IMMORTAL GHAZALS OF SHAKEEL BADAYUNI – PART I

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.

Shakeel8

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.

Please enjoy: Aye mohabbat tere anjaam pe rona aaya….

Aye Mohabbat Tere Anjaam Pe Ronaa Aayaa
O love your outcome makes me cry
Jaane Kyun Aaj Tere Naam Pe Ronaa Aayaa
Today I do not know why the mention of your name makes me cry

Youn To Har Shaam Ummidon Mein Guzar Jaati Hai
As it is that every evening passed by in expectations
Aaj Kuch Baat Hai Jo Shaam Pe Ronaa Aayaa
Today something is there that the evening makes me cry

Kabhi Taqdeer Ka Maatam Kabhi Duniyaa Ka Gilaa
Sometimes I grieve for my destiny, sometimes I blame the world
Manzil-e-Ishq Mein Har Gaam Pe Ronaa Aayaa
Every step I take towards the destination of love makes me cry

Mujh Pe Hi Khatam Huaa Silsila-e-nauhagari
With me ended series of lamenting
Is Kadar Gardish-e-Ayyaam Pe Rona Aaya
To this extent the vicissitudes of fortune made me cry

Jab Huaa Zikr Zamaane Mein Mohabbat Ka Shakeel
When there was a discussion on love, worldwide, Shakeel
Mujh Ko Apne Dil-e-Naakaam Pe Ronaa Aayaa
The futile struggles of my love made me cry

Ghazal #2

Another of his ghazals made immortal by Begum Akhtar had the same despondency, irony, sadness about it. Words melted into tears.

Please enjoy: Mere humnafas, mere humnuwa, mujhe dost ban ke daga na de….

Mere Humnafas, Mere Humnawaa,
My soul-mate, my dearest friend
Mujhe Dost Ban Ke Dagaa Na De
Do not be my friend and betray me
Main Hoon Dard-e-Ishq Se Jaan-Valab,
The pain of love has left me lifeless
Mujhe Zindagi Ki Dua Na De
Do not give to me the blessing of life

Main Gham-E-Jahan Se Nidhaal Hoon
I am listless with the sorrow of life
Ke Saraapaa Dard-O-Malaal Hoon
I am head to toe in the pain of grief
Jo Likhi Hai Mere Naseeb Mein
What has been written in my fate
Wo Aalam Kisi Ko Khudaa Na De
May God not grant to anyone this state

Na Ye Zindagi Meri Zindagi
Neither this life is my life
Na Ye Daastaan Meri Daastaan
Nor this story is my story
Main Khayaal O Weham Se Door Hoon
From thoughts and fancies I am far away
Mujhe Aaj Koi Sadaa Na De
May anyone not call me today

Mere Ghar Se Door Hain Raahatein
Relief is distant from my home
Mujhe Dhoondhti Hain Musibatein
Trouble has been searching for me
Mujhe Khauf Yeh Hai Ke Mera Pataa
I am scared of this, that my address
Koi Gardishon Ko Bataa Na De
May someone not reveal to my misfortunes

Mujhe Chhodd De Mere Haal Par,
Let me please be on my own
Teraa Kyaa Bharosaa Hai Chaaragar
How can I rely on you, O healer
Ye Teri Nawaazish-e-Mukhtasar,
This inadequate favor of yours
Meraa Dard Aur Badhaa Na De
May it not further aggravate my pain

Meraa Azm Itnaa Buland Hai
My resolve is so sublime
Ke Paraaye Sholo-n Kaa Darr Nahin
That the fire-bolts of others scare me not
Mujhe Khauf Aatish-e-Gul Se Hai,
I fear the flare within the flower
Ye Kahin Chaman Ko Jalaa Na De
May it not set the garden ablaze

Mere Daagh-e-Dil Se Hai Roshni,
The scar of my love begets a radiance
Isi Roshni Se Hai Zindagi
This radiance begets an existence
Mujhe Darr Hai Aye Mere Chaaragar,
I am scared of this O healer of mine
Ye Chiraag Tu Hi Bujha Na De
May you not yourself, blow out this lamp

Mera Chashm-E-Shauq Tera Bharam
The desire in my eyes is a delusion for you
Rahe Umr Bhar Yoon Hi Taaza Dam
Shall be fresh like this all of it’s life
Naa Pukaar Us Ko Ke Wo Sanam
Do not call her or that darling of yours
Kahin Jal Ke Jalwa Dikha Na De
May she not light up to display her splendour

Dar-E-Yaar Par Badi Dhoom Hai
There is a big ruckus at the door of my lover
Wahi Aashiqon Ka Hujoom Hai
That mob of her suitors has gathered there
Abhi Neend Aayi Hai Husn Ko
My sweetheart has just now gone to sleep
Koi Shor Kar Ke Jagaa Na De
By their noise they may not wake her up

Kabhi Jaam Lab Se Lagaa Diya
Sometimes she takes the wine-cup to my lips
Kabhi Muskura Ke Hataa Diyaa
Sometimes she smiles and takes it away
Teri Chedh Chaadh Aye Saaqiyaa
This teasing of yours O bar-tender
Meri Tishnagi Ko Badhaa Na De
May it not intensify my longing for you

Wo Uthein Hain Leke Khum-o-Suboo,
She rises-up holding a cup of wine
Are Aye ‘Shakeel’ Kahaan Hai Tu
Listen O Shakeel Where are you
Tera Jaam Lene Ko Bazm Mein
To take away your cup of wine
Koi Aur Haath Badha Na De
May Someone else not extend his hand

Ghazal #3

Whilst Beghum Akhtar sang some of his non-filmy ghazals, the best filmy ghazals of Shakeel Badayuni were sung by both Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar. But, the fact is that they sang some of his non-filmy ghazals too.

Here is one of my favourites by Lata Mangeshkar: Aank se aankh milata hai koi…

Aa.Nkh se aa.Nkh milaataa hai ko_ii
Someone is making his eyes rest on mine
Dil ko khii.Nche liye jaataa hai ko_ii
Someone is tugging at my heart

Vaa-e-hairat ke bharii mahafil me.n
Alas in this party full of wonder
Mujh ko tanhaa nazar aataa hai ko_ii
I find someone is alone

Sub.h ko KHunuk fanaa.oñ ki qasam
I vow by the happy weather of the morning
Roz aa aa ke jagaata hai ko_ii
Someone comes again and again to awaken me

Manzar-e-husn-e-do-aalam ke nisaar
Offering of the spectacle of the beauty of two world
Mujh ko aa-iina dikhaataa hai ko_ii
Someone his showing me the looking-glass

Chaahiye Khud pe yaqiin-e-kaamil
One should have firm belief on oneself
Hausalaa kis kaa ba.Dhaataa hai ko_ii
Who is there to provide encouragement?

Sab karishmaat-e-tasavvur hai “Shakeel”
All are miracles of imagination, Shakeel
Varanaa aataa hai na jaataa hai ko_ii
Else no one comes, no one goes

Ghazal #4

Another singer who added his name into the list of immortal ghazal singers was Talat Mehmood.

Here is he singing Shakeel’s famous ghazal: Meri zindagi hai zaalim tere gham se aashkara…

Merii zindagii hai zaalim, tere Gam se aashkaaraa
My life is a manifestation of your sorrow, O tyrant
Teraa Gam hai dar-haqiiqat mujhe zindagii se pyaaraa
The truth is that your sorrow is dearer to me than my life

Vo agar buraa na maane to jahaa.N-e-rang-o-buu me.n
If she won’t mind then in this world of colour and fragrance
Mai.n sukuun-e-dil kii Khaatir koii Dhuu.NDh luu.N sahaaraa
May I search for support for the sake of peace of my heart?

Ye fulak fulak havaaye.N ye jhukii jhukii ghaTaaye.N
These happy winds, these low rain bearing clouds
Vo nazar bhii kyaa nazar hai jo samajh na le ishaaraa
What kind of eye is that which can’t take this hint?

Mujhe aa gayaa yaqii.n saa yahii hai merii ma.nzil
I have come to believe that this is my destination
Sar-e-rah jab kisii ne mujhe daffa’atan pukaaraa
On the road when someone called me spontaneously

Mai.n bataauu.N farq naasih, jo hai mujh me.n aur tujh me.n
I can tell you my counsellor, the difference between you and me
Merii zindagii talaatum, terii zindagii kinaaraa
My life is like a sea-storm, your life is like a shore

Mujhe guftaguu se ba.Dakar Gam-e-izn-e-guftaguu hai
More than the conversation, I have grief of permission to converse
Wahii baat puuchhte hai.n jo na kah sakuu.N dobaaraa
She asks me about that thing that I can’t repeat

Koii aye ‘Shakeel’ dekhe, ye junuu.N nahii.n to kyaa hai
Someone should see this, Shakeel, isn’t it madness
Ke usii ke ho gaye ham jo na ho sakaa hamaaraa
That I became hers but she couldn’t be mine

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

Jab un ko merii muhabbat kaa aitabaar nahii.n
When she has no trust in my love
To jhukaa jhukaa ke nazar kyo.n milaa_ii jaatii hai
Then why does she meet my eyes lovingly?

Hamaare dil kaa pataa vo hame.n nahii.n dete
She doesn’t let me know where has my heart gone
Hamaarii chiiz hamii.n se chhupaa_ii jaatii hai
My own thing is kept hidden from me

‘Shakeel’ duurii-e-manzil se naa-ummiid na ho
Shakeel, destination is far, don’t lose hope
Manzil ab aa hii jaatii hai ab aa hii jaatii hai
You are about to reach the destination now

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

TAB AUR AB

हमारी गुफ्तगू कभी खत्म ना होती थी,
आज ख़ामोशी की हद्द भी पार हो गयी.

दर्द – ऐ – दिल का हमें गुमान तक ना था,
आज खुशियां हमारी उधार हो गयी.

गुलज़ार थी वफ़ा – ओ – इश्क़ की दुनिया,
आज मौत भी हमसे बेज़ार हो गयी.

ना बुलाने से भी चले आते थे वह,
आज आह भी अपनी बेकार हो गयी.

तबुस्सम की फ़िज़ा लहरा के चलती थी तब,
आज अश्क़ों की लड़ी मेरे रुखसार हो गयी .

ज़िन्दगी के रंग – ओ – नूर वह साथ ले गए,
महफ़िल – ऐ – इश्क़ उनके बाद बेक़रार हो गयी.

हमें यकीन नहीं होता तेरे बज़्म – ऐ – दुनिया में,
सचाई – ओ – वफ़ा झुक के शर्मसार हो गयी.

खुदा अपनी रहमत से मुझे बुलंद रखना,
आज मेरी उम्मीद – ओ – तवक़्क़ो लाचार हो गयी.

(Pic courtesy: www.sampaikini.com)
(Pic courtesy: www.sampaikini.com)

Hamaari guftagu kabhi khatam naa hoti thi,
Aaj khamoshi ki hadd bhi paar ho gayi.

Dard-e-dil kaa hamen gumaan taq naa tha,
Aaj khushiyan hamaari udhaar ho gayi.

Gulzar thi wafa-o-ishq ki duniya,
Aaj maut bhi hamase bezaar ho gayi.

Naa bulaane se bhi chale aate the woh,
Aaj aah bhi apni bekaar ho gayi.

Tabussam ki fiza lehra ke chalti thi tab,
Aaj ashqon ki ladhi mere rukhsaar ho gayi.

Zindagi ke rang-o-noor woh saath le gayi,
Mehfil-e-ishq usake baad beqraar ho gayi.

Hamen yakeen nahin hota tere bazm-e-duniya mein,
Sachaayi-o-wafa jhuk ke sharmsaar ho gayi.

Khuda apni rahmat se mujhe buland rakhna,
Aaj meri umeed-o-tawaqqo laachaar ho gayi.

WOH TUM NA THI

तुम  वह  नहीं  हो  जिस  से  मैं  प्यार  करता  था,
आँखों  में  आँखें डाल  के इज़हार करता था.

मेरी जुबां – ऐ – नब्ज़ पे था तेरी वफ़ा का नाम,
शौक – ऐ – ज़िन्दगी को सलाम सौ – बार करता था.

क्या आलम था वह अब भी दिल को खबर है,
सेहर से ही शब – ऐ – हुस्न का इंतज़ार करता था.

नाज़ुक लबों पे गर्मी – ऐ – जज़्बात थरथराते थे,
तेरी मासूमियत – ओ – नज़ाकत से न मैं इंकार करता था.

