Kehna Galat Galat Lyrics Meaning (Summary):
This qawwali is a dialogue about a lover questioning truth and suspected infidelity. The famous line "Kal raat tum kahan the" expresses deep suspicion, longing, and emotional confrontation when the beloved returns in the morning with a disheveled appearance.
Few Qawwalis capture the pain of suspicion quite like "Kehna Galat Galat To Chupana Sahi Sahi." Popularized by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, this piece is a masterpiece of storytelling. Unlike his spiritual tracks like Mast Nazron Se Allah Bachaye, this track leans into Ishq-e-Majazi (earthly love).
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| The many moods of the Legend: Whether it is the intoxication of Halka Halka Suroor or the painful suspicion of Kal Raat Tum Kahan The, his expressions told the story. |
Below you will find the Full Lyrics in Hindi (Devanagari) first, followed by the English translation and meaning.
Kal Raat Tum Kahan The Batana Sahi Sahi Lyrics
(Hindi / Devanagari)
कहना ग़लत-ग़लत तो छुपाना सही-सही
क़ासिद कहा जो उस ने बताना सही-सही
ये सुब्ह-सुब्ह चेहरे की रंगत उड़ी हुई
कल रात तुम कहाँ थे बताना सही-सही
दिल ले के मेरा हाथ में कहते हैं मुझ से वो
क्या लोगे इस का दाम बताना सही-सही
आँखें मिलाओ ग़ैर से दो हम को जाम-ए-मय
साक़ी तुम्हें क़सम है पिलाना सही-सही
तन्हाई में फ़रियाद तो कर सकता हूँ
वीराने को आबाद तो कर सकता हूँ
जब चाहूँ तुम्हें मिल नहीं सकता लेकिन
जब चाहूँ तुम्हें याद तो कर सकता हूँ
कोई हँसे तो तुझे ग़म लगे हँसी न लगे
कि दिल्लगी भी तेरे दिल को दिल्लगी न लगे
तू रोज़ रोया करे उठ के चाँद रातों में
ख़ुदा करे तेरा मेरे बग़ैर जी न लगे
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| "Qasid kaha jo usne batana sahi sahi..." – Nusrat Sahib delivering the famous lines with his troupe. |
अच्छी सूरत को संवरने की ज़रूरत क्या है
सादगी में भी क़यामत की अदा होती है
तुम जो आ जाते हो मस्जिद में अदा करने नमाज़
तुम को मालूम है कितनों की क़ज़ा होती है
ऐ मय-फ़रोश भीड़ है तेरी दुकान पर
गाहक हैं हम भी माल दिखाना सही-सही
नशा ईमाँ होता है, सुराही दीन होती है
जवानी की इबादत किस तरह रंगीन होती है
शराब-ए-नाब को दो-आतिशा बना के पिला
शराब कम है तो साक़ी नज़र मिला के पिला
'साजिद' तो जान-ओ-दिल से फ़क़त आप का है बस
क्या आप भी हैं उस के बताना सही-सही
Kehna Galat Galat Lyrics in English & Translation
Kehnaa ghalat ghalat to chupaana sahi sahi
Qasid kaha jo usne bataana sahi sahi
(Speak falsely if you must to hide the truth,
But O Messenger, tell me exactly what she said.)
Ye subho subho cheahre ki rangat uri uri
Kal raat tum kahan thay batana sahi sahi
(The color has drained from your face this early morning,
Tell me truthfully, where were you last night?)
Dil le k mera hath me kehte hain muj se wo
Kya lo ge is k daam batana sahi sahi
(Taking my heart in their hands, they ask me,
What price will you take for this? Tell me truly.)
Tanhai me faryaad tu ker sakta hun
Virane ko abad tu ker sakta hun
(I can plead in my loneliness,
I can populate this wilderness with my thoughts.)
Achi soorat ko sanwarne ki zarorat kya hai
Saadgi main bhi qayamat ki ada hoti hai
(What need is there for a beautiful face to adorn itself?
Even in simplicity, there is a deadly charm.)
(See more on simplicity in Saadgi To Hamari Zara Dekhiye)
Ankhain milao ghair se tu hum ko janna
Saqi tumhe qasam he pilana sahi sahi
(You exchange glances with strangers while serving me,
O Saqi (Cupbearer), I swear you must serve me correctly.)
Meaning of Kehna Galat Galat in Hindi
This lyrics explores the concept of Shak (Suspicion) in love. The narrator sees physical signs that their partner has been with someone else—the "Udi udi rangat" (faded color/pale face) implies a sleepless night spent elsewhere.
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| "Tanhai mein faryaad to kar sakta hoon" – The intensity of his vocals matched the heartbreak in the lyrics. |
While often interpreted as a romantic complaint, in the Sufi context, it can also represent the seeker complaining to the Divine or the World about the distractions that keep them apart. The emotions here run deep, similar to the nostalgia found in Jab Purane Khaton Ko.
Get the full lyrics for your status or practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote the lyrics for Kehna Galat Galat?
The lyrics are a compilation (Girah) of various verses. The primary verses are often attributed to the poet 'Sagir' (as mentioned in the closing lines: 'Sajid to jaan-o-dil se...'), but Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan often blended traditional folk verses into his performance.
What is the most famous line of this Qawwali?
The most searched and quoted line is "Kal raat tum kahan the batana sahi sahi" (Where were you last night, tell me the truth), which captures the essence of the lover's suspicion.
What does 'Qasid' mean in the lyrics?
In Urdu poetry, a 'Qasid' (क़ासिद) is a messenger or courier who carries letters between lovers. In this song, the narrator is asking the messenger to reveal the truth about what the beloved actually said.
What is the meaning of 'Sharab-e-Naab'?
'Sharab-e-Naab' (शराब-ए-नाब) refers to pure, unadulterated wine. The poet asks the cupbearer to serve this pure essence, intensifying the experience.
Is there a Hindi translation available?
Yes, we have provided the full Hindi (Devanagari) lyrics in the section above for our readers who prefer reading in Hindi script.
If this poetry moved you, you might also enjoy reading Kitab Wali Ladki for a lighter romantic story, or find strength in our collection of poems about Fathers.