Category: Music and Cinema

This post is in continuation of my ‘Immortal Ghazals of Shakeel Badayuni – Part I’ and ‘Immortal Ghazals of Shakeel Badayuni – Part II’.

On the 10th of January this year I started a Facebook group ‘Main Shayar To Nahin’ primarily to air my devotion for him and some other Urdu poets. I regularly put up Shakeel’s poetry with meanings so that more and more people can savour his excellence. I call him the King of Irony since no one can write irony better than he did. Just one example:

Na milata gham to barbaadi ke afsaane kahan jaate?
If there was to be no sorrow, where would odes of ruin find a place
Agar duniya chaman hoti to veeraane kahan jaate?
If the world would be just a garden, where would deserts find a place
Chalo achha hua apano mein koi gair to nikala,
It is good that amongst own people there was an outsider too
Agar hote sabhi apane to begaane kahan jaate?
If all people were your own (in the world) where would strangers find a place

My blog already has a number of articles on Shakeel Badayuni (‘Shakeel Badayuni – The King Amongst Lyricist And Poets – Part I’; ‘Shakeel Badayuni – The King Amongst Lyricist And Poets – Part II’, ‘The Best Of Old Hindi Songs – Rafi, Shakeel, Naushad And Dilip Kumar Together’, and ‘Another Tribute To Shakeel Badayuni In The Month Of His Death Anniversary’)

We were a slave nation for 31 years of his 53 that he walked on this earth. All his contemporaries wrote about social inequalities, poverty, slavery and the like. Shakeel wrote about Love, Mohabbat, Ishq, Wafa, Ulfat; it is as if he lived in a different world. In addition, his god faring nature ensured that he also wrote the finest Bhajans in Hindi movies.

Lets restart the journey into his Ghazals:

Ghazal #31

A RARE HAPPY GHAZAL BY SHAKEEL (He says so in the ghazal)

BAHAAR AAYI KISI KA SAAMANA KARNE KA WAQT AAYA

Ghazal #38

I have explained several times my adoration of Shakeel Badayuni; I grew up listening to his ghazals and songs and they made an indelible mark on my consciousness. Hence, out of 60 Ghazals and Nazams that I have put up in the group Main Shayar To Nahin (not including 32 of my own), 38 of them happen to be Shakeel’s.

Here is a short one of his that was sung by Talat Mehmood:

Ghazal #39

My adoration appears to be tapering off! It had been 11 days since I put up his 38th: RAUSHNI SAYA-E-ZULMAT SE AAGE NA BADHI on the group Main Shayar To Nahin.

By the way, I was only 16 when Shakeel died; three years before joining the Navy. And yet, witness the strong influence!

Ghazal #40

Fortieth ghazal – the first one being ‘Kaise keh doon ke mulaqaat nahin hoti hai?’ on the day when the group Main Shayar To Nahin was formed, on 10th of January 2015 – and we cannot get over the beauty of his creations.

IK IK QADAM FAREB-E-TAMANNA SE BACH KE CHAL

Ghazal #41

Love is not a reasoned emotion. When you fall in love, you don’t compare and rue the loss of others; you cling to the one you have fallen in love with. I wrote a complete essay on it in my blog about why certain songs, ghazals, poetry touch the chords of our heart.

Shakeel’s do that for me. It would have been different if I just ‘liked’ his poetry as I do of others. But, I am in love with his poetry!

Here is his Ghazal #42 on this auspicious day that in a way tell us what his life and poetry are all about.

Please enjoy: KABHII ISHQ KAA TAQAAZA KABHI HUSN KE ISHAARE

Kahii.n ishq kaa taqaazaa kahii.n husn ke ishaare
Na bachaa sake.nge daaman Gam-e-zi.ndagii ke maare
Somewhere there is demand (taqaazaa) of Love, at others there are gestures of Beauty
You won’t be able to save the hem of your dress from the sorrow of life

Shab-e-Gam kii tiiragii me.n merii aah ke sharaare
Kabhii ban gaye hai.n aa.Nsuu kabhii ban gaye hai.n taare
In the gloom (tiiragii) of night of sorrow (Shab-e-Gam) are the sparks (sharaare) of my sigh (aah)
Sometimes they appear as tears and sometimes as stars.

Jinhe.n ho sakaa na haasil kabhii kaif-e-qurb-e-ma.nzil
Wahii do kadam hai.n mujhako terii justajuu se pyaare
Those that couldn’t obtain the intoxication of vicinity of destination (kaif-e-qurb-e-ma.nzil)
Those two steps in your quest (justajuu) are dear to me

Mai.n ‘Shakeel’ unakaa ho kar bhii na paa sakaa huu.N unako
Merii tarah zi.ndagii me.n ko_ii jiit kar na haare
Shakeel, I couldn’t claim her even though I was hers,
Like me, in life, no one should lose after winning.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=NhLvDElehXQ%3F

This post is in continuation of my ‘Immortal Ghazals of Shakeel Badayuni – Part I’.

On the 10th of January this year I started a Facebook group ‘Main Shayar To Nahin’ primarily to air my devotion for him and some other Urdu poets. I regularly put up Shakeel’s poetry with meanings so that more and more people can savour his excellence. I call him the King of Irony since no one can write irony better than he did. Just one example:

Na milata gham to barbaadi ke afsaane kahan jaate?
If there was to be no sorrow, where would odes of ruin find a place
Agar duniya chaman hoti to veeraane kahan jaate?
If the world would be just a garden, where would deserts find a place
Chalo achha hua apano mein koi gair to nikala,
It is good that amongst own people there was an outsider too
Agar hote sabhi apane to begaane kahan jaate?
If all people were your own (in the world) where would strangers find a place

My blog already has a number of articles on Shakeel Badayuni (‘Shakeel Badayuni – The King Amongst Lyricist And Poets – Part I’; ‘Shakeel Badayuni – The King Amongst Lyricist And Poets – Part II’, ‘The Best Of Old Hindi Songs – Rafi, Shakeel, Naushad And Dilip Kumar Together’, and ‘Another Tribute To Shakeel Badayuni In The Month Of His Death Anniversary’)

We were a slave nation for 31 years of his 53 that he walked on this earth. All his contemporaries wrote about social inequalities, poverty, slavery and the like. Shakeel wrote about Love, Mohabbat, Ishq, Wafa, Ulfat; it is as if he lived in a different world. In addition, his god faring nature ensured that he also wrote the finest Bhajans in Hindi movies.

Lets restart the journey into his Ghazals:

Ghazal #16

This is not just beautiful; Shakeel has crafted it to perfection with his lament.

Please enjoy: Chandini mein rukh-e-zebaa nahin dekha jaata:

Chandnii mein rukh-e-zebaa nahin dekha jaata
Maah o khurshiid ko yakjaa nahin dekha jaata
In the moonshine you shouldn’t see (her) beautiful face,
(Just as) You can’t see moon-month and sun together.

