Faiz: Nauhaa

December 7, 2012, 9:15 pm

≫ Next: Faiz: Quatrains of Love: Tamam shab dil vehshi talaash kartaa hai

Nauhaa

Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Mujhko shikwaa hai mere bhai, ki tum jaate-jaate

Le gaye saath meri umr-e-guzishtaa ki kitaab

Ismein to meri bahut keemti tasveerein thi

Isme bachpan tha mera aur mera ahd-e-shabaab

Iske badle de gaye mujhe tum jaate-jaate

Apne gham ka yeh dehektaa hua khoonrang gulaab

Kya karoon bhai, yeh aizaaz main kyonkar pehnoon

Mujhse le lo meri sab chaak kameezon ka hisaab

Aakhri baar ab lo maan lo ek yeh bhi sawaal

Aaj tak tumse main lautaa nahin maayoos-e-jawaab

Aake le jaao tum apnaa yeh dehektaa hua phool

Mujhko lautaa do meri umr-e-guzishtaa ki kitaab

Elegy

translated by

Mustansir Dalvi

I have a grouse, mere bhai, that while leaving

you took away with you my book of remembrance.

There were so many priceless images within.

My childhood and youth lay secure in its pages.

And upon departing, instead, you left for me

the pulsating, bloodshot rose of your own sorrow.

Well, what do I do with this?

Why should I wear this at all?

Here, take account of all my rent raiments,

but consent, one last time, to give me an answer,

for you have never turned me away without a response.

Come! Take back from me your throbbing bloom,

only return to me my book of remembrance.

↧

Faiz: Quatrains of Love: Tamam shab dil vehshi talaash kartaa hai

December 9, 2012, 12:04 am

≫ Next: Faiz: Quatrains of love: Raat yunh dil mein teri khoee hui yaad aayi

≪ Previous: Faiz: Nauhaa

1
Quatrains of love:
Tamam shab dil vehshi talaash kartaa hai
by
Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Tamam shab dil vehshi talaash kartaa hai
Har ek sadaa mein tere harf-e-lutf ka aahang

Har ek subah milti hai baar-baar nazar
Tere dahan se lala-o-gulaab ka rang

translated by
Mustansir Dalvi

All through the night,
this crazed heart
seeks pleasure in the lilt
of every blithe word.

The rose and tulip hues
from your glowing face
pull back my gaze
each morning.

Translation and Transliteration © Mustansir Dalvi, 2012, All rights reserved.

↧

Faiz: Quatrains of love: Raat yunh dil mein teri khoee hui yaad aayi

December 9, 2012, 12:10 am

≫ Next: Faiz: Quatrains of love: Tera jamaal nigaahon mein leke utthtaa hoon

≪ Previous: Faiz: Quatrains of Love: Tamam shab dil vehshi talaash kartaa hai

2
Quatrains of love:
Raat yunh dil mein teri khoee hui yaad aayi
by
Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Raat yunh dil mein teri khoee hui yaad aayee
Jaise veeraane mein chupke se bahaar aa jaaye

Jaise sehraa mein haule se chale baad-e-naseem
Jaise beemaar ko be-vajah qaraar aa jaaye

translated by
Mustansir Dalvi

Last night, thoughts of you,
once lost, rent my heart again
like clandestine spring, blooming
in a garden laid waste,

like the sweet morning breeze
slowly soothing the desert,
like an ailing soul, feeling fine
for no reason at all.

Translation and Transliteration © Mustansir Dalvi, 2012, All rights reserved.

↧

Faiz: Quatrains of love: Tera jamaal nigaahon mein leke utthtaa hoon

December 9, 2012, 12:16 am

≫ Next: Faiz: Quatrains of Love: Yeh lahoo ki mehak hai lab-e-yaar ki khushboo

≪ Previous: Faiz: Quatrains of love: Raat yunh dil mein teri khoee hui yaad aayi

3
Quatrains of love:
Tera jamaal nigaahon mein leke utthtaa hoon
by
Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Tera jamaal nigaahon mein le uthaa hoon
Nikhar gayi hai fizaa tere pairahan ki si

Naseem tere shabistaan se ho ke aayi hai
Meri seher mein mahak hai tere badan ki si

translated by
Mustansir Dalvi

I rise with your radiance
in my eyes. All around me
the blushing dawn lies
ruffled, like your night clothes.

