lamhat(moments)

 Zanjeerein (ज़ंजीरें) - Chains - Hafeez Merthi I came across this beautiful and powerful Ghazal by Hafeez Merthi during the recent Paper Leak Protest at Jantar Mantar ,Delhi. The police brutality against students is shameful,and those in power must reconsider how they treat peaceful protesters. I struggle to understand why this government refuses to engage in open dialogue.We saw this same pattern have during the CAA-NRC protests ,the Farmers' protest , the  Women Wrestlers protest and now the Students' protest.  Instead of addressing the core issues , Modi led BJP government often resort to denial and brand protesters as terrorist and foreign agents backed by Pakistan , USA,China,Khalistani separatist,  Soros ,etc. This Ghazal of Hafeez Merthi centered on theme of revolution and Chains i.e ' Zanjeerein ' serves as a poignant tool to describe the current protest against the resignation of education minister Dharmender Pradhan and the police brutality the...

 Sabse Khatarnak (सबसे ख़तरनाक) - The Most Dangerous - Pash Avtar Singh Sandhu who wrote under the pen name Pash is one of the most revolutionary poets of Punjab owing to its left-wing ideology usually speaking for farmers,labors and common people. He was killed by Sikh Extremists on 23rd March 1988 aged 37 years.  मेहनत की लूट सबसे ख़तरनाक नहीं होती पुलिस की मार सबसे ख़तरनाक नहीं होती गद्दारी-लोभ की मुट्ठी सबसे ख़तरनाक नहीं होती Mehnat Ki Loot Sabse Khatarnak Nahin Hoti, Police Ki Maar Sabse Khatarnak Nahin Hoti, Gaddari-Lobh Ki Mutthi Sabse Khatarnak Nahin Hoti, The exploitation of labor is not the most dangerous thing The police beating is not the most dangerous thing The fist of betrayal and greed is not the most dangerous thing बैठे-बिठाए पकड़े जाना—बुरा तो है सहमी-सी चुप में जकड़े जाना—बुरा तो है सबसे ख़तरनाक नहीं होता Baithe-Bithaye Pakde Jana—Bura To Hai Sahmi-Si Chup Mein Jakde Jana—Bura To Hai Sabse Khatarnak Nahin Hota Being caught while sitting idly—it's bad though...

 कागा करंग धांडोल्या - बाबा फ़रीद ( Kaaga Karang Dhandolya)   Crow Search My Skeleton - Baba Farid  कागा करंग धांडोल्या सगला खाया मास, एह दो नैनन मत छोड़ियो पीर देखन की आस Kaaga Karang Dhandolya Sagla Khaya Maas Eh Do Nainan Mat Chohiyo Pir Dekhan Ki Aas o crow search my skeleton and eat all the flesh of mine, But leave my eyes untouched in wait to see beloved of mine. For detailed understanding visit : Simplifying Kaaga Karang Dhandolya by Baba Farid   Irshad Kamil penned this verse in Imtiyaz Ali 's Rockstar song ' Naadaan Parindey ' in an easy language. This song is filmed on Ranbir Kapoor , sung by Mohit Chauhan and composed by A.R. Rahman.  कागा रे कागा रे मोरी इतनी अरज तोसे चुन चुन खाइयो मानस, अरजिया रे खाइयो ना तू नैना मोरे मोहे पिया के मिलन की आस. Kaaga Re Kaaga Re Mori Itni Araj Tose Chun Chun Khaaiyo Maans, Arajiya Re Khaaiyo Na Tu Naina More Mohe Piya Ke Milan Ki Aas.

हमरा गाँधी के गोली मारल हो ! (Hamra Gandhi Ke Goli Maral Ho - You Have Shot My Gandhi) - Rasool Miyan  Rasool Miyan an unknown Bhojpuri Folk Writer and Singer who was an ardent Gandhi follower and among the best example of India. He use to write about Ram, Krishna, Ganga with equal love as for other subjects. 'Ram Ka Sehra' one of his finest creation of Rasool Miyan is a sketch to beauty of Lord Ram. There are no written records about his writings. He used to maintain a diary which someone borrowed from his sons to never return. His sons, students, followers and other contemporary artist kept him alive by recalling his works. Subhash Chandra Kushwaha started collecting his work and folk singer Chandan Kumari has composed these songs to wider their reach.  This particular song I heard on Prime Time with Ravish Kumar on NDTV.   Actually this was the first time I heard about Rasool Miyan and than I researched on him. Sharing this today has also becom...

