Meena Kumari 'Naaz'

Aagaaz to hota hai anjaam nahin hota

Jab meri kahaani mein vo naam nahin hota

… … … [aagaaz = start; anjaam = end]
— — — There is a beginning, but there’s no end

— — — Till his name doesn’t appear in my story

Jab zulf ki kaalikh mein ghul jaaye koi rahi

Badnaam sahi lekin gumnaam nahin hota

… … … [kaalikh = darkness]
— — — When the traveler loses his way, in the tresses of dark hair,

— — — His name may be tarnished, but it doesn’t become nameless

Hans hans ke javaan dil ke, hum kyon na chune tukade

Har shakhs ki qismat me inaam nahin hota

— — — Why can’t I smile and pick the broken pieces of my heart

— — — Not every one is destined to be rewarded

Din doobe hai ya doobi baaraat liye kashti

Saahil pe magar koi kohraam nahin hota

— — — The sun (day) may set or a boat capsize with my love

— — — But on the shore over there, there is never any turmoil

—Meena Kumari, ‘Naaz’ (translit mine)

Regards,
Sudhir