I am engulfed by the breeze
wafting from your bed chamber
like the perfumed emanations
of your body.

Translation and Transliteration © Mustansir Dalvi, 2012, All rights reserved.

↧

Faiz: Quatrains of Love: Yeh lahoo ki mehak hai lab-e-yaar ki khushboo

December 9, 2012, 12:20 am

≫ Next: Faiz: Quatrains of Love: Na deed hai, na sukhan hai, na harf hai, na payaam

≪ Previous: Faiz: Quatrains of love: Tera jamaal nigaahon mein leke utthtaa hoon

4
Quatrains of love:
Yeh lahoo ki mehak hai lab-e-yaar ki khushboo
by
Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Yeh lahoo ki mehak hai lab-e-yaar ki khushboo
Kis raah ke jaanib se sabaa aayee hai dekho

Gulshan mein bahaar aayee ki zindan hua aabaad
Kis simt se naghmon ki sadaa aayee hai dekho

translated by
Mustansir Dalvi

Look!
Can you sight the trail
of breeze that brings me
this fragrance of blood
from my beloved’s lips?

Look!
Can you see from whence
this melody wafts by?
The garden springs to life.
The prisoner breaks free.

Translation and Transliteration © Mustansir Dalvi, 2012, All rights reserved.

↧

Faiz: Quatrains of Love: Na deed hai, na sukhan hai, na harf hai, na payaam

December 9, 2012, 12:26 am

≫ Next: Faiz: Quatrains of Love: Na aaj lutf kar itnaa ki kal guzar na sake

≪ Previous: Faiz: Quatrains of Love: Yeh lahoo ki mehak hai lab-e-yaar ki khushboo

5
Quatrains of love:
Na deed hai, na sukhan hai, na harf hai, na payaam
by
Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Na deed hai, na sukhan hai, ab na harf hai, na payaam
Koi bhi hilaa-e-taskeen nahin aur aas bahut hai

Ummeed-yaar, nazar ka mizaaz, dard ka rang
Tum aaj kuch bhi na poocho ki dil udaas bahut hai

translated by
Mustansir Dalvi

Neither sight nor sound,
nor word, nor missive,
not even cold comfort
to assuage my anticipation

for a prospect of meeting, my love?
For the consolation of sight?
For a comparison of hurts?
Oh! Do not ask, my heart lurches,
brimful with sadness.

Translation and Transliteration © Mustansir Dalvi, 2012, All rights reserved.

↧

Faiz: Quatrains of Love: Na aaj lutf kar itnaa ki kal guzar na sake

December 9, 2012, 12:30 am

≫ Next: Faiz: Quatrains of Love: Aaj tanhaai kisi humdum-e-dereen ki tarah

≪ Previous: Faiz: Quatrains of Love: Na deed hai, na sukhan hai, na harf hai, na payaam

6
Quatrains of love:
Na aaj lutf kar itnaa ki kal guzar na sake
by
Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Na aaj lutf kar itnaa ki kal guzar na sake
Woh raat jo tere gesuon ki raat nahin

Yeh aarzoo bhi badi cheez hai magar humdum
Visaal-e-yaar fakat aarzoo ki baat nahin

translated by
Mustansir Dalvi

Be not so euphoric this day
that tomorrow may be hard to bear,
barren nights that will remain
bereft of the bed of your curls.

Yes, desire is important
but Oh! my friend,
the night of union is not
just a matter of our yearning.

Translation and Transliteration © Mustansir Dalvi, 2012, All rights reserved.