क्या खोया क्या पाया जग में ! (Kya Khoya Kya Paya Jag Mein) What Has Lost and Earned In The World - Atal Bihari Vajpayee Apart from great orator, a statesman and a gentleman former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was also a great poet. He died on 16th August 2018 in AIIMS Hospital , Delhi. His ' kavita ' shows his philosophies, courage and determinations. In this poem he was valuing his life by calculating what he has lost and earned in the journey. I have tried to translate it there so that it can reach a wider audience. We all pray for him to get the best place in heaven. RIP Bharat Ratna   Atal Bihari Vajpayee.  क्या खोया क्या पाया जग में, मिलते और बिछड़ते मग में, मुझे किसी से नहीं शिक़ायत, यद्द्पि छला गया पग पग में।  Kya Khoya Kya Paya Jag Mein Milte Aur Bichadte Mag Mein Mujhe Kisi Se Nahin Shikayat Yadyapi Chal Gaya Pag Pag Mein. What has lost and earned in the world, in unification and separation of the world, I haven't any...

आगाज़ तो होता है अंजाम नहीं होता। (Aagaaz To Hota Hai Anjaam Nahin Hota) - Start Happens But The End Doesn't Come - Meena Kumari  Most of us know Meena Kumari as Hindi film heroine who excelled in every character she portrayed on screen but she was also a poetess. The pain and turmoil in her which was often shown by the characters portrayed by her was mere half representation of her mental state, the real her can be discovered in her 'Shayari ' and ' Ghazal'. She used to write under the pseudonym 'Naaz' . You can sense a feeling of longing in her work as if she was hoping to achieve something or someone. Today (1st August 2018) on the occasion of her 85th Birth Anniversary I am sharing one of her ghazal with translation done by me to celebrate the poetess in her. I hope you all will like it. Understand it better here : Aagaaz To Hota Hai Anjaam Nahin Hota आग़ाज़ तो होता है अंजाम नहीं होता, जब मेरी कहानी में वो नाम नहीं होता।  Aaghaaz ...

अब तो मज़हब कोई ऐसा भी चलाया जाए। (Ab To Mazhab Koi Aisa Bhi Chalaya Jaaye) My Blog has crossed 100 translations of about 50+ poets which I think is a great achievement for a blog which is continuously updating on Ghazals, Kavita , Poems and translation. In this journey I have touched almost every emotion and in covering translations of these poets I have understood their writing style better. The blog will complete 6 years this August 30 and currently it has about 365 posts. The poem I have translated here is of 'Gopaldas Neeraj ' who is famous because he was also a Hindi film lyricist who penned songs like Phoolon Ke Rang Se, O Meri Sharmilee, etc. He passed away on 19th July 2018 at the age of 94 years. His death reminded me of his literary work in both Hindi Kavita and Urdu Ghazal . I am sharing one of his famous ghazal here which fits best in the current scenario of the country.   अब तो मज़हब कोई ऐसा भी चलाया जाए,  जिस में इंसान को इंसान बनाया जाए...

न मुहँ छुपा के जीए हम न सर झुका के जीए। (Na Muhn Chupa Ki Jiye Hum Na Sar Jhuka Ke Jiye) -  I am sharing here a ' Qita ' written by Sahir Ludhianvi which is recently used in Hindi movie 'Sanju '. A song inspired from it also penned by Sahir for the film ' Humraaz' (1967 ) staring Sunil Dutt in the lead role. Literal meaning of Qata is ‘separated’. Qata stands for a series of couplets in a ghazal having continuity of thought. A ghazal having one or more Qatas is called Qata-Band ghazal . Qatas also have independent existence comprising at least four lines. In a Qata , the second and fourth lines follow the same rhyming scheme. (Qita meaning from Rekhta ). Here I have tried to translate it.  न मुँह छुपा के जिए हम न सर झुका के जिए,  सितमगरों की नज़र से नज़र मिला के जिए, अब एक रात अगर कम जिए तो कम ही सही,  यही बहुत है कि हम मिशअलें जला के जिए।  Na Muhn Chupa Ke Jiye Hum Na Sar Jhuka Ke Jiye, Sitamgaron Ki Nazar Se Nazar M...

