Sher and Info

Bohot masroor thay jeenay ki duaaon per Shakeel

Mila hai ranj to taaseer pe rona aaya

~ Unknown

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Howdie folks,

This will be (most probably) my last post for the year. I'm going on a vacation tomorrow inshaAllah! To Australia! I'll be back from there on the 11th of next month, and will probably be back on the blog a couple of days after that inshaAllah.

Take care and a very happy new year,

Ambareen

Kabhi Halaat Ki

Kabhi halaat ki gardish se ghabraaya nahin kartay

Hisaab-e-zindgaani sab ko samjhaaya nahin kartay

Bohot be-chain kar detay hain mustaqbil ke andeshay

Bohot se khaab hain taabeer jo paaya nahin kartay

Kheyaalon ke gulistaanon mein aati ha khizaa.n bar

Bohot se zakhm hain aisay jo dikhlaaya nahin kartay

Rivaaj-o-rasm ki bandish ujaalay cheen leti hai

Khalish dil mein ho sab ko batlaaya nahin kartay

Koi dil mein ho aur vo doosray ke dil ki dharkan ho

Muqaddar apna apna hai sabhi paaya nahin kartay

~ Unknown

(I heard this as a title song, sung by Nayyara Noor, for a Pakistani drama named "Hijaab". Cast included Farhan Ali Agha, Azra Siddique and others. If you happen to know the name of the poet, or the full version, please let me know).

Sher

Sard taareek raaton mein
Siyaah saavan ki baarish mein
Dard jab muskuraatay hain
To aankhain khoob roti hain

~Wasi Shah

Ab Kis Se Kahain

Ab kis se kahain aur kaun sunay jo haal tumhaaray baad hua
Is dil ki jheel si aankhon mein ik khaab bohot barbaad hua

(Who do I turn to now [after you] that will listen to me, understand my pain, understand how my dream(s) suffered in my eyes after you left me)

Ye hijr hava bhi dushman hai us naam ke saaray rangon ki
Vo naam jo meray honton per khushbu ki tarah abaad hua
abaad = happily residing/living

(Even the wind that blows now is an enemy of the many colours that were spread on my lips when I would mention your name. It blows them all away with its breeze. It robs me of even the joy, the right, of being able to utter your name)

Is sheher mein kitnay chehray thay, kuch yaad nahin sab bhool gaye
Ik shakhs kitaabon jesa tha vo shakhs zabaani yaad hua
zabaani = from memory; memorized

(I've forgotten everyone that I've known or met. But there was one face that was wonderfully arranged, that used to engage me like a good book does, and that one face is all I remember now - it's like I've memorized that face)

Vo apnay gaaon ki galiyaan theen dil jin mein naachta gaata tha
Ab is se farq nahin parrta na-shaad hua ya shaad hua
shaad = happy

(My heart used to enjoy itself in familiar territories of my village [a seemingly lesser place]. My heart was at peace when it was where it belonged. Now that things have changed, it doesn't even matter if the heart is happy or not. Its happiness doesn't matter anymore)

Be-naam sataaish rehti thee un gehri saanvli aankhon mein
Aisa to kabhi socha bhi na tha dil ab jitna be-daad hua
be = without
sataaish = appreciation
daad = encouragement

(Those eyes, the eyes of my beloved, had appreciation for me -- for no reason. He/She would appreciate me just for existing. I had never thought that I would ever be so unapreciated, so unacknowledged, as I am today)

~ Noshi Gilani

Her Qadam Per

Her qadam per nit naye saanchay mein dhal jaatay hain log
Dekhtay he dekhtay itnay badal jaatay hain log
nit = new, unique
saancha = mold (noun)

(People mold themselves into different shapes, and change into something new all of a sudden)

Kis liye keejay kisi gum gushta jannat ki talaash
Jab ke mitti ke khilonon se behel jaatay hain log
gum gushta = lost

(There is no need to look for a long lost heaven, a peaceful abode to relax in, because people are easily pleased by simple things [they are easy to manipulate])

Kitnay saada-dil hain ab bhi sun ke avaaz-e-jaras
Pesh-o-pas se bekhabar ghar se nikal jaatay hain log
jaras = bell - In the olden days, people used to travel in groups, caravans, using animals as their modes of transportation. They would make stops on their way to their final destination. When the caravan would be ready to go after making a stop, the bell on animals on the front of the caravan would be rung, and that's how the rest of the caravan would know that they are about to leave. That bell is known as jaras.
pesh-o-pas = hesitation

(How simple minded are the people even now. When they get the sign to leave, they get up and leave. This is metaphoric, so use your imagination to give it your meaning)

Shamma ki maanind ehl-e-anjuman se beneyaaz
Aksar apni aag mein chup chaap jal jaatay hain log
ehl = family
anjuman = stars
beneyaaz = oblivious

(So even though there are stars on the sky to make light, the candle still lights up, to do the same thing that the stars are meant to do, i.e. making light. But in doing so, the candle melts with its own flame, failing to realize that its burning was meaningless, baseless)

Shayer un ki dosti ka ab bhi dam bhartay hain aap
Thokarain kha ker to suntay hain sambhal jaatay hain log
dam bharna = care for

(You're still caring for his/her friendship? I thought people became careful after getting hurt)

~ Himayat Ali Shayer

11.11.03

Corrected Version:

Umr bhar teri mohabbat meri khidmat gar rahi
Main teri khidmat ke qaabil jab hua tu chal basi

~ Allama Iqbal

* If anyone knows the full original poem, please let me know. 

Manzar Hai Vahi Thathak Rahi Hoon

Manzar hai vahi thathak rahi hoon
Hairat se palak jhapak rahi hoon

Yeh tu hai keh mera vehem hai
Band aankhon se tujh ko tak rahi hoon

Jaisay ke kabhi na tha ta'arruf
Yoon miltay huay jhijhak rahi hoon

Pehchaan main teri raushni hoon
Aur teri palak palak rahi hoon

Kiya chain mila hai sar jo us ke
Shaanon pe rakkhay sisak rahi hoon

Ik umr hui hai khud se lartay
Andar se tamaam thak rahi hoon

~ Parveen Shakir

Maa.n Ke Naam

Maut ki aaghosh mein jab thak ke so jaati hai maa.n
Tab kahin jaa ker sakoo.n thora sa pa jaati hai maa.n
maut = death
aaghosh = lap

(The only time when mothers can sleep with peace is when they're no longer alive)

Fikr mein bacchon ki kuch is tarah ghul jaati hai maa.n
Nau-javaa.n hotay huay boorhi nazar aati hai maa.n
ghul = melt
nau-javaa.n = young

(They get drowned in concern for their children to the extent that they age much before their time)

Orhti hai khud to ghurbaton ka boseeda kafan
Chaahaton ka pairahan bacchon ko pehnaati hai maa.n
ghurbaton = impoverish
boseeda = old
kafan = cloth in which dead bodies are wrapped in before burial
pairahan = attire

(They give up their own needs to spend everything they have on their children)

Rooh ke rishton ki yeh gehraaiyyaan to dekhiye
Chot lagti hai hamaaray aur chillaati hai maa.n

