Song Title: Chand Kitni Door Tha
Singer: Mohammed Rafi
Film: Afsana (1966)
Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Composer: Chitragupt
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The moon was so far, the stars were so far
But when you came, everything came closer
Your hand on the night, the color of henna faded
A lamp of sorrow lit up in our heart’s window.
The shadows of two bodies adorned the gathering.
The moon was so far, the stars were so far
But when you came, everything came closer.
You stand like a bride, dressed in light
Your head is bowed in the moonlight, my lord.
So many dreams shimmered and merged around us.
The moon was so far, the stars were so far
But when you came, everything came closer.
Quench my thirst for love, say something with your lips
Let me sleep peacefully, just open your tresses.
Hold me, for I am unsteady.
The moon was so far, the stars were so far
But when you came, everything came closer.
Note: Hindi readers should refer to the original lyrics, not the translated version.
“Chaand Kitni Door Tha” is a beautiful expression of love and longing. The celestial imagery of the moon and stars symbolizes the vastness of the universe and the perceived distance between the lover and the beloved. However, the profound arrival of the beloved transcends this vastness, bringing everything closer and filling the singer’s world with light and joy. The song stands as a celebration of deep love and intimacy, capturing the very essence of romantic longing.
For deeper insight into the song, review the detailed analysis of the lyrics, composition and singing.
~ Balwant S. Wadhwani