Afreen Afreen Lyrics Translation

If I have to attribute my love for Urdu to one literary work, Afreen Afreen would be it. Written by Javed Akhtar and performed by the legendary Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Afreen Afreen is the absolute personification of beauty that words can bring.

The song describes the beauty of the beloved of the writer. Its the imagination of the poet that is brilliant beyond words. This is one of the songs that I appreciated a million times more after understanding the intricate use of words.

And a wonderful bonus is watching the gorgeous Lisa Ray in the video of the song :)

Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Vocals: Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Album: Sangam

Here is my translation of the song:

Urdu / Romanized	English Translation
Husn-e-jaanaa ki taareef mumkin nahi Afreen Afreen, Afreen Afreen Tu bhi dekhe agar to kahe ham-nashiiN Afreen Afreen, Afreen Afreen	It is not possible to praise the beauty of my beloved Praise to the creator; Praise to the creator; Even if you see my beloved, you would agree Praise to the creator; Praise to the creator;
Aisa dekha nahi khoobsurat koi Jism jaise Ajanta ki muurat koi Jism jaise nigaaho pe jaaduu koi Jism nagma koi jism khushboo koi Jism jaise machalti hui raagini Jism jaise mehekti hui chandni Jism jaise ke khilta huaa ek chaman Jism jaise suraj ki pehli kiran Jism tarsha huaa Dilkash-o-dil-nashi Sandali sandali Marmari marmari	I have never seen anyone so beautiful Body is like the statues of Ajanta Caves Body is like a spell on eyes Body is like a beautiful song; Body is like a perfume Body is like mesmerizing music Body is like perfumed moon rays Body is like a blossoming garden Body is like the first rays of the Sun Body is like carved statue, eye-catching and arresting Like Sandalwood Like Marble.

Chehraa ek phuul ki tarah shaadaab hai Chehraa uskaa hai yaa koi mahtaab hai Chehraa jaise Ghazal, chehraa jaan-e-Ghazal Chehraa jaise kali, chehraa jaise kaval Chehraa jaise tasavvur ki tasveer bhi Chehraa ek khvaab bhi chehraa tabir bhi	(My Beloved’s) face is as fresh as flower Is it her face or the moon? Face is like a Ghazal, face is like the heart of Ghazal Face is like a bud, face is like lotus Face is like manifestation of imagination Face is like a dream, and its interpretation too.
Chehraa koi alif laila ki daastaa Chehraa ek pal yaqin, chehraa ek pal gumaah Chehraa jaise ke chehraa koi bhi nahiin Maah-ruuh maah-ruuh Maah-jabi maah-jabi	(My Beloved’s) Face is like a tales of Alif Laila For one moment real and in another, an imagination Face is like no other With a forehead which is moon like so is her body.

Aankhein dekhi to mein dekhtha reh gaya Jaam do aur donon hi do aatishah Aankhein ya maikade ki yeh do baab hai Aankhein inko kahoon ya kahoon khuwaab hai Aankhein neechi hui to haya ban gayi Aankhein unchi howi to dua ban gayi Aankhein uth kar jhuki to ada ban gayi Aankhein jhuk kar uthi to Sazah ban gayi Aankhein jin mein hai qaid aasman-o-zameen Nargisi nargisi, Surmayi surmayi

When I saw her eyes I was transfixed They are like two cups of wine that are ablaze Are these eyes? or the two doors of wine-house Do I call them eyes or a part of my dreams Her downward glance is the symbol of shyness Her upward glance is like prayer When her eyes look down after upward glance, it feels like a style When her eyes look up after downward glance, it feels like a punishment Eyes, in which the sky and earth are captured like Narcissus (plant) (and) Greyish

Zulf-e-jaana ki bhi lambi hai daastan Zulf ke mere dil par hai parchaiyan Zulf jaise ke ulji hui ho ghata Zulf jaise ke ho koi kaalii balah Zulf uljhe to duniyaa pareshaan ho Zulf suljhe to ye geet aasaan ho Zulf bikhre siyaah raat chhaane lage Zulf lahraaye to raat gaane lage Zulf zanjiir hai phir bhi kitni haseen Reshmii reshmii AmbariiN ambariin

The story of the tresses of beloved is also long Tresses, like shadows on my heart Tresses, like over-cast dark clouds Tresses, like some black specter When tresses get entangled, so does the world When tresses become straight, then writing this song becomes easy When tresses spread apart then black night encroaches When tresses sway then the night sings Tresses, like chains, but so beautiful Like Silk (and) perfumed

Video:

Curious about the deeper linguistic origins of the word Afreen? Read the full meaning breakdown here.