Firaq Gorakhpuri

-
Gayr kya jaaniye kyon mujhako buraa kahate hain
Aap kahate hain jo aisaa, to bajaa kahate hain
… … … Wonder why perfect strangers call me a bad man
… … … If you had say so, I would accept it as appropriate

Vaaqai tere is andaaz ko kyaa kahate hain
Na vafaa kahate hain jis ko, na jafaa kahate hain
… … … Really what should one call this conduct or yours
… … … Which can neither be called fidelity, nor betrayal

Ho jinhen shaq vo karen aur Khudaaon ki talaash
Hum to insaan ko duniyaa kaa Khudaa kahate hain
… … … Those who live in distrust may search for other Gods
… … … I am content with calling Man, the Lord of this World

Log jo kuchh bhi kahen teri sitam-koshi ko
Hum to in baaton ko achchhaa na buraa kahate hain
… … … People may say whatever about your offensiveness
… … … I do not consider your thoughts either good or bad

Auron kaa tajurbaa jo kuchh ho magar hau to “Firaq”
TalKhi-e-zist ko jeene kaa mazaa kahate hain
… … … Whatever be the experiences of people; but ‘Firaq’
… … … Calls this bitterness in life, a pleasure of being alive

—–Firaq, Gorakhpuri

For AB,
The best I feel on this subject is already said in these words by Sahir -

‘aqaaid waham hain, mazhab Khayaal-e-Khaam hai saaqi
Azal se zehn-e-insaaN basta-e-auhaam hai saaqi
… … … Writs are illusions, creeds are amateur doctrines my friend
… … … From the very beginning Man’s mind is a bode of misgivings

Haqeeqat aashnaai asl mein gumkardah raahi hai
Aroos-e-aagahi parvardah-e-ibhaam hai saaqi
… … … The search for Truth has lost its way in reality
… … … This bride of Knowledge has been bred by doubts

Mubaarak ho za’eefi ko Khirad ki falsafadaani
Javaabi be-niyaaz-e-ibrat-e-anjaam hai saaqi
… … … Kudos to the elderly for their knowledge of philosophy
… … … For they are able to dispense with the fear of results

Havas hogi aseer-e-Halqa-e-nek-o-bad-e-aalam
Muhabbat maavara-e-fikr-e-naNg-o-naam hai saaqi
… … … Yearnings may be overpowered by the world’s norms
… … … But Love is beyond the shame of disgraced thoughts

Abhi tak raaste ke pech-o-Kham se dil dhadakta hai
Mera zauq-e-talab shaayad abhii tak Khaam hai saaqi
… … … The heart beats uneasy at the sight of twisted roads
… … … My desire for this freedom is still immature my friend

Mere saagar mein mai hai aur tere haathon mein barbat hai
Watan ki sarzameen mein bhook se kuhraam hai saaqi
… … … My words are intoxicating, and your strength has affluence
… … … This yearning for a way is causing great turmoil in our nation

zamanaa barsar-e-paikaar hai purhol sho’oloN se
Tere lab par abhi tak naghma-e-Khayyaam hai saaqi
… … … Our societies are gripped in battle by this dreadful blaze
… … … But you still sing romantic songs of Khayyaam my friend

—-Sahir, Ludhianvi
(Translit Mine)
Love
Sudhir

Sudhir on email -

For AB,

The location of Taj is a reminder of the terrorist attack. For one moment I step into the shoes of that terrorist and imagine myself carrying ammunition and standing on that terrace, occupied by the thought of blowing myself up… I look at the Gate way edifice, the ocean, the teaming trawlies, the seagulls…

===

Uff ye bedard siyaahi, ye havaa ke noahe
Kaun jaane iss raát ki sehar ho k na ho

... ... ... Ufff this unfeeling blackness, this bristly breeze
... ... ... Who knows if this night would have a dawn ever

Ik nazar tere dareeche ki taraf dekh to lun
Doobati aankho mein phir taab-e-nazar ho k na ho

... ... ... Let me take a look at your abode once
... ... ... Fading eyes may not have this strength again

Sard hoti hui batti ke dhuein ke humraah
Haath phaailaaye badhe aate hain bojhal saaye

... ... ... Companions of the smoke of a dying flicker
... ... ... Growing shadows loom foward with spread arms

Kaun ponchhe meri aankho ke sulagte aansoo
Kaun uljhe hue baalo ki girah suljhaaye

... ... ... Who'll clear these burning tears from my eyes
... ... ... Who'll sort out this hair thats in a disarray

Aah ye ghaar halaakat, ye diye ka mahbas
Umr apni inhin taareek makaanon mein kati

... ... ... Aah this ruined cave, this fire place
... ... ... My life is spent in these dark shelter

