Ek ladki ko dekha to.....(When I saw her.....) (Quand je l'ai vue.......)

This song by the legend R.D. Burman has been at the top of my List of Favourites ever since it was released in 1994 in the movie, 1942: A Love Story. Sung by Kumar Sanu and written by Javed Akhtar, it is a song that transports me from the real into a world of wonderful dreams. The melody and the lyrics combine to create a piece of music, that for me shall always remain evergreen and one of the most romatic songs ever created.

 

 

Though not a professional translator, I shall try to translate it in English and in French, with my limited translation abilities:

Hindi:

Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga

Jaise Khilta Gulab

Jaise Shayar ka Khwab

Jaise Ujali Kiran

Jaise Bun Mein Hiran

Jaise Chandani Raat

Jaise Narmi Ki Baat

Jaise Mandir Mein Ho

Ek Jalta Diya...

Ek Ladki Ko Dekha to Aisa Laga

Jaise Subhon Ka Roop

Jaise Sardi Ki Dhoop

Jaise Beena Ki Taan

Jaise Rangon Ki Jaan

Jaise Balkhaye Bel

Jaise Lehron Ka Khel

Jaise Khushboo Liye

Aaye Thandi Hawa....

Ek Ladki Ko Dekha to Aisa Laga

Jaise Nachata Mor

Jaise Raesham Ki Dor

Jaise Pariyon Ka Raag

Jaise Sandal Ki Aag

Jaise Solah Shringar

Jaise Ras Ki Puhaar

Jaise Aahista Aahista

Badhta Nasha

Ek Ladki Ko Dekha to Aisa Laga...


English:

When I saw her, she looked like (I felt like).......

A blossoming rose....

A poet's dream....

A brilliant ray of sunlight....

A deer in the forest...

A moonlit night....

A candle burning in the temple....

A tender word....

When I saw her, she looked like (I felt like).......

A beautiful morning....

The warm sunlight in winter....

The sweet sound of the Veena....(Veena: an Indian string instrument)

The essence of all colour....

A swirling vine....

The play of the waves....

A frangrant cool breeze....

When I saw her, she looked like (I felt like).......

A dancing peacock....

A silken thread....

The melodious song of the fairies....

The flame of the burning sandalwood....

The sixteen ornaments of beauty....

A refreshing mist....

A gently developing feeling of intoxication....

When I saw her, she looked like (I felt like).......

Français:

Quand je l'ai vue, elle avait l'air (je me suis senti qu'elle avait l'air).....
d'une rose s'épanouissant....
d'un rêve de poète.....
d'un rayon radiant de soleil....
d'une biche dans la forêt....
d'une nuit de pleine lune....
d'une bougie allumé au temple....
d'un mot tendre....
Quand je l'ai vue, elle avait l'air (je me suis senti qu'elle avait l'air).....
d'un beau matin....
de la chaleur de soleil en hiver....
du doux son du Veena....(Veena: un instrument musical d'Inde)
de l'essence des couleurs....
d'une vigne tourbillonant....
du jeu des vagues....
d'une brise parfumée....
Quand je l'ai vue, elle avait l'air (je me suis senti qu'elle avait l'air).....
d'un paon dansant....
d'un fil de soie....
d'un chant mélodieux venant des fées...
du feu du bois de santal.....
des seize ornements de beauté....
d'une brume rafraîchissante....
d'une sensation d'ivresse, développant doucement....
Quand je l'ai vue, elle avait l'air (je me suis senti qu'elle avait l'air).....
 

I hope I have been able to give justice to the lyrics. Unfortunately, there are some phrases which do not sound as beautiful as they sound in Hindi and the meaning is lost in translation. If anyone has any suggestions for improvement, please leave a comment.

It is a beautiful song and it becomes even more beautiful when there is a face that you are reminded of when you listen to it. That feeling is unsurpassable by anything else.

I hope you enjoy the song as much as I do.....