↧

Faiz: Quatrains of Love: Aaj tanhaai kisi humdum-e-dereen ki tarah

December 9, 2012, 12:34 am

≫ Next: Faiz: Fikr-e-sood-o-jiyaan to chhootegi

≪ Previous: Faiz: Quatrains of Love: Na aaj lutf kar itnaa ki kal guzar na sake

7
Quatrains of love:
Aaj tanhaai kisi humdum-e-dereen ki tarah
by
Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Aaj tanhaai kisi humdum-e-dereen ki tarah
Karne aayee hai meri saaqigiri shaam dhale

Muntazir baithe hum dono ki mehtaab ubhre
Aur tera aks dhalakne lage har saaye ke tale

translated by
Mustansir Dalvi

Loneliness returns at dusk
like a long-lost friend,
come to play Saaqi,
come to bring me wine.

We both sit impatiently
for the moon to rise,
for your essence to exude
from out of the shadows.

Translation and Transliteration © Mustansir Dalvi, 2012, All rights reserved.

↧

Faiz: Fikr-e-sood-o-jiyaan to chhootegi

December 9, 2012, 12:39 am

≫ Next: Faiz: Mataa-e-lauh-o-kalam chin gayee to kya gham hai

≪ Previous: Faiz: Quatrains of Love: Aaj tanhaai kisi humdum-e-dereen ki tarah

Fikr-e-sood-o-jiyaan to chhootegi
by
Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Fikr-e-sood-o-jiyaan to chhootegi
Minnat-e-een-o-aan to chhootegi

Dozakh mein khair mai mile na mile
Shaikh sahab se jaan to chhootegi

translated by
Mustansir Dalvi

I shall be free
from the vexations of loss and gain
I shall be free
from the need to please, from fame.

and whether or not
there is wine in hell,
I shall be free, at least
of the reverend’s spell.

Translation and Transliteration © Mustansir Dalvi, 2012, All rights reserved.

↧

Faiz: Mataa-e-lauh-o-kalam chin gayee to kya gham hai

December 9, 2012, 12:41 am

≫ Next: Faiz: Sharh-e-bedardi-e-haalaat na hone paayi

≪ Previous: Faiz: Fikr-e-sood-o-jiyaan to chhootegi

Mataa-e-lauh-o-kalam chin gayee to kya gham hai
by
Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Mataa-e-lauh-o-kalam chin gayee to kya gham hai
Ki khoon-e-dil mein dubo li hai ungliyaan maine

Zubaan pe mohar lagi hai to kya, ki rakh di hai
Har ek halkaa-e-zanjeer mein zubaan maine

translated by
Mustansir Dalvi

I would not have a care
if they took away my pen and paper
for I have dipped my fingers
in the bloody inkwell of my heart.

I would not have a care
if they sealed my lips shut
for I have secreted my voice
in every link of every manacle.

Translation and Transliteration © Mustansir Dalvi, 2012, All rights reserved.

↧

Faiz: Sharh-e-bedardi-e-haalaat na hone paayi

March 3, 2013, 3:07 am

≫ Next: Faiz Quatrains: Wakf-e-hirmaan-o-yaas rehtaa hai

≪ Previous: Faiz: Mataa-e-lauh-o-kalam chin gayee to kya gham hai

Sharh-e-bedardi-e-haalaat na hone paayi
by
Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Sharh-e-bedardi-e-haalaat na hone paayi
Ab ke bhi dil ki madaaraat na hone paayi

Phir wahi waada jo iqraar na bann-ne paaya
Phir wahi baat jo isbaat na hone paayi

Phir woh parwaane jinhen izn-e-shahaadat na mila
Phir woh shammein ke jinhen raat na hone paayi

Phir wahi jaan-b-labi, lazzat-e-mai se pehle
Phir woh mehfil jo kharaabaat na hone paayi

Phir dam-e-deed rahe chashm-o-nazar deed talab
Phir shab-e-wasl mulaaqaat na hone paayi

Phir wahaan baab-e-asar jaaniye kab band hua
Phir yahaan khatm munajaat na hone paayi

Faiz, sar par jo har ek roz qayaamat guzri
Ek bhi roz-e-muqaafaat na hone paayi

23 March, 1971

These pitiless circumstances
translated by
Mustansir Dalvi

These pitiless circumstances
denied explanation; this time,
there is no consoling
this uncivil heart.

Once again, a pledge
that was never redeemed.
Once again, loose talk
that was never affirmed.