(Such is the depth of a mother-child relationship that when the child gets hurt, the mother feels the pain)

Jaanay kitni barf si raaton mein aisa bhi hua
Baccha to chaati pe hai geelay mein so jaati hai maa.n

(They spend so many cold nights sleeping where their children have wet the beds, and they place the children on their chest so the child wouldn't have to sleep on the wet sheet)

Apnay pehlu mein lita ker aur totay ki tarah
Allah Allah hum ko ratvaati hai maa.n
totay = tota = parrot

(They lie us next to them and teach us who the Lord is)

Ghar se jab bhi door jaata hai koi noor-e-nazar
Haath mein Qur'aan le ker dar pe aa jaati hai maa.n
noor-e-nazar = the light of eyes (refers to sons)

(Any time that a child has gone away from the home, the mother prays for his safe return the whole time he's gone)

De ke bacchon ko zamaanat mein razaa-e-paak ki
Peechay peechay sar jhukaaye door tak jaati hai maa.n
zamaanat = guarantee
razaa-e-paak = God's will

(She places her beloved children in God's hands (submits to fate) and then walks behind them in the journey of life)

Kaampti aazaav se kehti hai, "beta, alvida"
Saamnay jab tak rahay haathon ko lehraati hai maa.n

(When her kids depart from her, she says goodbye and keeps waving at them for as far as she can see them)

Laut ke jab bhi safar se ghar aatay hain hum
Daal ke baanhain galay mein sar ko sehlaati hai maa.n
sehlaati = gentle patting

(Every time we return home, she welcomes us in her warm embrace)

Vaqt-e-aakhir hai agar pardes mein noor-e-nazar
Apni donon putliyaan chaukhat pe rakh jaati hai maa.n
vaqt-e-aakhir = last moments (usually refers to the end of life)
putliyaan (silgular = putli) = eyes (literal meaning of putli = lens)
chaukhat = threshold

(If a child of hers is not present at her deathbed, she still keeps waiting for that child even after she has passed away)

Pyar kehtay hain kisay aur maamta kiya cheez hai
Koi un bacchon se poochay jin ki marr jaati hai maa.n
maamta = mother's love

(The value of love, especially a mother's love, is known to chose children who have lost their mothers)

Saal bhar mein ya kabhi haftay mein Jumeraat ko
Zindagi bhar ka sila ik Faatiha paati hai maa.n
Jumeraat = Thursday

(And after a lifetime of service to her children, all she gets is a Qur'aanic reading of a small chapter once a year on some random day)

~ Unknown

Note

Hello good folks,

I know I haven't posted in 5 days. Not a big period, I understand. I have poems I can post. I have time too. Nothing has changed. But see my last entry... I'm graduating. After that, nothing else seems worthy enough for a publish. It's a huge milestone for me. I know, it's just a 4, maybe 5 years worth of a journey. But I had to make my way through life's horrific tangles. I had to prove to myself that I am strong enough to juggle a sh*tload of responsibilities and now that I've done what I had set out for myself to do, I'm very humbled.

I'll be back soon guys, just bear with me.

Take care,
Ambareen

My Most Beautiful Post Yet!

:D al-Hamdulillah.

Yeh Kabhi Kisi Ko Khabar Na Ho

Vo bujhay gharon ka chiraagh tha, yeh kabhi kisi ko khabar na ho
Usay le gayi hava kahaan, yeh kabhi kisi ko khabar na ho

Kayi log jaan se jaayen ge, meray qaatilon ki talaash mein
Meray qatl mein mera haath tha, yeh kabhi kisi ko khabar na ho

Mujhe jaan ker koi ajnabi, vo dikha rahay hain gali gali
Isi shehr mein mera ghar bhi tha, yeh kabhi kisi ko khabar na ho

Vo samajh ke dhoop ka devta, mujhe aaj poojnay aaye hain
Main chiraagh hoon teri shaam ka, yeh kabhi kisi ko khabar na ho

Vo tamaam duniya ke vaastay jo mohabbaton ki misaal tha
Vohi apnay ghar mein tha bevafa, yeh kabhi kisi ko khabar na ho

Kaheen masjidon mein shahaadatain, kahin mandiron mein adaalatain
Yahaan kaun karta hai faislay, yeh kabhi kisi ko khabar na ho

Meray paas jitni hai raushni, hai yehi chiraagh ki zindagi
Main kahaan jala main kahan bujha, yeh kabhi kisi ko khabar na ho

~ Unknown

Tum Ne To Keh Diya

Tum ne to keh diya keh mohabbat nahin mili
Mujh ko to yeh bhi kehnay ki mohlat nahin mili

Neendon ke des jaatay koi khaab dekhtay
Lekin diya jalaanay se fursat nahin mili

Tujh ko to kher shehr ke logon ka khauf tha
Aur mujh ko apnay ghar se ijaazat nahin mili

Phir ikhtilaaf-e-raaye ki soorat nikal pari
Apni yahaan kisi se bhi aadat nahin mili

Bezaar yoon huay keh teray ehed mein hamain
Sab kuch mila sukoon ki daulat nahin mili

~ Noshi Gilani

mohlat = time
fursat = faraghat = spare time
ikhtilaaf-e-raaye = disagreement of opinion
bezaar = nonchalant
ehed = time period

Door Tak Chaaye Thay

~ Qateel Shifai

Aasmaa.n Se Aakhri Baat

Raah Se Bhatkain To

Sher

Teri chaap sunnay vaala tera muntazir hai ab tak
Abhi kal talak yeh rasta teri rahguzar raha hai
Tujhay mil sakay jo fursat to yeh dekh teri khaatir
Koi kesay jee raha hai, koi kesay marr raha hai

~ Aitebar Sajid

SubhanAllah!

A crescent moon is seen behind the King Hussein Bin Talal Mosque in Amman, Jordan on August 23, 2009, during Ramadan. (REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed)

16th Ramadan

Tujhe bhool jaanay ki koshishain kabhi kaamiyaab na ho sakeen
Teri yaad shaakh-e-gulaab hai, jo hava chali to lachak gayee

Hunar Ka Aakhri Lamha

My biggest fear.

Boredom

If you know of some cool blogs, let me know. Anything and everything will do.
Thanks!

