Marte hain aarzoo mein

Ahalya by A.Ramachandran 

koi umeed bar nahin aati

koi soorat nazar nahin aati

maut ka ek din mu'ayyan hai

neend kyun raat bhar nahi aati

aage aati thi haal-e-dil pe hasee

aab kisi baat par nahi aati

jaanta hoon sawaab-e-taa'at-o-zahad

par tabiyat idhar nahin aati

hai kuch aisee hi baat jo chup hoon

warna kya baat kar nahin aati?

kyon na cheekhon ki yaad karate hain

mere awaaz gar nahin aati

daag-e-dil gar nazar nahin aata

boo bhi aye chaaraagar! nahin aati

hum wahan hain jahaan se humko bhi

kuch humari khabar nahin aati

marte hain aarzoo mein marne ki

maut aati hai par nahin aati

kaaba'a kis munh se jaaoge 'ghalib'

sharm tumko magar nahin aati 

- Mirza Ghalib 

Ishrat-e-qatra

- Mirza Ghalib 

Hum hain mushtaaq

"Ghalib's Haveli in Delhi" by Neha

Hum hain mushtaaq aur woh bezaar
ya ilahee! ye majra kya hai?

[ mushtaaq = interested, bezaar = displeased]

Main bhee mooh mein zabaan rakhta hoon
Kash! poocho kee "mudda kya hai?

[ mudda = concern/ issue]

Jaan tum par nisaar karta hoon
Mai nahee jaanta kee khuda kya hai

Bas ki dushwar hai har kaam ka aasaan hona
Aadmi ko bhee mayassar nahiin insaan hona

[Dushwaar=difficult; Mayassar=possible]

Jalwa fir arz-e-naaz karta hai

Roz-e-baazaar-e-jaaN_sipaaree hai

[ jalwa = splendour, jaaN_sipaaree = resigning one's life into the hands of another ]

Karne gaye the; usse taGHaaful ka ham gila

kee ek hee nigaah ki bas KHaak ho gaye

[ taGHaaful = negligence, gila = complaint, KHaak = dust/ashes ]

Ishq mujhko naheeN, wehshat hee sahee

Meree wehshat, teree shohrat hee sahee

[ wehshat = solitude, shohrat = fame ]

Apnee hastee hee se ho, jo kuchch ho !

Aagahee gar naheeN GHaflat hee sahee

[ hastee = existence, aagahee = knowledge/information, GHaflat = negligence ]

Fir mujhe deeda-e-tar yaad aaya

Dil jigar tashna-e-fariyaad aaya

[ deeda-e-tar = wet eyes, tashna (or tishna ) = thirsty ]

Aa, ki meree jaan ko qaraar naheen hai

Taaqat-e-bedaad-e-intazaar naheeN hai

[ qaraar = rest/repose, bedaad = injustice ]

Poochtey hain woh ki 'Ghalib' kaun hai ?

Koi batlao ki ham batlaayain kya ?

- Mirza Ghalib

Dard ka hudd se guzarna

Pollard Willows with Setting Sun by Van Gogh - 1888

Ishrate qatrah hai, dariya mein fana ho jana

Dard ka hudd se guzarna hee dawa ho jana

Tujh se qismat mein reri soorate qafle abjad

Tha likha, baat ke bante hi juda ho jana

Dil hua kashmakash charai zahmat mein tamam

Mit gaya ghisne mein is uqdey ka wa ho jana

Ab jafa se bhi hain mahroom hum allah allah!

Is qader dushmane arbabe wafa ho jana!

Zof se giryah mubaddil bah dam serd hawa

Bawer aaya hamein pani ka hawa ho jana

Dil se mitna teri angusht hinaee ka khayal

Ho gaya gosht se nakhun ka zuda ho jana

Hai mujhe abre bahari ka baras ker khulna

Rote rote game furqat mein fana ho jana

Gar nahin nikhate gul ko tere koche ki hawas

Kiyon hai girde rahe jolane saba ho jana

Bakhshe hain jalwai gul joshe tamasha Ghalib!

