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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 To Hota Hai Anjaam Na...

रुके-रुके से कदम। (Ruke-Ruke Se Kadam) - Halted Steps by Gulzar Ruke-Ruke Se Kadam written by Gulzar   also appears in the film Mausam 1975 sung by Lata Mangeshkar. The Ghazal describes the limitations one has in love and life. The poet says that he is walking by stopping in between but walked away because it gives satisfaction to beloved even though he himself is dissatisfied. Here I translated this ghazal .  रुके रुके से क़दम रुक के बार बार चले,  क़रार दे के तिरे दर से बे-क़रार चले।  Ruke Ruke Se Kadam Ruk Ke Baar Baar Chale, Karaar De Ke Tere Dar Se Be-karaar Chale. Halted steps, stopped and walked again, In agreement with you impatiently the walk regain उठाए फिरते थे एहसान जिस्म का जाँ पर,  चले जहाँ से तो ये पैरहन उतार चले।  Uthaye Firte The Ehsaan Jism Ka Jaan Par, Chale Jahan Se To Ye Pairahan Utaar Chale. Roam around by taking load of body on the life, removed that dress when walked away from life. न जाने कौन सी मिट्टी वतन की मिट्टी थी, नज़र...

अपनी अना की आज भी तस्कीन हमने की। (Apni Ana Ki Aaj Bhi Taskeen Humne Ki) - Even today in this way my ego I pacify. - Iqbal Sajid I liked the first stanza of this ghazal and hence chose this one of Iqbal Sajid to translate. In this poem poet's frustration is evident in not getting the love from one he loved. So to satisfy his ego he is insulting her beauty and choosing the words hurt her the most. He also displays her truthfulness by mentioning his non-indulgence to any other beauty even when he has that opportunity and in a way he is hurting her by doing this. Lets enjoy the translation and beauty of the 'Ghazal '. Also Read Here अपनी अना की आज भी तस्कीन हम ने की, जी भर के उस के हुस्न की तौहीन हम ने की।  Apni Ana Ki Aaj Bhi Taskeen Humne Ki, Ji Bhar Ke Uss Ke Husn Ki Tauheen Humne Ki. Even today in this way my ego I pacify, Wholeheartedly her beauty I defy लहजे की तेज़ धार से ज़ख़्मी किया उसे, पैवस्त दिल में लफ़्ज़ की संगीन हम ने की।   Lehze Ki Tez Dhaar Se Zakhmi Kiya ...

आज भी तन्हाई है। (Aaj Bhi Tanhai Hai) - Lonely Even Today This bilingual poetry was written on 11th September 2012. In my series of revisiting old classics for the new audience I am bringing some of my works back with modifications is required. Hope those who are reading it first time will also like it. The tone of this ghazal is bit depressing where the poet lamenting about his loneliness.  कितने दिन बीत गए, कितनी रातें आयी हैं, आज भी रुसवा हूँ मै, आज भी तन्हाई हैं। Kitne Din Beet Gaye, Kitni Ratein Aai Hain, Aaj Bhi Ruswa Hun Mein, Aaj Bhi Tanhai Hai. Many days have passed, many nights came, Ignored and lonely even today, my fate is same. न जाने कितनी बहारें इस दरख़्त पर छाई हैं, फिर भी सुखा है ये, पतझड़ ही इसने पाई है। आज भी तन्हाई है। Na Jaane Kitni Baharein Is Darakht Par Chai Hain, Phir Bhi Sukha Hai Ye, Patjhad Hi Isne Pai Hai. Aaj Bhi Tanhai Hai. Who knows how many springs witnessed by this tree, But it is still dry and from autumn it's not free. lonely ...

अब के हम बिछडें तो शायद कभी ख्वाबों में मिलें। (Ab Ke Hum Bichdein To Shayad Kabhi Khwabon Mein Milein) - If We Parted Now, We Perhaps Meet in Dreams. - Ahmad Faraz Ahmad Faraz like Faiz Ahmad Faiz is known for his revolutionary and romantic Ghazals. In this one he talks of separation from beloved which will be like separating from life like those flowers in the book became dead after separating from the plant. He further continues in this theme. It is a sad poetry of separation also signifies love from which if separated will be like separating from life. Details about this poem can be read there : What Says : Ab Ke Hum Bichdein अब के हम बिछड़े तो शायद कभी ख़्वाबों में मिलें,  जिस तरह सूखे हुए फूल किताबों में मिलें।  Ab Ke Hum Bichde To Shayad Kabhi Khwabon Mein Milein, Jis Tarah Sukhe Hue Phool Kitabon Mein Milein. If we parted now, we perhaps meet in dreams, like dried flowers found in books' reams.  ढूँड उजड़े हुए लोगों में वफ़ा के मोती, ये ख़ज़ाने तुझे मुमकिन है ख़रा...