शायरी # 24 (Shayari # 24) Couplet # 24 : Mother's Day Happy Mother's Day to all on this occasion sharing Munawwar Rana' s shayari on 'Maa' (Mother) for which he is best known.  ऐ अँधेरे देख ले मुहं तेरा काला हो गया, माँ ने आँखें खोल दीं घर में उजाला हो गया।  - मुनव्वर राणा  Ae Andhere Dekh Le Muhn Tera Kala Ho Gaya, Maa Ne Aankhen Khol Di Ghar Mein Ujala Ho Gaya. - Munawwar Rana  ####### Just see the darkness a defeat in it arouse, Mother opens her eyes and light enters the house.

जब हुआ इरफ़ाँ तो ग़म आराम-ए-जां बनता गया। (Jab Hua Irfan To Gham Aaram-e-Jaan Ho Gaya) - Majrooh Sultanpuri  Majrooh Sultanpuri is famous Indian poet and lyricist. The she r (couplet) ' Mein Akela Hi Chala Tha......" from this ghazal is famous and prompted me to share the ghazal associated with it. In this ghazal the poet is talking about enlightenment and content which can be also seen as getting the love of his beloved which make him complete. I have translated this ghazal here and hope you all will like it.  जब हुआ इरफ़ाँ तो ग़म आराम-ए-जाँ बनता गया, सोज़-ए-जानाँ दिल में सोज़-ए-दीगराँ बनता गया।  Jab Hua Irfan To Gham Aaram-e-Jaan Banta Gaya, Soz-e-Jaana Dil Mein Soz-eDigra Banta Gaya.  Sorrow become the comfort of life when enlightened, over pain for beloved in heart pain for others heightened. रफ़्ता रफ़्ता मुंक़लिब होती गई रस्म-ए-चमन,  धीरे धीरे नग़्मा-ए-दिल भी फ़ुग़ाँ बनता गया।  Rafta-Rafta Munqalib Hoti Gayi Rasm...

सूनापन! (Sunapan) - Lonliness - Mahadevi Verma 27th April is Birth Anniversary of Mahadevi Verma. She perfectly portrays the emotions of love, longing,betrayal, void , etc in her Hindi poems. I who usually translate male poet works today on her birth anniversary decided to translate one of her poem. I have translated her ' Jo Tum Aa Jate Ek Baar ' which I have read during my school days. I hope this 'Kavita ' and its translation will be liked by all of you.  मिल जाता काले अंजन में सन्ध्या की आँखों का राग, जब तारे फैला फैलाकर सूने में गिनता आकाश।  Mil Jata Kale Anjan Mein, Sandhya Ki Aankho Ka Rag, Jab Tare Faila Failakar, Sune Mein Ginta Aakash. Mixed in the black kohl evening's eyes melody, when spreading stars sky counts when lonely. उसकी खोई सी चाहों में घुट कर मूक हुई आहों में! Uski Khoi Si Chaho Mein, Ghut Kar Mook Hui Aaho Mein! In his lost desires high, In silently choked sigh! झूम झूम कर मतवा...

शर्मा के यूँ न देख अदा के मक़ाम से। (Sharma Ka Yun Na Dekh Ada Ke Maqam Se) - Don't Feel Shy Looking From the Position of Coquetry - Sahir Ludhianvi शर्मा के यूँ न देख अदा के मक़ाम से, अब बात बढ़ चुकी है हया के मक़ाम से।  Sharma Ke Yun Na Dekh Ada Ke Maqam Se, Ab Baat Badh Chuki Hai Haya Ke Maqam Se. Don't feel shy looking from the position of coquetry, Now matter has come out from the position of modesty. तस्वीर खींच ली है तिरे शोख़ हुस्न की, मेरी नज़र ने आज ख़ता के मक़ाम से।  Tasveer Kheench Li Hai Tire Shokh Husn Ki, Meri Nazar Ne Aaj Khata Ke Maqam Se. Captured the image of your mischievous elegance,  today with my eyes from the position of faultiness.  दुनिया को भूल कर मिरी बाँहों में झूल जा, आवाज़ दे रहा हूँ वफ़ा के मक़ाम से।   Duniya Ko Bhool Kar Miri Bahun Mein Jhool Ja, Aawaaz De Raha Hun Wafa Ke Maqam Se. Forget the world swinging in my arm, calling you from the position of faithful charm. ...