(rukh-e-zebaa=beautiful face; maah= moonmonth; khurshiid= the sun; yakjaa=together)

Youn to un aankhon se kyaa kyaa nahin dekha jaata
Haan magar apana hi jalwa nahin dekha jaata
Those eyes, they can see this and that and everything,
However, they cannot see their own splendour

(jalwa=display, splendour)

Diida o dil ki tabaahi mujhe manzuur magar
Un kaa utara huaa chehra nahin dekha jaata
I accept the ruining of my sight and heart,
But, I just can’t bear to see her fallen face

(Diida=sight; tabaahi=ruin; manzuur=accepted)

Zabt-e-gham haan ashkon kaa talaatum
Ab to suukhaa huaa dariyaa nahin dekha jaata
Tolerance is necessary to see the upheaval of tears,
Now, it is unbearable to see the river having dried up

(Zabt-e-gham=tolerance; ashkon=tears; talaatum=upheaval)

Zindagi aa tujhe qaatil ke havaale kar duun
Mujhase ab khoon-e-tamanna nahin dekhaa jaata
My life, come I shall offer you to the murderer
I cannot bear to see the murder of my desires

(qaatil=murderer; khoon-e-tamanna=murder of desires)

Ab to jhuutii bhi tasalli ba-sar-o-chashm qubuul
Dil kaa rah rah ke tadapanaa nahin dekha jaata
Now I accept by all means false or fake assurance
I cannot bear to see my heart repeatedly sobbing

(tasalli=assurance, comfort; ba-saro-chashm=by all means; qubuul=consented)

Ghazal #17

This too has been sung by Talat Mahmood and has exquisite lyrics.

Please enjoy: Dil ko behlaane ki tadbeer to hai

Dil ko behlaane ki tadbeer to hai
Tu nahin teri tasveer to hai
I have a solution for amusing my heart
I don’t have you but have your picture

(Tadbeer=solution)

Hamsafar chhod gaye mujhako to kyaa
Saath mere meri taqdeer to hai
So what if fellow travellers abandoned me
I have my destiny to keep me company

(Hamsafar=fellow travellers; taqdeer=destiny)

Qaid se chhoot ke bhi kyaa paaya
Aaj bhi paanv mein zanjeer to hai.
What did I obtain by freeing myself from the prison
Even today my feet are shackled

Kyaa majal unaki ke na den khat ka jawaab
Baat kuch baa.is-e-taakheer to hai
How dare she not reply to my epistle?
It is just that there is some cause for delay

(baa.is-e-taakheer=cause of delay)

Purshish-e-haal ko woh aa hi gaye
Kuchh bhi ho ishq mein taaseer to hai
She came just to enquire about my well-being
Whatever happens there is power in Love

(Purshish-e-haal=to enquire about well-being; taaseer=effect)

Gham ki duniyaa rahe aabaad Shakeel
Muflisi mein koi jaagir to hai
The world of sorrows may prosper, Shakeel
There are riches even in poverty

(Muflisi=poverty; jaagir=property)

Ghazal#18

Please enjoy: Hum unaki anjuman ka samaan ban ke reh gaye

Ham unaki anjuman ka samaan ban ke reh gaye
Sar-taa-qadam nigaah o zubaan ban ke reh gaye.
I only remained a scene in her society
From head to foot I remained just eyes and tongue.

(Anjuman=society, party; samaan=scene; Sar-taa-qadam= from head to foot)

Palte muqqadaraat kuchh is taur se ki ham
Tasveer-e-inqilaab-e-jahaan ban ke reh gaye
My destiny turned in such a manner
That I could just become the picture of world’s revolution

(Muqqadaraat= destiny; taur=manner; tasveer-e-inqilaab-e-jahaan= picture of world’s revolution)

Mazloom dil ki talkh-navaayi to dekhna
Naghme to jab taq aaye fugaan ban ke reh gaye
Just have a look at the bitter things said by my oppressed heart
Songs were yet to arrive, I could just become clamour.

(Mazloom= injured, oppressed; talkh-navaayi= saying bitter things; naghme= melodies; fughaan= clamour)

Ab ham hain aur haqeeqat-e-aalam hai ai Shakeel,
Lamhe khushi ke khwaab-e-giraan ban ke reh gaye.
Now I am here and the reality of tragedy, O Shakeel
Hours of happiness were just dream makers.

(Haqeeqat-e-aalam= reality of tragedy; lamhe= moments; khwaab-e-giraan= dream makers)

Ghazal #19

A little difficult but very meaningful.

Please enjoy: Duniya ki rawayat se begaana nahin hoon

Duniya ki rawayat se begaana nahin hoon,
Chhedo naa mujhe main koi deewana nahin hoon.
I am not a stranger to the tradition of the world
Don’t tease me, I am not some mad man

(Rawayat=tradition)

Is kasrat-e-gham pe bhi mujhe hasrat-e-gham hai,
Jo bhar ke chhalak jaaye wo paimaana nahin hoon.
I have a desire for sorrows for this excess of sorrows
It is not a true wine measure that overflows after being full

(kasrat-e-gham=excess of sorrows; hasrat-e-gham=desire for sorrows)

Ruudaad-e-gham hai taaza mere dam se
Unvaan-e-har-fasaana hoon afsaana nahin hoon
Story of sorrows is fresh because of me
I am the beginning of every romance but not the tale of romance

(Ruudaad-e-gham=story of sorrows; taaza=fresh; unvaan-e-har-fasaana=Beginning of romance; afsaana=tale of romance)

Ilzaam-e-junoon den na mujhe ahl-e-mohabbat,
Main khud ye samajhtaa hoon deewana nahin hoon.
People of love shouldn’t accuse me of madness
I consider myself that I am not a mad man

(Ilzaam-e-junoon= Accusation of madness; ahl-e-mohabbat= people of love; deewana=crazy in love)

Main qaayal-e-khud-daari-e-ulfat sahi lekin
Aadaab-e-mohabbat se begaana nahin hoon.
I may be a fan of selfish love, but
I am not a stranger to the norm of Love

(Qaayal-e-khud-daari-e-ulfat= Fan or follower of selfish love; Aadaab-e-mohabbat=ways/norms of love; begaana=stranger)

Hai barq-e-sar-e-toor se dil shola-ba-daaman
Sham-e-sar-e-mahfil hoon parvaana nahin hoon
Because of lightening on Toor mountain, there is fire at the hem of my heart
I am a patron if the evening assembly of poets and not a moth

(barq-e-sar-e-toor=lightening on Toor mountain; shola-ba-daaman= fire at hem of apparel; Sham-e-sar-e-mahfil=Patron of evening assembly of poets; parvaana=moth)

Hai gardish-e-saagar meri taqdeer ka chakker
Mohtaaj-e-tavaaf-e-dar-e-maikhaana nahin hoon
The movement (or revolution) of the wine-glass is the turn of my fate,
(But) I am not a slave of the door knob of the bar

(gardish-e-saagar=movement of glass of wine; taqdeer= fate; Mohtaaj-e-tavaaf-e-dar-e-maikhaana=slave of the door-knob of the bar)

Kaanto se guzr jaata hoon daaman ko bacha kar
Phoolon ki siyaasat se mein begaana nahin hoon.
I pass through the thorns protecting the hem if my apparel
However I am not a stranger to the administration or rule of flowers

(siyaasat=administration)

Lazzat-kash-e-nazraana Shakeel apni nazar hai
Mahruum-e-jamaal-e-rukh-e-jaanaana nahin hoon.
It is in my eye the taste of the pull (like a cigarette) of the gift (or present)
I am not deprived of the beauty of the female face

(Lazzat-kash-e-nazraana=taste of the pull of gift or present; nazar=eye; Mahruum-e-jamaal-e-rukh-e-jaanaana= deprived of the beauty of the female face)

Ghazal #20

This one is so good!

Please enjoy: Jab kabhi ham tere kuche se guzar jaate hain

Jab kabi ham tere kuche se guzr jaate hain
Lauh-e-idraak pe kuchh aur ubhar jaate hain
When I go through your narrow streets
Levels of perception become even higher (than before)

(Lauh-e-idraak = level of perception)

Husn se leejiye tanzeem-e-do-aalam ka sabaq
Subah hoti hai to gessu bhi sanvar jaate hain
Let the Beauty give a lesson in administration of the two worlds
As the morning comes, the tresses are combed too

(tanzeem-e-do-aalam = administration of two worlds; sabaq = lesson; gessu = hair, tresses)

Ham ne paaya hai mohabbat ka khumaar-e-abadi
Kaise hote hain vo nashe ki utar jaate hain?
I have obtained the everlasting intoxication of Love
What kind of intoxications are those that come down?