Zindagi fitrat-e-behis ki puraani taqseer
Ik haqeeqat thi magar chand fasaanon si kati

... ... ... Life is an old folly in an absurd disposition
... ... ... Though a reality, it was spent on some yarn

Kitni aasaaishein hansti rahin aivaano mein
Kitne dar meri javaani pe sadaa band rahe

... ... ... How many comforts laugh in the palaces
... ... ... How many doors were closed to my youth

Kitne haathon ne bunaa atlas -o-kamkhwaab magar
Mere malboos ki taqdeer mein paiwand rahe

... ... ... How many hands weave this silken clothes but
... ... ... My garb is destined to have these patches

Zulm sahte hue insaanon ke is maqtal mein
koi fardaa k tasavvur se kahaan tak bahle

... ... ... Enduring persecution in this people's slaughter house
... ... ... How long can one be consoled by dreams of tomorrow

Umr bhar raingte rahne ki sazaa hai jeenaa
Ek do din ki azeeyat ho to koii sah le

... ... ... Living is a punishment to crawl for a lifetime
... ... ... One might stand the pain if for a day or two

Vahi zulmat hai fazaao pe abhi tak taarii
Jaane kab Khatm ho insaaN ke lahoo ki taqteer

... ... ... The same oppression is still in the ambience
... ... ... Wonder when people's blood will stop flowing

Jaane kab bikhre siya-posh fazaa kaa joban
Jaane kab jaage sitam Khurdah bashr ki taqdeer

... ... ... Wonder when this dark ambience will be broken
... ... ... Wonder when the destiny of the trodden awaken

Abhi roshan hain tere garm shabistaan ke diye
Aaj main maut ke ghaaron mein utar jaaoungaa

... ... ... The lights are still bright in your warm resting place
... ... ... I shall step into the dark world of death today

Aur dum todti batti ke dhuein ke humraah
Sarhad-e-marg-e-musalsal se guzar jaaounga

... ... ... Companions of the smoke of a dying flicker
... ... ... I shall cross the frontier of this endless road

—Sahir, Ludhianvi

====

Was it necessary? How did we ever reach this point of no return?

Love

Sudhir

=

साहिर - २७ अक्टूबर २००९

Lab pe paabandi nahin, ehsaas pe pehraa to hai
phir bhi ahal-e-dil ko ahavaal-e-bashar kehnaa to hai
… … … Speech is not restricted though feelings are
… … … Nonetheless my heart must report the state of Man

Apni gairat bech daalen apna masalaq chhod de
Rahnumaaon mein bhi kuchh logon ko ye manshaa to hai
… … … Sell my self respect, forsake my beliefs
… … … Some of my ushers have this intention

Hai jinhen sab se zyaadaa daavaa-e-hubb-e-vatan
Aaj un ki vajah se hubb-e-vatan rusavaa to hai
… … … Them who proclaim the greatest love for the nation
… … … Yet they have caused the nation to be disgraced

Bujh rahe hain ek ek kar ke aqeedon ke diye
iss andhere ka bhi lekin saamna karnaa to hai
… … … Flames of the doctrines of faith die one by one
… … … This darkness has to be faced at some point

Jhooth kyun bolen farog-e-maslahat ke naam par
Zindagi pyaari sahi lekin hamen maranaa to hai
… … … Why perjure in the name of prudence
… … … Life may be lovely but death is inevitable
—-Sahir, Ludhianvi

Untiteled and to Unknown Receipent - Sudhir

अपने सीने से लगाए हुए उम्मीद की लाश
मुद्दतों जीस्त को नाशाद किया है मैं ने

तू ने तो एक ही सदमे से किया था दो-चार
दिल को हर तरह से बरबाद किया है मैं ने
जब भी राहों में नज़र आए हरीरी मलबूस
सर्द आहों में तुझे याद किया है मैंने

… … … Carrying this corpse of desires in my chest
… … … I have saddened my life for ages;

… … … You suffered but one wound and broke up
… … … I ruined my heart in every way
… … … Every time I see a silken attire on the way
… … … I have remembered you with a sigh;

और अब जब के मेरी रूह की पहनाई में
एक सुनसान सी मघ्मूम घटा छाई है…
तू दमकते हुए ‘आरिज़ की श’उअया’एं ले कर
Gulshudah shamaa’ein jalaane ko chali aai hai

… … … And now when the tresses of my spirit
… … … Are sated with this ethereal sadness…
… … … You come again with your radiance
… … … To light this extinguished candle;

मेरी महबूब, ये हंगामा-ऐ-तजदीद-ऐ-वफ़ा
मेरी अफ्सुर्दः जवानी के लिए रास नहीं
मैंने जो फूल चुने थे तेरे क़दमों के लिए
उन का धुंधला सा तसव्वुर भी मेरे पास नहीं