रुके-रुके से कदम। (Ruke-Ruke Se Kadam) - Halted Steps by Gulzar Ruke-Ruke Se Kadam written by Gulzar   also appears in the film Mausam 1975 sung by Lata Mangeshkar. The Ghazal describes the limitations one has in love and life. The poet says that he is walking by stopping in between but walked away because it gives satisfaction to beloved even though he himself is dissatisfied. Here I translated this ghazal .  रुके रुके से क़दम रुक के बार बार चले,  क़रार दे के तिरे दर से बे-क़रार चले।  Ruke Ruke Se Kadam Ruk Ke Baar Baar Chale, Karaar De Ke Tere Dar Se Be-karaar Chale. Halted steps, stopped and walked again, In agreement with you impatiently the walk regain उठाए फिरते थे एहसान जिस्म का जाँ पर,  चले जहाँ से तो ये पैरहन उतार चले।  Uthaye Firte The Ehsaan Jism Ka Jaan Par, Chale Jahan Se To Ye Pairahan Utaar Chale. Roam around by taking load of body on the life, removed that dress when walked away f...

देखा है ज़िन्दगी को कुछ इतने करीब से। (Dekha Hai Zindagi Ko Kuch Itne Qarib Se) - Have Seen Life From As Much Close Range - Sahir Ludhianvi Sahir Ludhianvi ' s life Shayari are simple and straight forward. They bring you close to reality whether it is ' Tang Aa Chuke Hai Kashmakash Ae Zindagi Se Hum ' where he tell about the uselessness of life or this one which points at the double face people we encounter in life. I have tried to translate it my effort to spread such beautiful poetry to the masses. More on it can be understand at 'Dekha Hai Zindagi Ko - By Sahir Ludhianvi' देखा है ज़िंदगी को कुछ इतने क़रीब से,  चेहरे तमाम लगने लगे हैं अजीब से।   Dekha Hai Zindagi Ko Kuch Itne Qarib Se, Chehre Tamaam Lagne Lage Hain Ajeeb Se. Have seen life from as much close range, that all faces started appearing strange.   ऐ रूह-ए-अस्र जाग कहाँ सो रही है तू, आवाज़ दे रहे हैं पयम्बर सलीब से।  Ae Ruh-e-Asr Jaag Kahan So Rahi Hai Tu, Aawa...

सब एक चराग के परवाने होना चाहते हैं। (Sab Ek Charag Ke Parwane Hona Chahte Hain) - Everyone To Be A Moth of a Same Lamp Wants - Asad Badayuni  Asad Badayuni in this ghazal is telling about love and beloved. He says that it's craziness that every lover wants to love the same beloved(lady love). He describes further implication of this love and indicate that he too is in the line if gets a chance. I read it recently and decided to translate it to make it reach a wider audience. This ghazal is further elaborated here. ' Sab Ek Charag Ke By Asad Badayuni  सब इक चराग़ के परवाने होना चाहते हैं  अजीब लोग हैं दीवाने होना चाहते हैं  Sab Ek Charag Ke Parwane Hona Chahte Hain, Ajeeb Log Hain Diwane Hona Chahte Hain. everyone to be a moth of a same lamp wants, weird people to be crazy they wants. न जाने किस लिए ख़ुशियों से भर चुके हैं दिल  मकान अब ये अज़ा-ख़ाने होना चाहते हैं  Na Jaane Kis Liye Khushiyun Se Bhar Chuke Hain Dil, M...

चुपके-चुपके रात दिन (Chupke Chupke Raat Din)  Hasrat Mohani who gave us the famous slogan of independence struggle  'Inquilab Zindabad' (Long Live Revolution ) has wrote this ghazal which is also used in 1982 Hindi film Nikaah. This ghazal is like someone remembering the old days of love,togetherness and romance. The poet is recalling things from the past to affirm that he still knew about those happenings thus confirming his evergreen love. I have translated this famous ghazal and one of my longest translation   in hope it reach many more people to cherish. चुपके-चुपके रात दिन आँसू बहाना याद है, हम को अब तक आशिक़ी का वो ज़माना याद है। Chupke-Chupke Raat Din Aansu Bahana Yaad Hai, Hum Ko Ab Tak Aashiqui Ka Wo Zamana Yaad Hai. To shed tears day & night silently, I remember, that period of love even now, I remember. बा-हज़ाराँ इज़्तिराब ओ सद-हज़ाराँ इश्तियाक़, तुझ से वो पहले-पहल दिल का लगाना याद है। Ba-Hazaran Iztirab Au Sad-Hazaran Ishtiyaq, T...