(Khumaar-e-abadi = everlasting intoxication)

Itne khaaif hain mai-o-mah se janaab-e-vaaiz
Naam-e-kausar bhi jo sunte hain to dar jaate hain
Mister Abstinent is so timid with wine and moon
He hears the name of fountain of wine in paradise and he trembles with fear

(Khaaif = timid, afraid; mai -o-mah = wine and moon; janaab-e-vaaiz = respected abstinent; Naam -e-kausar = name of fountain of wine in paradise)

Maikada band muqaffal hain dar-e-daur-o-haram
Dekhna hai ki Shakeel aaj kidhar jaate hain
The bar is closed and locked are the doors of the temple and mosque
Lets see Shakeel where do the go today

(Maikada = bar; muqaffal = locked; dar-e-daur-o-haram = doors of temple and mosque)

Ghazal #20

This has been sung by both Begum Akhtar and Farida Khanum. At the end of the original ghazal and its translation I am going to give you the version by Farida Khanum.

Please enjoy: Mere ham-nafas, mere ham-navaa, mujhe dost banake dagaa na de…

Mere ham-nafas, mere ham-navaa, mujhe dost banake dagaa na de
Main huu.N dard-e-ishq se jaa.N_valab, mujhe zindagii ki dua na de
My friend, my co-speaker, don’t deceive me after befriending me
I am almost dead with heartache, don’t wish life for me

[ham-nafas=friend; ham-navaa=speaking in unison; dagha=deceit; dard-e-ishq=heart sore; jaa.N_valab=near death, heart/life in mouth]

Mere daag-e-dil se hai raushani, usi raushani se hai zindagi
Mujhe dar hai aye mere chaaraagar, ye charaag tuu hi bujhaa na de
There is light because of my heartache, there is life because of that light
I am afraid my physician, you may not extinguish this lamp

[daag-e-dil=heart sore; chaaraagar=physician]

Mujhe chhod de mere haal par, teraa kyaa bharosaa hai chaaraagar
Ye teri nawaazish-e-muKhtasar, mera dard aur badaa na de
Please leave me on my condition, I have no trust in you physician
This small request of yours may not augment my ache

[nawaazish= request; muKhtasar=brief]

Mera azm itana baland hai ke paraaye sholon kaa dar nahin
Mujhe Khauf aatish-e-gul se hai, ye kahin chaman ko jalaa na de
My conviction is so great that I do not fear the other’s cinders
My fear is with the flame of flower that may burn down the garden

[azm=conviction; baland= high, great; sholo.n=balls of fire; khauf=fear; aatish-e-gul=flame of flower]

Wo uthe hain leke hom-o-subu, arey o ‘Shakeel’ kahaan hai tuu
Tera jaam lene ko bazm mein koi aur haath badaa na de
She has risen holding the wine cup, O Shakeel, where are you?
In this assembly in order to hold that wine cup someone else shouldn’t extend his hand

[hom=burnt offering; subu=wine cup; bazm=assembly, meeting]

https://youtube.com/watch?v=wFpK90fPA3A%3F

The subject of drinking wine from the hands of the beloved is a common subject in Urdu poetry. Shakeel did full justice to it.

Please enjoy: Laa raha hai mai koi sheeshe mein bhar ke saamne….

Laa raha hai mai koi sheeshe mein bhar ke saamne,
Kis kadar pur-kaif hai manzar nazar ke saamne
Someone is bringing wine before me in a glass
How intoxicated the scene is in front of my eyes

(pur-kaif = full of intoxication; manzar = scene, view)

Main to is aalam ko kyaa se kyaa bana deta magar,
Kis ki chalti hai hayaat-e-mukhatsar ke saamne
I could have changed this atmosphere into something, but,
Who is in control in the face of this short-life?

(aalam = atmosphere; hayaat-e-mukhatsar = short-life)

Phir na dena tanaa-e-nakaam-e-zauk-e-nazar
Hausla hai kuchh to aa jaao nazar ke saamne
Again do not rebuke me about the taste of failure
I challenge you if you have courage come face me

(tanaa = rebuke, complaint; nakaam = failure; zauk = taste)

Aah ye rudaad-e-hangaam-e-tarab ai gham-gusaar
Zikr-e-gulshan jaise ik be-baal-o-par ke saamne
O you who comforts, my sigh is that story of happening of music
As the narration of garden is in front of a bird without feathers and wings

(rudaad-e-hangaam-e-tarab = story of happening of music; gham-gusaar = one who comforts or consoles; zikr-e-gulshan = narration of garden; be-baal-o-par = without feathers and wings; helpless)

Ho chukaa jab khaatma saari ummidon ka to phir
Jaa rahe ho kyun Shakeel us fitnagar ke saamne
After the (brutal) end of all your hopes
Why then are you going Shakeel in front of the mischief maker?

(fitnagar = mischief maker)

Ghazal #22

This is so perfect that it is bound to leave you breathless!

Please enjoy: Nigaah-e-naaz ka ik vaar kar ke chhod diya…..

Nigaah-e-naaz ka ik vaar kar ke chhod diya
Dil-e-hareef ko bedaar kar ke chhod diya
She left with after just one attack of her look of love
She left me after awakening my rival heart

(Nigaah-e-naaz=Look of love; vaar=attack; Dil-e-hareef=heart of rival; bedaar = awake, vigilant)

Hui to hai younhi tardeed-e-ahd-e-lutf-o-karam
Dabi zubaan se ikraar kar ke chhod diya
It has happened somehow the refusal to accept the promise of pleasure and favour
With pursed lips she left me after giving consent

(tardeed=to refuse to admit/accept; ahd=promise; lutf=pleasure; karam=favour; ikraar=consent, promise)

Chhupe kuchh aise ki taa-ziist na aaye nazar
Raheen-e-hasrat-e-deedaar kar ke chhod diya
She hid herself such that even the trace of life cannot be seen
She left after making a pledge about the desire to see

(taa-ziist=trace or proof of life; Raheen-e-hasrat-e-deedaar=pledged to the desire to see)

Mujhe to qaid-e-mohabbat azeez thi lekin
Kisi ne mujh ko giraftaar kar ke chhod diya
The prison of love became dear to me, but,
Someone made me a prisoner but then left me

Nazar ko jur.at-e-takmeel-e-bandagii na hui
Tavaaf-e-kucha-e-dildaar kar ke chhod diya
My eyes couldn’t get the courage for completion of devotion
I left after circumambulation of the street of the beloved

(jur.at-e-takmeel-e-bandage=courage for completion of devotion; tavaaf-e-kucha-e-didaar=circumambulation of street of the beloved (just as you circumambulate around the idol of a god/goddess)

Khushaa vo kashmakash-e-rabt-e-baahamii jis ne
Dil-o-dimaag ko bekaar kar ke chhod diya
Blessed is she who through the dilemma of slow sadomasochism
Has left me after making my heart and mind useless

(Khushaa=blessed, fortunate; kashmakash=dilemma; rabt=slow; baahami=sadomasochism. So the meaning of this really excellent couplet is=Fortunate/blessed is she who through the dilemma of slow sadomasochism has made my heart and mind useless!)