सुबह को जब तुम शाम कह के सुनाती थी,
तेरे सजदे में झुक के मैं इकरार करता था.

उल्फत -ऐ -ज़िन्दगी में वो मक़ाम भी आये,
जब तुम थी नहीं फिर भी तेरा दीदार करता था.

काश मैं समझ सकता तेरी दगा – बाज़ी का हुनर,
तुम वह कभी थी ही नहीं जिस से मैं प्यार करता था.

image
(Pic courtesy: www.truewomen.com)

 

Tum woh nahin ho jis se main pyaar karta tha,
Aankhon mein aankhen daal ke izhaar karta tha.

Meri zubaan-e-nabz pe tha teri wafa ka naam,
Shauk-e-zindagi ko salaam main sau-baar karta tha.

Kya aalam tha woh ab bhi dil ko khabar hai,
Sehar se hi shab-e-husn kaa intezzaar karta tha.

Naazuk labon pe garmi-e-jazbaat thartharaate the,
Teri maasumiyat-o-nazaakat se na main inkaar karta tha.

Subah ko jab tum shaam keh ke sunaati thi,
Tere sajde mein jhuk ke main ikraar karta tha.

Ulfat-e-zindagi mein wo maqaam bhi aaye,
Jab tum thi nahin phir bhi tera deedaar karta tha.

Kaash main samajh sakta teri daga-baazi ka hunr,
Tum woh kabhi thi hi nahin jis se main pyaar karta tha.

MAIN BEWAFA NAHIN HOON

इस से पहले के बेवफाई का मुझे दो तगमा,
अपने एहसास में आने दो वह प्यारा नग़मा;
जो दिल की धड़कन के साज़ से जुबां तक पहुंचा,
कहाँ आगाज़ हुआ था और कहाँ तक पहुंचा.
इस से पहले के बेवफाई का …..

पास रह कर भी तुम दूर चले जाते थे,
मेरी मजबूर तमन्ना को और भी तरसाते थे,
दिल की आवाज़ बन के रह जाती थी सदमा.
इस से पहले के बेवफाई का …

ये दीवार मैंने नहीं तुम्ही ने तो बनायी थी,
कहाँ थी तुम जब पास सिर्फ तन्हाई थी?
मेरी खामोशी उस वक़्त थी मेरे दिल की मेहमान,
इस से पहले के बेवफाई का …

अब हम नहीं, तुम नहीं और हयात भी नहीं,
उल्फत की राहों में सुलगते जज़्बात भी नहीं,
सिसकियाँ भर के खत्म हो गए सब अरमान.
इस से पहले के बेवफाई का …

(Pic courtesy: www.smsmaja.com)
(Pic courtesy: www.smsmaja.com)

Iss se pehle ke bewafai kaa mujhe do taghma,
Apane ehsaas mein aane do woh pyaara naghma;
Jo dil ki dhadhkan ke saaz se zubaan tak pahuncha,
Kahaan aagaaz huaa tha aur kahaan taq pahuncha.
Iss se pehle ki bewafai kaa…..

Pass reh kar bhi tum door chale jaate the,
Meri majboor tamanna ko aur bhi tarsaate the,
Dil ki awaaz ban ke reh jaati thi sadma.
Iss se pehle ke bewafai kaa…

Ye deewar maine nahin tumhi ne to banaayi thi,
Kahaan thi tum jab pass sirf tanhaayi thi?
Meri khaamoshi us waqt thi dil ki mehmaan,
Iss se pehle ke bewafai kaa…

Ab ham nahin, tum nahin woh hayaat bhi nahin,
Ulfat ki raahon mein sulagate jazbaat bhi nahin,
Siskiyan bhar ke khatam ho gaye sab armaan
Iss se pehle ke bewafai ka…

WAQT GAYA, WOH BHI GAYE

चाँद सितारों की तमन्ना ना करते थे हम,
सुबह शाम बस तुझ ही पे मरते थे हम.

खुदा और शैतान हमारे नज़दीक ना थे,
इक तेरी रंजिश ओ बे – इत्मेनानी से ही डरते थे हम.

सांस आती थी या नहीं, इसका हमें होश ना था,
हर वक़्त तेरे दम की आहें भरते थे हम.

हमारी ज़िन्दगी का तुझको तो एहसास ना था ,
तुझको मिलने के क्या क्या बहाने करते थे हम.

दिल की रफ़्तार बेचैनी की हद्द पार करती थी,
जब तेरी बज़्म ओ दुनिया से गुज़रते थे हम

तन्हाई में अब बेकस ओ बेज़ुबान बैठे हैं,
तेरे आगोश में बन बन के संवरते थे हम.

Lonely Man1

Chaand sitaaron ki tamanna naa karte the ham,
Subah shaam bas tujh hi pe marte the ham.

Khuda aur shaitaan hamaare nazdeek naa the,
Ik teri ranjish o be-itmaynani se hi darte the ham.

Saans aati thi ya nahin, iska hamen hosh naa tha,
Har waqt tere dam ki aahen bharte the ham.

Hamaari zindagi kaa tujhako to ehsaas naa tha,
Tujhako milane ke kyaa kyaa bahaane karte the ham.

Dil ki raftaar bechaini ki hadd paar karti thi,
Jab teri bazm o duniya se guzarte the ham

Tanhaai mein ab bekas o bezubaan baithe hain,
Tere aagosh mein ban ban ke sanwarte the ham.

NAVY COUPLES – MADE FOR EACH OTHER (A VALENTINE’S DAY POST)

Part I

The title of this post sounds a bit parochial since it doesn’t include the other two services. Well, there is a reason. Read on.

When I was undergoing the Staff Course in Wellington (Nilgiris), in the Castle Quarters that we stayed in, there were three other houses: one belonging to an IAF officer and the other two to army officers. The IAF officer Thakurdesais and us occupied the ground floor whereas the Army officers, as always, were the upper-crust due to sahayaks that they had at their disposal. So, whilst Lyn and I did everything with our own hands, the army sahibs and ladies had a number of flunkies helping them. When the rations were delivered, for example, we stood in the queues with their sahayaks whilst they looked down on us from their balconies, sipping Nilgiri tea and biting on cocktail idlis.

I got posted to Naval Headquarters after that and after a few months of waiting, we were allotted a flat in SP Marg defence quarters. Our immediate neighbour was an Arty Colonel Surinder Singh.

Once, we were getting ready to go for an official party, when the door-bell rang and there stood Nachhinder, Col Surinder’s wife. Both Surinder and Nachhinder were very genial and excellent neighbours and we had a great thing going as neighbours and friends.

When Lyn opened the door, she had my uniform shirt in her hand since she was in the process of fixing stripes and other paraphernalia.

This gave Nachhinder an opportunity to rag me though I was not present. “Look at yourself, Lyn” she said in mock horror, “Your good for nothing husband has converted you into a flunkie. Call him. I shall teach him not to ill-treat the lady of the house”.

I was in an inside room but could clearly hear the conversation.

“He can’t come out now” replied Lyn with great finality.

“Aha” ejaculated Nichhinder in mock scorn, “The laat-sahib is resting whilst you are doing all the menial work for him….”

“No” said Lyn, “He can’t come out now because he is ironing my saree”.

(Pic courtesy: imgkid.com)
(Pic courtesy: imgkid.com)

P.S. Now, do you understand why navy couples are meant for each other?!

P.P.S. We also didn’t have much though in our hearts we were rich and still are. On one of our early anniversaries, we bought a plaque and hung it in the house. It gave us enormous happiness and satisfaction. It read: “We don’t have much but we have each other”. We tried to make up with Love what we lost because of not having flunkies and riches.

Part II

“SPECIAL” WEEKEND BREAKFAST

What is so “special” about a breakfast of Parathas, Sooji Halwa, Aloo Bhaaji, Dahi; you may ask?

10929963_10206027453546731_4142379992036969128_n

Well, only this that my wife and I made it together with our kitty Minnie helping as much as she could by excitedly jumping all around the kitchen.

Laajwaab?

When a meal is made together
By a husband and his wife
It is full of Love and Sweetness
The meal itself has Life.

What we make is not so important
The process is full of fun
Too many cooks spoil the broth, they say,
But, what if they cook like one?

It is the best way to start the day
Making a meal that’s so rare
It is a treat not just for the mouth
You pair, you care, you share.

Thanks Lyn for making life as beautiful as this breakfast together.

10991213_10206027452946716_2836361684837345390_n

PHIR YAAD NE TADPAAYA…..

आज फिर तसव्वर में उनका दीदार हो गया
खुदा की रहनुमाई पे फिर से ऐतबार हो गया
ना मेरे करीब हैं वो ना मुझसे दूर रहते हैं
फिर से दिल की अफरा तफरी का आसार हो गया

ज़िन्दगी सेहरा बनी थी उनकी अलैहदगी में
उनके मिलते ही आलम गुलज़ार हो गया
हमने माना करामात-ऐ- ख्याल ही था लेकिन
चंद लम्हों के लिए दिल खुशगवार हो गया

मुझे यकीन है तग़ाफ़ुल मुझे वह नहीं करते
उनकी खामोशी से ही इश्क़ का इज़हार हो गया
हैरत तो उनको खूब होगी मेरे अंदाज़-ऐ-वफ़ा पे
अब मुझे अपनी तन्हाई से भी प्यार हो गया

(Pic courtesy: www.flickr.com)
(Pic courtesy: www.flickr.com)

Aaj phir tasuvvar mein unaka deedaar ho gaya
Khuda ki rehnumaai pe phir pe phir se aitbaar ho gaya
Naa mere kareeb hain vo naa mere door rehate hain
Phir se dil ki afraa tafri kaa aasaar ho gaya.

Zindagi sehra bani thi unaki alahaidgi mein
Unake milate hi aalam gulzar ho gaya
Hamane maana ke karaamaat-e-khayaal hi tha lekin
Chand lamhon ke liye dil khushgavaar ho gaya.

Mujhe yakeen hai taghaful mujhako woh nahin karate
Unaki khaamoshi se hi ishq kaa izhaar ho gaya
Hairat to unako khoob hogi mere andaaz-e-wafa se
Ab mujhe apni tanhaayi se bhi pyaar ho gaya.

ANJAAM-E-MOHABBAT HAMEN MANZUR HAI

मेरी आरज़ू-ऐ- मोहब्बत के जनाज़े पे वो भी उदास थे
कहीं मरने वाला उनका कोई हबीब तो नहीं?
यह हालात-ऐ-वफ़ा का ही कोई अंजाम लगता है
वरना ज़ालिम तो वह हैं पर कोई रकीब तो नहीं

क्या खून-ऐ-जिगर के बाद कोई अफ़साना बाकी है?
इस बद नसीब के कहीं ऐसे नसीब तो नहीं?
उनके नक्श-ऐ-कदम से कहीं ये फिर ना धड़कने लगे
इतना तो यह बेचारा नजीब तो नहीं

लटके हुए थे आज तक उनकी उल्फत के फंदे से
वह फिर भी कहते थे कोई सलीब तो नहीं
हमने दो जहां उनके किये एक कर दिए
उन्होंने फरमाया आम है, कोई अजीब तो नहीं

जलते गए, सहते गए, बहते रहे यह अश्क़
फिर भी तेरे रुखसार के करीब तो नहीं
तेरे दौलत-ऐ-ग़म मेरी बज़्म में ही तो रहते हैं
दिल तेरे बाजार-ऐ-इश्क़ में इतना गरीब तो नहीं

(Pic courtesy: www.galleryhip.com)
(Pic courtesy: www.galleryhip.com)

Meri aarzoo-e-mohabbat ke janaaze pe who bhi udaas the
Kahin marne waala unaka koi habeeb to nahin?
Yeh halaat-e-wafa ka hi koi anjaam lagata hai
Warna zaalim to who hain, par koi rakeeb to nahin.

Kyaa khoon-e-jigar ke baad bhi koi afsaana baaki hai?
Is badnaseeb ke kahin aise naseeb to nahin?
Unake nakshe-e-kadam se kahin who phir naa dhadakane lage?
Itana to yeh bechaara najeeb to nahin.

Latake huye the aaj taq unaki ulfat ke fande se
Who phir bhi kehate the koi saleeb to nahin
Hamane do jahan unake liye ek kar diye
Unhone farmaata aam hai ajeeb to nahin.

