Just two freewheeling transcreations of GULZAR’s scintillating poems in one of his finest lyrical work (Koi Baat Chale...; Sony/BMG; Rs 199) sung and composed by JAGJIT SINGH.

Phoolon ki tarah...
Phoolon ki tarah lub khol kabhi
Khushboo ki zubaan mein bol kabhi

(Peel those lips like petals sometimes
Speak the tongue of fragrance sometimes)

Alfaaz parakhta rehta hai
Aawaaz hamaari tol kabhi

(Do keep on testing my words
But do read the tone sometimes)

Anmol nahin lekin phir bhi
Poochho to muft ka mol kabhi

(Not priceless true, nevertheless
Know the value of freebies sometimes)

Khidki mein kati hain sab raaten
Kuchh chauras theen, kuchh gol kabhi

(At the lonely window have spent all nights
The panes looked square, and round sometimes)

Yeh dil bhi dost zameen ki tarah
Ho jaata hai hai daawaan-dol kabhi

( mate, this heart like the earth
Goes into a tizzy sometimes)

Kya bataayen...
Kya bataayen ke jaan gayee kaise
Phir se dohraayen woh ghadi kaise

(How the love of my life eased away
How do I encore that moment)

Kisne raaste mein chaand rakha tha
Mujh ko thokar wahaan lagi kaise

(Who placed the moon in the path
How did I stumble and hurt myself)

Waqt pe paaon kab rakha hum ne
Zindagi munh ke bal giri kaise

(When did I step on the toes of time
How did life fall flat on its face)

Aankh to bhar aayee thi paani se
Teri tasveer jal gayee kaise

(My eyes had brimmed with water
How then did your picture get razed)

Hum to ab yaad bhi nahin karte
Aap ko hichki lag gayee kaise

(Now I pine for you no more
How then did you get the hiccups)