Once more, the moths
fluttered, denied martyrdom.
Once more, the many tapers
that never faded to night.

Once again, the familiar lurch
of my heart before I tasted wine
Once again, soirees that never
found consummation in the tavern.

Once again, the acolytes remain
unquenched, but for a glimpse.
Once again, the night of union
passes to sunrise, unfulfilled.

Who knows when the doors
closed in the petitioner’s face.
Stymied yet again,
their prayers went unheard.

While, for Faiz, every day
befell as if the very last,
he knows the day
of reckoning is still to come.

23 March, 1971

Translation and transliteration (c) Mustansir Dalvi, 2013, All rights reserved.

The flag of Bangladesh raised at Mujibur Rehman’s residence on 23 March 1971, three days before the official independence from Pakistan.

On March 23, 1971, the people of Bangladesh made their message to the Pakistan authorities loud and clear. On a day that annually and for long had been celebrated as Pakistan Day in commemoration of the adoption of what had come to be known as the Pakistan Resolution by the All-India Muslim League in Lahore on March 23, 1940, Bengalis went for a hoisting of Bangladesh flags atop all public and private buildings in Dhaka. It was the ultimate protest against Pakistan, whose national flag could be seen fluttering only over the President's House and in Dhaka Cantonment. (Syed Badrul Ahsan)

↧

Faiz Quatrains: Wakf-e-hirmaan-o-yaas rehtaa hai

October 6, 2013, 3:05 am

≫ Next: Faiz Quatrains: Dil rahin-e-gham-e-jahaan hai aaj

≪ Previous: Faiz: Sharh-e-bedardi-e-haalaat na hone paayi

Wakf-e-hirmaan-o-yaas rehtaa hai

Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Wakf-e-hirmaan-o-yaas rehtaa hai

Dil hai aksar udaas rehtaa hai

Tum to gham deke bhool jaate ho

Musjko ehsaan ka paas rehtaa hai

translated by

Mustansir Dalvi

I remain in the dumps,

wallow in disappointment.

This heart, such as it is,

is often downcast.

You give me grief

and soon forget it, but

I remain aware, immersed

in your debt forever.

↧

Faiz Quatrains: Dil rahin-e-gham-e-jahaan hai aaj

October 6, 2013, 3:09 am

≫ Next: Faiz:Kuchh ishq kiyaa, kuchh kaam kiyaa

≪ Previous: Faiz Quatrains: Wakf-e-hirmaan-o-yaas rehtaa hai

Dil rahin-e-gham-e-jahaan hai aaj

Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Dil rahin-e-gham-e-jahaan hai aaj

Har nafs tashna-e-fughaan hai aaj

Sakht veeraan hai mehfil-e-hasti

Ae gam-e-dost tu kahaan hai aaj

translated by

Mustansir Dalvi

Today, my heart is weighed down

by the sorrows of this world.

Today, every breath I take

is a bemoaning wail.

This once gregarious self

is now bereft, desolate

O, absent friend,

where are you today?

↧

Faiz:Kuchh ishq kiyaa, kuchh kaam kiyaa

October 31, 2013, 6:20 am

≫ Next: Faiz: Shaam

≪ Previous: Faiz Quatrains: Dil rahin-e-gham-e-jahaan hai aaj

Kuchh ishq kiyaa, kuchh kaam kiyaa

Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Woh log bahut khushkismat the

Jo ishq ko kaam samajhte the

Ya kaam se aashiqui karte the

Hum jeete jee masroof rahe

Kuchh ishq kiyaa, kuchh kaam kiyaa

Kaam ishq ke aade aataa hai

Aur ishq se kaam ulajhtaa hai

Phir aakhir tang aakar hamne

Dono ko adhooraa chhod diyaa

Loved a little, worked a little

translated by

Mustansir Dalvi

Those who deemed their love to be work

or those who were in love with their work

were the one’s truly fortunate.

In all my life, I never found the time,

so I loved a little, and worked a little.

And yet, work came in the way of love,

while love complicated my working ways

so, in utter frustration, in the end

I left them both alone, half undone.