Khuli Aankhon Mein

Khuli aankhon mein sapna jaagta hai
Vo soya hai keh kuch kuch jaagta hai

Teri chaahat ke bheegay jangalon mein
Mera tan mor ban ke naachta hai

Mujhe her kefiyat mein kiyoon na samjhay
Vo meray sab havaalay jaanta hai

Kisi ke dheyaan mein dooba hua dil
Bahaanay se mujhay bhi taalta hai

Sarak ko chor ker chalna paray ga
Keh meray ghar ka kaccha raasta hai

~ Parveen Shakir

Yoon Akelay Mein Usay

Yoon akelay mein usay ehd-e-vafa yaad aaye
Jesay banday ko museebat mein Khuda yaad aaye
Jesay bhatkay huay panchi ko nashemann apna
Jesay apnon ko bicharnay pe dua yaad aaye
Jesay dhalti hui shaamon ko sawera koi
Jesay pinjray mein parinday ko fiza yaad aaye
Jesay boorhay ko kheyalaat mein bachpan apna
Jesay bacchay ko sharaarat pe saza yaad aaye
Jesay ujri hui basti ko zamaana apna
Jesay toofaa.n ke thehernay pe diya yaad aaye
Yoon akelay mein usay ehd-e-vafa yaad aaye

~ Unknown

Missing Ammi

Abhi yaheen theen abhi gayeen kahaan meri ammi
Mujhay bhi le chalo hain gayeen jahaan meri ammi
Abhi abhi to mujhay piyaar kar rahi theen vo
Abhi abhi ulfat ka izhaar kar rahi theen vo
Abhi abhi to mujhay goad se utaara tha
Abhi abhi to meray kirdaar ko sanvara tha
Abhi abhi to ungli un ki main ne chori thee
Unhain bulaao mujhay baat karni hai un se
Unhain bulaao mulaqaat karni hai un se
Kahaan gayee theen mujhay chor ker main poochoon ga
Kiya mila dil mera tor ker main poochoon ga
Mujh ko darr hai kahin naraaz to nahin mujh se
Jahaa.n mein un ke bina dil mera nahin lagta
Aankh meri bhi jo lag jaati to phir nahin jaagta
Mujhay bhi le chalo hain gayeen jahaan meri ammi

~ Imran

Missing Ammi

Meri ammi ko bula de koi
Varna mujh ko he sula de koi

Mujh ko bistar ki to aadat hi nahin
Apni godi mein jhulaa de koi

Shayad aa jaayen wo rona sun kar
Mujh ko bevajah rula de koi

Main ne kaee roz se nahin khaaya
Us mohabbat se khilaa de koi

Mujhko khaahish nahin milay duniya
Mujhko ammi se milaa de koi

~ Waleed Alblooshi

Missing Ammi

Missing Ammi

Missing Ammi

Missing Ammi

Missing Ammi

Ramadan Mubarak

As salam-o-alaikum,

Aap sab ko Ramadan bohot bohot mubarak ho. Khuda hum sab ko taufeeq de keh hum is babarkat maheenay ka poori tarah se faaida uthaayen, Ameen. Guzarish bus yeh karni thee keh meri ammi aur meri family ko apni duaaon mein please zaroor yaad rakkhiye ga.

Teray Baad Bhi

I can sum up my post-ammi life (thus far at least) with this poem. Every line is a memory.

Vo he gardishain vo he paich-o-kham teray baad bhi
Vo he hauslay meray dam ba-dam teray baad bhi
Teray saath bhi teri her jafa mujhay moetabar
Teray saaray gham mujhay muhtaram teray baad bhi

Teray gham se hai meri her khushi mein waqaar sa
Meray haal pe hain teray karam teray baad bhi
Baray muztarib meray raastay teray bina
Baray pur-sukoo.n meray qadam teray baad bhi

Teray saath thee meri her khushi teri muntazir
Teri muntazir meri chashm-e-num teray baad bhi
Teray saath thee meri dastaras mein jo raushni
Faqat aik pal kabhi subha-dum teray baad bhi

Tujhay jaan-e-gham jo kaha kabhi to ghalat kaha
Meri zindagi ke javaa.n hain gham teray baad bhi
Tujhay paas-e-ehd-e-vafa raha mere saath kab
Mujhay jaa.n se barh ker teray bharam teray baad bhi

Meray baad kitnay he roop tu nay badal liye
Main vahi hoon ab bhi teri qasam teray baad bhi
Tu kisi ke qalb-e-aarzu mein to dhal gayi
Main na ho saka kabhi khud mein gum teray baad bhi

Teri aahaton ka gudaaz tha mera humsafar
Yehi ik gumaa.n mera hum-qadam teray baad bhi
Tu chali gayi sabhi qehqahay samait ker
Meray paas hai mera zarf-e-gham teray baad bhi

~ Unknown

~ Vo he gardishain vo he paich-o-kham teray baad bhi
A couple hours after she had passed away, we were coming out of the hospital and there were cars on the road. I realized then that it doesn't matter what one family has lost. Others' lives just go on.
~ Vo he hauslay meray dam ba-dam teray baad bhi
I somehow became very confident during the 20 days ammi was in the hospital. I just wouldn't care who I needed to talk to. My dad and brothers were busy with work and school respectively, so I used to go to ammi after I was done with school. Abbu aur bhai log raat mein aatay thay. So during my time with her, I would run to the nurse's station, talk to whichever doctor I could, no matter how rudely I had to do it. I did just whatever I could think of to get a better understanding of how she was progressing. Bohot himmat se doctor ko yeh kehtay huay suna tha keh ammi ko life support se utaar liya jaaye ga, kiyoonkeh un ke bachnay ke koi chances nahin thay. Her brain was dead. Vo hausla mujh mein tab he aaya tha and I think aaj bhi hai.
~ Tere saath bhi teri her jafa mujhay moetabar
There were times jab yoon lagta tha keh ammi bus abhi aankhain khol dain gee. Un ki her her jumbish ko un ki zindagi se vabastagi ka pesh-khema samjha tha. Although those were just reflexes, unconscious human reflexes, I relied on them.
~ Tere saaray gham mujhay muhtaram teray baad bhi
Life changed dramatically for me after her. Responsibilities, jo un ki theen, mujh pe aa gayeen. But whatever I did, bus us mein mujhay ammi he ammi dikhaayee detee theen. Ab sochoon to shayed isi liye itni jaan maari keh un kaamon ke zariye mera ammi se raabta bandha hua tha.

~ Teray gham se hai meri her khushi mein waqaar sa
Aaj meri ammi nahin hain, per un ke jaanay ke baad chand cheezon mein main ne un ki jagah le li hai. Ye "promotion" kabhi kabhi mujhay apni he nazron mein moetabar ker deti hai.
~ Meray haal pe hain teray karam teray baad bhi
Baaz auqaat achanak se he sab theek ho jaata hai. Meray halaat, I mean. Tab yoon lagta hai keh unhon ne apni zindagi mein jo meray liye duaayen kee.n, vo ab tak meray kaam aa rahi hain.
~ Baray muztarib meray raastay teray bina
Ammi ke baad main aaj tak walk karnay nahin jaa saki hoon. Ab to khair hum ne vo ghar chor diya hai, per jab us ghar mein thay to main lamba wala route liya karti thee bus stop tak jaanay ke liye kiyoonkeh ammi walay route pe ammi ke bagher chalnay ka hausla nahin tha. Shayed isi liye main aaj tak un ki qabar pe nahin jaa saki hoon.
~ Baray pur-sukoo.n meray qadam teray baad bhi
Al-Hamdulillah un ke baad main ne jo kuch bhi kiya, un ki guidance ke bagher, mujhay us main se kisi bhi cheez pe kabhi bhi sharmindagi nahin uthaani pari. Un ki tarbiyat ka asar ho gaya.

