Shayad

"Shayad" is a Hindi word that translates to "Perhaps" or "Maybe," and this single word encapsulates the entire theme of the song. It delves into the delicate and tentative emotions of early-stage love, a love that is deeply felt but not yet fully expressed. The lyrics, penned by Irshad Kamil, articulate the inner turmoil of a lover who is too shy or uncertain to confess their feelings directly. Instead, they hope their beloved will understand the unspoken words and emotions. The song explores a love that exists in the realm of thoughts and daydreams, a hopeful fantasy of uniting with the loved one. The central message is one of profound and complete love; the singer's very identity and existence are intertwined with their beloved, as expressed in the recurring line, "Jo tum na ho, rahenge hum nahi" (Without you, I won't exist). This signifies that life is meaningless and the self is incomplete without the presence of the other. It’s about wanting nothing more and nothing less than the person they love, a statement of ultimate contentment and desire.

The song narrates the inner monologue of a person deeply in love, yet hesitant and unable to directly express their feelings. The speaker begins with the word "Shayad," meaning "perhaps," which sets a tone of uncertainty and hope that permeates the entire piece. They wish their beloved could understand their unspoken emotions. There is a dreamlike quality to their love; they imagine meeting their beloved one day, perhaps in a world of their own thoughts, somewhere they might be metaphorically 'lost' together. This establishes a central theme of a love that lives more in the realm of imagination and possibility than in concrete reality.

A profound declaration of dependence follows: "If you are not there, then I am not." This line elevates the beloved's presence to a necessity for the speaker's very existence and identity. Their sense of self is intrinsically tied to the other person. They desire nothing more and nothing less than the other person, highlighting a feeling of completeness and perfect contentment found only in their union. The repetition of "Jo tum na ho, toh hum bhi hum nahi" ("If you are not there, then I am not me") reinforces this idea of existential co-dependence. The speaker feels they lose their own identity without their love.

The narrative then shifts to describe the lover's specific, almost obsessive, behaviors. They find themselves creating dreams for their own eyes, a metaphor for actively cultivating a fantasy world centered around their beloved. They ask themselves questions and then answer them from the beloved's perspective, a clear indication of how much they are consumed by thoughts of the other. These are one-sided conversations happening entirely within their mind. Their actions are driven by this love; they find themselves doing things without any real purpose other than it being related to their beloved. A key example is their tendency to always pass by the beloved's street, regardless of their actual destination. It's an involuntary pilgrimage, a magnetic pull they cannot resist. The speaker concludes this section by vowing that these efforts and gestures of love will never cease, showcasing a commitment to their internal world of love, even if it remains unreciprocated or unacknowledged externally. The song beautifully captures the innocence, vulnerability, and all-consuming nature of a love that is deeply felt but shyly expressed.

"Shayad" was created for the soundtrack of the 2020 Bollywood film "Love Aaj Kal," directed by Imtiaz Ali. The song was composed by the acclaimed music director Pritam, with lyrics written by the celebrated poet and lyricist Irshad Kamil. The soulful lead vocals are by Arijit Singh, a frequent collaborator with Pritam. The song was released on January 22, 2020, as the first single from the album. Pritam stated that with "Shayad," he aimed to evoke a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of the romances influenced by the music of iconic films like "Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak." He wanted to capture the innocence and preciousness of first love that remains meaningful over time. The song's arrangement and production were handled by Arijit Singh and Sunny M.R., with Arijit Singh also contributing on acoustic guitar. The song features in the movie to depict two parallel love stories set in different eras (1990 and 2020), showing that the core emotion of hesitant first love is timeless.

The song's structure is fluid and poetic, prioritizing emotional expression over a rigid rhyme scheme. The lyricist, Irshad Kamil, uses a conversational and lyrical form of free verse, especially in the stanzas. However, there are instances of rhyme that provide musicality. For example, in the main refrain, "Jo tum na ho, rahenge hum nahi" and "Jo tum na ho, toh hum bhi hum nahi," the word "nahi" creates a consistent end rhyme. The tempo is generally slow and contemplative, creating a dreamy, introspective atmosphere. The rhythm is carried by a simple beat and the prominent acoustic guitar strumming, which gives the song a steady, heartbeat-like pulse. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is seamless, with Arijit Singh's vocal phrasing often lingering slightly behind the beat, enhancing the feeling of thoughtful hesitation inherent in the lyrics.

