Lyrics of 'Kali Kali Zulfon Ke Phande' by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

husn-vaale vafaa nahiiN karte
ishq-vaale daGhaa nahiiN karte
zulm karnaa to inkii aadat hai
ye kisii kaa bhalaa nahiiN karte

[These] pretty ones are not faithful
[but] the lovers do not cheat.
Tyranny is their [of pretty ones] habit
[and] they never benefit anyone.

jo nazar aar-paar ho jaaye
vo hii dil kaa qaraar ho jaaye
apnii zulfoN kaa Daal do saayaa
tiirgii Khush-gavaar ho jaaye
terii nazroN ko dekh paaye agar
sheikh bhii mai-gusaar ho jaaye
tujhko dekhe jo ek nazar vo rang
chaaNd bhii sharm-saar ho jaaye
aaiinaa apne saamne se haTaa
ye na ho Khud se pyaar ho jaaye

The glance that pierces through
tranquilizes the heart.
Spread the shadows of your tresses
to make darkness pleasent.
If a pious person are able to see your glances
he would also become intoxicated.
If it sees you for an instant
the moon would feel ashamed.
Remove the mirror from your front
[else] you may fall in love with yourself.

phuul ho jaatii ho yuuN taish meN aayaa na karo
faasile Khatm karo, baat baRhaayaa na karo
ye nigaaheN, ye ishaare, ye adaayeN, taubaa!
in sharaaboN ko sar-e-aam luTaayaa na karo
shaam gahrii ho to kuch aur hasiiN hotii hai
saayaa-e-zulf ko chehre se haTaayaa na karo

You turn into a [red] rose [with rage], don’t be angry [with me]
[but] end the aloofness, don’t make a scene.
These glances, such gestures and coquetry!
Don’t throw away these wines in front of everyone.
If the evening is overcast, it becomes more beautiful
[so] don’t remove your tresses from your face.

kaalii kaalii zulfoN ke phande na daalo
hameN zindaa rahne do, ai husn-vaalo

Don’t cast the spells of black tresses
let me live, O pretty ones!

na chheRo hameN, hum sataaye hu’e haiN
bahut zakhm siine pe khaaye hu’e haiN

Don’t play with me; I am distressed
I have many a wounds on my chest.

sitamgar ho tum Khuub pahchaante haiN
tumhaarii adaaoN ko hum jaante haN

I know very well that you are the tyrant
I know well your charms.

dagaa-baaz ho tum sitam Dhaane vaale
fareb-e-muhabbat meN uljhaane vale

You are deceitful, you are the tyrant
[and you] beguile in love.

ye rangiiN kahaanii tum hii ko mubaarak
tumhaarii javaanii tum hii ko mubaarak

This colorful tale, keep it for yourself
your youthfulness, keep it for yourself.

hamarii taraf se nigaaheN haTaa lo
hameN zindaa rehnay do ai husn vaalo

Turn away your glances from me
let me live, O pretty ones!