Zahe-naseeb ki duniya ne tere gham se mujhe
Masarraton ko talabgaar kar ke chhod diya
The world of the lucky has done to me in your sorrow
That I am left as a seeker of happinesses

(Zahe-naseeb=one who has good luck/lucky; Masarraton=happinesses; talabgaar=seeker, desirous; Another excellent couplet; I am lucky in the world wherein your sorrow has left me after making me a seeker of happinesses)

Karam ki aas mein ab kis ke dar pe jaaye Shakeel
Jab aap hi ne gunaahgaar kar ke chhod diya.
Shakeel, in the hope of kindness (karam) now at whose door should I go
When you yourself has abandoned me as an accused

Ghazal #23

This one is as expressive as it is simple.

Please enjoy: Pehlu mein dard-e-ishq ki duniya liye hue….

Pehlu mein dard-e-ishq ki duniya liye hue,
Baitha hoon zindagi ka sahaara liye hue.
In the flank with the world of pain of love
I sit leaning on life

Dil hai tajalii-e-rukh-e-zebaa liye hue,
Aagosh mein hai chand ko dariya liye hue.
Heart has the lightening of her beautiful face
(As if) The river has moon in its embrace

(tajalii-e-rukh-e-zebaa=lightening of beautiful face; Aagosh=embrace)

Pahunche to dil mein josh-e-tamanna liye hue,
Laute magar lutii hui duniyaa liye hue.
I reached there with heart full of zeal and desire
I returned with my world in shambles

Main jii raha hoon gham-kada-e-rozgaar mein,
Teri mohabbaton ka sahaara liye hue.
I am living in the house of sorrow of livelihood
With the support of your love

(gham-kada-e-rozgaar=house of sorrow of livelihood/employment)

Utha hoon bazm-e-husn se loghzish-ba-paa Shakeel,
Behaki hui ik nazar ka sahaara liye hue.
I have risen from the assembly of beauty having slipped with my feet
But seeking the support of her intoxicating eyes

(bazm-e-husn=assembly of beauty; loghzish-ba-paa=slipping of foot)

Ghazal #24

Irony and despondence are two characteristics of Shakeel Badayuni’s poetry. Here both are seen together. At the end of the translation, please listen to Ustaad Moin Khan and his group.

Please enjoy: Zindagi uanki chaah mein guzari….

Zindagi unaki chaah mein guzari
Mustaqil dard o raah mein guzari
My life was spent desiring her
Permanently spent in the street of pain

(Mustaqil=permanently, firmly)

Rahmaton se nibaah mein guzari
Umr saari gunaah mein guzari
It was spent dealing with blessings
The whole life was spent sinfully

(Rahmaton=blessings; nabaah=dealing)

Haay vo zindagi ki ik saa.at
Jo teri baargaah mein guzari
Alas, those moments in my life
Which were spent in your court

(saa.at=moment; baargaah=audience hall, court)

Sab ki nazaron mein sar-buland rahe
Jab taq unaki nigaah mein guzari
My head was held high in every eye
Until I passed in front of her eyes

Main vo ikraar-e-mohabbat hoon
Jis ki manzil bhi raah mein guzari
I am that consent of love
Whose destination is lost on the way

Ik khushi hamane dil mein chaahi thi
Vo bhi gham ki panaah mein guzari
I sought just one joy, but
That too was at the mercy of (panaah) of her sorrow

Zindagi apani ai Shakeel ab tak
Talkhi-e-rasm-o-raah mein guzari
O Shakeel, my life so far
Was spent in the bitterness of the path of tradition

(Talkhi-e-rasm-o-raah= bitterness of the path of tradition)

Ghazal #25

The subject of wine-glass or goblet again; but, with a difference.

Please enjoy: Naa paimaane chhalakte hain naa daur-e-jam chalta hai….

Naa paimaane khanakte hain naa daur-e-jaam chalta hai,
Nayi duniya ki rindon mein khuda ka naam chalta hai.
Neither there is tinkle of peg-measures nor there is round of wine drinking
In the world of the drunkards the name of God is prevalent

(rindon=drunkards)

Gham-e-ishq se hain gham-e-hasti ke hungaame judaa lekin,
Vahan bhi din guzarte hain yahaan bhi kaam chalta hai.
The commotion (hungama) of sorrow of existence (gham-e-hasti) is separate from sorrow of love (gham-e-ishq)
There too days pass, here too work goes on

Chhupe hain laakh haq ke marhale gumnaam hontho par,
Usi ki baat chal jaati hai jiska naam chalta hai.
Lakhs of stages of right are hidden on unnamed lips
He who has a name is able to dictate terms

Junoon-e-rah-ravii-e-waqt ki raftaar se poochho,
Koi manzil nahin lekin yeh subah o shaam chalta hai.
Enquire from the speed of the madness of time’s journey
It has no destination but it goes on morning and evening (meaning all the time)

(Junoon-e-rah-ravii-e-waqt=madness of time’s journey in orbit)

Shakeel-e-mast ko masti main jo kehna hai kehne do,
Ye maikhaana hai ai vaaiz yahan sab kaam chalta hai.
Let Shakeel who is fun-filled say whatever he wants to say in fun
This is a tavern O preacher, here anything is acceptable

(vaaiz=preacher)

Ghazal #26

There wasn’t a poet and lyricist like him. Probably, there won’t ever be. He used words as a goldsmith uses gold to make beautiful ornaments.

Here is his second most popular ghazal sung by Shanti Heranand.

Please enjoy: Nazar Nawaz nazaron mein ji nahin lagata….

Nazar nawaaz nazaron mein ji nahin lagata,
Woh kyaa gaye ki bahaaron mein ji nahin lagata.
My heart cannot find joy in sights that are pleasing to the eye
She left and now spring cannot amuse me
(Nazar nawaaz=Pleasing to the eye)

Shab-e-firaaq ko ai chaand aa ke chamka de,
Nazar udaas hai taaron mein ji nahin lagata.
Only moon (her) can come and brighten the night of separation
My sight is sad, stars cannot amuse me
(Shab-e-firaaq=Night of separation/longing)

Gham-e-hayaat ke maare to ham bhi hain lekin,
Gham-e-hayaat ke maaron mein ji nahin lagata.
Even I am a victim of sorrow of life, but
I do not find amusement  in the midst of other victims of sorrow of life.
(Gham-e-hayaat=Sorrow of life)

Na poochh mujhase tere gham mein kyaa guzarti hai,
Yahi kahunga hazaaron mein ji nahin lagata.
Don’t ask me how I spend my time in your sorrow
I shall say only this that I don’t find amusement in the midst of thousands

Kuchh is qadar hai gham-e-zindagi se dil maayus,
Khizaan gayi to bahaaron mein ji nahin lagata.
In this manner is the heart saddened by sorrow of life
That when autumn was over, spring doesn’t amuse me

Fasaana-e-shab-e-gham khatm hone waala hai,
Shakeel chand sitaaron mein ji nahin lagata.
Story of the night of grief is about to end now
Shakeel, (now) moon and the stars don’t amuse me anymore
(Fasaana-e-shab-e-gham=Story of the night of grief)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=WYQRvcaU8FA%3F

Ghazal #27

One wonders how Shakeel was able to write one after the other beautiful ghazal!

Please enjoy: Shikwe tere huzoor kiye jaa raha hoon main….