Jalate rahe, sehate rahe, behate rahe yeh ashq
Phir bhi tere rukhsaar ke kareeb to nahin
Tere daulat-e-gham meri bazm mein hi to rehate hain
Dil tere bazaar-e-ishq mein itana gareeb to nahin.

THE BEST PATRIOTIC SONGS

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

Lets now turn to Tarana-e-Hind (Anthem of the People of Hindostan) or the National Song of India: Saare Jahan Se Achha or Better Than The Whole World. It was penned by the Urdu poet Muhammad Iqbal and was published in the weekly journal Ittehad on 16th Aug 1904. It was the leading poem/song of our opposition to the British rule. In the 1950s, the Sitar Maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar composed the music of the national song and Melody Queen Lata Mangeshkar sang it. It also became the marching tune of the Indian Armed Forces. India’s astronaut, in 1984, in an interview with the Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, in answer to a question by her as to how India appeared from the outer space promptly replied (and gladdened the hearts of millions of Indians): “Saare jahan se achchha”!

Please enjoy our national song Saare Jahan Se Achchha sung by Lata Mangeshkar on the music of Pandit Ravi Shankar:

saare jahaa.N se achchhaa, hindostaa.n hamaaraa
ham bulabule hai.n isakii, vo gulasitaa.n hamaaraa

gurabat me.n ho.n agar ham, rahataa hai dil vatan me.n
samajho vahii.n hame.n bhii, dil ho jahaa.N hamaaraa, saare …

parvat ho sabase uu.Nchaa, hamasaayaa aasamaa.N kaa
vo sa.ntarii hamaaraa, vo paasavaa.n hamaaraa, saare …

godii me.n khelatii hai.n, jisakii hazaaro.n nadiyaa.n
gulashan hai jisake dam se, rashk-e-jinaa.n hamaaraa
saare …

ai aab-e-rau.nd-e-ga.ngaa! vo din hai yaad tujhako
utaraa tere kinaare, jab kaaravaa.n hamaaraa, saare …

majahab nahii.n sikhaataa, aapas me.n bair rakhanaa
hindii hai.n ham vatan hai.n, hindostaa.n hamaaraa, saare …

yuunaan, misr, romaa.n, sab miT gae jahaa.N se
ab tak magar hai baakii, naam-o-nishaa.n hamaaraa,
saare …

kuchh baat hai kii hastii, miTatii nahii.n hamaarii
sadiyo.n rahaa hai dushman, daur-e-jahaa.N hamaaraa, saare …

‘iqabaal’ koI marahuum, apanaa nahii.n jahaa.N me.n
maaluum kyaa kisii ko, dard-e-nihaa.n hamaaraa, saare …

Kadam kadam badhaye jaa was the regimental quick march of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Written by Pt. Vanshidhar Shukla. Composed by Ram Singh Thakur who served in Netaji’s Indian National Army and was of Nepali origin. The song is also currently the regimental quickmarch of the Indian Army.

Please enjoy: Kadam kadam badhaye jaa, khushi ke geet gaaye jaa….

( kadam-kadam ba.Dhaaye jaa
Kushii ke giit gaaye jaa
ye zi.ndagii hai qaum kii
tuu qaum pe luTaaye jaa ) -2

( tuu sher-e-hind aage ba.Dh
marane se phir bhii tuu na Dar
u.Daa ke dushmano.n kaa sar
ju.D-e-watan ba.Dhaaye jaa ) -2

kadam-kadam ba.Dhaaye jaa
Kushii ke giit gaaye jaa
ye zi.ndagii hai qaum kii
tuu qaum pe luTaaye jaa

( chalo chale.n pukaar ke
Gam-e-nishaa.N sa.mbhaal ke
laa qile pe gaa.D ke
laharaaye jaa laharaaye jaa ) -2

( kadam-kadam ba.Dhaaye jaa
Kushii ke giit gaaye jaa
ye zi.ndagii hai qaum kii
tuu qaum pe luTaaye jaa ) -2

https://youtube.com/watch?v=bQcBNutX4GY%3F

This song sung by Lata Mangeshkar on a day after Republic Day in 1963, immediately after the Sino-Indian War of 1962, in Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi, brought the Indian Prime Minister Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru to tears. In 2013 when the song turned its glorious 50 years, it was sung by Lata ji at Mahalaxmi Race Course in Mumbai whereat the Armed Forces personnel with gallantry medals were re-honoured.

The lyrics of the song were written by Kavi Pradeep, the national poet; and the music was composed by C Ramchandra.

Please enjoy: Aye mere watan ke logo….

ai mere vatan ke logo
tum khuub lagaa lo naaraa
ye shubh din hai ham sab kaa
laharaa lo tira.ngaa pyaaraa
par mat bhuulo siimaa par
viiro.n ne hai praaN ga.Nvaae
kuchh yaad unhe.n bhii kar lo -2
jo lauT ke ghar na aaye -2

ai mere vatan ke logo.n
zaraa aa.Nkh me.n bhar lo paanii
jo shahiid hue hai.n unakii
zaraa yaad karo qurabaanii

jab ghaayal huaa himaalay
khatare me.n pa.Dii aazaadii
jab tak thii saa.Ns la.De vo
phir apanii laash bichhaa dii
sa.ngiin pe dhar kar maathaa
so gaye amar balidaanii
jo shahiid…

jab desh me.n thii dIvaalii
vo khel rahe the holI
jab ham baiThe the gharo.n me.n
vo jhel rahe the golii
the dhanya javaan vo aapane
thii dhanya vo unakii javaanii
jo shahiid…

koii sikh koii jaaT maraaThaa
koii gurakhaa koii madaraasii
sarahad par maranevaalaa
har viir thaa bhaaratavaasii
jo khuun giraa pav.rat par
vo khuun thaa hi.ndustaanii
jo shahiid…

thii khuun se lath-path kaayaa
phir bhii banduuk uThaake
das-das ko ek ne maaraa
phir gir gaye hosh ga.Nvaa ke
jab ant-samay aayaa to
kah gaye ke ab marate hai.n
khush rahanaa desh ke pyaaro.n
ab ham to safar karate hai.n
kyaa log the vo dIvaane
kyaa log the vo abhimaanii
jo shahiid…

tum bhuul na jaao unako
is liye kahii ye kahaanii
jo shahiid…

jay hind… jay hind kii senaa -2
jay hind, jay hind, jay hind

After the success of 1957 Mother India, in 1962 Mehboob Khan made Son of India. As compared to the big cast of Mother India including Nargis, Khan took lesser known Simi Grewal, Kamaljith, Jayant and Kumkum in the lead roles. However, he retained the team of my favourite lyricist Shakeel Badayuni and music director Naushad Ali for the songs of the movie. For a young and newly independent nation, the voice of Shanti Mathur singing Nanha Munna Rahi Hoon was just what India wanted. It became a super-hit song instantly and is reflective of a resurgent India.

Please enjoy: Nanha munna raahi hoon…

nanhaa munnaa raahii huu.N, desh kaa sipaahii huu.N
bolo mere sa.ng, jay hi.nd, jay hi.nd, jay hi.nd …

raste pe chaluu.ngaa na Dar-Dar ke
chaahe mujhe jiinaa pa.De mar-mar ke
ma.nzil se pahale naa luu.ngaa kahii.n dam
aage hii aage ba.Dhaau.ngaa kadam
daahine baae.n daahine baae.n, tham! nanhaa …

dhuup me.n pasiinaa bahaau.ngaa jahaa.N
hare-bhare khet laharaae.nge vahaa.N
dharatii pe faake na paae.nge janam
aage hii aage …

nayaa hai zamaanaa merii na_ii hai Dagar
desh ko banaau.ngaa mashiino.n kaa nagar
bhaarat kisii se na rahegaa kam
aage hii aage …

ba.Daa ho ke desh kaa sitaaraa banuu.ngaa
duniyaa kii aa.Nkho.n kaa taaraa banuu.ngaa
rakhuu.Ngaa uu.nchaa tira.ngaa haradam
aage hii aage …

shaa.nti ki nagarii hai meraa ye vatan
sabako sikhaauu.ngaa pyaar kaa chalan
duniyaa me.n girane na duu.ngaa kahii.n bam
aage hii aage …

This song from the 1965 movie Shaheed on the lives and sacrifices of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev still makes my hair stand on end. The lyricist was Prem Dhawan and music was also composed by him. It was sung by Mohammad Rafi. The version that gives you goose pimples is when Bhagat Singh’s mother visits him in the jail before he and his two friends are taken to the gallows. There is promise in the song that ‘O, mother, your son will not die even after he is hanged and is fortunate to be wedded to the nation’.

Please enjoy: Ai watan, ai watan hamako teri kasam….

tuu nA ronA, ke tU hai bhagat si.nh kii maa.N
mar ke bhI laal terA maregaa nahii.n
Dolii cha.Dhake to laate hai dulhan sabhii
ha.Nsake har koI phaa.Nsii cha.Dhegaa nahii.n

jalate bhii gaye kahate bhii gaye
aazaadii ke paravaane
jiinaa to usiikaa jiinaa hai
jo maranaa desh par jaane

jab shahiido.n kii Dolii uThe dhuum se
deshavaalo.n tum aa.Nsuu bahaanaa nahii.n
par manaao jab aazaad bhaarat kA din
us gha.Dii tum hame.n bhuul jaanaa nahii.n

ai vatan ai vatan hamako terii qasam
terii rAho.n mai.n jaa.n tak luTaa jaaye.nge
phuul kyaa chiiz hai tere kadamo.n pe ham
bhe.nT apane saro.n kii cha.Dhaa jaaye.nge
ai vatan ai vatan

koii pa.njaab se, koii mahaarAshhTr se
koii yuu pii se hai, koii ba.ngaal se
terii puujaa kii thaalii me.n laaye hai.n ham
phuul har ra.ng ke, aaj har Daal se
naam kuchh bhii sahii par lagan ek hai
jot se jot dil kii jagaa jaaye.nge
ai vatan ai vatan …

terii jaanib uThii jo kahar kii nazar
us nazar ko jhukaa ke hii dam le.nge ham
terii dharatii pe hai jo kadam Gair kaa
us kadam kaa nishaa.N tak miTaa de.nge ham
jo bhii diivaar aayegii ab saamane
Thokaro.n se use ham giraa jaaye.nge

When it comes to a patriotic song that still gives you goose pimples, there is nothing to beat this one from Chetan Anand’s 1964 movie Haqeeqat (Reality) that sought to recreate the reality of 1962 Sino Indian War. The movie starred Dharmendra and Priya Rajvansh besides Balraj Sajni, Vijay Anand, Jayant and Sanjay Khan.

This song was penned by Kaifi Azmi who had mastered the art of writing simple words powerfully. Music was composed by Madan Mohan and the song was sung by Mohammad Rafi.

Please enjoy: Kar chale hum fida jaano tan saathiyo….

(kar chale ham fidaa jaan-o-tan saathiyo.n
ab tumhaare havaale vatan saathiyo.n ) – (2)

saa.Ns thamatii ga_ii nabz jamatii ga_ii
phir bhii ba.Dhate kadam ko na rukane diyaa
kaT gaye sar hamaare to kuchh Gam nahii.n
sar himaalay kaa hamane na jhukane diyaa
marate marate rahaa baa.Nkaapan saathiyo.n, ab tumhaare …

zi.ndaa rahane ke mausam bahut hai.n magar
jaan dene kii rut roz aatii nahii.n
husn aur ishq dono.n ko rusavaa kare
vo javaanii jo khuu.N me.n nahaatii nahii.n
baa.Ndh lo apane sar par kafan saathiyo.n, ab tumhaare …

raah qurbaaniyo.n kii na viiraan ho
tum sajaate hii rahanaa naye qaafile
fatah kaa jashn is jashn ke baad hai
zi.ndagii maut se mil rahii hai gale
aaj dharatii banii hai dulhan saathiyo.n, ab tumhaare …

khii.nch do apane khuu.N se zamii.n par lakiir
is taraf aane paaye na raavaN koii
to.D do haath agar haath uThane lage
chhuune paaye na siitaa kaa daaman koii
raam bhii tum tumhii.n lakshmaN saathiyo.n, ab tumhaare …

Lets turn to a little more modern movie and little more modern song. I love this song for its pathos and quiet resolve in the face of unequal war perpetrated on India by the terrorists from across the border. It brought national acclaim to two people: the story-writer and director of the movie Mani Ratnam and its music director AR Rehman. The 1992 movie Roja was first made in Tamil starring Arvind Swamy and Madhoo who nearly received the National Best Actress Award until she was beaten by Dimple Kapadia. The music got the Best Movie on National Integration Award and Best Music Director award for AR Rehman in his debut movie. The soundtrack of the movie by Rehman was declared by Time magazine in 2005 as one of the ten best sound tracks.