आगाह अपनी मौत से कोई बशर नहीं ! ( Aagah Apni Maut Se Koi Bashar Nahin) - No One Is Aware Of Their Own Death - Hairat Allahabadi My brother often quote the first sher of this ghazal from a long time. One day I found that it was part of a ghazal written by Hairat Allahabadi so I decided to translate it. In this ghazal the poet is showing his dare devilry by raising points like he don't fear death, he not fearful of others and things like that. He is showing his power to love without any fear. I hope you will like this translation.  आगाह अपनी मौत से कोई बशर नहीं, सामान सौ बरस का है पल की ख़बर नहीं।  Aagah Apni Maut Se Koi Bashar Nahin, Saman Sau Baras Ka Pal Ki Khabar Nahin. No one is aware of their own death, things are hundred years old, no news of the moment's strength. आ जाएँ रोब-ए-ग़ैर में हम वो बशर नहीं, कुछ आप की तरह हमें लोगों का डर नहीं।  Aa Jaen Rob-ae-Ghair Mein Hum Wo Bashar Nahin, Kuch Aap Ki Tarah Hamein Logon Ka Dar Na...

ज़िन्दगी बे-साएबाँ बे-घर कहीं ऐसी न थी। (Zindagi Be-Saaeban Be-Ghar Kahin Aisi Na Thi) - Nowhere Life Was Roofless,Homeless Like That - Parveen Shakir Parveen Shakir was a prominent women Urdu ghazal writer ( shayara ). Her ghazals and shayari are from women's point of few and talks about love, lover, feminism, betrayal, romanticism ,etc from the point of view of girl/women. I read this love ghazal of her after encountering a Sher from it and than decided to translate it. In this ghazal she talked about separation from her lover and the changes which it brings in her life. I hope you will like my translation. Read more on this ghazal : Here ज़िंदगी बे-साएबाँ बे-घर कहीं ऐसी न थी, आसमाँ ऐसा नहीं था और ज़मीं ऐसी न थी।  Zindagi Be-Saaeban Be-Ghar Kahin Aisi Na Thi, Aasman Aisa Nahin Tha Aur Zamin Aisi Na Thi. Nowhere life was roofless,homeless like that, Neither was sky nor was land like that. हम बिछड़ने से हुए गुमराह वर्ना इस से क़ब्ल, मेरा दामन तर न थ...

 अब किसी को भी नज़र आती नहीं कोई दरार ! (Ab Kisi Ko Bhi Nazar Aati Nahin Koi Darar) Film actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha recited few couplets of this ghazal of Dushyant Kumar recently in a book release function. This ghazal is perfect satire on current political and social situation of the country right now. Where self boosting posters are hiding the broken walls, people are killed/beaten for following particular religion and even those who are speaking truth are targeted by followers of a leader or organization. Dushyant believed that once the countrymen are restless for change; the change will come. I have tried to translate this ghazal to be understand by wider audience. Please share your feedback if you liked it. The poem is elaborated here : Dushyant's Ab Kisi Ko Bhi Nazar अब किसी को भी नज़र आती नहीं कोई दरार, घर की हर दीवार पर चिपके हैं इतने इश्तहार।  Ab Kisi Ko Bhi Nazar Aati Nahin Koi Daraar, Ghar Ki Har Diwar Par Chipke Hain Itne Ishtehar. ...

अपनी अना की आज भी तस्कीन हमने की। (Apni Ana Ki Aaj Bhi Taskeen Humne Ki) - Even today in this way my ego I pacify. - Iqbal Sajid I liked the first stanza of this ghazal and hence chose this one of Iqbal Sajid to translate. In this poem poet's frustration is evident in not getting the love from one he loved. So to satisfy his ego he is insulting her beauty and choosing the words hurt her the most. He also displays her truthfulness by mentioning his non-indulgence to any other beauty even when he has that opportunity and in a way he is hurting her by doing this. Lets enjoy the translation and beauty of the 'Ghazal '. Also Read Here अपनी अना की आज भी तस्कीन हम ने की, जी भर के उस के हुस्न की तौहीन हम ने की।  Apni Ana Ki Aaj Bhi Taskeen Humne Ki, Ji Bhar Ke Uss Ke Husn Ki Tauheen Humne Ki. Even today in this way my ego I pacify, Wholeheartedly her beauty I defy लहजे की तेज़ धार से ज़ख़्मी किया उसे, पैवस्त दिल में लफ़्ज़ की संगीन हम ने की।  ...