~ Teray saath thi meri her khushi teri muntazir
Ramadan ke maheenay mein un ka inteqaal hua tha. Meray vehm-o-gumaan mein bhi nahin tha keh aisa ho jaaye ga. Bhala ammiyaan kesay chor ke jaa sakti hain? Mera kheyaal tha keh vo bus sahi ho jaayen gee aur phir hum bohot dhoom dhaam se Eid manaayen ge. I waited for days, counted seconds, keh itni der ho gayee hai unhain coma mein, ab to jaag jaayen.
~ Teri muntazir meri chashm-e-num tere baad bhi
Kayee saalon tak main intezaar karti rahi keh vo aa jaayen gee. Aaj che (6) saal ke baad bhi main ne un ke saaray kapray sambhaal ke rakkhay huay hain, keh vo aayen gee to.. Un ki closet meri closet se ziyada organized hai.
~ Teray saath thi meri dastaras mein jo raushni
Un ki maujoodgi se mujhay aik aisa hausla tha keh lagta tha main koi bhi kaam kar sakti hoon. Meri ammi theen meray saath, un ki duaayen theen, aur insaan ko bhala kiya chahiye hota hai?
~ Faqat aik pal kabhi subhe-dum teray baad bhi
Ab main jo goal banaati hoon, usay achieve karnay ki koshish karti hoon, aur al-Hamdulillah ho bhi jaata hai, per her qadam rakhtay huay yeh darr lagta hai keh ammi ki dua nahin hai meray saat, main kesay kar paaoon gee? Phir ehsaas hota hai keh sattar (70) maaon se ziyadah meherbaan zaat to hai na meray saath, to aik sukoon sa aa bhi jaata hai. Phir bhi kabhi kabhi dil chaahta hai keh vo vaala confidence, jo ammi ki zindagi mein kaam karnay se pehlay mujh mein hota tha, phir aa jaaye.

~ Tujhay jaan-e-gham jo kaha kabhi to ghalat kaha
Main bachpan mein dua maangti thee keh meri death ammi ke baad ho. Mera kheyaal tha keh meri zindagi un ke bagher mumkin he nahin. Unhon ne jab suna to mujhay yeh dua karnay se mana ker diya.
~ Meri zindagi ke javaa.n hain gham teray baad bhi
Ab ehsaas hota hai keh chaahay lavahiqeen kitnay he afsurda aur ghamgeen kiyoon na ho jaayen, zindagi ke utaar charhaao bus chaltay he rehtay hain.
~ Tujhay paas-e-ehd-e-vafa raha meray saath kab
Unhon ne wada kiya tha keh main aur vo hamesha aik saath rahain ge. Us raat main koi daraowna khaab dekh ker darr gayee thee. Us khaab mein ammi nahin thee.n, is liye. Tab mujhay ammi ne kaha tha keh vo to meray saath he hain, hamesha rahain gee.
~ Mujhay jaa.n se barh ker teray bharam teray baad bhi
Aik dafa bohot fakhar se unhon ne mujhay apni beti kaha tha. Ab main her kaam karnay se pehlay yeh sochti hoon keh mujhay her haal mein un ki izzat aur bharam rakhna hai. Chaahay is ke liye mujhay apni khushi he kiyoon na maarni paray. Aur main ne kiya hai yeh.

~ Meray baad kitne hi roop tu nay badal liye
Ammi se dead body ban gayeen, aur dead body se rooh nikal aayee. Sab he kuch to badal gaya.
~ Main vahi hoon ab bhi teri qasam teray baad bhi
Per main ab tak vohi hoon jo bhaijaan ke daantnay se darr jaati hai.
~ Tu kisi ke qalb-e-aarzu mein to dhal gayi
Khuda un ko apnay paas bulaana chahta tha, so bula liya,
~ Main na ho saka kabhi khud mein gum teray baad bhi
Per main zimmedaariyaan nibhaanay mein aisi khoyee keh ab samajh bhi nahin aata keh meri zaati soch kiya hai, mera raasta kaun sa hona chahiye?

~ Teri aahaton ka gudaaz tha mera humsafar
Jab vo coma mein theen aur un ki aankhon ke papotay pharpharaatay thay to mujhay lagta tha keh vo jhat aankhain khol dain gee. Hospital se raat ko ghar aanay ke baad ghar mein, aur din mein school mein meray dimaagh mein bus yehi hota tha keh aaj meri ammi mujhay jaagtay huay milain gee. Un ki feeding tube galay mein honay ki vajah se un ki saans mein aahat hoti thee. Kabhi kabhi vo aahat aaj bhi aati hai. Kabhi kabhi jab vo yaad aati hain to lagta hai keh bus meray paas he hain. Tab main aankhain nahin kholti.
~ Yehi ik gumaa.n mera hum-qadam teray baad bhi
Haath pakar ker unhon ne mujhay chalna sikhaaya. Aaj mein apni zindagi un ke bagher guzaarnay ki aadi ho gayee hoon. Per kabhi kabhi jee chahta hai keh vo aa ker, bus aik dafa, mujhay galay se laga ke dua de dain aur keh dain keh main ne saabit kar diya hai keh main un ki beti hoon. Bus aik dafa.
~ Tu chali gayi sabhi qehqahe samait ker
Took me a while to come back to life, after her.
~ Meray paas hai mera zarf-e-gham teray baad bhi!
Now I feel keh main agar ammi ke bagher reh sakti hoon, to shayed main sab cheezon ke bagher reh sakti hoon. "Raha khatka na chori ka, dua deta hoon rahzan ko". Per Ramadan ke aatay he vo yaad bohot aati hain.

Tum Bhi Hanstay Rehtay Ho

~ Unknown

Gum Sum Hua, Aavaaz Ka Dariya Tha

I don't know why this poem brought a tear to my eye.

Raazi Ba Raza

Khudavanda teri marzi
Tu jo bhi imtehaa.n le le
Nahin hum jaantay jin ko
Un he ko humsafar kar de
Jo is jeevan se piyaray hon
Unhain hum se juda kar de
Teri marzi khudavanda
Tu chaahay aag paani ho
Tu chaahay barf jalti ho
Tu chaahay phool chubhtay hon
Tu chaahay khaar khushbu dain
Jisay chaahay bata de tu
Mohabbat kis ko kehtay hain
Jisay chaahay sikha de tu
Ibaadat kis ko kehtay hain
Jisay chaahay mila de tu
Jisay chaahay juda kar de
Wo jis ne gham na dekhay hon
Usay gham-aashna kar de
Teri marzi tu bin maangay
Sabhi kuch he ataa kar de
Teri marzi khudavanda
Tu chaahay sab fana kar de
Khudavanda teri marzi
Tu jo bhi imtehaa.n le le
Hamain jis haal mein rakkhay
Faqat itni guzaarish hai
Tu jo bhi imtehaa.n lena
Hamain bus surkhuru karna

~ Atif Saeed

khaar = thorns
aashna = acquaint
surkhuru = successful

Rishta Yeh Kesa Hai

Rishta yeh kesa hai naata yeh kesa
Pehchaan jis se nahin thee kabhi
Apna bana hai vahi ajnabi
Rishta yeh kesa hai naata yeh kesa