इब्न-ए-मरियम हुआ करे कोई। (Ibn-e-Mariyam Hua Kare Koi) Let Someone Be Messiah of This Age - Mirza Ghalib  This Mirza Ghalib ghazal is repentance of loving a heartless beloved. He said that for him one who can cure this pain of love is Messiah (Son of Mary - Jesus). He found no remedy of his pain but to lament throughout his life in that situation because he has also characterized his beloved who offers no solution. I have tried to translate it there with reference from  +Rekhta  . For better understanding of this ghazal visit : Ibn-e-Maryam Hua Kare Koi - Mirza Ghalib  इब्न-ए-मरयम हुआ करे कोई,  मेरे दुख की दवा करे कोई।  Ibn-e-Maryam Hua Kare Koi  Mere Dukh Ki Dava Kare Koi  Let someone be Messiah (son of Mary - Jesus) of this age, if he can't cure my pain why would with him I attach. शरअ' ओ आईन पर मदार सही, ऐसे क़ातिल का क्या करे कोई।  Shara-o-Aain Par Madar Sahi, Aise Qatil Ka Kya Kare Koi. As far as religious & secular law go, with ...

शायरी # 16 (Shayari # 16) Couplet - Akhtar Nazmi  वो ज़हर देते तो सबकी निगाह में आ जाते, तो यूँ किया कि मुझे वक़्त पे दवा न दी।  - अख़्तर निज़ामी  Wo Zehar Dete To Sabki Nigah Mein Aa Jate, To Yun Kiya Ki Mujhe Waqt Pe Dawa Na Di. - Akhtar Nizami  Poisoning me would have exposed her crime. So instead she didn't give me medicine on time.  ##########

ऐ दिल वो आशिक़ी के फ़साने किधर गए। (Ae Dil Wo Aashiqi Ke Fasane Kidhar Gaye) - O! Heart Where Stories Of Love Has Gone - Akhtar Shirani  Akhtar Shirani is a famous romantic Urdu poet. His many ghazals are used as songs in Hindi movies and others have inspired lyrics writer to pen some beautiful songs. This is a ghazal in which he is describing the void of failing in love. He is questioning where those love stories, those beloved and lovers has gone. He said that everything appears deserted, every happiness is silent and everything seemed dull and boring to him. I have tried to translate it. Hope you will like it.  ऐ दिल वो आशिक़ी के फ़साने किधर गए, वो उम्र क्या हुई वो ज़माने किधर गए।  Ae Dil Wo Aashiqi Ke Fasane Kidhar Gaye, Wo Umr Kya Hui Wo Zamane Kidhar Gaye. O heart where stories of love has gone, What happened to that age, where that time has gone. वीरां हैं सहन-ओ-बाग़ बहारों को क्या हुआ, वो बुलबुले कहाँ वो तराने किधर गए।  Veeran Hain Sahn-o-Bagh Baharon Ko Kya Hua,...

A Story Yet Unwritten As a human being each one of us is capable of telling a story but many of us didn't know the correct way to express it so some tales becomes private for our own hearts only. Sometimes it is better they remain that way with the person who have written it in his/her heart for the pain engulfed in it. Such stories are unwritten yet complete for his/her. This poem is reflecting that love story of an untold love. Your glance has such an effect, nomadic I became, Like a story yet unwritten you connect, difficult to overcome. Despite having a clear view of our lives together, Still standing in queue is my first love letter. How to organize chapters of my life and fill it with your presence, What role you deserve? Friend, beloved or wife, depends my life's essence. Stuck in between from your silence, the tale of our love, Unable to gather my senses, I am failing in love. Words jumbled the day you left, inked in heart forever, Sweet little memories to bereft yearni...

Haiku : Love Survives This Haiku is a tribute to the victims of Orlando Shooting in USA.  pierced the loving souls, crazy bullets of hatred, love ever survives

शायरी # 12 (Couplets) - Faiz Ahmad Faiz  Faiz Ahmad Faiz is known for his revolutionary and love ghazals. Both shers(couplets)translated here are for hope. Hope that something better will come after sorrows, hope that someone you are longing for will come sooner or later. I hope you will like his couplets and my efforts at translation.  दिल न-उम्मीद तो नहीं नाकाम ही तो है, लम्बी है ग़म की शाम मगर शाम ही तो है।  Dil Na-Ummeed To Nahin Nakam Hi To Hai, Lambi Hai Gham Ki Shaam Magar Shaam Hi To Hai. Heart is only disappointed, it has not failed,  Evening of sorrow is longer but it's only an evening. ##### वो आ रहे हैं, वो आते हैं, आ रहें होंगे, शब-ए-फ़िराक ये कह कर गुज़ार दी हमने।  Wo Aa Rahein Hain, Wo Aate Hain, Aa Rahein Honge, Shab-e-Firaq Ye Keh Kar Guzar Di Humne. She is coming, she comes, she will come, Night of separation passed by saying this.  #####