The song has the lyrics by PK Mishra and sung by Hariharan.

Please enjoy: Bharat hamako jaan se pyaara hai….

Bhaarat hamako jaan se pyaaraa hai
sabase nyaaraa gulistaa.n hamaaraa hai
sadiyo.n se bhaarat bhuumi duniyaa kii shaan hai
bhaarat maa.n kii rakshaa me.n jiivan qurbaan hai
bhaarat hamako jaan se …

uja.De nahii.n apanaa chaman, TUTe nahii.n apanaa vatan
duniyaa dhar dharatii korI, barabaad naa karade koii
mandir yahaa.N, masjid vahaa.N, hinduu yahaa.N muslim vahaa.N
milate rahe ham pyaar se
jaago …

hindustaanii naam hamaaraa hai, sabase pyaaraa desh hamaaraa hai
janmabhuumi hai hamaarii shaan se kahe.nge ham
sabhii to bhaaI-bhaaI pyaar se rahe.nge ham
hindustaanii naam hamaaraa hai

aasaam se gujaraat tak, ba.ngaal se mahaaraashhTr tak
jhanakii sahii gun ek hai, bhaashhaa alag sur ek hai
kashmiir se madraas tak, kah do sabhii ham ek hai.n
aavaaz do ham ek hai.n

jAgo …

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Wqb4HIcZ-Gc%3F

Talking about AR Rehman, one can never forget his Maa Tujhe Salaam that has been sung by him on his own music. Its lyrics are by Mehboob. AR Rehman has a way of reaching to the hearts of our countrymen with his music and this song really assumed iconic proportions.

Please enjoy: Maa tujhe salaam….

maa.N
(mother)

va.nde maataram
(I pray to you, o mother)

yahaa.N-vahaa.N saaraa jahaa.N dekh liyaa hai
(here and there, i have seen the entire world)

kahii.n bhii tere jaisaa ko_ii nahii.n hai
(but, there is no one anywhere like you)

assii nahii.n sau din duniyaa ghuumaa huu.N
(I have travelled across the world, not for eighty, but for a hundred days)

nahii.n kahii.n tere jaisaa ko_ii nahii.n hai
(no one anywhere, like you no one is there)

mai.n gayaa jahaa.N bhii bas terii yaad thii
(wherever i went, only your memories were there)

jo mere saath thii mujh ko ta.Dapaatii-rulaatii
(that had accompanied me, torturing me, making me weep)

sab se pyaarii terii suurat pyaar hai bas teraa pyaar hii
(your face is the loveliest of them all, your affection is the only love)

maa.N tujhe salaam
(oh mother! i salute to you)

ammaa tujhe salaam

jahaa.N tuu hai vahaa.N mai.n teraa huu.N divaanaa mai.n
(wherever you are, i am there, i am mad after you)

jhuumuu.N naachu.n gaa_uu.N tere pyaar kaa taraanaa mai.n
( i swing, i dance, i sing, the song of your love)

cha.ndaa nahii.n suuraj nahii.n duiyaa kii daulat nahii.n
(i don’t want the moon, nor the sun, nor the wealth of this world)

bas luuTuu.Ngaa tere pyaar kaa khazaanaa
(i will only loot the treasure of your love)

ek nazar jab terii
(one glance of yours)

hotii hai pyaar kii
(you cast on me, filled with love)

duniyaa tab to merii chamake damake mahake re
(then my world shines, glitters, smells)

teraa cheharaa suuraj jaisaa chaa.Nd sii ThaND hai pyaar me.n
(you face is like the sun, the coolness of the moon is in your love)

tere paas hii mai.n aa rahaa huu.N apanii baa.Nhe.n khol de
(i am going to come near you, you please spread your arms)

jor se mujhako gale lagaa le mujhako phir vo pyaar de
(and hug me enthusiatically, grant me again that love of yours)

maa.N maa.N maa.N
%(oh mother!, oh mother!, oh mother!)

tuu hii zi.ndagii hai tuu hii merii mohabbat hai
(only your are the life, only you are my love)

tere hii pairo.n me.n jannat hai tuu hii dil tuu jaa.N maa.N
(the paradise lies only in your feet, you are my heart, you are my life, oh mother!)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=jDn2bn7_YSM%3F

Lets now turn to a song that has been filmed in the National Defence Academy at Khadakvasala, near Pune (Maharashtra). It is from the 1970 film Aadmi Aur Insaan. Lyrics of this vivacious song were penned by Sahir Ludhianvi and music composed by Ravi. The song was sung by Mahendra Kapoor, S Balbir and Joginder.

Please enjoy: Yaara dildaara mera dil karta…..

dil karta o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta
aisa kuch kar paye yado me bas jaye
dil karta o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta
ho sadiyo jahan me ho charcha hamara
dil karta o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta

jalti mashale leke milni ki raato me
milni ki rato me
aage aage hum chale yaro ki baraato me
yaro ki baraato me
fanse koi bholi bhali apni bhi baato me
apni bhi baato me
kisi ki kalaayi aaye apne bhi haatho me
apne bhi haatho me
ho sadiyo jahan me ho charcha hamara
dil karta o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta
aisa kuch kar paye yado me bas jaye
dil karta o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta

nit naye dhundhe mujhe nit naye mile ho
nit naye mile ho
pariyo me ghire rahe kabhi na akele ho
kabhi na akele ho
gum ki ghataaye ho ki khushiyo ke rele ho
khushiyo ke rele ho
dono se nibhaane wale hum albele ho
hum albele ho
ho sadiyo jahan me ho charcha hamara
dil karta o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta
aisa kuch kar paye yado me bas jaye
dil karta o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta

humsa jiyala koi mile na hajaro me
mile na hajaro me
mare chahe jiye rahe agli kataro me
agli kataro me
jhalke hamara lahu kal ki baharo me
kal ki baharo me
ashqo ka tauhafa hoke bant jaye yaaro me
bant jaye yaaro me
ho sadiyo jahan me ho charcha hamara
dil karta o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta
aisa kuch kar paye yado me bas jaye
dil karta o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta

https://youtube.com/watch?v=3adU-Pg7g-o%3F

Lets get back to 1954 movie Jagriti (Awakening) directed by Satyen Bose. It won the Filmfare Best Movie Award and brought for its lead actor Abhi Bhattacharya the Best Supporting Actor Award. This songs lyrics, once again, are by Kavi Pradeep who has excelled in writing patriotic songs. Music is by Hemant Kumar and the song has been sung by Mohammad Rafi.

Please enjoy: Ham laayen hain toofaan se kishati nikaal ke….

paase sabhii ulaT gae dushman kii chaal ke
akshar sabhii palaT gae bhaarat ke bhaal ke
ma.nzil pe aayaa mulk har balaa ko Taal ke
sadiyo.n ke baad phir u.De bAdal gulaal ke

ham laae hai.n tuufaan se kashtii nikaal ke
is desh ko rakhanaa mere bachcho.n sambhaal ke
tum hii bhavishhy ho mere bhaarat vishaal ke
is desh ko rakhanaa mere bachcho.n sambhaal ke

dekho kahii.n barabaad nA hoe ye bagiichaa
isako hR^iday ke khuun se baapuu ne hai sii.nchaa
rakkhaa hai ye chiraaG shahiido.n ne baal ke, is desh ko…

duniyaa ke daa.nv pe.nch se rakhanaa nA vaastaa
ma.nzil tumhaarii dUr hai lambaa hai raastaa
bhaTakaa nA de koii tumhe.n dhokhe me.n Daal ke, is desh ko…

aiTam bamo.n ke jor pe ai.nThii hai ye duniyaa
baaruud ke ik Dher pe baiThii hai ye duniyaa
tum har kadam uThaanaa zaraa dekha bhaal ke, is desh ko…

aaraam kii tum bhuul bhulayyaa me.n nA bhuulo
sapano.n ke hi.nDolo.n pe magan hoke nA jhuulo
ab vaqt aa gayaa hai mere ha.Nsate hue phuulo.n
uTho chhalaa.Ng maar ke aakaash ko chhuu lo
tum gaa.D do gagan pe tira.ngaa uchhaal ke, is desh ko…

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ddrx8288qwA%3F

What can you say about this song? You can only marvel at its lyrics that represents how India was known for the nation with Sone Ki Chidhiya. Rajinder Krishan, its lyricist needs to be congratulated for the words that became immortal, a cherished dream in later years. Music is by Hansraj Behl who has not only given music for several Punjabi movies but also for Hindi movies. It has been sung by Mohammad Rafi. The song is from the 1965 movie Sikander-e-Azam.

Please enjoy: Jahan daal daal par sone ki chidhiyan karti hain basera….

jahaa.N Daal-Daal par
sone kii chi.Diyaa.n karatii hai baseraa
vo bhaarat desh hai meraa

jahaa.N satya, ahi.nsaa aur dharm kaa
pag-pag lagataa Deraa
vo bhaarat desh hai meraa

ye dharatii vo jahaa.N R^ishhi muni
japate prabhu naam kii maalaa
jahaa.N har baalak ek mohan hai
aur raadhaa har ek baalaa
jahaa.N suuraj sabase pahale aa kar
Daale apanaa pheraa
vo bhaarat desh hai meraa

alabelo.n kii is dharatii ke
tyohaar bhii hai alabele
kahii.n diivaalii kii jagamag hai
kahii.n hai.n holii ke mele
jahaa.N raag ra.ng aur ha.Nsii khushii kaa
chaaro aur hai gheraa
vo bhaarat desh hai meraa

jahaa.N aasamaan se baate karate
ma.ndir aur shivaale
jahaa.N kisii nagar me kisii dvaar par
koii na taalaa Daale
prem kii ba.nsii jahaa.N bajaataa
hai ye shaam saveraa
vo bhaarat desh hai meraa …

https://youtube.com/watch?v=-0kPkqkrHPk%3F

Lastly, I give you a song from Manoj Kumar’s 1967 movie Upkaar in which for the first time the villain Pran shifted to good roles. Manoj Kumar was an artificial stereo-typed actor but he excelled in making movies on patriotic themes. The movie Upkaar was also known for Kalyanji Anandji’s music and Indeevar’s lyrics. This very popular song has been sung in the silk-smooth voice of Mahendra Kapoor.

Please enjoy: Mere desh ki dharti…..

mere desh kii dharatii sonaa ugale, ugale hiire motii
mere desh kii dharatii …

bailo.n ke gale me.n jab ghu.ngharuu jiivan kaa raag sunaate hai.n
Gam kos duur ho jaataa hai khushiyo.n ke ka.nval muskaate hai.n
sunake rahaT kii aavaaze.n yuu.N lage kahii.n shahanaaI baje
aate hii mast bahaaro.n ke dulhan kii tarah har khet saje,
mere desh …

jab chalate hai.n is dharatii pe hal mamataa a.nga.Daaiyaa.N letii hai
kyuu.N naa puuje is maaTii ko jo jiivan kaa sukh detii hai
is dharatii pe jisane janam liyaa, usane hii paayaa pyaar teraa
yahaa.N apanaa paraayaa koI nahii.n hai sab pe hai maa.N upakaar teraa,
mere desh …

ye baaG hai gautam naanak kaa khilate hai.n chaman ke phuul yahaa.N
gaa.ndhii, subhaashh, Taigor, tilak, aise hai.n aman ke phuul yahaa.N
ra.ng haraa harii si.nh nalave se ra.ng laal hai laal bahaadur se
ra.ng banaa basa.ntii bhagat si.nh ra.ng aman kaa viir javaahar se,
mere desh …

Before we say Jai Hind, lets recall the 1910 poem of Nobel Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore and pray that India takes its rightful place in the great nations of the world:

Where The Mind Is Without Fear

by Rabindranath Tagore

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

…..AUR KUCHH NAHIN

मेरी शाम से उसकी तन्हाईयाँ ना चुराओ
इसके पास इसके इलावा और कुछ नहीं
मैं यहाँ खुश हूँ मुझे वहां ना बुलायो
ना शौक, ना ख्वाइश, और कुछ नहींI

बेकसी की चादर ओढ़े सो रहा हूँ मैं
बुझे अरमान तले राख है, और कुछ नहीं
ये दौलत कभी कम न हो रो रहा हूँ मैं
अश्क़ों का खज़ाना है, और कुछ नहींI

मेरा हसीन आशिआना मुझे अब भी है याद
अब बर्बादी का आलम है, और कुछ नहीं
अब कौन सुनेगा मुझ गरीब की फ़रियाद
फ़टे दामन में दाग है, और कुछ नहींI

बुझा दो शमा, तोड़ डालो शीशा-ऐ-दिल
उम्मीद-ऐ-गम की दुनिया में और कुछ नहीं
इस ज़िन्दगी की शाम में कुछ तो हो हासिल
मुझे ख़ाक में मिला दो, और कुछ नहींI

हसरतों के सहारे कब तक चलेंगे हम
गर्दिश-ऐ-सफर में अब और कुछ नहीं
एक ही चिंगारी से देखना खूब जलेंगे हम
सूखी हड्डियां हैं, यादें हैं, और कुछ नहींI

Burnt Out Lamp
Meri sham se usaki tanhaayiyan na churaayo
Isske pass isske siwaye aur kuchh nahin
Main yahan khush hoon, mujhe wahan naa bulaayo
Naa shauk, naa khwaaish, aur kuchh nahin.