Tumhain dekhta he rahoon main
Meray saamnay yoon he bethay raho tum
Karoon dil ki baatain main khaamoshiyon se
Aur apnay labon se na kuch bhi kaho tum

Yeh rishta hai kesa yeh naata hai kesa
Teray tan ki khushbu bhi lagti hai apni
Yeh kesi lagan hai yeh kesa milan hai
Teray dil ki dharkan bhi lagti hai apni

Tumhain paa ke mehsoos hota hai aisay
Keh jesay kabhi hum juda he nahin thay
Yeh maana ke jismon ke ghar to naye hain
Magar hain puraanay yeh bandhan dilon ke

~ Madanpal

Abhi Kiya Kahain

Abhi kiya kahain abhi kiya sunaayen
Keh sar-e-faseel-e-sukoot-e-jaa.n
Kuf-e-roz-o-shab pe sharar numa
Vo jo harf harf chiraagh tha
Usay kis hava ne bujha diya

Kabhi lab hilain ge to poochna

Sar-e-sehr-e-ehd-e-visaal-e-dil
Vo jo nikhaton ka hujoom tha
Usay dast-e-mauj-e-firaaq ne
Tah-e-khaak kab se mila diya

Kabhi gul khilain ge to poochna

Abhi kiya kahain abhi kiya sunaayen
Yoon he khaahishon ke fishaar mein
Kabhi besabab kabhi bekhalal
Kahaan kaun kis se bicharr gaya
Kisay kis ne kesay ganva diya

Kabhi phir milain ge to poochna

~ Mohsin Naqvi

News

I've started another blog. It's a collection of the mehndi designs I've created. Check it out.

Aye Meray Humnashee.n - Munni Begum

Yeh Shaam - Vital Signs

Jaadoo - Lo Pyaar Ki Ho Gayee Jeet

Mujhay koi khushi khushi type ki poem nahin mil rahi thee jis se main apnay aap ko express ker paati. Although this song doesn't reflect my feelings either, it makes me happy. So I decided to post this instead.

Zikr-e-Shab-e-Firaaq Se

Zikr-e-shab-e-firaaq se vehshat usay bhi thee
Meri tarah kisi se mohabbat usay bhi thee
firaaq = separation (from beloved)
vehshat = apprehensive uneasiness

Mujh ko bhi shauq tha naye chehron ki deed ka
Rasta badal ke chalne ki aadat usay bhi thee
deed = visual manifestation; to see someone/something

Us raat der tak vo raha mehv-e-guftugu
Masroof main bhi kam tha faraaghat usay bhi thee
mehv = lost (in concentration); busy
faraaghat = idleness

Sunta tha vo bhi sab se puraani kahaaniyaan
Taaza rafaaqaton ki zaroorat usay bhi thee
rafaaqaton = plural of rafaaqat = companionship

Mujh se bicharr ke sheher se ghul mil gaya vo shakhs
Halaankeh sheher bhar se raqaabat usay bhi thee
raqaabat = rivalry

Vo mujh se barh ke zabt ka aadi tha jee gaya
Varna her aik saans qayaamat usay bhi thee
zabt = patience; control

Tanha hua safar mein to mujh per khula ye bhaid
Saaye se pyaar dhoop se nafrat usay bhi thee
bhaid = secret

Mohsin main yoon bhi keh na saka haal-e-dil usay
Darpesh aik taaza museebat usay bhi thee
darpesh = in front of, faced with

~Mohsin Naqvi

Vo Log Meray Bohot

Vo log meray bohot pyaar karnay vaalay thay
Guzar gaye hain jo mausam guzarnay vaalay thay

Nayee ruton mein dukhon ke bhi silsilay naye
Ke zakhm taaza huay hain jo bharnay vaalay thay

Yeh kis muqaam pe soojhi tujhay bicharnay ki
Keh ab to jaa ke kahin din sanvarne vaalay thay

Tamaam raat nahaaya tha sheher barish mein
Wo rang utar hi gaye jo utarnay vaalay thay

Us aik chotay say qasbay mein rail thehri nahin
Vahaan bhi chand musaafir utarnay vaalay thay

~ Jamal Ehsani

Kia Mila Mohabbat Se - Khalil Ullah Farooqui

I posted the first few lines of this awesome poem on the 17th of January, 2007, not knowing it wasn't complete. Here's the full version, thanks to Sheharyaar Saahil.

Aye Ishq

Aye ishq na cher aa aa ke hamain
Hum bhoolay huon ko yaad na ker
Pehlay he bohot nashaad hain hum
Tu aur hamain nashaad na ker
Qismat ka sitam he kam nahin kuch
Yeh taaza sitam eejaad na ker
Yoon zulm na ker bedaad na ker
Aye ishq hamain barbaad na ker
sitam = cruelty

Jis din se milay hain donon ka
Sab chain gaya aaraam gaya
Chehron se bahaar-e-subha gayee
Aankhaon se farogh-e-shaam gaya
Haathon se khushi ka jaam chuta
Honton se hansi ka naam gaya
Ghamgee.n na bana nashaad na ker
Aye ishq hamain barbaad na ker
farogh = to promote

Raaton ko uth uth rotay hain
Ro ro ker duaayen kartay hain
Aankhon mein tasavvur dil mein khalish
Sar dhuntay hain aahain bhartay hain
Aye ishq yeh kesa rog laga
Jeetay hain na zaalim martay hain
Yeh zulm to aye jallaad na ker
Aye ishq hamain barbaad na ker
khalish = mental pinch, dissatisfaction
dhuntay = appreciative enjoyment, in way of head bobbing
jallaad = executioner

Yeh rog laga hai jab se hamain
Ranjeeda hoon main beemaar hai vo
Her waqt tapish her waqt khalish
Bekhaab hoon main bedaar hai vo
Jeenay se idher bezaar hoon main
Marnay pe udher taiyyaar hai vo
Aur zabt kahay fariyaad na ker
Aye ishq hamain barbaad na ker
rog = pest, defect, shortcoming

Duniya ka tamaasha dekh liya
Ghamgee.n si hai betaab si hai
Ummeed yahaan ik vehem si hai
Taskeen yahaan ik khaab si hai
Duniya mein khushi ka naam nahin
Duniya main khushi nayaab si hai
Duniya main khushi ko yaad na ker
Aye ishq hamain barbaad na ker
taskeen = satisfaction

~ Akhter Shirani

* This is not the full version. You can find the full version on urdupoetry.com.

