Afghan Jalebi (EN)

Choreography context :

No, Katrina Kaif isn't one of Chandāga's favorite actresses.

But Afghan Jalebi is definitly one of Mouki's worship songs ! And since they had to show the difference between belly dance (baladi in Quebec City) and Bollywood, Chandāga jumped on the occasion to use this song. Indeed, they mixed belly dance and Bollywood style to respect the ambiance of the song, but also for the audience to understand the difference between their previous dances (Bollywood) and this dance.

Anecdote : the background is different because on the day of the shooting, the room where Chandāga usually practices was closed. They had to borrow another room in emergency, in another building. Furthermore, it was pouring that day...

Anecdote II : according to Mouki, this song is the best declaration of love that exists. (and you'll know why soon!) The choreography is, by the way, a reaction to the lyrics. (As if Étoile & Mouki were the object of affection, and not as if they were declaring their love - even if Mouki does the play-back XD)

Anecdote III : despite an oriental dance background, many tutorials and lots of deep thoughts, it was the most difficult choreography to create in all Chandāga's history !

Anecdote IV : Afghan Jalebi was translated the day before  Chandāga got a strike on their Youtube channel because of copyright issues. To avoid other problems, they decided to delete all of the translations. It has been a period of mourning, but now they're back on their feet, thanks to this blog and to you! :)

Song context :

Afghan Jalebi, from the movie Phantom (2015), isn't a song like the other ones. This is not a videoclip, but a song from the soundtrack, which became publicity for the movie.

So, there isn't a storyline, except this one.

A man falls for a woman. He loves her so much that he gives up on his religious believes for her.

On one side, it might seem "normal", because in the Bollywood world, it's a great proof of love. India is a really spiritual country, so the prayerful heroes who love their sweetheart more than God are immensely in love, compared to the secular West.

On the other side, the song and movie were shot in Pakistan, islamic republic of the Indian subcontinent, so we can deduce the performer is muslim. However, during the song, this man says he committed two sins (and says himself he's a sinner). Muslim people traditionally don't have the right to drink alcohol nor to bet money, this man disobeys his religion for this woman, even though she doesn't give his love back.

Furthermore, it's clear he idolizes her (idolatry is a divine figurative adoration, not abstract, like in Islam), committing there a third sin.

Finally, even if he's mad after her and wants to complain to God about her, he can't help but want to marry his adoration...

Nota bene : the singer says he recited a poem from Mir, who is an urdu poet from the 18th century.

On this, let's enjoy this song!

In blue : original lyrics

In black : translated lyrics

Maqtool jigar (ya baba)
My heart is dead (O Father)

Qaatil hai nazar (ya baba)
Those eyes are killing me (O Father)

Ik mehjabin (ya baba)
A woman as beautiful as the Moon (O Father)

Ik noor-e-nabi (ya baba)
A Prophet of light (O Father)

Rab ki rubaai (ya baba)
Is she one of His creations? (O Father)

Ya hai tabaahi (ya baba)
Or His destruction? (O Father)

Gardan surahi (ya baba)
Her neck is like a fine clay pot (O Father)

Boli ilaahi (ya baba)
Her speech is divine (O Father)

Afghan Jalebi, mashooq farebi
She's like an Afghan Jalebi (dessert), an unfaithfuled lover

Ghayal hai tera deewana (bhai wah, bhai wah)
Your crazy lover is hurt by your beauty (wow, brother)

Bandook dikha ke kya pyar karegi
Will you only love me from a distance ?

Chehra bhi kabhi dikhana (bhai wah bhai wah) (2x)
Or will you show me your face? (wow, brother) (2x)

O.. dekh darazi (wallah)
O... I saw her from afar (God)

Banda namazi (wallah)
My devoted brothers (God)

Khel ke baazi (wallah) Khamakha
And I took a bet (God) without any reason

Ab thehra na kisi kaam ka (wallah, wallah..)
Now, I'm useless (God, God...)

Mir ka koi (wallah) Sher suna ke (wallah) 
I recited a poem from Mir - urdu poet from the 18th centhury - (Dieu)

Ghoont laga ke (wallah) jaam ka
Then, I drank (God) a little sip of alcohol (God)

Main raha khan mehaz naam ka
Now, the name Khan is useless for me (since I'm a sinner)

Oye lakht-e-jigar (ya baba)
O my darling (O Father)

Oye noor-e-nazar (ya baba)
O eyes of light (O Father)

Ek teer hai tu (ya baba)
You're an arrow (O Father)

Main chaak jigar (ya baba)
And I'm the target (O Father)

Bandon se nahin to Allah se daregi
If you're not afraid of men, at least be afraid of God

Waada to kabhi nibhana (bhai wah, bhai wah)
And keep your promises, sometimes (wow, brother)

Bandook dikha dikha ke kya pyar karegi
Will you love me only from a distance?

Chehra bhi kabhi dikhana (bhai wah)
Or will you show me your face? (wow, brother)

bhai wah bhai wah bhai
Wow, brother

Khwaja ji ki paas teri chugli karunga
I'll go complain to God about you

Main teri chugli karunga
I'll go complain about you

Haan teri chugli karunga
Yes, I'll go complain about you

Angoothi mein qaid teri ungli karunga
I'll trap your finger in a ring (I'll marry you)

Main teri chugli karunga
I'll go complain about you

Haan teri chugli karunga (x2)
Yes, I'll go complain about you

Gul-e-gulzar (ya baba)
The most beautiful flower in the garden (O Father)

Mere sarkar (ya baba)
My guide (O Father)

Bade mansoob (ya baba) Tere rukhsaar (ya baba)
Your face (O Father) is triumphant (O Father)

Haaye shamsheer nigaahein, chaabuk si adaayein
Aye, these sword-like eyes, this killing style

Nacheez pe na chalana (bhai wah, bhai wah)
Don't use them on me (wow, brother)

Bandook dikha dikha ke kya pyar karegi
Will you love me from a distance?

Chehra bhi kabhi dikhana (bhai wah, bhai wah..)
Or will you show me your face? (wow, brother..)

Lyrics Source