Shikwe tere huzoor kiye jaa raha hoon main,
Jo kuchh bhi ho qusoor kiye jaa raha hoon main.
Respected Sir, I keep complaining to you
Whatever happens I keep doing wrong
(Shikwe=Complaints)

Vahm-e-ta.ayyunaat ka anjaam dekhna,
Nazdeekiyon ko door kiye jaa raha hoon main.
Look for the result of the whim of fixtures
I keep converting nearness into distances
(Vahm-e-ta.ayyunaat=Whim of fixtures)

Mahv-e-tavaaf koocha-e-hasti mein rahmaten,
Shayad koi qusoor kiye jaa raha hoon main.
I seek mercies through being busy in circumambulation of street of life
Perhaps I am committing some wrong somewhere
(Mahv-e-tavaaf=Busy in circumambulation; Koocha-e-hasti=Street of life; Rahmaten=Mercies)

Rakhi hui hai sang-e-dar-e-yaar par jabeen,
Is ijz par ghurur kiye jaa raha hoon main.
My forehead is kept at the stone of my beloved’s doorstep
This modesty of mine fills me with pride
(Sang-e-dar-e-yaar=Stone of beloved’s doorstep; Jabeen=Forehead; Ijz=Modesty; Ghurur=Pride)

Nazar-e-nigaah-e-naaz hain dil ki nazaakten,
Sheeshe ko choor choor kiye jaa raha hoon main.
Offerings of beloved’s glance are the delicacies of heart
I am smashing into fragments the wine-glass
(Nazar-e-nigaah-e-naaz=Offering of beloved’s glance; Nazaakten=Delicacies)

Rabt-e-niyaaz-o-naaz ka aalam to dekhna,
Naadim hain vo qusoor kiye jaa raha hoon main.
Just look at the contact of love and coquetry
She is sorry for the wrongs that I am committing
(Rabt-e-niyaaz-o-naaz=Contact of love and coquetry; Naadim=Sorry)

Socha kabhi na hazrat-e-vaa.iz ne ye Shakeel,
Rindon mein zikr-e-hoor kiye jaa raha hoon main.
The master preacher never thought of this, O Shakeel
In the midst of drunkards I am describing a beautiful angelic woman
(Hazrat-e-vaa.iz=Master preacher; Rindon=Drunkards; Zikr-e-hoor=Description of beautiful woman)

Ghazal #28

Please enjoy Gayatri Gaekwad sing this beautiful ghazal: Unake bagair hum jo gulistaan mein aa gaye…..

Unake bagair ham jo gulistaan mein aa gaye,
Mehsoos ye hua ke bayabaan mein aa gaye.
Without her when I entered the flower-garden
It felt like I entered some wilderness
(Bayabaan=wilderness)

Tash.heer-e-dil-giraftagi-e-husn ho gayi,
Aansu chhalak ke chashm-e-pashemaan mein aa gaye.
Her heart-ravishing beauty was publicised when
My tears dropped from my repentant eyes
(Tash.heer-e-dil-giraftagi-e-husn=publicity of captivating or heart ravishing beauty; Chashm-e-pashemaan=repentant eyes)

Ham tark-e-rabt-o-zabt-e-mohabbat ke baavjuud,
Sau baar khinch ke kuucha-e-jaanan mein aa gaye.
I, in spite of the renunciation of contact with and control over love
Hundreds of times fell victim to the pull of beloved’s street
(Tark-e-rabt-o-zabt-e-mohabbat=Renunciation of contact with and control over Love; Kuucha-e-jaanan=beloved’s street)

Phuulon ko raas aaya na jab arsa-e-bahaar,
Gulshan se hat ke gosha-e-daaman mein aa gaye.
Flowers didn’t find alright the duration of spring
Abandoning the garden they came to the piece of her hem
(Gosha-e-daaman=piece of the hem)

Har-chand ahl-e-hosh the arbaab-e-zindagi,
Lekin fareb-e-gardish-e-dauraan mein aa gaye.
Although people of reason were the ambassadors (ardaab) of life
But they fell victim to the deception of movement of times
(Har-chand=although; Ahl-e-hosh=people of reason; Fareb-e-gardish-e-dauraan=deception of movement of times)

Aaya meri zubaan pe yaka yak jo unka naam,
Kis kis ke haath mere garebaan pe aa gaye.
When suddenly her name came on my tongue
Whose all hands held my collar (in anger)
(Garebaan=collar)

Chhup kar nigaah-e-shauk se dil mein panaah li,
Dil mein naa chhup sake to rag-e-jaan mein aa gaye.
My heart sought refuge hidden from the eye that seeks pleasure
When it couldn’t hide in the heart, it came into the jugular vein 
(Rag-e-jaan=jugular vein)

The muntashar azal mein jo zarraat-e-kuu-e-dost,
Insaan ban ke aalam-e-imkaan mein aa gaye.
The particles from the street of the beloved were disorderly
They became human and entered the world of possibilities
(Muntashar=disorderly; Azal=beginning; Zarraat-e-kuu-e-dost=particles from the street of the beloved; Aalam-e-imkaan=world of possibilities)

Jinaki adaa adaa mein hain raanaayiyan Shakeel,
Ash.aar ban ke vo mere deevaan mein aa gaye.
In whose grace are beauties, Shakeel
They entered my royal court after becoming couplets
(Raanaayiyan=beauties; Ash.aar=couplets; deevaan=royal court)

Ghazal #29

A relatively simpler one sung by the Ghazal King Talat Mehmood.

Please enjoy: Koi aarzu nahin hai, koi mudda nahin hai…

Koi aarzu bahin hai, koi mudda nahin hai,
Tera gham rahe salaamat, mere dil mein kyaa nahin hai.
There is no desire (aarzu), there is no issue (mudda)
Long live your sorrow, what is not there in my heart?

Kahaan jaam-e-gham ki talkhi kahaan zindagi kaa darmaan,
Mujhe vo dawa mili hai jo meri dawa nahin hai.
Where is bitterness of goblet of sorrow, where is remedy for life
I have got that medicine, which is not my medicine
(Jaam-e-gham=goblet of sorrow; Talkhi=bitterness; Darmaan=remedy)

Tu bachaaye laakh daaman mera phir bhi hai ye vaada,
Tere dil mein main hi main hoon koi doosra nahin hai.
You may take your hem of dress away, but I still make that promise
In your heart only I am there, no one else resides there

Tujhe keh diya sitamgar ye qusoor tha zabaan kaa,
Mujhe tum muaaf kar do meraa dil bura nahin hai.
I called you a tyrant (sitamgar), it was guilt of my tongue
Please forgive me, my heart is not bad

Mujhe dost kehne waale zaraa dosti nibha de,
Ye mutaalba hai haq kaa koi iltija nahin hai.
You who calls me friend, you come a little equal to friendship
This is a demand of right and not a request
(Mutaalba=demand; Iltija=request)

Ye udaas udaas chehre ye haseen haseen tabassum,
Tere anjuman mein shayad koi aainaa nahin hai.
These sad faces, these beautiful smiles
Perhaps there is no mirror in your society
(Anjuman=society or gathering)

Meri aankh ne tujhe bhi bakhudaa Shakeel paaya,
Main samajh raha tha mujh sa koi doosra nahin hai.
My eyes found you too, Shakeel swears by God
(Before that) I thought there is no one like me
(Bakhudaa=swear by God)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=E12S5MsrpO4%3F

Ghazal #30

This is the last one in this Part II (wait for Part III for the remaining ghazals)

Please enjoy: Jazbaat ki rau mein beh gaya hoon….