Chashm ko chahiye her rang mein wa ho jana

Taki tujh per khule ajaz hawai saiqal

Daikh bersatmein sabz aiene ka ho jana

- Mirza Ghalib

Key to urdu words: Ishrat- heartfelt wish (desire), qatrah- drop of water , fana- to get destroyed (mit jana)

Phir mujhe deeda-e-tar yaad aaya

"Splash" by Neha

Phir Mujhe Deeda-e-Tar Yaad Aaya
Dil Jigar Tishna-e-Fariyaad Aaya

[ Deeda-e-Tar =Tearful eyes , Tishna-e-Fariyaad - Desperate to appeal/Thirsty ]

Dum Liya Tha Na Qayamat Ne Hanoz
Phir Tera Waqt-e-Safar Yaad Aaya

[Hanoz= yet/still ]

Saadagii Haaye Tamannaa Yaanii

Phir Wo Nai_Rang-e-Nazar Yaad Ayaa

[Nai_rang=fascinating ]

Zindagi Yu Bhee Guzar hee Jatee

Kyoon Tera Raah Guzar Yaad Aaya

Koi Veerani Si Veerani Hai
Dasht Ko Dekh Ke Ghar Yaad Aaya

[Dasht - Wilderness/Desert ]

Phir terey kuchey ko jaata hai khayal

Dil-e gum gush tha magar yaad aaya

[ Kuchey = narrow street, khayal = thoughts, gush= filled with]

Main Ne Majnu Pe Ladakpan Mein 'Asad'
Sang Uthaya Tha Ke Sar Yaad Aaya

[Asad - Mirza Ghalib's earlier 'Takhallus' i.e. Pen Name, Sang - Stone]

- Mirza Ghalib

Resources:

1) Listen to this ghazal by Lata Mangeshkar at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQCCokHDeVo&feature=related

2) I also love these recitals by Rajni Pallavi : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qFGCRm2t2c&feature=related and the one by Shahida Parveen : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFCF6PAen_I&feature=related

Rone se aur ishq mein..

Rone Se Aur Ishq Mein Bebaak Ho Gaye
Dhoe Gae Ham Aise Ki Bas Paak Ho Gaye

[Rone= crying , Bebaak=outspoken/bold, dhoe = washed, Paak=pure/clean/holy ]

Sarf-E-Bahaa-E-Mai Hue Aalaat-E-Maikashii
The Ye Hii Do Hisaab So Yon Paak Ho Gae

[Sarf=expenditure, Bahaa=value/price, Mai=bar]
[Aalaat=instruments, Apparatus; Maikashii=drinking]

Rusvaa-E-Dahar Go Hue Aavaargii Se Tum
Baare Tabiiyaton Ke To Chaalaak Ho Gae

[Rusavaa=Dishonored, Dahar=world, Go= Although, Baare=at Last]

Kahataa Hai Kaun Naalaa-E-Bulbul Ko Beasar
Parde Men Gul Ke Laakh Jigar Chaak Ho Gae

[Naala = Lamentation, Chaak=slit/torn ]

Puuchhe Hai Kyaa Vajuud-O-Adam Ahl-E-Shauq Kaa
Aap Apanii Aag Se Khas-O-Khaashaak Ho Gae

[Vajuud=existence; Adam=non-Existence/ life after death, Ahl= people , Khas-O-Khaashaak=destroyed]

Karane Gaye The Us Se Tagaaful Kaa Ham Gilaa
Kii Ek Hii Nigaah Ki Bas Khaak Ho Gae

[Tagaaful=negligence, Gilaa=complaint, Khaak=dust/ashes]

Is Rang Se Uthaaii Kal Us Ne ‘Asad’ Kii Naash
Dushman Bhii Jis Ko Dekh Ke Gamnaak Ho Gae

[Naash = distruction, Gamnaak=grief Stricken ]

- Mirza Ghalib

Listen to this lovely ghazal sung by Lata Mangeshkar at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSTxX7szDTg

Ye jo hum hijr mein...