… … … लव! This mayhem of rekindled fidelity
… … … Is not good for my broken youth;
… … … Those flowers that I picked for your pleasure
… … … I haven’t even their vague likeness in memory

एक याख्बस्ता उदासी है दिल-ओ-जान पे मुहीत
अब मेरी रूह में बाक़ी है न उम्मीद न जोश
रह गया दब के गिरांबार सलासिल के टेल
मेरी दरमान्दा जवानी की उमंगों का खरोश

… … … A sad stillness has filled my heart and life
… … … My spirit now has neither hopes nor verve;
… … … Interred in the tumult of this intense bondage
… … … The voice of desires of my helpless youth

रेग्जारो में बगुलों के सिवा कुछ भी नहीं
साया-ऐ-अब्र-ऐ-गुरेज़ाँ से मुझे क्या लेना
बुझ चुके हैं मेरे सीने में मुहब्बत के कँवल
अब तेरे हुस्न-ऐ-पशेमान से मुझे क्या लेना

… … There is nothing in this desert but stray birds
… … … What have I to gain from shades of passing clouds;
… … … The lotus-petals of Love in my heart are worn dead
… … … What have I to gain from your blushing loveliness

तेरे ‘आरिज़ पे ये ढलके हुए सीमीं आंसू
मेरी अफ्सुर्दगी-ऐ-ग़म का मुदावा तो नहीं
तेरी महजूब निगाहों का पयाम-ऐ-तजदीद
इक तलाफी ही सही —- मेरी तमन्ना तो नहीं!

… … … These silvery tears perched on your cheeks
… … … Are not a cure for healing my wounds and sorrow;
… … … Your mortified message of appeal for a revival
… … … May be an amend - but surely not my desire!

—–Sahir, Ludhianvi

Ovid Who?? - Sudhir

For Ovid,

… … … I am conscious of this vehicle that carries me through my life
… … … Sleep is just a state; I love to live, in peace, in battle and strife

… … … Unbidden desires sing like tramps in the wilderness of temptations
… … … Unsolicited feelings are nursed by subliminal yearning

… … … I do not fight the flames of passion, nor dismiss them randomly
… … … For my heart does not hold the fire; it is the fire, it is the flare!

… … … I shall gladly hang on a gallow; or chisel my own crucifix
… … … For I care not for love & peace that is subdued by tyranny

… … … I possess Love and Love possesses me; the twain are but one
… … … I can never submit this jewel of mine for anyone’s scrutiny

… … … Venus, you shyster, had Mars not been gracious you’d be unloved
… … … But I am done with both; for now I aspire to the glory of Jupiter

… … … My arms fight a new war, on a new battlefield, for a new goa
l… … … Where conquests are not captives; where Love is not a conquest

… … … This new victory shall not shame; this war shall not destroy values
… … … No one shall fear no one; For once Love shall rejoice in freedom

… … … Troops shall not overcome troops; they shall join and merge in harmony
… … … A son shall not be crowned by his mother; he shall seek her divine blessings

… … … I do not seek symbols of richness and pride; I dwell in hearts and minds
… … … I do not come to heal wounds that I do not cause; I release the spirit of fire

… … … For once, God will witness a new form of conquest, one without infernos
… … … The Ganges will be conquered again, by love and devout affection

… … … Caesar shall not be stabbed again; nor Brutus perish in penitence
… … … For this Love conquers the spirit through release; not possession

Love
Sudhir

Momin khan Momin

Dar to mujhe kiskaa hai ke mai.n kuchh nahii.n kahataa
par haal ye afshaa.N hai ke mai.n kuchh nahii.n kahataa

naaseh ye gilaa hai ke mai.n kuchh nahii.n kahataa
tuu kab merii sunataa hai ke mai.n kuchh nahii.n kahataa

kuchh Gair se ho.nTho.n me.n kahe hai pe jo puuchho
to vahii.n mukarataa hai ke mai.n kuchh nahii.n kahataa

naaseh ko jo chaahuu.N to abhii Thiik banaa duu.N par
Khauf Khudaa kaa hai ke mai.n kuchh nahii.n kahataa

chupake se tere milane kaa ghar vaalo.n me.n tere
is vaaste charchaa hai ke mai.n kuchh nahii.n kahataa

ai chaaraagaro qabil-e-daramaa.N nahii.n ye dard
varnaa mujhe saudaa hai ke mai.n kuchh nahii.n kahataa

har vaqt hai dushnaam har ek baat pe taanaa
phir is pe bhii kahataa hai ke mai.n kuchh nahii.n kahataa

"Momin" baa-Khudaa sihar bayaanii kaa jabhii tak
ek ko daavaa hai ke mai.n kuchh nahii.n kahataa