Kun Faya Kun: 11 Beautiful Words We Learned From Bollywood Songs

It was just last night when I was listening to Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic song Chaiyya Chaiyya when its lyrics hit me hard. They were–“Yaar misale os chale, paaon ke tale firdaus chale.” Now, I have been listening and dancing on this tune ever since I was a child. But surprisingly, I realised just yesterday that I don’t have any idea about what most of the words in the song even mean!

If you can relate, here’s the translation–‘She walks like drew drops and the paradise (firdaus) moves along with her feet.’ And I don’t know about you, but I am floored (future husband, I hope you’re listening).

While it breaks my heart to listen to some of the extremely problematic and sexist songs, I still root for those soul-nourishing lyrics that make our mood better even on our lowest days. More so, because every now and then, we come across some words in these songs that are so beautiful that they legit soothe our hearts.

11 Beautiful Words We Learned From Bollywood Songs

If you also shook your head in disapproval while listening to Munni Badnaam Hui and Beyonce Sharma Jayegi then hold on, because we are here to tell you that there is still some hope left in Bollywood. Check out these beautiful words that prove that there’s more to Bollywood music industry than the utter nonsense they have frequently come up with in the recent years.

Khanabadosh

Khanabadosh khanabadosh
Phirte hain hum khwaabon ke
Sang liye london dreams

– London Dreams

Khanabadosh means people who travel from one place to another and refuse to settle down. In this song, the word refers to people who are roaming around the world with different dreams.

Raabta

Kuchh to hai tujhse raabta
Kaise hum jaanein humein kya pata
Kuchh to hai tujhse raabta

– Agent Vinod

This song became quite popular in 2012 and so did the word Raabta. In case you didn’t know, it is an Urdu word that means ‘connection’. 

Also Read: Latest Bollywood Songs for Your Parties

Jazeera

Meri rooh ka parinda phadphadaye
Lekin sukoon ka jazeera mil na paaye

– Ae Dil Hai Mushkil

Jazeera means ‘island’ and those lines translate to–the bird of my soul flutters but is unable to find the island of peace. Isn’t that really deep and meaningful? BTW, another amazing word from the same song Bulleya is Murshid that means ‘teacher’ or ‘guide’.

Afreen

Sandaleen sandaleen
Marmareen marmareen

Husn-e-jaanaan ki tareef mumkin nahi
Afreen afreen

– Javed Akhtar

This soulful song performed by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan in Coke Studio season 9 is written by Javed Akhtar. It has Urdu, French, and Moroccan roots and is generally used as an adjective that means ‘extremely beautiful’. 

Iktara

Goonja sa hai koi iktara
Dheeme bole koi iktara

– Wake Up Sid

Such an amazing song from an equally nice movie! Iktara means a musical instrument and as per mythology, it was the very same instrument that Lord Krishna’s devotee Meerabai used.

Kun Faya Kun

Kun faya kun kun faya kun faya kun
Jab kahin pe kuch nahi, bhi nahi tha
Wahi tha, wahi tha, wahi tha, wahi tha

– Rockstar

Rockstar has certainly given us some of the most amazing songs in the last decade and one of them is Kun Faya Kun. While the entire track will create a very cosmic aura around you, the particular term Kun Faya Kun means ‘be, and it is.’

Fanaa

Tu jo paas ho, fir kya ye jahan,
Tere pyaar mein, ho jaaun fanaa

– Fanaa

Fanaa is an Arabic word that has different meanings. It means ‘annihilation’ and ‘destruction’, and in poetry, it also means ‘to die before one dies’. Who thought that such a beautiful word can have such destructive meanings?!

Ilahi

Waadi udaan pe hi na jaane kyun
Ilahi mera jee aaye aaye

– Ye Jawaani Hai Deewani

NGL, Pritam Chakraborty hit a jackpot with his music in YJHD and gave us stunners like Kabeera and Ilahi. In case you’re wondering, Ilahi means ‘my lord’.

Masakali

Aye Masakali, Masa-Masakali
Ud mataakali, mataakali

– Delhi 6

In 2009, Delhi 6 released and the song Masakali was a complete rage! But here’s the twist–the word doesn’t have any literal meaning! However, it is often used in poetry to express liveliness and freedom.

Musalsal

Musalsal khal raha hai
Mujhko ab yeh sehra

– Raaz 3

You might have come across this word a lot of times in different Hindi romantic songs but in case you did not know its meaning, it is ‘constant’.

Mayassar

Dil keh raha,
usey mayassar kar bhi aao,
wo jo dabi si aas baaki hai

– Barfi

This one song alone can make you feel so much! It’s an ode to an old love and to your forgotten feelings.

BTW, mayassar means ‘available’. Now, read those lines again and let it hit you differently this time.

So, which one is your favorite word?

 Featured Image: Instagram