"Shayad" employs a variety of stylistic techniques to convey its heartfelt message.

• Musical Style: The song is a soft rock ballad with a strong melodic line, characteristic of Pritam's compositions. The arrangement is built around a gentle acoustic guitar, played by Arijit Singh himself, which creates an intimate and personal atmosphere. The use of woodwinds and a subtle tabla adds a layer of Indian classical fusion, enhancing the emotional depth without overpowering the modern melody.
• Vocal Delivery: Arijit Singh's vocal performance is central to the song's appeal. His delivery is filled with soulful restraint and vulnerability, perfectly capturing the shyness and longing in the lyrics. He uses a soft, almost breathy tone in the verses, building to a more impassioned but controlled crescendo in the chorus, mirroring the swell of emotions.
• Lyrical Repetition: Lyricist Irshad Kamil uses repetition masterfully. The word "Shayad" opens and anchors the main verses, reinforcing the central theme of uncertainty. The refrain "Jo tum na ho, rahenge hum nahi / na chahiye kuch tumse zyada, tumse kam nahi" is repeated to emphasize the core message of existential dependence and complete love.
• Narrative Voice: The song is a first-person narrative, making the listener privy to the singer's most intimate thoughts and confessions. This direct address creates a strong sense of connection and empathy.

Upon its release, "Shayad" became an instant success and a chart-topper, resonating widely with audiences, especially the youth. It was praised for its beautiful melody, heartfelt lyrics, and Arijit Singh's emotive singing. The song became synonymous with modern Bollywood romance and was hailed as one of the best romantic tracks of the year. It featured prominently in the film "Love Aaj Kal," enhancing the narrative of innocent, timeless love. The song's popularity led to numerous streams across music platforms and its inclusion in various romantic song compilations and playlists. It also became a popular choice for wedding entries and romantic dedications, solidifying its place in contemporary Indian pop culture. The track reinforced the successful creative partnership of Pritam, Irshad Kamil, and Arijit Singh, known for delivering some of Bollywood's most memorable romantic anthems. During the COVID-19 lockdown, Pritam and Arijit Singh released a special 'lockdown version' which was also warmly received by fans.

The song is rich with subtle symbolism and metaphors that deepen its emotional impact.

• Shayad (Perhaps): The title itself is the most significant symbol, representing the uncertainty, hope, and vulnerability of unexpressed love. It frames the entire narrative as a possibility, a dream waiting to be realized.
• Khayal (Thought/Imagination): The line "Shayad mere khayal mein tum ek din, milo mujhe kahin pe gum shayad" (Perhaps in my thoughts one day, you will meet me, lost somewhere) symbolizes a love that primarily exists in the lover's inner world. This 'lost' space is a private, intimate world away from reality where their love can flourish without reservation.
• Giving Dreams to the Eyes (Aankhon ko khwaab dena): This is a beautiful metaphor for actively choosing to live in a fantasy. The lover isn't just a passive dreamer; they are the creator of their own romantic reality, scripting conversations and scenarios in their mind.
• Passing by the Street (Har baar hi ghuzarna teri taraf se): This act symbolizes the lover's devotion and the magnetic pull of their affection. Their beloved's home is a pilgrimage site, and every journey, no matter the destination, is rerouted to pass by this sacred spot. It shows that all their paths lead back to the thought of their love.

The most powerful recurring motif is the word "Shayad" (Perhaps). It appears at the beginning of the song and key lyrical lines, constantly reminding the listener of the theme of hopeful uncertainty. The central recurring phrase is the chorus: "Jo tum na ho, rahenge hum nahi. Na chahiye kuch tumse zyada, tumse kam nahi" (Without you, I won't exist. I don't want anything more than you, nothing less than you). This couplet is the song's emotional anchor, a powerful declaration of absolute love and dependence. Its repetition drills the core message into the listener's heart, making it the most memorable and impactful part of the song. Another recurring idea is the act of one-sided effort, as seen in the lines about creating dreams, asking and answering questions, and always passing by the beloved's street, which together form a motif of silent, devoted love.