Bekasi ki chaadar ode so raha hoon main
Bujhe armaano tale raakh hai, aur kuchh nahin
Ye daulat kabhi kam naa ho, ro raha hoon main
Ashqon ke khazaane hain, aur kuchh nahin.

Mera hasin aashiyana mujhe ab bhi ha yaad
Ab barbaadi ka aalam hai, aur kuchh nahin
Ab kaun sunega iss gareeb ki fariyaad
Fate daaman mein daag hai, aur kuchh nahin.

Bujha do shamaa, tod daalo shisha-e-dil
Umeed-e-gam ki duniya mein aur kuchh nahin
Iss zindagi ki sham mein kuchh to ho haasil
Mujhe khaak mein mila do, aur kuchh nahin.

Hasraton ke sahaare kab tak challenge ham
Gardish-e-safar mein ab aur kuchh nahin
Ek hi chingaari se dekhana aise jalenge ham
Sookhi haddiyan hain, yaaden hain, aur kuchh nahin.

ZINDAGI AB BHI HAI LEKIN…..

ज़िन्दगी तब भी थी
ज़िन्दगी अब भी है
तब नया सूरज उगा था
तब जलते चिरागों की लौ में
अँधेरे दूर भागते थे
अब रौशनी को तरसते रात के साये
बढ़ते ही जा रहे हैं
सबेरा दूर है, बहुत दूर
ज़िन्दगी तब भी थी
ज़िन्दगी अब भी है

ज़िन्दगी तब भी थी
ज़िन्दगी अब भी है
चमन में फूलों की खुशबु से
फ़िज़ाएं मदहोश थी तब
अब मुरझाये फूल गिरते हैं मज़ार पे
सूखे पत्तों के संग
लहर आई थी चले गयी
हम साहिल पे अब भी खड़े हैं इंतेज़्ज़ार में
ज़िन्दगी तब भी थी
ज़िन्दगी अब भी है

ज़िन्दगी तब भी थी
ज़िन्दगी अब भी है
तेरे क़दमों की आहट से
बंधे थे मेरे दिल के तार
तेरी साँसों में तब था
मेरे ही प्यार का खुमार
अब खाली पैमानों की बज़्म में
हम प्यासे खड़े हैं
ज़िन्दगी तब भी थी
ज़िन्दगी अब भी है

ज़िन्दगी तब भी थी
ज़िन्दगी अब भी है
तब हम मुन्तज़िर थे
तेरे अहद-ओ-पैमान से
अब नींद से जागी हमारी आँख
मौत का नज़ारा ढूंडती है
काश उस ज़िन्दगी को रोक लेते वहीँ
जो अब हर कहीं जिन्दगी का सहारा ढूंडती है
ज़िन्दगी तब भी थी
ज़िन्दगी अब भी है

ज़िन्दगी तब भी थी
ज़िन्दगी अब भी है
फरक सिर्फ इतना है:
तब सब कुछ हमारे आगे था
अब सब कुछ हमारे पीछे है
तब हम कहते थे, “यही है ज़िन्दगी”
और अब? अब सवाल ही सवाल है:
“बस यही है ज़िन्दगी, क्या?”
ज़िन्दगी तब भी थी
ज़िन्दगी अब भी है

forest-swing-autumn-dry-leaves-tree_13108

Zindagi tab bhi thi
Zindagi ab bhi hai
Tab naya suraj uga tha
Tab jalate chiraagon ki lau mein
Andhere door bhaagte the
Ab raushni ko tarsate raat ke saaye
Badate hi ja rahe hain
Sabera door hai, bahut door
Zindagi tab bhi thi
Zindagi aaj bhi hai

Zindagi tab bhi thi
Zindagi aaj bhi hai
Chaman mein phoolon ki  khushbu se
Fizayen madhosh thi tab
Ab murjhaye phool girte hain mazaar pe
Sukhe patton ke sang
Lehar aayi thi chale gayi
Hum saahil pe ab bhi khade hain intezzaar mein
Zindagi tab bhi thi
Zindagi aaj bhi hai

Zindagi tab bhi thi
Zindagi aaj bhi hai
Tere kadmon ki aahat se
Bandhe the mere dil ke taar
Teri saanson mein tab tha
Mere hi pyaar ka khumaar
Ab khaali paimaano ki bazm mein
Ham pyaase khade hain
Zindagi tab bhi thi
Zindagi aaj bhi hai

Zindagi tab bhi thi
Zindagi ab bhi hai
Tab ham muntazir the
Tere ahad-o-paimaan se
Ab neend se jaagi hamaari aankh
Maut ka nazaara dhoondati hai
Kaash us zindagi ko roke lete wahin
Jo ab har kahin zindagi ka sahaara dhoondati hai
Zindagi tab bhi thi
Zindagi aaj bhi hai.

Zindagi tab bhi thi
Zindagi ab bhi hai
Fark sirf itana hai:
Tab sab kuchh hamaare aage tha
Ab sab kuchh hamaare peechhe hai
Tab ham kehte the, “Yehi hai zindagi”.
Aur ab? Ab sawaal hi sawaal hai:
“Bus yehi hai zindagi, kyaa?”
Zindagi tab bhi thi
Zindagi ab bhi hai.

THIS PATAKHAWALI, THIS BOMBAWALI, HAS NOTHING IN COMMON WITH DEEPAWALI

[lineate][/lineate]Lord Rama,[lineate][/lineate]How far we have come from[lineate][/lineate]That day,[lineate][/lineate]When Hanuman heralded yours,[lineate][/lineate]Sita’s, and Laxman’s re-entry into Ayodhaya[lineate][/lineate]After fourteen years of exile?[lineate][/lineate]People were ecstatic,[lineate][/lineate]And lit lamps to signify[lineate][/lineate]Victory of Light over Darkness[lineate][/lineate]Knowledge over Ignorance[lineate][/lineate]And, Good over Evil.[lineate][/lineate]

Rama returns

[lineate][/lineate]Do you think now they remember you[lineate][/lineate]When they light bombs or crackers[lineate][/lineate]Costing thousands of rupees[lineate][/lineate]In the middle of night?[lineate][/lineate]These intended to not just wake people[lineate][/lineate]From their slumber[lineate][/lineate]But, also to proclaim their new found riches,[lineate][/lineate]Power, influence, glory and arrogance.[lineate][/lineate]And all these whilst millions of poor[lineate][/lineate]Sleep on empty stomachs.[lineate][/lineate]

(Pic courtesy: www.thtimes.co.uk)
(Pic courtesy: www.thtimes.co.uk)

[lineate][/lineate]Even a General Eisenhower[lineate][/lineate]Talked about every bomb and rocket[lineate][/lineate]Being a theft from those who are hungry,[lineate][/lineate]Naked and homeless.[lineate][/lineate]But, we, the Indians,[lineate][/lineate]Peace-loving as we proudly call ourselves[lineate][/lineate]Still carry on the charade[lineate][/lineate]Of Ignorance leading Knowledge Darkness replacing Light[lineate][/lineate]And help Evil conquer over Good.[lineate][/lineate]

20141024_111721

[lineate][/lineate]This noise, this unchecked noise[lineate][/lineate]Is already making us deaf[lineate][/lineate]And blind to the real challenges[lineate][/lineate]That India faces, Lord Rama’s India faces.[lineate][/lineate]This naked and shameless display of ostentation[lineate][/lineate]Has nothing to do with Humility[lineate][/lineate]Purity, Modesty and Self-sacrifice, that you embodied[lineate][/lineate]Making everyone wonder, in near and far lands,[lineate][/lineate]Whether we are really with you O Ram,[lineate][/lineate]Or are we got used to going the Raavan’s way?[lineate][/lineate]

(www.friendshipday2014.org)
(www.friendshipday2014.org)

WORLDS APART

There was a time
Not much time ago
When our two worlds met
Like day meets night, or
Sky meets the sea
Or the river seeks the banks.
Our two worlds formed
Not one but another two worlds:
One in which we existed, and
Another in which we lived.
The latter had life, laughter
Song and music and
The beating of our heartbeats as one.
I believe that we liked
Loved and adored
Our second world more.

And now that the physical distances
Are closer than
The miles between our hearts,
Can we just look back and see
How our worlds moved apart?

Shouldn’t we have sensed
The fading smiles
The elongated silences
The songs that went sad
The shadows that lengthened
The sunsets that lasted
Many times more than the sunrises
The wetting of the eyes
The drying of the hearts?

We are the predators
Who killed our world
Where we lived beyond the world.
Egoes and anxieties
Suspicions and rigidities
Competed to win
And we both lost.

Worlds apart
I can barely see you
Can you see me?
Worlds apart
Death didn’t do it to us
Life did.
We could have known
We should have known.

image
(Pic courtesy: www.doubledeclic.com)

THE BEST AZAADI (INDEPENDENCE) POEMS

These historical poems and poets contributed not just towards India’s independence but also filled us with sense of pride and awe at the task ahead to make India the best nation on earth.

I provide you these poems in their original language, in Hindi, their transliteration and finally their meaning in English.

#1 Poem: I start with our National Song or Geet: Saare Jahan Se Achha…

Let me begin with what is known as Taranah-e-Hind or Anthem of the People of Hindustan. Forty three years before independence, it was written by the poet Muhammad Iqbal and published in the Ittehad, a weekly journal.

The next year, it was read by him in Government College Lahore (then in India) and it soon became the manifestation of our opposition to the British rule. He was, of course, a lecturer in the same college.

There is no Indian, whose chest doesn’t swell with pride at the recitation of this poem/song.

In parades all over the country, men and women march to the tune of this song.

I am giving you the poem in all three languages: Urdu, Hindi and English and its meaning in English:

Urdu

سارے جہاں سے اچھا ہندوستاں ہمارا
ہم بلبلیں ہیں اس کی، یہ گلستاں ہمارا

غربت میں ہوں اگر ہم، رہتا ہے دل وطن میں
سمجھو وہیں ہمیں بھی دل ہو جہاں ہمارا

پربت وہ سب سے اونچا، ہمسایہ آسماں کا
وہ سنتری ہمارا، وہ پاسباں ہمارا

گودی میں کھیلتی ہیں اس کی ہزاروں ندیاں
گلشن ہے جن کے دم سے رشکِ جناں ہمارا

اے آبِ رودِ گنگا! وہ دن ہیں یاد تجھ کو؟
اترا ترے کنارے جب کارواں ہمارا

مذہب نہیں سکھاتا آپس میں بیر رکھنا
ہندی ہیں ہم، وطن ہے ہندوستاں ہمارا

یونان و مصر و روما سب مٹ گئے جہاں سے
اب تک مگر ہے باقی نام و نشاں ہمارا

کچھ بات ہے کہ ہستی مٹتی نہیں ہماری
صدیوں رہا ہے دشمن دورِ زماں ہمارا

اقبال! کوئی محرم اپنا نہيں جہاں میں
معلوم کیا کسی کو دردِ نہاں ہمارا!