↧

Faiz: Shaam

October 31, 2013, 6:24 am

≫ Next: Faiz: Sab qatl ho ke tere muqaabil se aaye hain

≪ Previous: Faiz:Kuchh ishq kiyaa, kuchh kaam kiyaa

Shaam

Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Is tarha hai ki har ik ped koi mandir hai

Koi ujdaa hua benoor, puraanaa mandir

Dhoondtaa hai jo kharaabi ke bahaane kab se

Chaak har baam, har ek dar ka dam-e-aakhir hai

Aasmaan koi purohit hai, jo har baam tale

Jism par raakh male, maathe pe sindoor male

Sarnighoon baithaa hai chup chaap na jaane kab se

Is tarha hai ke pas-e-parda koi saahir hai

Jisne aafaaq pe failaayaa hai yoon seher ka daam

Daaman-e-waqt se paiwas hai yoon daaman-e-shaam

Ab kabhi sham bujhegi na andheraa hoga

Ab kabhi raat dhalegi na saweraa hoga

Aasmaan aas liye hai ki yeh jaadoo toote

Chup ki zanjeer kate, waqt ka daaman chhoote

De koi shankh duhaai, koi paayal bole

Koi but jaage, koi saanwli ghoongaht khole

Dusk

translated by

Mustansir Dalvi

It’s like this, every tree is a temple-

a bleak, old, ruined shrine, that seeks

under the guise of its own ruination

the last breath of every failing doorway,

every roof coming apart at the seams.

The sky is a priest, who, perched on every rooftop

anoints his body with ash, his brow with sindoor.

How long has he been silent, head bowed, no one knows;

it’s as if a conjurer, secreted behind a curtain,

has pulled a vast trick over the entire firmament

linking time’s mantle to the vestments of dusk.

Now will twilight never give way to darkness,

nor the night give way to dawn?

The sky still lives in hope for this spell to break,

for fetters of quietude to unfasten, for time’s fabric to unravel

for a sacred conch to blow, for the dancer’s anklets to sing

the idols awake, for the dusky maiden to come forth,

unveiled.

↧

Faiz: Sab qatl ho ke tere muqaabil se aaye hain

April 16, 2014, 6:44 pm

≫ Next: Faiz: Paas Raho

≪ Previous: Faiz: Shaam

Sab qatl ho ke tere muqaabil se aaye hain

Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Sab qatl ho ke tere muqaabil se aaye hain

Hum log surkh-ru hain ki manzil se aaye hain

Sham-e-nazar, khayaal-e-anjum, jigar ke daag

Jitne chiraag hain teri mehfil se aaye hain

Uthkar to aa gaye hain teri bazm se magar

Kuch dil hi jaantaa hai kis dil se aaye hain

Har ik kadam azal thaa, har ik gaam zindagi

Hum ghoom-phir ke koocha-e-qaatil se aaye hain

Baad-e-khizaa ka shukr karo, Faiz, jiske haath

Naame kisi bahaar-shamaail se aaye hain

Back from the killer's street

translated by

Mustansir Dalvi

After confronting you,

no one survived. But

you were our goal, and in that

we returned victorious.

The light of your gaze,

the stars in our eyes,

the wounds on our heart-

all the lamps we brought back

were from your soirees.

We did walk out of your revelry,

but only our hearts really know

of the love from whence

we are now returned.

Death dogged us at every step,

with every stride, we met life

but after all our meanderings

here we are, back from the killer's street.

Be grateful, Faiz,

for the autumn wind, at whose hands

missives promising imminent spring

are delivered.