Drawn Away by Dandelions by It'sGreg

(See image information below)

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ye jo ham hijr mein diivaar-o-dar ko dekhate haiin

kabhii sabaa ko kabhii naamaabar ko dekhate hain

.
vo aaye ghar mein hamaare Khudaa kii kudarat hai

kabhii ham un ko kabhii apane ghar ko dekhate hain

.
nazar lage na kaheen usake dast-o-baazuu ko

ye log kyon mere zaKhm-e-jigar ko dekhate hain
.
tere javaahiir-e-tarf-e-kulah ko kyaa dekhein

ham auj-e-taalaa-e-laal-o-guhar ko dekhate hain

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Mirza Ghalib

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Key to Urdu Words: Hijr= separation, dar=door, saba= wind, naamaadar = messenger, dast-o-baazuu=hands & shoulders, javaahiir=jewels, tarf=golden belt, kulah=crown, auj=height/position ,taalaa=luck, laal-o-guhar=diamonds & pearls

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Image information: This image is from http://www.flickr.com/photos/itsgreg/480005669/

Na tha kuch to....

the in-side by dandasights
( See image information below)

Na tha kuch to Khuda tha, kuch na hota to Khuda hota
Duboya mujhko hone ne, na hota main to kya hota ?

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Huaa jab gham se yoon behis to gham kya sar ke katne ka
Na hota gar juda tan se to zaanoon par dhara hota

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Huee muddat ke 'Ghalib' mar gaya par yaad aata hai
Wo har ek baat pe kehana, ke yoon hota to kya hota ?

.

Mirza Ghalib

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Key to Urdu words: doboya = to drown, behis = shocked/stunned, zaanooN = knee , muddat = a long period

.

Resources:

1) For a very good source of Tashree ( in depth interpretation ) of Ghalib's poetry see http://www.geocities.com/ziestnmot/

2) Listen to Jagjit Singh singing Na Kuch tha on You Tube : http://youtube.com/watch?v=3PXVUIdmeLo
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Image Information :This image is from http://www.flickr.com/photos/dandasights/1228509303/in/photostream/

Aah ko Chaahiye....

Source: Evening fire by lynnieb

( See image information below)

aah ko chaahiye ek umr asar hone tak
kaun jeetaa hai teri zulf ke sar hone tak

.
daam har mauj mein hai halqaa-e-sad _kaam-e-nahang
dekhen kyaa guzare hai qatare pe gauhar hone tak

.
aashiqi sabr-talab aur tamanna betaab
dil kaa kyaa rang karun Khuun-e-jigar hone tak

.
ham ne manaa ke taGaaful na karoge lekin
Khaak ho jaayenge hum tum ko Khabar hone tak

.
partav-e-Khuur se hai shabanam ko fanaa kii taaliim
main bhii hoon ek inaayat kii nazar hone tak

.
yak nazar besh nahii.n fursat-e-hastii Gaafil
garmi-e-bazm hai ik raqs-e-sharar hone tak

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Gam-e-hastii kaa 'Asad' kis se ho juz marg ilaaj
shammaa har rang mein jalati hai sahar hone tak

.

Mirza Ghalib

Key to Urdu Words: aah = a sign of cry/ grief / yearning , daam = net/trap; mauj = wave; halqaa = ring/circle, sad = hundred; nahang = crocodile; sad_kaam-e-nahang = crocodile with hundred jaws, gauhar = pearl, sabr-talab=patient,partav-e-Khuur = sun's rays; shabanam=dew,fanaa = perish; inaayat = favour, tagaaful=neglect/ignore, yak = one , besh = excess; Gaafil = ignorant, raqs = dance; sharar = flash/fire, juz = other than; marg = death

.