Hindi

सारे जहाँ से अच्छा हिन्दोसिताँ हमारा
हम बुलबुलें हैं इसकी यह गुलसिताँ हमारा

ग़ुर्बत में हों अगर हम, रहता है दिल वतन में
समझो वहीं हमें भी दिल हो जहाँ हमारा

परबत वह सबसे ऊँचा, हम्साया आसमाँ का
वह संतरी हमारा, वह पासबाँ हमारा

गोदी में खेलती हैं इसकी हज़ारों नदियाँ
गुल्शन है जिनके दम से रश्क-ए-जनाँ हमारा

ऐ आब-ए-रूद-ए-गंगा! वह दिन हैं याद तुझको?
उतरा तिरे किनारे जब कारवाँ हमारा

मज़्हब नहीं सिखाता आपस में बैर रखना
हिन्दी हैं हम, वतन है हिन्दोसिताँ हमारा

यूनान-व-मिस्र-व-रूमा सब मिट गए जहाँ से
अब तक मगर है बाक़ी नाम-व-निशाँ हमारा

कुछ बात है कि हस्ती मिटती नहीं हमारी
सदियों रहा है दुश्मन दौर-ए-ज़माँ हमारा

इक़्बाल! कोई महरम अपना नहीं जहाँ में
मालूम क्या किसी को दर्द-ए-निहाँ हमारा!

English

Sāre jahāṉ se acchā, Hindositāṉ hamārā
Ham bulbuleṉ haiṉ is kī, yih gulsitāṉ hamārā

G̱ẖurbat meṉ hoṉ agar ham, rahtā hai dil wat̤an meṉ
Samjho wuhīṉ hameṉ bhī dil ho jahāṉ hamārā

Parbat wuh sab se ūṉcā, hamsāyah āsmāṉ kā
Wuh santarī hamārā, wuh pāsbāṉ hamārā

Godī meṉ kheltī haiṉ is kī hazāroṉ nadiyāṉ
Guls̱ẖan hai jin ke dam se ras̱ẖk-i janāṉ hamārā

Ai āb-i rūd-i Gangā! wuh din haiṉ yād tujh ko?
Utrā tire kināre jab kārwāṉ hamārā

Maẕhab nahīṉ sikhātā āpas meṉ bair rakhnā
Hindī haiṉ ham, wat̤an hai Hindositāṉ hamārā

Yūnān o-Miṣr o-Rūmā, sab miṭ ga’e jahāṉ se
Ab tak magar hai bāqī, nām o-nis̱ẖaṉ hamārā

Kuch bāt hai kih hastī, miṭtī nahīṉ hamārī
Ṣadiyoṉ rahā hai dus̱ẖman daur-i zamāṉ hamārā

Iqbāl! ko’ī maḥram apnā nahīṉ jahāṉ meṉ
Maʿlūm kyā kisī ko dard-i nihāṉ hamārā!

English Translation

Better than the entire world, is our Hindustan,
We are its nightingales, and it (is) our garden abode

If we are in an alien place, the heart remains in the homeland,
Know us to be only there where our heart is.

That tallest mountain, that shade-sharer of the sky,
It (is) our sentry, it (is) our watchman

In its lap frolic where thousands of ponds,
Whose vitality makes our garden the envy of Paradise.

O the flowing waters of the Ganges, do you remember that day
When our caravan first disembarked on your waterfront?

Religion does not teach us to bear ill-will among ourselves
We are of Hind, our homeland is Hindustan.

In a world in which ancient Greece, Egypt, and Rome have all vanished without trace
Our own attributes (name and sign) live on today.

Such is our existence that it cannot be erased
Even though, for centuries, the cycle of time has been our enemy.

Iqbal! We have no confidante in this world
What does any one know of our hidden pain?

(Pic courtesy: www.friendskorner.com)
(Pic courtesy: www.friendskorner.com)

#2 Poem: Sarfroshi ki tamanna…..

An Urdu poem written by an Arya Samaji? Well, that was the strength of my Bharat or India before politicians on both sides of the border divided us along religious and casteist lines for their vested interests.

Ram Prasad Bismil was born on 11th June 1897 in Shajahanpur. He was merely 30 when he was hanged to death by the British at Gorakhpur Jail. His crime? Well, he, along with a few others such as Ashfaqulla Khan, Roshan Singh and Rajendra Nath Lahiri sought to break the shackles of slavery for India and let its people live in Freedom.

He was one of the founding members of Hindustan Republican Association. The association and his writings later became the inspiration for Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

Bismil wrote about many poems and Ghazals (both in Hindi and Urdu) inspiring people to revolt against the British. This Urdu Ghazal (his most famous) is written in Beher-E-Ramal/Mazahif Musamman. This type of Beher in Urdu poetry was the favourite meter of Ram Prasad Bismil. He had written almost 35 ghazals in this meter.

As with Saare Jahan Se Achha, I give you the poem in Urdu, Hindi and English and then give its English translation. Let me see if your blood boils to read the poem, as it did for Bhahat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev.

Urdu

سرفروشی کی تمنا اب ہمارے دل میں ہے

سرفروشی کی تمنا اب ہمارے دل میں ہے
دیکھنا ہے زور کتنا بازوئے قاتل میں ہے

کرتا نہیں کیوں دوسرا کچھ بات چیت
دیکھتا ھوں میں جسے وہ چپ تیری محفل میں ہے
اے شہید ملک و ملت میں تیرے اوپر نثار
اب تیری ہمت کا چرچہ غیر کی محفل میں ہے
سرفروشی کی تمنا اب ہمارے دل میں ہے

وقت آنے دے بتا دیں گے تجہے اے آسمان
ہم ابھی سے کیا بتائیں کیا ہمارے دل میں ہے
کھینج کر لائی ہے سب کو قتل ہونے کی امید
عاشقوں کا آج جمگھٹ کوچئہ قاتل میں ہے
سرفروشی کی تمنا اب ہمارے دل میں ہے

ہے لئے ہتھیار دشمن تاک میں بیٹھا ادھر
اور ہم تیار ھیں سینہ لئے اپنا ادھر
خون سے کھیلیں گے ہولی گر وطن مشکل میں ہے
سرفروشی کی تمنا اب ہمارے دل میں ہے

ہاتھ جن میں ہو جنون کٹتے نہیں تلوار سے
سر جو اٹھ جاتے ہیں وہ جھکتے نہیں للکا ر سے
اور بھڑکے گا جو شعلہ سا ہمارے دل میں ہے
سرفروشی کی تمنا اب ہمارے دل میں ہے

ہم جو گھر سے نکلے ہی تھے باندہ کے سر پہ کفن
جان ہتھیلی پر لئے لو، لے چلے ہیں یہ قدم
زندگی تو اپنی مہمان موت کی محفل میں ہے
سرفروشی کی تمنا اب ہمارے دل میں ہے

یوں کھڑا مقتل میں قاتل کہہ رہا ہے بار بار
کیا تمناِ شہادت بھی کِسی کے دِل میں ہے
دل میں طوفانوں کی تولی اور نسوں میں انقلاب
ھوش دشمن کے اڑا دیں گے ھمیں روکو نہ آج
دور رہ پائے جو ہم سے دم کہاں منزل میں ہے

وہ جِسم بھی کیا جِسم ہے جس میں نہ ہو خونِ جنون
طوفانوں سے کیا لڑے جو کشتیِ ساحل میں ہے

سرفروشی کی تمنا اب ہمارے دل میں ہے
دیکھنا ہے زور کتنا بازوئے قاتل میں ہے

Hindi

सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है
देखना है ज़ोर कितना बाज़ू-ए-क़ातिल में है

(ऐ वतन,) करता नहीं क्यूँ दूसरा कुछ बातचीत,
देखता हूँ मैं जिसे वो चुप तेरी महफ़िल में है
ऐ शहीद-ए-मुल्क-ओ-मिल्लत, मैं तेरे ऊपर निसार,
अब तेरी हिम्मत का चरचः ग़ैर की महफ़िल में है
सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है

वक़्त आने पर बता देंगे तुझे, ए आसमान,
हम अभी से क्या बताएँ क्या हमारे दिल में है
खेँच कर लाई है सब को क़त्ल होने की उमीद,
आशिक़ोँ का आज जमघट कूचः-ए-क़ातिल में है
सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है

है लिए हथियार दुशमन ताक में बैठा उधर,
और हम तय्यार हैं सीना लिये अपना इधर.
ख़ून से खेलेंगे होली गर वतन मुश्किल में है,
सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है

हाथ, जिन में हो जुनून, कटते नही तलवार से,
सर जो उठ जाते हैं वो झुकते नहीं ललकार से.
और भड़केगा जो शोलः सा हमारे दिल में है,
सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है

हम तो घर से ही थे निकले बाँधकर सर पर कफ़न,
जाँ हथेली पर लिये लो बढ चले हैं ये कदम.
जिन्दगी तो अपनी मॆहमाँ मौत की महफ़िल में है,
सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है

यूँ खड़ा मक़्तल में क़ातिल कह रहा है बार-बार,
क्या तमन्ना-ए-शहादत भी किसी के दिल में है?
दिल में तूफ़ानों की टोली और नसों में इन्क़िलाब,
होश दुश्मन के उड़ा देंगे हमें रोको न आज.
दूर रह पाए जो हमसे दम कहाँ मंज़िल में है,

जिस्म भी क्या जिस्म है जिसमें न हो ख़ून-ए-जुनून
क्या लढ़े तूफ़ान से जो कश्ती-ए-साहिल में है
सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है
देखना है ज़ोर कितना बाज़ू-ए-क़ातिल में है

English

Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai
Dekhna hai zor kitna baazu-e-qaatil mein hai

aye watan Karta nahin kyun doosra kuch baat-cheet
Dekhta hun main jise woh chup teri mehfil mein hai
Aye shaheed-e-mulk-o-millat main tere oopar nisaar
Ab teri himmat ka charcha ghair ki mehfil mein hai
Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai

Waqt aanay dey bata denge tujhe aye aasman
Hum abhi se kya batayen kya hamare dil mein hai
Khainch kar layee hai sab ko qatl hone ki ummeed
Aashiqon ka aaj jumghat koocha-e-qaatil mein hai
Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai

Hai liye hathiyaar dushman taak mein baitha udhar
Aur hum taiyyaar hain seena liye apna idhar
Khoon se khelenge holi gar vatan muskhil mein hai
Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai

Haath jin mein ho junoon katt te nahi talvaar se
Sar jo uth jaate hain voh jhukte nahi lalkaar se
Aur bhadkega jo shola-sa humaare dil mein hai
Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai

Hum to ghar se nikle hi the baandhkar sar pe kafan
Jaan hatheli par liye lo barh chale hain ye qadam
Zindagi to apni mehmaan maut ki mehfil mein hai
Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai

Yuun khadaa maqtal mein qaatil kah rahaa hai baar baar
Kya tamannaa-e-shahaadat bhi kisee ke dil mein hai
Dil mein tuufaanon ki toli aur nason mein inqilaab
Hosh dushman ke udaa denge humein roko na aaj
Duur reh paaye jo humse dam kahaan manzil mein hai

Wo jism bhi kya jism hai jismein na ho khoon-e-junoon
Toofaanon se kya lade jo kashti-e-saahil mein hai

Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai.
Dekhna hai zor kitna baazuay qaatil mein hai.

English Translation

The desire for revolution is in our hearts
Let us see what strength there is in the arms of our executioner

Why do you remain silent thus?
Whoever I see, is gathered quiet so…
O martyr of country, of nation, I submit myself to thee
For yet even the enemy speaks of thy courage
The desire for struggle is in our hearts…

When the time comes, we shall show thee, O heaven
For why should we tell thee now, what lurks in our hearts?
We have been dragged to service, by the hope of blood, of vengeance
Yea, by our love for nation divine, we go to the streets of the enemy
The desire for struggle is in our hearts…

Armed does the enemy sit, ready to open fire
Ready too are we, our bosoms thrust out to him
With blood we shall play Holi, if our nation need us
The desire for struggle is in our hearts…

No sword can sever hands that have the heat of battle within,
No threat can bow heads that have risen so…
Yea, for in our insides has risen a flame,
and the desire for struggle is in our hearts…

Set we out from our homes, our heads shrouded with cloth,
Taking our lives in our hands, do we march so…
In our assembly of death, life is now but a guest
The desire for struggle is in our hearts…

Stands the enemy in the gallows thus, asking,
Does anyone wish to bear testimony?…
With a host of storms in our heart, and with revolution in our breath,
We shall knock the enemy cold, and no one shall stop us…

What is that body that does not have hot blood in it,
How can a person conquer a Typhoon while sitting in a boat near the shore.

The desire for struggle is in our hearts,
We shall now see what strength there is in the boughs of the enemy.