Jazbaat ki rau mein beh gaya hoon,
Kehna jo naa tha wo keh gaya hoon.
I have flown in the flow of emotions (Jazbaat)
What I didn’t want to say I have said

Har lamha-e-sar khushi mein aksar,
Do ashq baha ke reh gaya hoon.
Often in every moment of ecstasy
I couldn’t help shedding two tears
(Lamha-e-sar-khushi=moment of ecstasy)

Thaa jin pe gumaan tere sitam kaa,
Kuchh aise karam bhi seh gaya hoon.
Those that were suspiciously your tyrannies
Even those mercies I have tolerated
(Gumaan=suspicion; Sitam=tyranny)

Shayad vo ise junoon samajh lein,
Ik baat pate ki keh gaya hoon.
Perhaps she may think of this as my madness (junoon)
(But) one thing of substance I have said

Ab kyaa gham-e-saahil-o-talaatum,
Ik mauj ke haath beh gaya hoon.
Now what is the sorrow of shore and storm
I have flown at the hands of a wave
(Gham-e-saahil-o-talaatum=sorrow of shore or storm; Mauj=wave)

Why do I shed tears, year after year, on the day of the death anniversary of Shakeel (the name means Handsome or Good Looking), today, 20th April? Is it because he died too young (Having been born on 3rd Aug 1916, he was only 53 when he died on this day in 1970)? I am not even well versed in Urdu, not even a hundredth of what he was and yet I pray to God that before I die I should be able to write at least a couplet as good as he wrote.

On the 10th of January this year I started a Facebook group ‘Main Shayar To Nahin’ primarily to air my devotion for him and some other Urdu poets. I regularly put up Shakeel’s poetry with meanings so that more and more people can savour his excellence. I call him the King of Irony since no one can write irony better than he did. Just one example:

Na milata gham to barbaadi ke afsaane kahan jaate?
If there was to be no sorrow, where would odes of ruin find a place
Agar duniya chaman hoti to veeraane kahan jaate?
If the world would be just a garden, where would deserts find a place
Chalo achha hua apano mein koi gair to nikala,
It is good that amongst own people there was an outsider too
Agar hote sabhi apane to begaane kahan jaate?
If all people were your own (in the world) where would strangers find a place

My blog already has a number of articles on Shakeel Badayuni (‘Shakeel Badayuni – The King Amongst Lyricist And Poets – Part I’; ‘Shakeel Badayuni – The King Amongst Lyricist And Poets – Part II’, ‘The Best Of Old Hindi Songs – Rafi, Shakeel, Naushad And Dilip Kumar Together’, and ‘Another Tribute To Shakeel Badayuni In The Month Of His Death Anniversary’)

We were a slave nation for 31 years of his 53 that he walked on this earth. All his contemporaries wrote about social inequalities, poverty, slavery and the like. Shakeel wrote about Love, Mohabbat, Ishq, Wafa, Ulfat; it is as if he lived in a different world. In addition, his god faring nature ensured that he also wrote the finest Bhajans in Hindi movies.

Lets start the journey into his Ghazals. This is the first part; more to follow:

Ghazal #1

His most famous ghazal had Irony, Gham, Despondency and ruefulness in adequate measures; a ghazal made famous by Begum Akhtar, Mallika-e-Ghazal (Queen of Ghazals), though other vied to sing it too.

Ghazal #5

These ghazals are not in any order. Here is a famous ghazal of his (there are none of his ghazals that are not famous!). This has been sung by Pankaj Udhas.

Please enjoy: Kaise keh doon ke mulaaqaat nahin hoti hai….

Kaise kah duu.N ki mulaaqaat nahii.n hotii hai
How can I say that meeting with her doesn’t take place?
Roz milate hai.n magar baat nahii.n hotii hai
We meet everyday but don’t say anything

Aap lillaah na dekhaa kare.n aaiinaa kabhii
For God’s sake, don’t ever see a looking-glass
Dil kaa aa jaanaa ba.Dii baat nahii.n hotii hai
It is not such a big thing that I fell for you

Chhup ke rotaa huu.N terii yaad me.n duniyaa bhar se
Stealthily from the world I cry in your memory
Kab merii aa.Nkh se barasaat nahii.n hotii hai
That’s why rain of tears don’t freely fall from my eyes

Haal-e-dil puuchhane vaale terii duniyaa me.n kabhii
You aske me the wellness of my heart, in your world at any time
Din to hotaa hai magar raat nahii.n hotii hai
Day rises but night never comes

Jab bhii milate hai.n to kahate hai.n kaise ho “Shakeel”
When you meet me you ask me how are you, Shakeel
Is se aage to koii baat nahii.n hotii hai
Post this, no other conversation takes place

https://youtube.com/watch?v=I3-BbFDE5ys%3F

Ghazal #6

Anyone singing any of Shakeel’s ghazals would gain instant immortality. Begum Akhtar did and also Nirmala Devi, actor Govinda’s mother. She was a Hindustan classical vocalist of the Patiala Gharana and her rendition of Shakeel’s ghazal Bana bana ke tamanna mitayi jaati hai got her fame.

Please enjoy: Bana bana ke tamanna mitayi jaati hai….

Banaa banaa ke tamannaa miTaa_ii jaatii hai
Craving is repeatedly built up and destroyed
Tarah tarah se vafaa aazamaa_ii jaatii hai
In many different ways fidelity is tested

Ghazal #7

This is very good and you ought to read it with translation. However, I couldn’t find either the video or the audio for this except for a recitation by Nomaan Shauque. It is still a very fine ghazal.

Please enjoy: Woh hamase door hote jaa rahe hain…

Woh hamase door hote jaa rahe hain
She is moving far from me
Bahut maghroor hote jaa rahe hain
And becoming arrogant

Bas ik tark-e-mohabbat ke iraade
Only the resolve for break-up
Hamen manzoor hote jaa rahe hain
Is becoming increasingly acceptable to me

Manaazir the jo firdaus-e-tasavvur
The scenes of paradise of imagination that were earlier accepted
Vo sab mastuur hote jaa rahe hain
Are becoming hidden now

Badalti jaa rahi hai dil ki duniyaa
The world of the heart is changing
Naye dastuur hote jaa rahe hain
New customs are arising

Bahut maghmuum tha jo deeda o dil
Very sad was the sight of my heart
Bahut masruur hote jaa rahe hain
Very cheerful is she becoming

Wafa par murdaani si chha chali hai
Fidelity has the shadow of death over it
Sitam kaa noor hote jaa rahe hain
She is becoming the light of the oppression

Kabhi woh pass aaye jaa rahe the
At one time she was coming closer
Magar ab door hote jaa rahe hain
But now she is moving farther

Firaq-e-hijr ke taareek lamhe
The dark moments of parting and separation
Saraapaa noor hote jaa rahe hain
Totally are becoming clearer now

Shakeel, ehsaas-e-gumnaami se keh do
Shakeel, let the feeling of anonymity know
Ke ham mashhuur hote jaa rahe hain
That I am becoming famous now

Ghazal #8

Begum Akhtar again and this time with a much simpler ghazal.

Please enjoy: Khush hoon mera husn-e-talab kaam to aaya…

Khush huu.N ki meraa husn-e-talab kaam to aayaa
I am happy my way of wanting beauty has found a use
Khaalii hii sahii merii taraf jaam to aayaa
Even though empty at least the wine glass has been offered to me

Kaafii hai mere dil ki tasallii ko yahii baat
This thing is sufficient for the consolation of my heart
Aap aa na sake aap kaa paiGaam to aayaa
You couldn’t come but at least your message came

Apano.n ne nazar pherii to dil ne to diyaa saath
When my own people moved away at least the heart accompanied me
Duniyaa me.n koii dost mere kaam to aayaa
In this world at least some friend was of some use

Wo subah kaa ehasaas ho yaa.N merii kashish ho
It may be the feeling of morning or my attraction
Duubaa hua Khurshiid sar-e-baam to aayaa
Sinking Sun came to the corner of the terrace

Log un se ye kahate hai.n ki kitane hai.n “Shakeel” aap
People tell her how Shakeel (good-looking) is she
Is husn ke sadaqe me.n meraa naam to aayaa
At least my name was uttered in the offering of the beauty

https://youtube.com/watch?v=fbYP0Y3pHXc%3F

Ghazal #9

If I have given you a ghazal of his sung by Lata Mangeshkar, I am bound to give you one by Asha Bhosle (Asha ji). This is from the 1953 movie Hazaar Raten.