Murti Hui Galiyaan Chori Hain

Murti hui galiyaan chori hain
Khilti hui kaliyaan chori hain
Jhoolay ki vo sakhiyaan chori hain
Har taaq mein guriyaan chori hain
Jab tujh se naata jora hai
Mat pooch keh kya kya chora hai

~ Parveen Shakir

Dil-e-Saada

Dil-e-saada tumhain ab to yehi baavar karaana hai
Jisay tum yaad kartay ho, usay ab bhool jaana hai
baavar = to make something believe

Safar yeh vaapsi ka haulay haulay tay karo us ne
Tumhain aavaaz deni hai tumhain vaapas bulaana hai

Kinaaron se nikal sakti hain kab ye muztarib maujain
Inhain saahil se takraana hai aur phir laut jaana hai
muztarib = restless, antsy

Suno na meherbaa.n kuch meherbaa.n lamhon ki sargoshi
Mujhay kuch yaad rakhna hai tumhain kuch bhool jaana hai
sargoshi = whisper

~Jawad Ahmed Jawad

Mujh Ko Bhi Tarkeeb Sikha Koi Yaar Jolaahay

~ Gulzar

Do Dilon Ki Qurbat Mein

Do dilon ki qurbat mein
Teesra nahin hota
Vaastay nahin chaltay
Dosti ke rishton mein
Parvarish zaroori hai
Silsilay ta'lluq ke
Khud se ban to jaatay hain
Lekin in shagoofon ko
Toot ke bikharnay se
Rokna bhi parta hai
Chahaton ki mitti se
Aarzu ke paudon ko
Seenchna bhi parta hai
Ranjishon ki baaton ko
Bhoolna bhi parta hai

~ Amjad Islam Amjad

qurbat = closeness
vaastay = references!
parvarish = to raise
shagoofon = flowers/plants
seenchna = raise with one's blood; something that's very hard to grow
ranjishon = grudges

Dukh

Bohot khoobsoorat theen aankhain tumhaari
Ban jaateen kaash yeh qismat hamaari

Phir Is Khizaa.n Mein

Phir is khizaa.n mein,
Murjhaaya pehla patta,
Wohi patta mera tha ......
Phir toota ik sapna,
Jaise toota mera dil ...
Jo basaaya khaabon ke motiyon se,
Moam jaisa vo narm-o-naazuk...
Pighla wohi aashiyaana,
Ujra phoolon sa chaman,
Toota wohi ghar mera tha....

~ Fahad Munir

Mora Saiyan - Khamaj - Fuzon

Even if you have listened to this song a billion times before, like I have, listen to it here again. There's something special about this performance.

المیہ

جو گھر سے دور ہوتے ہیں

بہت مجبور ہوتے ہیں

کبھی باغوں میں سوتے ہیں

کبھی چھپ چھپ کے روتے ہیں

گھروں کو یاد کرتے ہیں

تو پھر فریاد کرتے ہیں

مگر جو بے سہارا ہوں

گھروں سے بے کنارہ ہوں

انہیں گھر کون دیتا ہے

یہ خطرہ کون لیتا ہے

بڑی مشکل سے اک کمرہ

جہاں کوئی نہ ہو رہتا

نگر سے پار ملتا ہے

بہت بے کار ملتا ہے

تو پھر دو چار ہم جیسے

ملا لیتے ہیں سب پیسے

اور آپس میں یہ کہتے ہیں

کہ مل جل کر ہی رہتے ہیں

کوئی کھانا بنائے گا

کوئی جھاڑو لگائے گا

کوئی دھوئے گا سب کپڑے

تو رہ لیں گے بڑے سکھھ سے

مگر گرمی بھری راتیں

تپش آلود سوغاتیں

اور اوپر سے عجب کمرہ

گھٹن اور حبس کا پہرہ

تھکن سے چور ہوتے ہیں

سکوں سے دور ہوتے ہیں

بہت جی چاہتا ہے تب

کہ ماں کو بھیج دے یا ربّ

جو اپنی گود میں لے کر

ہمیں ٹھنڈی ہوا دے کر

سلا دے نیند کچھھ ایسی

کہ ٹوٹے پھر نہ اک پل بھی

مگر کچھھ بھی نہیں ہوتا

تو کر لیتے ہیں سمجھوتا

کوئی دل میں بلکتا ہے

کوئی پہروں سلگتا ہے

جب اپنا کام کر کے ہم

پلٹتے ہیں تو آنکھیں نم

مکاں ویران ملتا ہے

بہت بے جان ملتا ہے

خوشی معدوم رہتی ہے

فضا مغموم رہتی ہے

بڑے رنجور کیوں نہ ہوں

بڑے مجبور کیوں نہ ہوں

اوائل میں مہینے کے

سب اپنے خوں پسینے کے

جو پیسے جوڑ لیتے ہیں

گھروں کو بھیج دیتے ہیں

اور اپنے خط میں لکھتے ہیں

ہم اپنا دھیان رکھتے ہیں

بڑی خوش بخت گھڑیاں ہیں

یہاں خوشیاں ہی خوشیاں ہیں

Agar Tum Mil Jao - Tasawwar Khanum

Gham-e-Duniya

Haqeeqat Ka Sooraj To Berehem Hai

Abhi choonkeh tum ho mohabbat ki rath per
To her shay chamakti nazar aa rahi hai
Abhi her taraf chaandni si khili hai
Abhi jaa-baja gul khilay dikh rahay hain
Abhi in havaaon mein khushbu rachi hai
Abhi khushnuma titliyaan raqs mein hain
Abhi bulbulain chehchahaati hain her su
Hava bhi athkheliyaan kar rahi hai
Abhi sarsarahat per sargoshiyon ka gumaa.n ho raha hai
Abhi sar pe aanchal bhi ghoonghat hai tum ko
Abhi ik sitaara hai maathay ki bindiya
Abhi chooriyaan gungunaati si mehsoos hon gee
Abhi dhool raston pe aye jaan-e-jaa.n
Baadlon ka gumaa.n ho raha hai
Abhi raaston ka her ik sangreza
Chamakta hua ik sitara hai tum ko
Abhi kehkashaayen zamee.n per utarti nazar aa rahi hain
Abhi chaar su ik dhanak si khili hai
Abhi ufq ta ufq chaandni hai
Abhi dil-farebi maza de rahi hai
Magar jab muhabbat ka parda hata to
Her ik shay ki soorat badal jaaye gee
Musarrat udaasi mein dhal jaaye gee
Sabhi dil-farebi pighal jaaye gee
Haqeeqat ka sooraj bara bemuravvat hai
Berehem hai

~Uzma Joon

rath = a chair (or any deat) descening from sky
raqs = dance
athkheliyaan = sharatain = mischiefs
sarsarahat = rattling (of air)
sargoshiyon = whispers
sangreza = kankar = small pebble
kehkashaayen = rainbows
dhanak = rainbow
ufq = sky, space (in the astronomical sense of the term)
dil-farebi = toying/tempting of the heart
musarrat = khushi = happiness
bemuravvat = uncaring

Absence

Absence makes the heart grow fonder! (I hope).

Sorry I haven't been posting lately. I'm just wrapping up my semester plus my computer is broken. I will be back soon though inshaAllah. Sometime next week.

