lamhat(moments)

 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 ...

  दर्द का हद से गुज़रना है दवा हो जाना। ( Dard Ka Had Se Guzarna Hai Dawa Ho Jana) -  When pain exceeds all bounds, it becomes, itself, the remedy. - Mirza Ghalib  Mirza Ghalib in this profound Ghazal compares the suffering in love with various situations in life all indicates to complete surrender of one's self to the beloved. It also indicates to the deep meaning of the ghazal if compared this situation with the one's love with the God. As in first stanza he says that as a single drop of water ( Katra ) finds its ultimate fulfillment when it dissolves into the vast ocean ( Dariya ). He suggests that pain ( Dard ) of love becomes remedy when it past its limit. To read the full explanation of this ghazal read :  Understanding Ishrat-e-Katra Hai by Mirza Ghalib इशरत-ए-क़तरा है दरिया में फ़ना हो जाना, दर्द का हद से गुज़रना है दवा हो जाना ।   Ishrat-e-Katra Hai Dariya Mein Fana Ho Jana, Dard Ka Had Se Guzarna Hai Dawa Ho Jana. To be consumed by the ocean is...

 शायरी # 26 : सवाल (Shayari # 26 : Sawaal) - Couplets : Question!  I am sharing three shers or couplets of three famous Hindustani shayar all raising a question to society, critics or to ourselves. Bashir Badr, Nida Fazli and Rahat Indori remain active not only in mushairas (Poetry Gatherings) but also in mainstream Hindi Cinema as lyricist. But as shayars they all remain connected to their roots, their birth places and observed the people and the society minutely and often commented on society and people through their shers . Here I have also translated them for better understanding.   लोग टूट जाते हैं एक घर बनाने में,  तुम तरस नहीं  खाते  बस्तियां जलने मैं।  -  बशीर बद्र    Log Toot Jate Hain Ek Ghar Banane Main, Tum Taras Nahin Khate Bastiyan Jalane Main.  - Bashir Badr People shatters just in a single home building,  You never remorse in entire settlement burning. ########## कभी किसी को मुकम्मल जहाँ नहीं मिल...

 बे-दिली क्या यूँही दिन गुज़र जाएँगे ! (Be-Dili Kya Yuhin Din Guzar Jayenge!) Will in This Dissatisfaction Days will Pass By - Jaun Elia Jaun Elia is among the most trending shayar on social media nowadays. Be it for highlighting pointlessness of life, be it for longing or for love, people are just feeling the connect. This ghazal also  conveys the same thing that by merely existing is not living and such a life is no different from death. Here I have tried to translate this poem. For detailed understanding read: Elaborating 'Be-Dili Kya Yuhin Guzar Jaenge By Jaun Elia'.  बे-दिली क्या यूँही दिन गुज़र जाएँगे!  सिर्फ़ ज़िंदा रहे हम तो मर जाएँगे! Be-Dili Kya Yuhin Din Guzar Jaenge, Sirf Zinda Rahe Hum To Mar Jaenge.  Will in this dissatisfaction days will pass by, If we merely stay alive, we shall surely die.  रक़्स है रंग पर रंग हम-रक़्स हैं, सब बिछड़ जाएँगे सब बिखर जाएँगे, Raqs Hai Rang Par Rang Hum-Raqs Hain, Sab Bichad Jaenge Sab Bikhar Jaenge. Dance is ...

 आगे-आगे देखिए होता है क्या? ( Aage-Aage Dekhiye Hota Hai Kya?) - Let's See What Can Happen Ahead. - Meer Taqi Meer Meer Taqi Meer in this ghazal is saying that 'Love is not easy and one must ready to suffer it's consequences. The first verse whose second line is famous and used in common conversations, he implies that one must not weep or feel defeated at the start of the feeling of love because bigger and tougher challenges will wait ahead in this journey of love. To understand it better read : " Explaining Meer Taqi Meer's Raah-e-Dur-e-Ishq Mein Rota Hai Kya"    राह-ए-दूर-ए-इश्क़ में रोता है क्या? आगे आगे देखिए होता है क्या?  Raah-e-Dur-e-Ishq Mein Rota Hai Kya? Aage-Aage Dekhiye Hota Hai Kya? There's is no gain in weeping in love like that, Let's see what can happen ahead, क़ाफ़िले में सुब्ह के इक शोर है! या'नी ग़ाफ़िल हम चले सोता है क्या? Qafile Mein Subhah Se Ek Shor Hai, Yaani Ghafil Hum Chale Sota Hai Kya?  There's is stir in the carav...

 मोहब्बत में इतना ही हासिल किया है (दोहराव)।(Mohabbat Mein Itna Hi Haasil Kiya Hai {Reprise}) - This is all I have achieved in love (Reprise) - Cifar  मोहब्बत में इतना ही हासिल किया है, की खुद को मिटाकर भी हस्ते हैं हम। Mohabbat mein itna hi haasil kiya hai, Ki khud ko mitakar bhi haste hain hum. This is all in love I have achieved, That even in self destruction, I laugh, not grieved. बेरुखी से हैं उनकी वाकिफ निगाहें, एक नज़र को पर उनकी तरसते हैं हम। Berukhi se hain unki waqif nigahein, Ek nazar ko par unki taraste hain hum. My eyes are well aware of her indifference, yet eagerly yearn just for her single glance. गुज़रते हैं वो ज़ालिम नकाब हटाकर ही, उन रास्तों पर जहाँ आहें भरते हैं हम। Guzarte hain wo zalim naqab hatakar hi, Un raaston par jahan aahein bharte hain hum. Lifting the veil, my cruel beloved passes, From the way where my heart cries. फरियादें हमारी सुनेंगे भी कैसे, उनकी रहमत में कहाँ बसते हैं हम। Fariyaadein hamari sunenge bhi kaise, Unki rahmat mein kahan baste ha...

 Main Tainu Phir Milaangi! (मैं तैनू फ़िर मिलांगी !) मैं तुम्हें फिर मिलूँगी - I Will Meet You Again! - Amrita Pritam  It is a timeless verse about eternal love, soulmates, and a promise of reunion beyond death and time written by famous Punjabi\Hindi poet and writer Amrita Pritam .It is widely believed to be dedicated to her lifelong partner and companion, the artist Imroz .Though considered to be written before her death for Imroz , her partner, with whom she spent the last forty years of her life, it seems as if the lines are speaking to all those who fell in love with Amrita and her writing. For everyone who felt a void upon Amrita leaving for heavenly abode, the lines act as a source of solace and comfort. Here I have presented this poem in Punjabi,Hindi and English.   “मैं तैनू फ़िर मिलांगी                                             कित्थे ? किस ...

 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.

 तिरे ग़म को जाँ की तलाश थी (Tere Gham Ko Jaan Ki Talaash Thi) - The One Who Shares Your Pain - Faiz Ahmad Faiz Tere Gham Ko Jaan Ki Talaash Thi By Faiz Ahmad Faiz is a Ghazal of lamenting on lost love or the love which is not in one's life. Sharing a post on this blog with this translation almost after 3 years. I hope you will like it.  To understand this ghazal better : Understanding Tere Gham Ko Jaan Ki Talaash Thi By Faiz Ahmad Faiz.  तिरे ग़म को जाँ की तलाश थी तिरे जाँ-निसार चले गए, तिरी रह में करते थे सर तलब सर-ए-रहगुज़ार चले गए। Teri Gham Ko Jaan Ki Talaash Thi Tere Jaan Nisaar Chale Gaye, Teri Raah Mein Karte The Sar Talab Sar-e-Rahguzaar Chale Gaye. The one who shares your pain has gone, The one who laid down on your way has gone. तिरी कज-अदाई से हार के शब-ए-इंतिज़ार चली गई, मिरे ज़ब्त-ए-हाल से रूठ कर मिरे ग़म-गुसार चले गए। Teri Kaj-Adai Se Haar Ke Shab-e-Intizar Chali Gayi, Mere Zabt-e-Haal Se Rooth Kar Mere Gham Gusaar Chale Gaye. Seeing your in-sensitivene...

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...