Please enjoy: Meri Zindagi Pe Na Muskaraa Mujhe Zindagi Kaa Alam Nahin….

Merii zindagii pe na muskaraa mujhe zindagii kaa alam nahii.n
Don’t smile on my life, I have no anguish about life
Jise tere Gam se ho vaastaa vo Khizaa.N bahaar se kam nahii.n
The one that’s related to your sorrow, that autumn is not less than spring

Meraa kufr haasil-e-zuud hai meraa zuud haasil-e-kufr hai
My disbelief is in the realm of abstinence, my abstinence is in the realm of disbelief
Merii bandagii vo hai bandagii jo rahiin-e-dair-o-haram nahii.n
My devotion is that devotion that’s not pledged to temple or mosque

Mujhe raas aaye Khudaa kare yahii ishtibaah kii saa_ate.n
God willing my moments of ambiguity should become acceptable
Unhe.n aitabaar-e-vafaa to hai mujhe aitabaar-e-sitam nahii.n
She at least has trust in love, I don’t have trust in her tyranny

Vahii kaaravaa.N vahii raaste vahii zindagii vahii marahale
Same caravan, same raods, same stages of life’s journey
Magar apane-apane muqaam par kabhii tum nahii.n kabhii ham nahii.n
But in our own stations, sometimes you ain’t there, sometimes I am not there

Na vo shaan-e-jabr-e-shabaab hai na vo rang-e-qahar-e-itaab hai
Neither is there pride in being a young man, nor is there atmosphere of havoc and displeasure
Dil-e-beqaraar pe in dino.n hai sitam yahii ki sitam nahii.n
These days my restless heart is oppressed that there is no oppression

Na fanaa merii na baqaa merii mujhe ai ‘Shakeel’ na Dhuu.NDiye
Neither I own mortality nor death, please don’t search for me
Mai.n kisii kaa husn-e-Khayaal huu.N meraa kuchh vujuud-o-adam nahii.n
I am someone’s beauty of thought, I don’t have life or after life

Ghazal #10

K Asif’s 1960 magnum opus Mughal-e-Azam was as famous for depicting the love affair between Prince Salim and courtesan Ananrkali as for its songs and ghazals penned by Shakeel Badayuni with Naushad Ali’s music.

The best ghazal of the movie in his characteristic style is this.

Please enjoy in Lata’s voice: Aye ishq ye sab duniya waale bekaar ki baatein karte hain….

Ae ishq ye sab duniya wale
Oh love! All these people of the world
Bekaar ki baatein karte hai
Talk nonsense (about love)
Payal ke ghamon ka ilm nahin
They don’t have any knowledge of the pain in the ankle bells
Jhankaar ki batein karte hai
And then they talk about its jingling (sarcasm)
Ae ishq ye sab duniya wale
Oh love! All these people of the world

Har dil me chhupa hai teer koi
In every heart there is a hidden arrow
Har paanv me hai zanjir koi
In every leg there is a shackle
Puchhe koi unase gham ke maze
May someone go and ask them the joys of grief
Jo pyaar ki batein karte hai
All those who talk about love
Ae ishq ye sab duniya wale
Oh love! All these people of the world

Ulfat ke naye deewano ko
The ones who have recently fallen in love
Kis tarah se koi samjhaye
How to make them understand
Nazron pe lagi hai paabandi
Here, there is a restriction on gazing
Deedar ki baatein karte hai
And they are talking about getting a glimpse
Ae ishq ye sab duniya wale
Oh love! All these people of the world

Bhanware hain agar madhosh to kya
If the bees are intoxicated, then what
Parwane bhi hain khamosh to kya
If the moths are silent, then what
Sab pyaar ke nagme gaate hai
All of them sing melodies of love
Sab yaar ki baatein karte hai
All of them talk about their beloved’s
Ae ishq ye sab duniya wale
Oh love! All these people of the world
Bekaar ki baatein karte hai
Talk nonsense
Ae ishq ye sab duniya wale
Oh love! All these people of the world

https://youtube.com/watch?v=2_scqYgA92s%3F

Ghazal #11

A beautiful ghazal sung very beautifully by Kusum Sharma. Please keep thinking of what I have told you about irony.

Please enjoy: Shayad aagaz hua phir kisi afsaane ka….

Shaayad aaGaaz huaa phir kisii afasaane kaa
Perhaps there is beginning of a new romantic tale
Hukm aadam ko hai jannat se nikal jaane kaa
Edict has been given to Adam to quite the paradise

Un se kuchh kah to rahaa huu.N magar allaah na kare
I am saying something to her but it shouldn’t be Allah
Vo bhii mafahuum na samajhe mere afasaane kaa
She too is not able to understand the meaning of my tale of love

Dekhanaa dekhanaa ye hazarat-e-vaa_iz hii na ho.n
See again that it shouldn’t be the mister preacher himself
Raastaa puuchh rahaa hai ko_ii maiKhaane kaa
He is asking for the way to the tavern

Beta’alluq tere aage se guzar jaataa huu.N
Without your acknowledging I pass in front of you
ye bhii ek husn-e-talab hai tere diivaane kaa
This too is a way of longing for your mad-lover

hashr tak garmii-e-ha.ngaamaa-e-hastii hai “Shakeel”
Until the day of judgment the heat of riotous life is there
sil-silaa Khatm na hogaa mere afasaane kaa
The series of my tales of love shall never conclude

https://youtube.com/watch?v=xav5wjLUcs0%3F

Ghazal #12

Once again, I couldn’t find a video or audio for this ghazal. But, nevertheless, it is a beautiful ghazal.

Please enjoy: Teri mehfil se uthkar ishq ke maaron pe kyaa guzari….

Terii mahafil se uThakar ishq ke maaro.n pe kyaa guzarii
What happened with the love-stricken who left your assembly? 
muKhaalif ik jahaa.N thaa jaane bechaaro.n pe kyaa guzarii
The world was inimical, God knows what happened to the poor souls?

Sahar ko ruKhsat-e-biimaar-e-furqat dekhane vaalo
O you who look at the departure of ill with separation in the mornings
kisii ne ye bhii dekhaa raat bhar taaro.n pe kyaa guzarii
Did you ever think what happened to the stars in the nights?

Sunaa hai zindagii viiraaniyo.n ne luuT lii milakar
I have heard that life was looted by the deserted places
na jaane zindagii ke naaz_baradaaro.n pe kyaa guzarii
God knows what happened to those who tolerate coquetry in life?

Ha.Nsii aa_ii to hai bekaif sii lekin Khudaa jaane
Laughter came but joylessly God knows
mujhe masaruur paakar mere Gam_Khvaaro.n pe kyaa guzarii
After finding me cheerful what happened to my sympathisers?

Asiir-e-Gam to jaa.N dekar rihaa_ii paa gayaa lekin
Prisoners of sorrow escaped after sacrificing their life
kisii ko kyaa Khabar zindaa.N kii divaaro.n pe kyaa guzarii
Who knew what happened to the cells of the living?

Ghazal #13

This one is so perfect that I often marvel at its beauty. Once again, I could neither find a video or an audio.