Sher

Parhta tha main namaaz samajh ker jisay Rasheed
Phir yoon hua keh mujh se qaza ho gaya vo shakhs

Ghazal

Hum To Majboor Thay Is Dil Se

Hum to majboor thay is dil se keh jis mein her dum
Gardish-e-khoo.n se vo kohraam bipa rehta hai
Jesay rindaan-e-bala_nosh jo mil bathain baham
Mae-kaday mein safr-e-jaam bipa rehta hai
Soz-e-khaatir ko mila jab bhi sahaara koi
Daagh-e-harmaa.n koi ya dard-e-tamanna koi
Marham-e-yaas se maail ba shifa honay laga
Zakhm-e-ummeed koi phir se hara honay laga
Hum to majboor thay is dil se keh jis ki zidd per
Hum ne us raat ke maathay pe seher ki tehreer
Jis ke daaman mein andheray ke siva kuch bhi na tha
Hum ne us dasht ko thehra liya firdaus-e-nazeer
Jis mein juz san'at-e-khoon-e-sar-e-pa kuch bhi na tha
Dil ko tabeer koi aur gavaara he na thee
Kulfat-e-zeest to manzoor thee her taur magar
Raahat-e-marg kisi taur gavaara he na thee

~Faiz Ahmed Faiz

gardish = rotation
kohraam = chaos
bipa = present (as in state of being)
rindaan-e-bala_nosh = heavy drinkers
baham = together
mae-kaday = bar; a place where ppl drink
soz-e-khaatir = pains of the heart/soul
harmaa.n = privation
yaas = despair
maail = leaning towards
dasht = desert
firdaus-e-nazeer = sought out paradise
juz = except
san'at = industry
gavaara = tolerate
kulfat = problem' issue
zeest = life
raahat = peace; comfort
marg = death

(We were impelled by the heart
Where blood runs in excitement,
Like the circulatingwine glass
As the revelers gather in the tavern.
Whenever the heartaches received assistance -
A scar of privation, a pain of unfulfilled wish -
And began to heal with the treatment of disappointments;
Some new wounds of hope opened again.
We were impelled by the heart
On whose insistence
We wrote "morning" on the forehead of the "night",
Which has nothing but darkness on its lap.
We took this desert as our heaven
Although it has nothing but the industry of bloods-shed.
The heart would not accept any other meaning;
It would embrace life's miseries in all forms
But not the peace of death)

~Translation by: M. H. K. Qureshi

Abhi Ghunchon Ki Qismat

Abhi ghunchon ki qismat ko khizaayen likh raheen hon gee
Abhi guldaan aankhon mein puraanay phool rakh dena

Abhi khaabon ki mitti mein tum apna dard bo dena
Abhi hansnay ko dil chaahay, to ro dena

Abhi dil se na kuch kehna, abhi dil se na kuch sunna
Abhi tum dil ko rehnay do abhi chup chaap sehnay do

Abhi khaahish ke taaqon mein chiraaghon ko bujha dena
Abhi peron ke chaalon ko musaafat ki saza dena

Abhi apni muhabbat ko kisi kal per utha dena
Abhi ghunchon ki qismat ko khizaayen likh raheen hon gee

~Unknown

ghunchon = gardens
guldaan = vase
taaqon = hidden corners
musaafat = j0urney

Maraahil

Aik lamhay ko kabhi vaqt ki gardish na thami
Hasb-e-dastoor maah-o-saal badaltay he rahay
Aik lau, aik lagan, aik lehek dil mein liye
Hum mohabbat ki kathin raah pe chaltay he rahay
hasb-e-dastoor = as per tradition
lau = flame
lagan = passionate desire
lehek = unflinching devotion

(Time never stopped. I kept walking on the intricate path of love)

Kitnay pur-paich maraahil ko kiya tay hum ne
Vaadiyaan kitni mileen raah mein dushvaar guzaar
Sainkron sang-e-giraa.n raah mein haail thay magar
Aik lamhay ko bhi tooti na junoo.n ki raftaar
pur-paich = intricate
maraahil = stages
dushvaar guzaar = impassible
sainkron = hundreds
sang-e-giraa.n = massive path-blocking stone
haail = in the way
raftaar = speed

(I went through so many obstacles, without letting the hindrances lessen the intensity of my passion [love])

Aaj chaaye hain vo ghanghor andheray lekin
Jin mein dhoonday se bhi miltay nahin raahon ke suraagh
Vo andheray keh nikaltay huay darti hai nigaah
Saamnay ho to nazar aaye na manzil ka chiraagh
ghanghor = utter; complete
suraagh = sign

(Today an utter darkness covers all. We can't find signs of roads - no guidance. Not even glances dare leave the eyes; and destination's lamps, though closeby, are blotted out)

Mujh se badzan na ho ai dost keh meri nazrain
Kiya hua paich-o-kham-e-raah mein uljhi hain agar
Rood-o-kohsaar ki her lamha bhatakti maujain
Apni manzil ki taraf he to raheen garm-e-safar
badzan = misunderstand
paich-o-kham-e-raah = labyrinth
rood = streams
kohsaar = mountains
maujain = tides
garm-e-safar = in journey

(Don't be upset with me, my dear, if I seem to be lost or distracted. [I'll find my way back to you, just like] the mountain streams ever losing their way still flows onward to their destination)

Mujh se bargashta na ho tu keh mera dil hai vahi
Kiya hua fikr ke chaaye hain jo gehray baadal
Chashm-e-zaahir se jo chup jaaye to chup jaanay de
Abr mein bujh nahin jaati hai qamar ki mish'al
bargashta = angry
chashm-e-zaahir = sight
abr = rain
qamar = moon
mish'al = [guiding] light

(Don't be angry with me [because I seem to be mentally absent]. So what worry's dark clouds have gathered? Clouds can't turn off moon's guiding light [just like the love in my heart for you, our guiding light, can't be erased by any amount of worry])

Mujh se bezaar na ho tu keh meray zehen mein aaj
Kiya hua sirf jo bedaar hai manzil ka kheyaal
Moj-e-subh ki khaatir he to bunta hai falak
Zulmat-e-shab mein yeh taaron ka chamakta hua jaal
bezaar = dejected
bedaar = awake
moj-e-subh = morning light
bunta = weave
falak = sky
zulmat-e-shab = hopeless dark of the night
jaal = net

(Don't be frustrated with me because I'm only thinking about the destination [the end of the bothersome road that we're on in search of love - for all this struggle is ultimately for us to reach our end]. For the sky in the darkness of the night weaves a glittering net of stars to create morning light)

Meray chehray pe jo hai vaqt ka shabgoo.n partu
Hai usi aks se dhundla tira aaina-e-dil
Aa keh yeh lamha-e-haazir nahin haasil apna
Hai paray aaj ki zulmaat se apni manzil
shabgoo.n = nocturnal
partu = reflection
aks = mirror image
dhundla = blurred
aaina-e-dil = mirror of the heart
paray = away from

(What my face presents is simply the residue of sleepless nights spent in thoughts and worries - this is not me. This present moment is not the one you should be concerned with, for our future lies away from the harsh realities of today)

In dhuaa.nDhaar andheron se guzarnay ke liye
Khoon-e-dil se koi mish'al to jalaani ho gee
Ishq ke rafta-o-sargashta junoo.n ko ai dost
Zindagaani ki ada aaj sikhaani ho gee
dhuaa.nDhaar = blinding
rafta-o-sargashta = mad wandering

(But to pass through these obstacles, we must turn a light on - light from within - and teach love the shaping of life)

Overall Summary: Main mushkil raaston se ho ke aayeen hoon, musaafat buri tarah thaka chuki hai per safar abhi khatam nahin hua. Saathi ki talaash hai, aur tum meray saath raho. Meray chehray ko mat dekho, meri zaahiri beegangi pe mat jaao. Meray dil mein tumhaaray liye mohabbat aur wafa ke dheron diye jal rahay hain. Waqt se pehlay unhain na tumhain de sakti hoon na dikha sakti hoon, per yeh sari mohabbat tumhaari hai. Tum meray zaahir ke ilavah kuch aur dekhnay ki koshish to karo.

~Jan Nisar Ahkter

Mohabbat Yaad Rakhti Hai

Meri ammi ke liye; jin ke baaray mein log yeh samajhtay hain keh beetay huay maah-o-saal ne hamaaray dilon se unhain khurach daala hai. Shayed is liye keh log unhain bhula chukay hain.

jisay saaray bhula daalain,
muhabbat yaad rakhti hai

Jo Dard Ke Sehra Mein

Jo dard ke sehra mein akela bhi bohot hai
Us ke liye deevaar ka saaya bhi bohot hai

Dekha nahin tanhaayee mein tum ne kabhi us ko
Bichray huay logon ko roya bhi bohot hai

Kuch tujh ko muhabbat pe yaqee.n tha na vafa per
Kuch dukh meri taqdeer mein likkha bhi bohot hai

Beenaayee andheron se bhala kesay bachaata
Ik shakhs teray hijr mein roya bhi bohot hai

~Noshi Gilani

Tanhaayee

Phir koi aaya dil-e-zaar! nahin, koi nahin
Raahru ho ga, kahin aur chala jaayega
Dhal chuki raat, bikharnay laga taaron ka ghubaar
Larkharaanay lagay aivaanon mein khaabeeda chiraagh
So gayee raasta tak tak ke her ik raahguzaar
Ajnabi khaak ne dhundlaa diye qadmon ke suraagh
Gul karo shamein, barha do mai-o-meena-o-ayyaagh
Apnay bekhaab kivaaron ko muqqafil kar lo
Ab yahaan koi nahin, koi nahin aaye ga!

~Faiz Ahmed Faiz

azaar = sad
raahru = pedestrian
ghubaar = dust
aivaan = building
khabeeda = sleepy, drowsy
suraagh = clue, piece of evidence
mai = wine
meena-o-aayyaagh = glass and jug
kivaar = door
muqqafil = locked

(Again has someone come, sad heart -- no; no one
Maybe a passerby -- will go somewhere else.
Night declined, the stardust scatters,
Drowsy lamps waver in the buildings
Every path, after long waiting, sleeps
The unfamiliar dust has blurred traces of footsteps,
Put out the candles, take out wine and jug and cup
Lock up your sleepless doors
Now no one, no one will come here).

~ Translation by: N. H. K. Qureshi

Meri Raat Din Mein Chupi Hui

Saathi

Aansuon ko bohot samjhaaya
Keh tanhaaiyyon mein aaya karo
Mehfil mein hamaara mazaaq mat uraaya karo
Is per aansu tarap ker bolay
Itnay logon mein bhi aap ko tanha paatay hain
Is liye tumhaara saath denay chalay aatay hain

~Unknown

Amanat Ali - Thumri (from Kohram)

This song makes me feel beautiful... I don't know how or why.

Benaam Sa Yeh Dard

Yeh Dil Kuch Aur Samjha Tha

Rang Baatain Karain

Rang baatain karain aur baaton se khushbu aaye
Dard phoolon ki tarah mehkain agar tu aaye

(Everything becomes beautiful when you come along; colours seem to talk, words become fragrant, pain turns into beauty)

Bheeg jaati hain is ummeed pe aankhain her shaam
Shaayed is raat vo mehtaab lab-e-ju aaye

(I get teary-eyed just thinking about your coming... that you might come tonight - tears of happiness)

Hum teri yaad se katra ke guzar jaatay magar
Raah mein phoolon ke labb saayon ke gesu aaye

(I tried to dodge your memory out of my way, but when I came across flowers and their shadows, they reminded me of your lips and hair. Meaning I can never escape your thoughts because everything in my way reminds me of you)

Aazmaaish ki ghari se guzar aaye to Ziya
Jashn-e-gham taari hua aankh mein aansu aaye

(I made it through while we were parting our ways, but then my sorrow caught up with me and filled my eyes with tears)

~Unknown

News and Info

Just wanted to let something run by you guys:

I have launched my third blog. http://ambareenskitchen.blogspot.com/. It's a cooking blog, and it gets updated daily. So I hope you'll enjoy. Give it a read!

Wafa Ki Jail

Wafa ki jail se bhaaga hua majboor qaidi hoon
Agar dil ki adaalat mein tumhain mera kheyaal aaye

(I'm a helpless runaway inmate from the jail of love and loyalty. If your heart's court ever thinks of me..)

To mujh ko yaad ke dhundlay kitehray mein talab karna
Meray lafzon, meri baaton ko dil he dil mein dohraana
dhundla = blurry
kitehry = question box (like in courts, where the accused stand during trial)
dohraana = repeat

(..then (catch me in your memory and) stand me in the trial of your fading memories; repeat my words and phrases in your heart..)

To phir shaayed tumhain koi puraana naqsh mil jaaye
Jo meri begunaahi ki adaalat mein gavaahi de
naqsh = nishaan, mark

(..and in doing so, you might come across some old piece of evidence which will speak of my innocence in your heart's trial)

Yehi meri tamanna hai keh tum mujh ko vohi samjho
Jo main ne tum ko samjha hai, tumhain ab tak samajhta hoon

(That's my wish, that you think of me like I think of you, i.e., in good faith)

Meray deereena saathi ho tumhain to yeh khabar ho gee
Keh main apni safaayee mein kabhi bhi kuch nahin kehta
deereena = long-time

(You're my long-time companion... you know I never say anything for myself in my defense..)

Agar phir bhi kisi pehlu se main mujrim nazar aaoon
To wafa ki raah mein naadaan samajh ker darguzar karna
pehlu = angle
darguzar = ignore

(If you still find me guilty (of hurting you by not returning your love), then just think of me as someone who was new in the journey of love and didn't know her way well, and that's why got lost. In other words, I didn't get lost on the path of love because I wasn't faithful, I got lost because I had never travelled there before. It wasn't my fault, but forgive me just the same)

~Unknown

Explanation: I think this poem was written by someone who wanted to return someone's love, but couldn't, and it hurts her (I think the poem was written by a female). She is a helpless soul who could not, for some reasons, return his love, but she wants him to understand. Understand that there were words she said to him, that showed him that she too loved/loves him.. that maybe thinking back now he can get that. He was her long-time companion... he knew that she doesn't defend herself, and this time won't be an exception. And this time he has to defend her in his heart because she's not present there to defend herself. She wants to hold his regard, and doesn't want him to think of her as unfaithful or unloyal. Lastly, she asks him that even after going through her words in his mind, if he finds her to have toyed with his heart, then he should simply forgive her -- on the basis of her "newbee" status in the field of love.. (Trying desperately to tell him that she meant to return his love... but she couldn't because of her restraints and shackles. But she still loves him, or else she wouldn't care what he thinks of her).