कौन आएगा यहाँ कोई न आया होगा। (Kaun Aayega Yahan Koi Na Aaya Hoga) - Who Will Come,No One Would Come Here - Kaif Bhopali Kaif Bhopali is known for his song 'Chalo Dildar Chalo Chand Ke Paar Chalo ' in 1972 movie Pakeezah . 'Kaun Aaega Yahan Koi Na Aaya Hoga' is one of his famous ghazal . The poet has described the emptiness in his life, the loneliness he is experiencing which one of the couplet(3) suggest was due to marriage of his daughter. I have tried to translate it here for your understanding. For elaborate understanding of this ghazal visit : Kaif's Kaun Aaya Hai Yahan .  कौन आएगा यहाँ कोई न आया होगा, मेरा दरवाज़ा हवाओं ने हिलाया होगा।  Kaun Aaega Yahan Koi Na Aaya Hoga, Mera Darwaza Hawaon Ne Hilaya Hoga. Who will come,no one would come here, Winds would have shook the door here. दिल-ऐ-नादां न धड़क ऐ दिल-ऐ-नादां न धड़क, कोई ख़त ले के पड़ोसी के घर आया होगा।  Dil-E-Nadan Na Dhadak Ae Dil-E-Nadan Na Dhadak, Koi Khat Le Ke Padosi Ke Ghar Aaya Hoga. Don't beat ...

हर रात बेचैनी, हर दिन है परेशानी। (Har Raat Bechaini Har Din Hai Pareshani) image source here हर रात बेचैनी, हर दिन है परेशानी, तुझे छोड़ के आना निकली मेरी नादानी।  Har Raat Bechaini, Har Din Hai Pareshani, Tujhe Chodd Ke Aana Nikli Meri Nadani. तू अब भी पुकारे है मुझको ही शायद, सुनते हैं जो दिवार-ओ-दर वही आवाज़ पुरानी है।  Tu Ab Bhi Pukare Hai Mujhko Hi Shayad, Sunte Hain Jo Diwar-o-Dar Wahi Aawaaz Purani Hai. हर एक फ़साने को अंजाम दिया मैंने, अब तक रही अधूरी वो तेरी-मेरी कहानी है।  Har Ek Fasane Ko Anjaam Diya Maine, Ab Tak Rahi Adhuri Wo Teri-Meri Kahani Hai. कोई नहीं था जब तन्हाई बनी हमदम, बेबसी की मेरे किस्से दुनिया सुने उसकी ज़ुबानी है।  Koi Nahin Tha Jab Tanhai Bani Humdam, Bebasi Ki Mere Kisse Duniya Sune Uski Zubani Hai. मैं नहीं आया तो, तुम भी तो नहीं आए, इंतज़ार के लम्हों में बीती जाए जवानी है।  Main Nahin Aaya To, Tum Bhi To Nahin Aaye, Intezaar Ke Lamhon Mein Beeti Jaaye Jawani Hai. बेचैनी ( Bechaini)  - Uneasiness ;  नादानी (Nad...

बेनाम सा ये दर्द ठहर क्यों नहीं जाता ? - Benaam Sa Ye Dard Theher Kyun Nahin Jaata (Why Doesn't This Unnamed Pain Stay) - Nida Fazli 'चले गए हो दूर बहुत दूर यहाँ से, इन खुशबुओं से तेरी मौजूदगी महसूस करेंगे' - सिफ़र  Chale Gaye Ho Door Bahut Door Yahan Se,  In Khushbuon Se Teri Maujudgi Mehsoos Karenge. - Cifar Nida Fazli breathed his last on 8th February 2016. This post which is translation of his ghazal ' Benaam Se Ye Dard Theher Kyun Nahin Jata ' is a tribute to him. He was among the last of Urdu ghazal masters one who used the colloquial language in his works to convey the messages easily understandable even to common man. His sudden death with cardiac arrest is a great loss of Urdu literature and Bollywood song writing. He used to see the world with an humanitarian eye a trait which was visible in his works. In Hindi film industry , the song written by him like Hosh Walon Ko Khabar Kya, Aa Bhi Jaa, Ae Subah Aa Bhi Jaa, etc were both meaningful and melodious. ...

कभी हम उनको कभी अपने घर को देखते हैं ! Kabhi Hum Unko Kabhi Apne Ghar Ko Dekhte Hain. - Mirza Ghalib  Like many of Ghalib poetry this too is related to longing for love. Separation from beloved keep him waiting for her letters or any news from her but she is indifferent to his pathetic state. Here is a translation of this famous Ghalib ghazal second couplet of which is very common among the masses. For detailed interpretation of this poem : Woh Aaye Hamare Ghar Mein .  ये जो हम हिज्र में दिवार-ओ-दर को देखते हैं, कभी सबा को कभी नामाबर को देखते हैं। Ye Jo Hum Hijr Mein Diwar-O-Dar Ko Dekhte Hain, Kabhi Saba Ko Kabhi Namabar Ko Dekhte Hain. What I see on walls & doors in separation from my heart-bearer, sometimes I look for zephyr & sometimes for a letter-carrier. वो आए घर में हमारे ख़ुदा की कुदरत है, कभी हम उनको कभी अपने घर को देखते हैं। Wo Aaye Ghar Mein Hamare Khuda Ki Kudrat Hai, Kabhi Hum Unko Kabhi Apne Ghar Ko Dekhte Hain. It's god's miracle that she came ...