References:

1) For a good collection of Ghalib's poetry see http://www.urdupoetry.com/

2) For reading Ghalib's poetry in Hindi font see Ghalib at Kavita Kosh

3) Listen to Begum Akhtar singing "Aah koo chaahiye ek umra " at YouTube http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ih6BTkJ1Ujc

4) Listen to Jagjit Singh singing " Aah ko chaahiye ek umra.." at YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUlyOEhnGg4

5) Read the meaning of lines from"Aah ko chahiye.." at ebazm..http://www.ebazm.com/discus/messages/6/2035.html?1115823378

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Image Information: This image is from http://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnieb/1129684204/

Hazaaron Khwahishen ....

Source: Wikimedia Commons (See image information below)

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Hazaaron khwahishen aisi ke har khwahish pe dum nikle

bahot nikle mere armaan, lekin phir bhi kam nikle

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Daray kyon mera qaatil? kya rahega us ki gardan par?

Voh khoon, jo chashm-e-tar se umr bhar yoon dam-ba-dam nikle

.

Nikalna khuld se aadam ka soonte aaye hain

lekinBahot be-aabru hokar tere kooche se hum nikle

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Bharam khul jaaye zaalim! teri qaamat ki daraazi ka

Agar is tarahe par pech-o-kham ka pech-o-kham nikle

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Magar likhvaaye koi usko khat, to hum se likhvaaye

Hui subaha, aur ghar se kaan par rakh kar qalam nikle

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Hui is daur mein mansoob mujh se baada aashaami

Phir aaya voh zamaana, jo jahaan mein jaam-e-jaam nikle

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Hui jin se tavaqqa khastagi ki daad paane ki

Voh ham se bhi zyaada khasta e tegh e sitam nikle

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Mohabbat mein nahin hai farq jeenay aur marnay ka

Usi ko dekh kar jeetay hain, jis kaafir pe dam nikle

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Zara kar jor seene par ki teer-e-pur sitam nikle

jo wo nikle to dil nikle, jo dil nikle to dam nikle

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Khuda ke waaste parda na kaabe se uthaa zaalim

Kaheen aisa na ho yaan bhi wahi kaafir sanam nikle

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Kahaan maikhane ka darwaaza Ghalib aur kahaan vaaiz

Par itna jaantay hain kal voh jaata tha ke ham nikle

.

Hazaaron khwahishen aisi ke har khwahish pe dam nikle

Bohat niklay mere armaan, lekin phir bhi kam nikle...

Mirza Ghalib

*****

Key to Urdu Words: chashm=eye; tar=wet; dam ba dam=continously; Khuld=Paradise; be-aabaruu=disgrace; kuuchaa=street,qaamat=stature; daraazii=delay; turra=ornamental tassel worn in the turban, pech-o-Kham=curls in the hair, mansoob=association, baada aashaami=related to drinking, tavaqqa=expectation; Khastagi=injury, daad=justice,Khasta=broken/injured, tegh=sword, sitam=cruelity , vaaiz = preacher

About the poet : Well what does one say about Ghalib! He is one of the most celebrated Urdu poets of all times. Watch this space for I am gonna write more about him!

References:

1) For comprehensive information on Ghalib see http://www.ghalib.org/

2) Read about Ghalib on wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghalib

3) For a good English translation of Hazaaron Khwahishen see : http://www.cedcc.psu.edu/khanjan/Hazaaron.htm

Image Information: This image was selected picture of the day on July 25, 2006 for Wikimedia commons. It was captioned as "old boat near the panoramic terrace of the Vauban passage, in the "Petite France" district in Strasbourg". For more information see http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Strasbourg-RemiLeblond-Barque2.jpg

Dear Ghalib says ....

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"sau kos say ba-zabaan-e-qalam baatein kiya karo aur hijr mein visaal kay ma-zay liya karo"
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"aah ko chahiye aik umr asar ho-nay tak kaun jeeta hai teri zulf kay sar honay tak"
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"hazaaron Khvaahishein aisii ki har Khvaaish pe am nikale,

bahut nikale mere armaan magar phir bhii kam nikale "

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