bhari mahfil hai aur ab rang par
mahfil bhi aayi hai
uthi hai huq bhi dil se to dil hi me dabayi hai
magar jab dil dukhaya hai to lab tak baat aayi hai
ye afsana nahi aye sunnevalo dil ki baate hai
siyahi gam ki hai vaise badi rangin rate hai
ye afsana nahi hai

hai gustakhi magar kahna hai
kuch duniya se mardo se
sharifo manchalo mullaho se avaragardo se
hai beparda magar taane diye jate hai pardo se
ye afsana nahi hai

ye jo kotho ki mallika hai ye jo kucho ki rani hai
jo padh sakte ho padh lo ye tumhari hi kahani hai
samaj-o-kaum ki beabruyi ki nishani hai
ye afsana nahi hai

jo sach pucho tumhi mardo ne ye kothe sajaye hai
hasi bazar tumne apne hatho se lagaye hai
tumhari hi badaulat ham bhi is mahfil me aaye hai
ye afsana nahi hai

tum apni biwiyo ko chhod kar kotho pe jate ho
tum apni biwiyo ko chhod kar kotho pe jate ho
tum apne ghar ki daulat ko waha jakar lutate ho
khushamadi naaz baldari pe tum jyoti bhi khate ho
khushamadi naaz baldari pe tum jyoti bhi khate ho
ye afsana nahi hai

jo samjho thap tabley ki to
ye muh par tamache hai
jo samjho thap tabley ki to
ye muh par tamache hai
ye sarangi ke taro par dilo ke taar bajte hai
yaha insaniyat khud nachti hai ham nachate hai
ye afsana nahi hai

arey o zindagi ke thekedaro kuch to sharmao
uthakar husn ka baazar apne ghar me le jao
arey o zindagi ke thekedaro kuch to sharmao
uthakar husn ka baazar apne ghar me le jao
sahara do sahara do aur
inko ma behen beti kehelwao
sahara do sahara do aur
inko ma behen beti kehelwao
ye afsana nahi hai
ye afsana nahi aye sunnevalo dil ki baate hai
siyahi gam ki hai vaise badi rangin rate hai
ye afsana nahi hai

The gathering swells, now hues ignite,
The very hall has come to be.
A plea arose, a heart's deep plight,
And stifled, hid, within me.
But when the heart was wounded sore,
The words escaped and reached the shore.
This isn't just a tale, oh listeners, these are heart's desires,
Though ink of sorrow paints a world, where vibrant nights transpire.
This isn't just a tale.

A boldness born, yet I must speak,
To men of this world, hear me now,
To righteous souls, and those who seek,
To mullahs, vagrants, take a vow.
Unveiled, though taunts are hurled,
From behind the screens of the world.
This isn't just a tale.

The queen of the brothel, the ruler of the lanes,
If you can read, then read this, it is your very story,
A mark of dishonor, on society's chains.
This isn't just a tale.

If you seek the truth, you men alone,
Have crafted these brothels, stone by stone.
You've built these markets, beautiful and bright,
And by your hand, we entered the night.
This isn't just a tale.

You leave your wives, and to brothels you roam,
You leave your wives, and to brothels you roam,
Your household's wealth, you spend in that home,
You bask in flattery, in their alluring grace,
You feed on their beauty, and their smiling face.
This isn't just a tale.

If you understand the tabla's beat,
Then know it's a slap upon your face,
If you understand the tabla's beat,
Then know it's a slap upon your face,
On the strings of the sarangi, hearts now play,
Here humanity dances, we make them sway.
This isn't just a tale.

O you, the keepers of life, show some shame,
Bring the beauty you crave, into your home.
O you, the keepers of life, show some shame,
Bring the beauty you crave, into your home.
Offer support, offer support and care,
And call them mothers, sisters, daughters rare.
Offer support, offer support and care,
And call them mothers, sisters, daughters rare.
This isn't just a tale.
This isn't just a tale, oh listeners, these are heart's desires,
Though ink of sorrow paints a world, where vibrant nights transpire.
This isn't just a tale.