Interpretation of Gulzar’s ‘Seeli Hawaa’

At a touch of the east wind My body drops its scales Of time. Snow piles at the front door Barricading out winter days.

Held to my chest, in my hands, is The life I have had with you then. Then there was only you, my darling, And now that you are not here, There is still only you.

I wonder by what names Is this city called, this city to which My heart has dragged me to? Without you, Days here burn like wood fire, without you here, Lamps never take their glaring eyes Off these desolate rooms.

How was it then we glibly went About deciding which exit for you, And which for me, on this highway Of dislocation? Miles ago I have Left behind days. Since years I have been ferrying nights.

At a touch of the cold wind My body has dropped its shells. Over the frozen river tonight, Darling, first quarter moon.

All I can remember of the song is Lata's ethereal voice, and words here and there, "Seeli Hawa... gayee, geela badan... gaya". But the interpretation, on its own, has this euphony which makes any going back redundant. Beautiful.

Monica