Nauha - Kaifi Azmi

 नौहा (Nauha) Mourning - Kaifi Azmi 

Nauha (Elegy or Mourning) or mersiya is lamenting song of shia tradition of Islam about the martyrdom of Imam Husain at the battle of Karbala. This ghazal Nauha is written by Kaifi Azmi after the sudden and shocking death of iconic filmmaker Guru Dutt. Since than the first couplet is often quoted for paying tribute to the departed souls. The theme of the poem deals with grief,void and loss by passing away of someone. Here I have tried to translate this ghazal. 

रहने को सदा दहर में आता नहीं कोई,

तुम जैसे गए ऐसे भी जाता नहीं कोई। 

Rehne Ko Sada Dahar Mein Aata Nahin Koi,

Tum Jaise Gaye Aise Bhi Jata Nahin Koi.

No one stays in this world forever,

Yet in this way no one departs ever.

डरता हूँ कहीं ख़ुश्क न हो जाए समुंदर,

राख अपनी कभी आप बहाता नहीं कोई। 

Darta Hun Kahin Khushk Na Ho Jaye Samundar,

Raakh Apni Kabhi Aap Bahata Nahin Koi.

I fear the ocean might run dry,

No one ever pour their ashes in water when die.

इक बार तो ख़ुद मौत भी घबरा गई होगी,

यूँ मौत को सीने से लगाता नहीं कोई। 

Ek Baar To Khud Maut Bhi Ghabra Gai Hogi,

Yun Maut Ko Seene Se Lagata Nahin Koi.

Even death itself must have faltered for a moment,

No one ever embrace death like that even for a second.

माना कि उजालों ने तुम्हें दाग़ दिए थे,

बे-रात ढले शमा बुझाता नहीं कोई। 

Mana Ki Ujalon Ne Tumhein Dagh Diye The,

Be-Raat Dhale Shama Bujhata Nahin Koi.

I believe that light has given you scars,

No one extinguishes the lamp before night fades.

साक़ी से गिला था तुम्हें मय-ख़ाने से शिकवा,

अब ज़हर से भी प्यास बुझाता नहीं कोई। 

Saaki Se Gila Tha Tunhein Mai-Khane Se Shikwa,

Ab Zahar Se Bhi Pyaas Bujhata Nahin Koi.

You have problem with the bartender and complaints against the tavern,

Now there is no one who quenches his thirst with the poison.

हर सुब्ह हिला देता था ज़ंजीर ज़माना,

क्यूँ आज दिवाने को जगाता नहीं कोई। 

Har Subah Hila Deta Tha Zanjeer Zamana,

Kyun Aaj Diwane Ko Jagata Nahin Koi.

Every morning, the world would shake the chains,

To wake him up today no body is taking that pain.

अर्थी तो उठा लेते हैं सब अश्क बहा के,

नाज़-ए-दिल-ए-बेताब उठाता नहीं कोई। 

Arthi To Utha Lete Hain Sab Ashq Baha Ke,

Naaz-e-Dil-e-Betaab Uthata Nahin Koi.

Everyone lifts the bier, shedding tears,

But burden of the restless's heart yearning no one bears.