alone.
The task I find most challenging is capturing the poem’s essence, emotional depth, and central theme in Tamil. But they say “ While transferring perfume from one bottle to another some fragrance is always lost”. This passion for translation is fuelled by the inherent musicality of ghazals. The way the words flow and the emotions they evoke , strike a chord within me.
What excites me even more is the fascinating connection between Hindustani raagas and Carnatic raagas ( scales or modes .. roughly ) . While they have distinct names, many share common roots and sometimes even overlap. This opens up the exciting possibility of retaining the original Raaga of a Hindustani ghazal even when translating the lyrics to Tamil.
Here’s the ghazal that has captivated me, “Pyar Ka Pahla Khat Likhne Mein Waqt Toh Lagta Hai,” sung by Jagjit Singh and penned by the poet Hasmat Hasti:
प्यार का पहला ख़त लिखने में वक़्त तो लगता है (Pyaar ka pahla khat likhne mein waqt toh lagta hai)
For a first love letter, to find the perfect words …….doesn’t it take time ?
नए परिंदों को उड़ने में वक़्त तो लगता है (Naye parindon ko uddne mein waqt toh lagta hai)
Little birds , for them to spread their wings and fly….. doesn’t it take time?
जिस्म की बात नहीं थी उन के दिल तक जाना था (Jism ki baat nahin thi, unke dil tak jaana tha)
Even though there are no problems in our union, there’s a place in her heart I need.
लम्बी दूरी तय करने में वक़्त तो लगता है (Lambी doori tay karne mein waqt toh lagta hai)
Until this long journey is complete …… Doesn’t it take time ?
गाँठ अगर लग जाए तो फिर रिश्ते हों या डोरी ( गांठ agar lag jaaye to phir rishte hon ya dori)
Like a knot that tightens in a rope, the knot in our relationship tightens too.
लाख करें कोशिश खुलने में वक़्त तो लगता है (Laakh karein koshish khulne mein waqt toh lagta hai)
A thousand attempts to untie that knot… doesn’t it take time?
हम ने इलाज-ए-ज़ख़्म-ए-दिल तो ढूँड लिया लेकिन (Hum ne ilaj-e-zakhme-dil toh dhoondh liya lekin)
Even though we know the ways to heal a wounded heart,
गहरे ज़ख़्मों को भरने में वक़्त तो लगता है (Gahre zakhmon ko भरने mein waqt toh lagta hai)
If the wounds are deep …… doesn’t it take time?
As I embark on translating this ghazal, I find myself taking detailed notes, immersing myself in the nuances of both languages and the emotions conveyed by the poem. Translating it into English first helps me gain a deeper understanding of the original text, allowing me to craft a Tamil version that captures its essence.
The metaphors used in the ghazal are powerful. Doesn’t it take time to find the perfect words for a first love letter? Doesn’t it take time for young birds to learn to fly? Even in a harmonious relationship, doesn’t it take time to reach a deeper connection? Just like a knot takes time to untie, doesn’t it take time to heal from deep emotional wounds?
This process of translation is a journey of discovery, allowing me to explore the beautiful connections between languages and music. It fosters a deeper appreciation for the enduring power of ghazals.
It is my angst that this beautiful and expressive form genre of music/poetry is missing in my language …by and large. This is possibly because ghazals are originally derived from Persian culture and also traditionally set to Hindustani raagas.
However, I hold onto a sliver of hope. Perhaps my translations can introduce these captivating poems to a wider Tamil audience, allowing them to connect with the emotions and beauty of ghazals. Incidentally there are Gazals in another south Indian language , Malayalam and somehow they have grown popular in spite of the same constraints.
The possibility of retaining the original raaga when translating, while challenging, could create a unique and harmonious blend of languages and musical traditions. I hope to continue doing this .
My wife, a little contemptuous about my literary jaunts, asks, “Why do you have to do this?” with a piqued expression. I explained, “See, I’m no poet. So I borrow his heart and mind for a little while, take it for a joyride ,to see how it feels, you know?” I try to enthuse her into my project. “See, that day I came across an Arabic song. It has this universal appeal, translated in so many languages, but not Tamil!”
A smile and resigned shrug is all I got in return !
The final Tamil version , for those who know the language and are curious about the end result !
முதன்முறை-காதல் கடிதம் -எழுதிட நேரம்.. தேவையன்றோ ?
சிறகுகள்-விரித்து சிறு-பறவைகள்-பறந்திட நேரம்… தேவையன்றோ ?
கூடலில் குறைகள் இல்லையென்றெனினும் அவள் இதயத்ததிலோரிடம் வேண்டும்.
அந்த நீண்ட பயணம் நிறைவு-பெறும்வரை… நேரம் … தேவையன்றோ ?
கயிற்றினில் விழுந்திடும் முடிச்சினை போலன்றோ நம் உறவிலும் இறுகிடும் முடிச்சு .
முடிச்சினை அவிழ்த்திட முயற்சிகள் ஆயிரம் .. நேரம் தேவையன்றோ ?
புண்பட்ட மனதின் காயங்கள் ஆறிட வழிகளை நாமறிவோம்.
காயத்தின்-ஆழம் அதிகம் என்றால் .. நேரம் தேவையன்றோ ?