↧

Faiz: Paas Raho

May 12, 2014, 8:26 am

≫ Next: Faiz: Na ganvaao naavak-e-neemkash

≪ Previous: Faiz: Sab qatl ho ke tere muqaabil se aaye hain

Paas raho

Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Tum mere paas raho

Mere qaatil, mere dildaar, mere paas raho

Jis ghadi raat chale,

Aasmaanon ka lahoo peekey siyaah raat chale

Marham-e-mushk liye, nashtar-e-almaas liye

Bain karti hui, hasti hui, gaati nikle

Dard ki kaasni paajeb bajaati nikle

Jis ghadi seenon mein doobe hue dil

Aasteenon mein nihaan haathon ki raah takne lagein

Aas liye

Aur bachchon ke bilakhne ki tarah qulkul-e-mai

Bahar-e-naasoodgi machle to manaaye na mane

Jab koi baat banaaye na bane

Jis ghadi raat chale

Jis ghadi maatami, sunsaan, siyaah raat chale

Paas raho

Mere qaatil, mere dildaar, mere paas raho

Stay with me

translated by

Mustansir Dalvi

Stay with me,

my assassin, my beloved, stay with me.

When the night is spread

with its unction of musk, with its diamond scalpel

drunk on the blood of the firmament, this inky night,

lamenting, laughing, ululating,

dances its grief away on jingling anklets.

The moment when hearts, like secrets steeped deep within the breast,

like knives secreted within deep sleeves lie in wait

for the right moment. The moment

when wine tinkles into cups like a child's whimper,

when discontent swells and cannot be assuaged,

when nothing seems to work at all,

when that night comes to pass,

when that funereal, hushed, black night comes to pass

stay with me,

my assassin, my beloved stay with me.

↧

Faiz: Na ganvaao naavak-e-neemkash

May 24, 2014, 8:28 am

≫ Next: Faiz: Ae Roshnion ke Shahar

≪ Previous: Faiz: Paas Raho

Na ganvaao naavak-e-neemkash

Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Na ganvaao naavak-e-neemkash, dil-e-rezaa-rezaa ganvaa diya

Jo bache the sang samet lo, tan-e-daag daag lutaa diya

Mere chaaraagar ko naved ho, saf-e-dushmanaa ko khabar karo

Jo woh karz rakhte the jaan par woh hisaab aaj chukaa diya

Karo kaj jabeen pe sar-e-kafan, mere qaatilon ko gumaan na ho

Ki guroor-e-ishq ka baankpan pas-e-marg humne bhulaa diya

Udhar ek harf ki kushtani, yahaan laakh uzr tha guftani

Jo kahaa to sun ke udaa diyaa, jo likhaa to padh ke mitaa diya

Jo ruke to koh-e-garaan the hum, jo chale to jaan se guzar gaye

Rah-e-yaar humne kadam kadam tujhe yaadgaar banaa diya

Here is Mehdi Hassan's rendition of Faiz's poem Na ganvaao naavak-e-neemkash

Here is Iqbal Bano's rendition of Faiz's poem Na ganvaao naavak-e-neemkash

Stay your half-drawn arrow

translated by

Mustansir Dalvi

Stay your half-drawn arrow, waste it not,

this heart lies splintered, long dispersed.

Gather up such stones as you can,

this body lies rent, its day is done.

Send my healers good tidings,

inform the legions of my foes-

the debt that lingered on my being,

that debt is now defrayed.

Pull this shroud jauntily about my forehead,

afford my assassins no satisfaction,

for with this death I leave behind

all my foppishness, my conceits of love.

On the one hand, one lethal word,

on the other, a thousand impotent utterances,

what was said was heard and brushed aside,

what was written was read and obliterated.

For when we stayed, we rose like massifs,

and when we strayed, we left life far behind;

fellow-traveller, every step that we ever took

became a memorial to your life.

↧

Faiz: Ae Roshnion ke Shahar

May 29, 2014, 11:39 am

≫ Next: Faiz: Rang hai dil ka mere

≪ Previous: Faiz: Na ganvaao naavak-e-neemkash

Ae Roshnion ke Shahar

Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Sabza sabza sookh rahi hai, phiki zard dopahar