(Pic courtesy: www.snapdeal.com)
(Pic courtesy: www.snapdeal.com)

#3 Poem: Vande Mataram (I Praise Thee, Mother)

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhayay, the great Bengali litterateur wrote his classic Anandmath in the year 1882. It was one of the most important pieces of literature ever written by an Indian in Bengali or English. The poem, that was to later become India’s national song was written for the first time in this novel.

The poem, originally a Bengali and Sanskrit stotra, for the first time, personified India as a mother goddess. It became the most important poem in the context of India’s struggle for Independence and was sung in the political context, for the first time, by Rabindra Nath Tagore at the 1896 session of Indian National Congress.

In 1950, the first two stanzas of the song were given the status of India’s National Song, as distinct from India’s National Anthem Jana Gana Mana.

First, let me give you the original song in Bengali:

বন্দে মাতরম্৷
সুজলাং সুফলাং
মলয়জশীতলাম্
শস্যশ্যামলাং
মাতরম্!
বন্দে মাতরম্৷.

শুভ্র-জ্যোৎস্না
পুলকিত-যামিনীম্
ফুল্লকুসুমিত
দ্রুমদলশোভিনীম্,
সুহাসিনীং
সুমধুরভাষিণীম্
সুখদাং বরদাং
মাতরম্৷৷
বন্দে মাতরম্৷

bônde matôrôm
sujôlang sufôlang
môlôyôjôshitôlam
shôsyô shyamôlang
matôrôm
bônde matôrôm

shubhrô jyotsna
pulôkitô jaminim
fullô kusumitô
drumôdôlôshobhinim
suhasining
sumôdhurôbhashinim
sukhôdang bôrôdang
matôrôm
bônde matôrôm

Now in Devnagari:

वन्दे मातरम्।
सुजलाम् सुफलाम्
मलयज शीतलाम्
शस्यश्यामलाम्
मातरम्।
वन्दे मातरम्।

शुभ्रज्योत्स्ना
पुलकितयामिनीम्
फुल्लकुसुमित
द्रुमदलशोभिनीम्
सुहासिनीम्
सुमधुर भाषिणीम्
सुखदाम् वरदाम्
मातरम्।।
वन्दे मातरम्।

vande mātaram
sujalāṃ suphalāṃ
malayajaśītalām
śasya śyāmalāṃ
mātaram
vande mātaram

śubhra jyotsnā
pulakita yāminīm
phulla kusumita
drumadalaśobhinīm
suhāsinīṃ
sumadhura bhāṣiṇīm
sukhadāṃ varadāṃ
mātaram
vande mātaram

And now for the remaining stanzas of the song:

বন্দে মাতরম্৷
সুজলাং সুফলাং
মলয়জশীতলাম্
শস্যশ্যামলাং
মাতরম্!

শুভ্র-জ্যোত্স্না-পুলকিত-যামিনীম্
ফুল্লকুসুমিত-দ্রুমদলশোভিনীম্,
সুহাসিনীং সুমধুরভাষিণীম্
সুখদাং বরদাং মাতরম্৷৷

সপ্তকোটীকন্ঠ-কল-কল-নিনাদকরালে,
দ্বিসপ্তকোটীভুজৈধৃতখরকরবালে,
অবলা কেন মা এত বলে!
বহুবলধারিণীং
নমামি তরিণীং
রিপুদলবারিণীং
মাতরম্৷

তুমি বিদ্যা তুমি ধর্ম্ম
তুমি হৃদি তুমি মর্ম্ম
ত্বং হি প্রাণাঃ শরীরে৷
বাহুতে তুমি মা শক্তি,
হৃদয়ে তুমি মা ভক্তি,
তোমারই প্রতিমা গড়ি মন্দিরে মন্দিরে৷

ত্বং হি দুর্গা দশপ্রহরণধারিণী
কমলা কমল-দলবিহারিণী
বাণী বিদ্যাদায়িণী
নমামি ত্বাং
নমামি কমলাম্
অমলাং অতুলাম্,
সুজলাং সুফলাং
মাতরম্

বন্দে মাতরম্
শ্যামলাং সরলাং
সুস্মিতাং ভূষিতাম্
ধরণীং ভরণীম্
মাতরম্৷

वन्दे मातरम्
सुजलां सुफलाम्
मलयजशीतलाम्
शस्यशामलाम्
मातरम्।

शुभ्रज्योत्स्नापुलकितयामिनीम्
फुल्लकुसुमितद्रुमदलशोभिनीम्
सुहासिनीं सुमधुर भाषिणीम्
सुखदां वरदां मातरम्।वन्दे मातरम्।

कोटि-कोटि-कण्ठ-कल-कल-निनाद-कराले
कोटि-कोटि-भुजैर्धृत-खरकरवाले,
अबला केन मा एत बले।
बहुबलधारिणीं नमामि तारिणीं
रिपुदलवारिणीं मातरम्।
वन्दे मातरम्।

तुमि विद्या, तुमि धर्म
तुमि हृदि, तुमि मर्म
त्वम् हि प्राणा: शरीरे
बाहुते तुमि मा शक्ति,
हृदये तुमि मा भक्ति,
तोमारई प्रतिमा गडि
मन्दिरे-मन्दिरे

त्वम् हि दुर्गा दशप्रहरणधारिणी
कमला कमलदलविहारिणी
वाणी विद्यादायिनी,
नमामि त्वाम्
नमामि कमलाम्
अमलां अतुलाम्
सुजलां सुफलाम् मातरम्।
वन्दे मातरम्।

श्यामलाम् सरलाम्
सुस्मिताम् भूषिताम्
धरणीं भरणीं मातरम्।
वन्दे मातरम्।।

And now for the translation:

Mother, I salute thee!
Rich with thy hurrying streams,
bright with orchard gleams,
Cool with thy winds of delight,
Dark fields waving Mother of might,
Mother free.

Glory of moonlight dreams,
Over thy branches and lordly streams,
Clad in thy blossoming trees,
Mother, giver of ease
Laughing low and sweet!
Mother I kiss thy feet,
Speaker sweet and low!
Mother, to thee I salute.

Who hath said thou art weak in thy lands
When the swords flash out in seventy million hands
And seventy million voices roar
Thy dreadful name from shore to shore?
With many strengths who art mighty and stored,
To thee I call Mother and Lord!
Though who savest, arise and save!
To her I cry who ever her foeman drove
Back from plain and Sea
And shook herself free.

Thou art wisdom, thou art law,
Thou art heart, our soul, our breath
Though art love divine, the awe
In our hearts that conquers death.
Thine the strength that nerves the arm,
Thine the beauty, thine the charm.
Every image made divine
In our temples is but thine.

Thou art Durga, Lady and Queen,
With her hands that strike and her
swords of sheen,
Thou art Lakshmi lotus-throned,
And the Muse a hundred-toned,
Pure and perfect without peer,
Mother lend thine ear,
Rich with thy hurrying streams,
Bright with thy orchard gleems,
Dark of hue O candid-fair

In thy soul, with bejeweled hair
And thy glorious smile divine,
Loveliest of all earthly lands,
Showering wealth from well-stored hands!
Mother, mother mine!
Mother sweet, I salute thee,
Mother great and free!

(Pic courtesy: www.karsewak.blogspot.com)
(Pic courtesy: www.karsewak.blogspot.com)

#4 Poem: Pushp Ki Abhilasha (A Flower’s Desire)

Pandit Makhanlal Chaturvedi (April 4, 1889 – January 30, 1968), also called Panditji, was an Indian poet, writer, essayist, playwright and a journalist who is particularly remembered for his participation in India’s national struggle for independence and his contribution to Chhayavaad, the Neo-romanticism movement of Hindi literature. He was awarded the first Sahitya Akademi Award in Hindi for his work Him Taringini in 1955.

His poem Pushp Ki Abhilasha is considered one of the finest works in patriotic poetry.

I give you its Hindi version, English transliteration and the meaning in English:

Here is it in Hindi:

चाह नहीं मैं सुरबाला के
गहनों में गूँथा जाऊँ

चाह नहीं, प्रेमी-माला में
बिंध प्यारी को ललचाऊँ

चाह नहीं, सम्राटों के शव
पर हे हरि, डाला जाऊँ

चाह नहीं, देवों के सिर पर
चढ़ूँ भाग्य पर इठलाऊँ

मुझे तोड़ लेना वनमाली
उस पथ पर देना तुम फेंक

मातृभूमि पर शीश चढ़ाने
जिस पर जावें वीर अनेक ।।

Its transliteration in English:

Chah Nahin Mai Surbala Ke
Gehnon Mein Guntha Jaaon.

Chah Nahin Premi Mala Mein
Bindh, Pyari Ko Lalchaon.

Chah Nahin Samraton Ke Shav Par,
He Hari Dala Jaaon.

Chah Nahin Devon Ke Sar Par
Chadhon, Bhagya Par Itraoon.

Mujhey Tod Lena Banmali,
Us Path Par Tum Dena Phaink,

Matra Bhoomi Per Sheesh Chadhaney,
Jis Path Jaayen Veer Anek.

And finally, its translation in English:

It is not my desire to be weaved in the ornaments of a beautiful girl.
It is not my desire to be weaved into a Lover’s garland and tempt a beloved.
It is not my desire, O Hari, to adorn the funeral of a monarch.
It is not my desire to be presented as offering to a goddess and rejoice at my good luck.
O, Gardner, all I desire is
That you will pluck me and throw me on that path
On which our brave soldiers tread to sacrifice their lives for the motherland.

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#5 Poem: Lohe Ke Mard (Iron Men or Men of Steel)

During my school days, I liked Hindi poets Maithili Sharan Gupt, Sumitra Nandan Pant, Subhadra Kumari Chauhan and Mahadevi Verma. But, each one of us have our favourites. Mine was Ramdhari Singh Dinkar. Why? I was a young impressionable boy at that time and I liked Veer Ras. Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s poems made my blood boil with their naked patriotism and resolve.

Just like Maithili Sharan Gupt, Dinkar was also given the title of National Poet and if you recall, in 2008, his statue was unveiled in the Parliament by the then Prime Minister Shri Manmohan Singh.

The Government of India went one step ahead and named Sahitya Ratna Awards after him: Rashtrakavi Ramdhari Singh Dinkar Sahitya Ratna Awards.

The poem Lohe Ke Mard was written by him on 01 November 1962. The war with China, if you recall, started on 20 Oct 1962.

As always, I give you the poem in Devanagiri script, transliteration in English and finally its translation in English. Share with me in the comments if you too got goose pimples whilst reading the poem.

Enjoy: Lohe Ke Mard by Ramdhari Singh Dinkar

पुरुष वीर बलवान,
देश की शान,
हमारे नौजवान
घायल होकर आये हैं।

कहते हैं, ये पुष्प, दीप,
अक्षत क्यों लाये हो?

हमें कामना नहीं सुयश-विस्तार की,
फूलों के हारों की, जय-जयकार की।

तड़प रही घायल स्वदेश की शान है।
सीमा पर संकट में हिन्दुस्तान है।

ले जाओ आरती, पुष्प, पल्लव हरे,
ले जाओ ये थाल मोदकों ले भरे।

तिलक चढ़ा मत और हृदय में हूक दो,
दे सकते हो तो गोली-बन्दूक दो।

Transliteration in English

Purush veer balwaan
Desh ki shaan
Hamare naujawan
Ghayal ho kar aaye hain.

Kehte hain, ye pushp, deep
Akshat kyon laaye ho?

Hammen kaamna nahin suyash-vistaar ki,
Phulon ke haaro ki, jai-jaikaar ki.

Tadap rahi ghayal, swadesh ki shaan hai,
Seema par sankat mein Hindustan hai.

Le jaayo aarti, pushp, pallav hare,
Le jaayo ye thaal modkon se bhare.

Tilak chada mat aur hriday mein hoonk do,
De sakte ho to goli bandook do.

Translation

Men, brave, strong
Are pride of the nation.
(But) these young soldiers
Have returned (from the border) wounded.

They ask: Flowers, lamps
Why have you brought them unhurt?

We don’t desire fame and glory
Garlands of flowers or praise.

Wounded, the nation’s pride lies in pain,
We have an emergency at the border.

Take away the aarti, flowers and green leaves,
Take away these trays full of modak sweets.

Don’t honour us with tilak, when heart is wounded,
If you want to give us anything, please give bullets and guns!