Please enjoy: Ab taq shikaayetein hain dil-e-bad-naseeb se….

Ab taq shikaayetein hain dil-e-bad-nasiib se
Until now she has complaints about my unfortunate heart
Ik din kisi ko dekh liya tha kariib se
All I did was to see her closely

Aksar ba-zom-e-taraq-e-mohabbat Khudaa gavaah
Often with the pride and determination of renouncing love, God be my witness
Guzraa chala gaya huun dayaar-e-habiib se
I have crossed the place of the beloved

Dast-e-Khizaan badh ke wahin usako chun liya
Autumn’s hand came forward to select the one
Jo phool gir gaya nigaah-e-andaliib se
Flower that had fallen from Nightingale’s glance

Ahl-e-sukoon se khel naa ai mauj-e-imbisaat
O wave of ecstasy do not play with those who are at peace
Ik din ulajh ke dekh kisi gham-nasiib se
One day battle with those who are destined for grief

Naa ahl-e-naaz ko bhi mile fursat-e-niyaaz
People of vanity will not find leisure for amorous words
Main duur hat gaya who jo guzre kareeb se
I distanced myself when they passed close to me

Ye kis Khata pe rooth gayi chashm-e-iltifaat
On whose oversight glance of love became angry
Ye kab kaa intiqaam liya mujh gareeb se
I don’t understand of which thing’s revenge was this

Unake bagaair bhi hai wohi zindagi ka daur
Without her too there is era of life
Halaat-e-zindagi hain magar kuchh ajeeb se
Circumstances of life are there but a little strange

Samajhe huye the husn-e-azal jisako hum Shakeel
The one who I had imagined to be eternal beauty
Apna hi aks-e-rukh nazar aaya kareeb se
From close it turned out to be own reflection of face

Ghazal #14

Ghazal-king Talat Mehmood again with a very beautiful ghazal of Shakeel Badayuni.

Please enjoy: Unase umeed-e-ruunuumaai hai….

Un se ummiid-e-ruunumaa_ii hai
There is hope of guidance/leadership from her
Kyaa nigaaho.n kii maut aa_ii hai
Are my eyes heading for death?

Dil ne Gam se shikast khaa_ii hai
Heart has been defeated by sorrows
Umr-e-raftaa terii duhaa_ii hai
There is appeal to the past life

Dil kii barbaadiyo.n pe naazaa.N huu.N
I am proud of the ruins of heart
Fatah paakar shikast khaa_ii hai
I have tasted defeat after victory

Mere maa_abad nahii.n hai dair-o-haram
My house of worship is not the temple of sanctuary
Ehatiyaatan jabii.n jhukaa_ii hai
I have bowed my forehead to my misgivings

Vo havaa de rahe hai.n daaman kii
She is fanning with the hem of her dress
Haaye kis vaqt niind aa_ii hai
I don’t know when I went to sleep

Khul gayaa un kii aarazuu me.n ye raaz
The secret in her longing became known
Ziist apanii nahii.n paraa_ii hai
Life is not mine but belongs to someone

Duur ho Gunche-o-gul merii nazar se
Remain away from my sight flowers and buds
Tuu ne merii ha.Nsii churaa_ii hai
You robbed me of my laughter

Gul fasurdaa chaman udaas ‘Shakeel’
Flower is disappointed, garden is saddened
Yuu.N bhii aksar bahaar aa_ii hai
Sometimes spring comes in this manner

https://youtube.com/watch?v=QopXvVHibYs%3F

Ghazal #15

Must end Part I of this labour of love for Shakeel Badayuni’s poetry in the form of Ghazals with this Yaad ghazal.

Please enjoy: Rooh ko tadapa rahi hai unaki yaad….

Ruuh ko ta.Dapaa rahii hai un kii yaad
Soul is tormented by her memory
Dard ban kar chhaa rahii hai un kii yaad
Pain is the manifestation of her memory

Ishq se ghabaraa rahii hai un kii yaad
Scared of love is her memory
Rukate rukate aa rahii hai un kii yaad
It is coming haltingly is her memory

Vo ha.Nse vo zer-e-lab kuchh kah uThe
She laughed and whispered something
Khvaab se dikhalaa rahii hai un kii yaad
It is as if her memory is showing me dreams

Mai.n to Khuddaarii kaa qaa_il huu.N magar
I am in favour of self-respect, but
Kyaa karuu.N phir aa rahii hai un kii yaad
What can I do when her memory comes to me?

Ab Khayaal-e-tark-e-rabt zabt hii se hai
Now there is affinity towards tolerance of thought of giving up
Khud ba Khud sharmaa rahii hai un kii yaad
By itself her memory is shy

Please await Part II of Immortal Ghazals of Shakeel Badayuni

A few days after our 68th Independence Day, last year, I gave you a compendium of The Best Azaadi (Independence) Poems, together with their translations. A large number of people have messaged to me that it is the finest compendium available on the Internet.

Now, a few days after our 66th Republic Day, I give you – what I consider as – the best patriotic songs. Sometimes, we are filled with anxiety about our country; at others, we are downright cynical. I myself took a reality check four years back with How Proud Should We Be Of Indian Republic At 62? However, we do recognise the fact that it is better to be free, independent and a sovereign republic than to be under a foreign yoke. With all our problems, there won’t be too many of us who don’t love our country India, both as a geographical entity and as an idea or concept. These songs, therefore, not only reflect our history but how and why we love India, that is, Bharat.

The very first song that comes to mind is of course Vande Mataram. It translates into ‘I praise thee, Mother’; wherein Mother is Bharat Mata. The poem was penned by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in his 1882 classic Anand Math, which was later (in 1952) made into a movie by the same name by Hemen Gupta who was private secretary to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and who, in 1961, directed Kabuliwala based on a story by Nobel Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore. The music of the movie was given by my favourite singer and music director Hemant Kumar. Vande Mataram had many versions sung by many; the latest being on music composed by Oscar winner AR Rehman. However, my favourite is naturally the one sung by Hemant da, even though the movie itself had another version sung by Lata Mangeshkar, widely regarded as one of the best.

Please enjoy: Vande Mataram…..

vande maataram.h
sujalaa.n suphalaa.n malayajashiitalaam.h
shasya shyaamalaa.n maatara.n .
shubhra jyotsna pulakita yaaminiim
phulla kusumita drumadalashobhiniim.h,
suhaasinii.n sumadhura bhaashhiNiim.h .
sukhadaa.n varadaa.n maataram.h .. vande maataram.h dots

sapta koTi kanTha kalakala ninaada karaale
koTi koTi bhujaidhru.rta kharakaravaale
nisapta koTi bhujaidhruta kharakaravaale
ke bole maa tumii abale
bahubala dhaariNii.n namaami taariNiim.h
ripudalavaariNii.n maataram.h .. vande maataram.h dots

tumi vidyaa tumi dharma, tumi hR^idi tumi marma
tva.n hi praaNaaH shariire
baahute tumi maa shakti,
hR^idaye tumi maa bhakti,
tomaarai pratimaa gaDi ma.ndire ma.ndire .. vande maataram.h dots

tva.n hi durgaa dashapraharaNadhaariNii
kamalaa kamaladala vihaariNii
vaaNii vidyaadaayinii, namaami tvaam.h
namaami kamalaa.n amalaa.n atulaam.h
sujalaa.n suphalaa.n maataram.h .. vande maataram.h dots

shyaamalaa.n saralaa.n susmitaa.n bhuushhitaam.h
dharaNii.n bharaNii.n maataram.h .. vande maataram.h dots

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGWqGtPFbDQ