THE WESTERN DREAM HAS COLLAPSED
AND I WALK AWAY, CHALTE CHALTE
“In Bollywood, a song is never just one voice. It is a sacred dance between three souls: the actress who feels, the singer who breathes, and the poet who dreams. Together, they create art that transcends the self — a spirit we have lost in the West.” — Danish-born Designer and Cultural Storyteller, Zahid Latif, founder of ZLCOPENHAGEN
In the ruins of fake smiles and broken promises, I found my truth in the poetry of Meena Kumari. While the West falls apart under its own lies, Pakeezah Hindi movie remains a monument of beauty, pain, and real spirit. The Pakeezah movie song Chalte Chalte is not just a melody — it’s a silent rebellion, a Meena Kumari poem of surrender and dignity.
I refuse the cold emptiness of Danish “værdier”.
I choose Meena Kumari, Pakeezah, and the eternal sadness that still burns brighter than fake Western freedom.
As I keep walking — Chalte Chalte — I move toward my true culture, my true faith, and my real self.
“Thus, Chalte Chalte is a reflection on unfulfilled dreams and the inexorable passage of time.”
— Deccan Herald, 5. marts 2023, artikel: “The Train Whistle and Romance in Indian Cinema”, deccanherald.com
“Much like the matches lit by The Little Match Girl, every step in ‘Chalte Chalte’ feels like fighting the night with small, fragile flames. Explore our tribute in our story here.”
BETTER TO WALK ALONE IN TRUTH
THEN TO STAND AMONG THE LIES OF THE WEST CHALTE CHALTE
FROM PAKEEZAH (1972): MEENA KUMARI’S ICONIC PERFORMANCE AND ITS DEEPER MEANING
As I sit here, surrounded by the noise and chaos of a world that never seems to stop, I often find myself drawn to one song—“Chalte Chalte” from the movie Pakeezah. It’s not just a song to me; it’s a reflection of my inner struggle, a journey of surrendering to fate and, above all, faith. Much like the story of “The Little Match Girl”, who eventually lets go of her harsh reality, this song speaks to the part of me that just wants to let go of the constant fight and place my fate in the hands of something larger than myself—my faith, my belief in a higher power.
READ FURTHERE
The lyrics themselves carry a sense of quiet resignation, of someone who has wandered far enough and is ready to leave the burden behind. Let me walk you through the translation of each line, as I see them through my own eyes:
Chalte Chalte, Chalte Chalte
(As I keep walking, walking along)
Here, the act of walking feels symbolic of life itself. Each step represents another day, another struggle, another test of endurance. How often do we walk this path, not knowing where it leads, but simply hoping that the journey will give us peace?
Yun Hi Koi Mil Gaya Tha
(I happened to meet someone along the way)
Sometimes, people enter our lives unexpectedly, and for a moment, they give us hope. But hope, much like the flame of a match, flickers. The encounters we cherish are fleeting, just like in the story of The Little Match Girl, where each match she strikes brings temporary warmth before extinguishing into the cold reality of life.
Sar-e-raah, Chalte Chalte
(On the path, while walking)
We meet people along the way, but they’re not meant to stay. The journey continues, even after these momentary pauses. It reminds me of how transient our connections can be in life, how quickly everything changes. There’s an aching sadness in this, yet an acceptance that we can’t hold onto everything forever.
Wahi Tham Ke Reh Gayi Hai
(My night has come to a standstill)
Meri Raat Dhalte Dhalte
(As my night slowly fades away)
The night represents the darkness in our lives, those moments when we feel completely lost, unable to see what lies ahead. For me, this verse speaks to the countless nights I’ve spent wondering, worrying, and trying to hold on when perhaps I should have let go.
Jo Kahin Gayi Na Mujhse, Wo Zamana Keh Raha Hai
(The words I never said, the world is now saying)
How many times do we suppress what we feel, what we want to say? We stay quiet, and life goes on without us. This line captures the frustration of unsaid words, unexpressed emotions, and how, in the end, it doesn’t matter. Life continues with or without our participation.
Ke Fasana Ban Gayi Hai, Meri Baat Talte Talte
(What I didn’t say, has now turned into a tale, as time kept slipping away)
This is perhaps the most powerful line for me. Life, with all its uncertainties, becomes a story that is told by time itself. We lose control over the narrative, and the more we try to hold onto our version of it, the more we realize we can’t. It reminds me of The Little Match Girl, who, in the end, is left to her fate, her story written not by her, but by her circumstances.
The entire song feels like a slow release, a relinquishing of control. And for someone like me, caught between the expectations of society and the desires of the heart, this resonates deeply. Sometimes, the only way to survive is to stop fighting and to place your trust in something larger than yourself. In my case, it’s my faith.
Shab-e-Intjaar Aakhir, Kabhi Hoga Mukhtar Bhi
(The night of waiting will finally come to an end someday)
This verse fills me with hope. No matter how long the wait, no matter how dark the night, I believe that it will end when the time is right. Faith is what helps me endure—the faith that, even when I feel most trapped by life’s demands, there is a higher purpose waiting for me.
Ye Chirag Bujh Rahe Hain, Mere Saath Jalte Jalte
(These lamps are burning out, slowly along with me)
The flickering flame is such a vivid image, representing life’s fragility. Just like the little girl in The Little Match Girl who lights her matches one by one, seeking warmth and hope, we too light our own lamps, hoping they will guide us. But even flames burn out, and in those moments of darkness, we realize that surrendering is not the same as giving up—it’s about trusting that the path, however invisible, will lead us somewhere safe.
The Parallel of Letting Go
In Hans Christian Andersen’s story The Little Match Girl, the young girl clings to her matches as the world around her becomes unbearably cold. She knows the matches will burn out, but for those brief moments, they bring her comfort and warmth. In the end, it’s only by letting go—by allowing herself to be taken away—that she finds peace.
Much like her, I have found that holding onto life’s struggles, fighting every battle alone, can only take me so far. There comes a time when you must surrender—not out of weakness, but out of strength. And this is where my faith comes in.
I am not a match that will burn forever. I am not a warrior who will win every fight. But I am someone who can let go, who can trust that life is more than a series of battles. My journey, like the song Chalte Chalte, is about moving forward, step by step, not knowing where the road will end but trusting that it will take me where I need to go.
CHALTE CHALTE: A SONG ABOUT LETTING GO AND EMBRACING FAITH
Every time I listen to this song, I am reminded that life isn’t about holding onto every moment, every struggle, or even every person we meet. It’s about continuing the journey, with the faith that, when the time comes, I can let go and trust in the path ahead.
In today’s world, where the demands of society can feel suffocating, where expectations can trap us, I find solace in songs like Chalte Chalte. They remind me that it’s okay to surrender sometimes, to place my fate in something greater. Like The Little Match Girl, I don’t need to keep striking matches for warmth. Instead, I can believe in the light that faith brings, even in the darkest of times.
It’s not about giving up; it’s about letting go and trusting the journey.
Translation Summary:
- Chalte Chalte, Chalte Chalte – As I keep walking, walking along
- Yun Hi Koi Mil Gaya Tha – I happened to meet someone along the way
- Sar-e-raah, Chalte Chalte – On the path, while walking
- Wahi Tham Ke Reh Gayi Hai – My night has come to a standstill
- Jo Kahin Gayi Na Mujhse – The words I never said
- Ke Fasana Ban Gayi Hai – Have now turned into a tale
This song isn’t just about walking through life; it’s about surrendering control and trusting the journey.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pakeezah & Chalte Chalte
What film is the song "Chalte Chalte" from?
The song is from the 1972 film Pakeezah, starring Meena Kumari.
How long did it take to complete the film?
The film took nearly 14 years to complete due to personal and production challenges.
Was a body double used in the last song?
Yes. A veiled stand-in replaced Meena Kumari in the final scene because of her illness.
When did Meena Kumari die?
She died weeks after the release of Pakeezah, in March 1972, due to liver cirrhosis.