Deewaaron ko chaat rahaa hai tanhaai ka zahar

Door ufaq tak ghat-ti, badhti, utth-ti, girti rahti hai

Kohr ki soorat be-raunak dardon ki gandli lahar

Bastaa hai us kohr ke peeche roshnion ka shahar

Ae Roshnion ke shahar

Kaun kahe kis simt hai teri roshnion ki raah

Har jaanib be-noor khadi hai hijr ki shaharpanaah

Thak-kar har soo baith rahi hai shouk ki maand sipaah

Aaj mera dil fikr mein hai

Ae Roshnion ke shahar

Shabkhoon se munh pher na jaaye armaanon ki rau

Khair ho teri Lailaaon ki un sab se keh do

Aaj ki shab jab diye jalaayein, oonchi rakhein lau

Lahore Jail/ Montgomery Jail

28^th March- 15^th April 1954

O City of Lights

translated by

Mustansir Dalvi

Each leaf shrivels as this grim afternoon wanes,

the venom of loneliness licks the walls of this city;

like colour-leached fog, muddy waves of pain

rise and fall and rise like tides as far as the eye can see,

and behind the miasma lies hidden this city of lights.

O City of Lights!

Who can say where the path to your illumination lies,

everywhere I see lightless bastions of separation rise.

Everywhere, my ardour slumps like soldiers fatigued.

There’s a worry nestled in my breast,

O City of Lights!

Let latent desire not flee before this night-assault.

Stay safe, Lailas all, go and tell them this- tonight

when you light your lamps, keep the flame on high.

Lahore Jail/ Montgomery Jail

28^th March- 15^th April 1954

↧

Faiz: Rang hai dil ka mere

July 3, 2014, 10:38 am

≫ Next: Faiz: Subh-e-aazaadi

≪ Previous: Faiz: Ae Roshnion ke Shahar

This poem by Faiz, possibly his most lyrical, has been chosen as one of the fifty greatest modern Love Poems from the last fifty years. The entire list is here. These poems were chosen by global poetry specialists to be read at the Southbank Centre, London, on July 20th 2014 at the Royal Festival Hall.

Rang hai dil ka mere
by
Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Tum na aaye the to har ik cheez wohi thi ki jo hai
Aasmaan hadd-e-nazar, raahguzar- raahguzar, sheesha-e-mai- sheesha-e-mai

Aur ab sheesha-e-mai, raahguzar, rang-e-falak
Rang hai dil ka mere, “khoon-e-jigar hone tak”
Champaai rang kabhi, raahat-e-deedaar ka rang
Surmayi rang ki hai sa’at-e-bezaar ka rang
Zard patton ka, khas-o-khaar ka rang
Surkh phoolon ka, dehekte hue gulzaar ka rang
Zehar ka rang, lahu rang, shab-e-taar ka rang
Aasmaan, raahguzar, sheesha-e-mai
Koi bheegaa hua daaman, koi dukhti hui rag
Koi har lehzaa badaltaa hua aaina hai

Ab jo aaye ho to thehro ki koi rang, koi rut, koi shai
Ek jagah par thehre
Phir ik baar har ik cheez wohi ho ki jo hai
Aasmaan hadd-e-nazar, raahguzar-raahguzar, sheesha-e-mai- sheesha-e-mai

Moscow
August 1963

Here is Faiz himself, reciting his poem 'Rang hai dil ka mere'.

The colour of my heart
translated by
Mustansir Dalvi

When you weren't here,
all things were as they are:
the sky stretched as far as the eye can see
the road stayed a road,
a glass of wine, a glass of wine.

And now, the glass of wine and the road
are imbued with the colour of dusk-
the colour that is, of my heart, singed
with blood that pumps through it,
sometimes, turning purple,
straining with the relief of reunion,
or sometimes pale gray, the moment
of weariness, of self-loathing.
Leaves dried, yellowed,
prickly, like thistles, like hay.
Red blossoms igniting
the garden into inferno.
Venom, stained of the blood it shed.
The dead hue of night.
The sky, wet like a tear-stained vest,
the road, pulled like a throbbing vein,
the glass, disloyal, like a mirror
that changes reflections by the moment.

Now that you are here, stay.
Stay, so colours, seasons, so everything
comes to rest in one place. And once again,
let all things be as they are:
the sky stretched as far as the eye can see,
the road stay a road,
a glass of wine, a glass of wine.

Moscow
August 1963

Translation and Transliteration © Mustansir Dalvi, 2014, All rights reserved.

↧