teri ik ik adaa jhuti
vafaa jhuthi hayaa jhuti
chalegi ai hasinaa kab talaq
aakhir havaa jhuti

maan kare kyaa rag rup kaa
tu kaagaz kaa phul hai
maan kare kyaa rag rup kaa
tu kaagaz kaa phul hai
tujhme khushabu dhundh rahi hai
tujhme khushabu dhundh rahi hai
ye duniyaan ki bhul hai
maan kare kyaa rag rup kaa

tujhe dekh ke laakh bujhaa le
pyaas koi akhiyan ki
tujhe dekh ke laakh bujhaa le
pyaas koi akhiyan ki
binaa baas kaa phul banegaa
kyaa shobhaa bagiyan ki
daal kaa phul chadhe mandir me
daal kaa phul chadhe mandir me
tu raste ki dhul hai
maan kare kyaa rag rup kaa
tu kaagaz kaa phul hai
maan kare kyaa rag rup kaa
tu kaagaz kaa phul hai

binaa jyot kaa dipak hai tu
binaa tel ki baati
binaa jyot kaa dipak hai tu
binaa tel ki baati
jab tan ujalaa aur man kaalaa
phir kaahe itaraati
shabanam khud ko saagar samajhe
shabanam khud ko saagar samajhe
ye shabanam ki bhul hai
maan kare kyaa rag rup kaa
tu kaagaz kaa phul hai
maan kare kyaa rag rup kaa
tu kaagaz kaa phul hai

Each gesture, a lie,
Each vow, a false plea,
Modesty's veil, a painted sigh,
How long, O beauty, will this be?
The wind itself, a phantom's decree.

Why cherish a painted face?
You are a paper bloom,
Why cherish a painted face?
You are a paper bloom,
The world, in its wandering race,
Seeks fragrance in your tomb.
Why cherish a painted face?

Though eyes drink deep,
Quenching thirst's art,
Though eyes drink deep,
Quenching thirst's art,
A scentless bloom you'll keep,
Lacking the gardens' heart.
The temple door, it knows,
The temple door, it knows,
You are but dust, a broken start.
Why cherish a painted face?
You are a paper bloom,
Why cherish a painted face?
You are a paper bloom.

A lamp devoid of gleam,
A wick without oil's grace,
A lamp devoid of gleam,
A wick without oil's grace,
Though skin be bright, a darkened dream,
Why then, in pride, take your place?
The dewdrop, ocean-bound, it seems,
The dewdrop, ocean-bound, it seems,
That dewdrop is a shallow embrace.
Why cherish a painted face?
You are a paper bloom,
Why cherish a painted face?
You are a paper bloom.