Aise Kyun – Mismatched (Lyrics and Meaning)

Here’s the link to this recently discovered ghazal that has quickly made its way to my favorites list- Aise Kyun sung by Rekha Bhardwaaj

Aise kyun, kuch to likhti hoon, likh ke mitaati hoon, main raat bhar,
Why is it that I just keep writing and erasing my words all night (like a hard to write letter or message)
Aise kyun, baatein khud ki hi, khud se chupaati hoon, main aaj kal
Why is it that I feel the need to hide my feelings from myself these days
Par ye sab sochna, dil ko yun kholna,
But do I really need to think about all this, pour my heart out like this
Sab kuch kehkar hi sab ko bataana zaroori hai kya
Do I always have to voice my feelings for people to understand me

Aise kyun, uske hothon pe achcha lagta hai mera naam,
Why is it that I like my name on his lips
Aise kyun, kuch bhi bole wo, man mein ghulta hai zaafraan
Why is it that whenever he says something, it feels like saffron melting in my heart
Girta hai gulmohar, khwaabon mein raatbhar,
All night, in my dreams, I feel like my life is an eternal spring
(literally – I am constantly being showered with flowers)
Aise khwaabon se baahar nikalna zaroori hai
Do I really need to come out of these beautiful dreams…
Aise kyun..wo kuch bole na
why is it that he never says anything?

Aksar tumse milkar mujhko ghar sa lagta hai
why is it that whenever I am with you, I always feel at home
Phir kyun dil hi dil mein koi darr sa lagta hai
But then at the same time I also feel this lingering fear
(like all this is too good to be true)
Beeta ko waakiya, sochun main kyun bhala,
I should probably let bygones be bygones and forget about the past
Beeti baaton se dil ko dukhaana zaroori hai kya,
Do I really need to keep thinking about the past that only gives me heartache.
Aise kyun wo kuch bole na
why is it that he never says anything?

This ghazal is a monologue of sorts, about falling in love – again, taking another chance.
Starting with the fresh love vibe – not being able to decide what to write, second guessing every word in a message or perhaps a letter, because you don’t want to say the wrong thing, unsure if it is even right to feel this way for someone, trying hard to turn the feelings down, almost feeling like you are lying to yourself by not accepting your own feelings. This would all be so much easier if that special someone just understood what you are going through, without you having to spell it all out for them. If they just understood that you have fallen for them.
All this aside, you truly enjoy the feeling of being in love. The butterflies in the stomach feeling when that special someone calls out your name, the way your heart melts away, when you just listen to their voice, hear them talk, not really paying attention to what they are saying, it just feels like an endless beautiful dream, one that you never want to wake up from because it feels like your happy place. All the time thinking, if only that special someone told you they felt the same way, this could be your reality.
But wait, though all this feels great, you have been here before. What if things just turn sour like they did the last time. Would you be able to handle it? But it was with some one else, a long time ago, do you really need to think about the past as you step into this lovely future? Perhaps not. you should just take the plunge and see where life takes you…

I first heard this ghazal in the Netflix series – mismatched. Without giving too much away, the song plays at a time in the show, when a few parallel love stories are going through this phase of moving on and finding new love. I think the song was an excellent choice for the situation and kind of weaves into the storyline really well.

I of course love lyrics of this ghazal ( penned by Raj Shekar), hence the post. Some phrases that are extra special – “ghulta hai zaafraan” – if you have ever tasted anything with saffron you perhaps understand what a charming reference this is. – saffron as a spice has a sublime fragrance and a delicate flavor, but at the same time it is strong and unique and hard to miss. It is also mostly associated with sweet tones and richness, traditionally used in dishes made for the royalty. Just like how falling in love feels – majestic.
“Girta hai gulmohar” – With its flamboyant display of scarlet flowers, gulmohar trees and its flowers represent sheer joy, much like being in love.
“Aksar tümse milkar mujhko ghar sa lagta hai” – So simply put and yet so remarkable. If any relationship triggers the feeling of comfort and peace one feels at home, it is definitely a keeper.

Couldn’t think of a better voice for the song. I have been a fan of Rekha Bhardwaj since I first heard her song “Ek wo din bhi the” from the movie Chachi 420 – beautiful song, in case you haven’t heard it. . She has sung a variety of songs since, and her voice quality is pretty adaptable and does full justice to all the songs she has sung thus far, but I think I like her slow paced songs the best. The way she holds a note, pauses on words, is elegant, graceful, melodious, and I can go on and on.. you get the point.

Can we also talk about the musical arrangement? I don’t know much about Anurag Sakia, he is perhaps more well known in the Marathi circle, but the vibe he brings forth in this composition is brilliant. The Netflix series itself is a juxtaposition of the traditional and modern views on love and relationships and I think the song resonates that really well. While the prelude, the first interlude, and the music for the first few lines has sort of a new age feel to it, the introduction of the tabla accompanying the sitar a third of the way into the song, takes it to a new level. It is almost like you suddenly hear something you didn’t even know was missing, but it kind of makes the song whole, and gives the ghazal a traditional feel.

That’s all I got. Hope you enjoy this beautiful piece of art as much as I did.

Happy weekend!