(Pic courtesy: www.begusaraionline.com)
(Pic courtesy: www.begusaraionline.com)

#6 Poem: Azaadi Ka Geet (Song of Freedom)

Harivanshrai Bachchan (Amitabh Bachchan’s father) was born on 27 Nov 1907 in India that was slave. He died on 18th Jan 2003, having lived in independent India for 55 years. He was a major poet of the Chhayawad literary movement (Romanticism)

This is what he had to say on 15th August 1947:

आज़ादी का गीत

हम ऐसे आज़ाद हमारा झंडा है बादल।
चाँदी सोने हीरे मोती से सजती गुड़ियाँ।
इनसे आतंकित करने की बीत गई घड़ियाँ
इनसे सज धज बैठा करते जो हैं कठपुतले
हमने तोड़ अभी फेंकी हैं बेड़ी हथकड़ियाँ

परंपरा गत पुरखों की हमने जाग्रत की फिर से
उठा शीश पर रक्खा हमने हिम किरीट उज्जवल
हम ऐसे आज़ाद हमारा झंडा है बादल।

चाँदी सोने हीरे मोती से सजवा छाते
जो अपने सिर धरवाते थे वे अब शरमाते
फूलकली बरसाने वाली टूट गई दुनिया
वज्रों के वाहन अंबर में निर्भय घहराते

इंद्रायुध भी एक बार जो हिम्मत से ओटे
छत्र हमारा निर्मित करते साठ कोटि करतल
हम ऐसे आज़ाद हमारा झंडा है बादल।

– हरिवंश राय बच्चन

Aazaadi Ka Geet

Ham aise aazaad, hamara jhanda hai baadal,

Chandi, sone, here, moti se sajati gudiyan,
Inse aatankit karne ki beet gayi ghadiyan,
Inse saj dhaj baitha karte jo hain kathputle
Hamane tode abhi fainki hain bedhi hathkadiyan.

Parampara gat purkhon ki hamane jagrit ki phir se
Utha sheesh par rakha hamane him kireet ujjawal
Ham aise aazaad hamara jhanda hai baadal.

Chandi here moti se sajawa chhate,
Jo apne sir dharvaate the vo ab sharmate
Phoolkaari barsaane waali toot gayi duniya
Vajaron ke waahan ambar mein nirbhay gehraate.

Indrrayudh bhi ek baar himmat se ote’,
Chhatra hamara nirmit karte saath koti kartal,
Ham aise aazaad hamara jhanda hai baadal

– Harivanshrai Bachchan

We are free and our flag flies like clouds

Toy-girls are adorned with diamonds and pearls,
The time to paly with them is over now.
Only puppets sit adorned with them
We have broken and thrown away the shackles at our feet.

Tradition of past men, we have revived
With head held high, we have looked to snow laden mountains
We are free and our flag flies like clouds!

(Our rulers) Those with umbrellas of silver, gold, diamonds and pearls
Over their heads, are repentant now,
The world where they were greeted with flower petals is gone now
The chariots of Vajra now roam freely in the sky!

Us who have wrapped Indra Yudh around us with great courage
We now have a new umbrella, established with sound of sixty crore kartal,
We are free and our flag flies like clouds!

(Pic courtesy: www.todaytoptrends.com)
(Pic courtesy: www.todaytoptrends.com)

#7 Poem: Jhanda Ooncha Rahe Hamaara…

Shyamlal Gupta immortalised Indian Flag through his melodious lyrics “Vijayi Vishwa Tiranga Pyara, Zanda Ooncha Rahe Hamara.”

After Gandhiji assumed the leadership of Indian freedom movement and tricolour became symbol of independence, Gupta thought of composing a motivating song eulogising the flag and born those immortal lines “ Vijayi Vishwa Tiranga Pyara, Zanda Ooncha Rahe Hamara.” Shyamlalji Gupta, was born on September 9, 1896 at Kanpur in a Dosar Vaishya family.

After the composition of Zanda Geet, a wave of patriotism got created in India. The song brought a passion among Indians to fight for making India free from the clutches of British. The atmosphere was charged so much so that it was felt that Indian Tri-colour might take place of Union Jack. People from every background and age, adored Zanda Geet and it became an integral and inseparable part of freedom movement. In the year 1934 at Haripur Congress, Zanda Geet was given a status of National Song. Sarojini Naidu presented it. The session was chaired by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

Here is the famous song, first in Devnagiri script:

विजयी विश्व तिरंगा प्यारा,
झंडा ऊँचा रहे हमारा।

सदा शक्ति बरसाने वाला,
प्रेम सुधा सरसाने वाला
वीरों को हरषाने वाला
मातृभूमि का तन-मन सारा,
झंडा ऊँचा रहे हमारा।

स्वतंत्रता के भीषण रण में,
लखकर जोश बढ़े क्षण-क्षण में,
काँपे शत्रु देखकर मन में,
मिट जावे भय संकट सारा,
झंडा ऊँचा रहे हमारा।

इस झंडे के नीचे निर्भय,
हो स्वराज जनता का निश्चय,
बोलो भारत माता की जय,
स्वतंत्रता ही ध्येय हमारा,
झंडा ऊँचा रहे हमारा।

आओ प्यारे वीरों आओ,
देश-जाति पर बलि-बलि जाओ,
एक साथ सब मिलकर गाओ,
प्यारा भारत देश हमारा,
झंडा ऊँचा रहे हमारा।

इसकी शान न जाने पावे,
चाहे जान भले ही जावे,
विश्व-विजय करके दिखलावे,
तब होवे प्रण-पूर्ण हमारा,
झंडा ऊँचा रहे हमारा।

And now in English transliteration:

Vijayi vishwa tiranga pyaara,
Jhanda ooncha rahe hamaara,

Sada Shakti barsaane waala,
Prem sudha sursaane waala,
Veeron ko harshaane waala
Matribhumi ka tan man saara
Jhanda ooncha rahe hamaara

Swantrata ke bheeshan ran mein
Lakhkar josh badhe kshan kshan mein
Kaampe shatru dekhkar man mein
Mit jaave bhay sankat saara
Jhanda ooncha rahe hamaara

Is jhande ke neeche nirbhay
Ho swaraj janam ka nishchay
Bolo Bharat Mata ki jay
Swantrata hi dhyay hamara
Jhanda ooncha rahe hamara

Aao pyaaro veero aao
Desh jaati per bali bali jaao
Ek saath sab mil kar gaao
Pyaara Bharat desh hamara
Jhanda ooncha rahe hamara

Iski shaan na jaane pave
Chahe jaan bhale hi jaave
Vijay Vijay kar ke dikhlave
Sab hove pran poorn hamaara
Jhanda ooncha rahe hamaara

And finally the English translation:

The conqueror of the world, our tri-colour
Let our flag always fly high

It showers strength always
It oozes out love nectar
It gives pride to the brave
It is the heart and mind of Motherland
Let our flag always fly high

In the intense battle for independence
It gives josh to every moment
The enemy trembles after seeing it
(And for us) our fear and danger goes away
Let our flag always fly high

Under this flag we are fearless
And our intention is the birth of Swaraj
Shout Jay for Bharat Mata
Now our aim is independence
Let our flag always fly high

Come, beloved braves, come
Sacrifice everything for our nation
In one voice sing together
Beloved is our nation Bharat
Let our flag always fly high

Let its prestige never go away
Even if we give away our lives for that
Let Victory Victory be ours
Let our pledge be realised
Let our flag always fly high

(Pic courtesy: www.geeta-kavita.com)
(Pic courtesy: www.geeta-kavita.com)

#8 Poem: 15 August 1947

Girija Kumar Mathur was born on 22 Aug 1919 in Gunna, Madhya Pradesh. He emerged as an important Hindi poet and lyricist. Mathur was conferred the Vyas Samman by the K.K.Birla Foundation. He retired as the deputy director-general of Doordarshan in 1978 and was later appointed emeritus producer. His first collection of poems, Manjir, was published in 1941. He passed away on 10 Jan 1994.

The poem that he wrote on 15 Aug 1947 is still so relevant today, 67 years later.

In Devanagiri


आज जीत की रात
पहरुए! सावधान रहना
खुले देश के द्वार
अचल दीपक समान रहना


प्रथम चरण है नए स्वर्ग का
है मंज़िल का छोर
इस जनमंथन से उठ आई
पहली रत्न-हिलोर
अभी शेष है पूरी होना
जीवन-मुक्ता-डोर
क्योंकि नहीं मिट पाई दुख की
विगत साँवली कोर
ले युग की पतवार
बने अम्बुधि समान रहना।


विषम शृंखलाएँ टूटी हैं
खुली समस्त दिशाएँ
आज प्रभंजन बनकर चलतीं
युग-बंदिनी हवाएँ
प्रश्नचिह्न बन खड़ी हो गईं
यह सिमटी सीमाएँ
आज पुराने सिंहासन की
टूट रही प्रतिमाएँ
उठता है तूफ़ान, इन्दु! तुम
दीप्तिमान रहना।


ऊँची हुई मशाल हमारी
आगे कठिन डगर है
शत्रु हट गया, लेकिन उसकी
छायाओं का डर है
शोषण से है मृत समाज
कमज़ोर हमारा घर है
किन्तु आ रहा नई ज़िन्दगी
यह विश्वास अमर है
जन-गंगा में ज्वार,
लहर तुम प्रवहमान रहना
पहरुए! सावधान रहना।

In English transliteration

1

Aaj jeet ki raat
Pehruye! Savdhaan rehna
Khule desh ke dwaar
Achal deepak smaan rehna

2

Prathm charan hai naye swarg ka
Hai manzil ka chhor
Is janmanthan se uthh aayi
Pehli rattan hilore
Abhi shesh hai poori hona
Jeevan-mukta-dore
Kyunki nahin mit paayi dukh ki
Vigat saanwli kore
Le yug ki patwaar
Bane ambudhi smaan rehna.

3

Visham shrankhlaayen tooti hain
Khuli samast dishaayen
Aaaj prabhanjan banker chalti
Yug-Bandini hawaayen
Prashanchinh ban khadi ho gayi
Ye simati seemayen
Aaj puraane sinhaasan ki
Toot rahi pratimayen
Uthhata hai toofaan Indra! tum
Deeptiman rehana.

4

Oonchi hui mashaal hamari
Aage kathhin dahgar hai
Shatru hat gaya, lekin usaki
Chhayayon ka dar hai
Shoshan se hai mrit samaaj
Kamzore hamaara ghar hai
Kyunki aa raha nayi zindagi
Yeh vishwas amar hai
JanGanga mein jwaar
Lehar tum pravhamaan rehna
Pehruye! Saavdhaan rehna

Finally, the English translation

1

Tonight, is the night of victory,
O Sentinel! Remain alert
Gates of the country are open
Remain like a still lamp.

2

It is our first step into this new heaven
It is only the edge of the destination
With this mass churning we have
Our first wave as a jewel
Still it remains to be completed
The thread that sets us totally free
Because our miseries are not yet over
And the darkness of our past is still with us
You should be like a boatman
Guiding us through the ocean.

3

Odd chains have broken
All directions are open now
Like defeat they move
The winds that are hostage to the past
Like a question mark they stand
The limits of our borders
Today, the old thrones
Have broken their models
The typhoon rises, O Indra
Remain radiant.

4

Our torch remains high
Our path is difficult
Enemy has gone, but
His shadows threaten us
Our dead society is prone to exploitation
Our house is weak
But new Life is coming
This belief is eternal
In the tide of the Ganga of our people
O wave, remain observant of the stream
O sentinel, remain alert.

(Pic courtesy: www.geeta-kavita.com)
(Pic courtesy: www.geeta-kavita.com)

Jai Hind!

THE HUMOROUS SIDES OF WAR

If it hadn’t been for people dying and getting seriously injured, War would be really very funny. I mean, just think, dropping bombs, firing missiles, and chucking grenades at someone or at other people just because they feel differently.

Bringing 'democracy' to people through Arab Spring; but with tanks, bombs and guns (Pic courtesy: www.theguardian.com)
Bringing ‘democracy’ to people through Arab Spring; but with tanks, bombs and guns (Pic courtesy: www.theguardian.com)

“Wait a sec guys” you say with aplomb (since you are the mighty one), “Whilst we slam the daylights out of you for not recognizing that democracy is the best form of government. Next time be sure to vote for democracy so that you guys will be safe.”

The most ludicrous thing is that both the parties feel that they are fighting the Just War. In any case, each one of them knows, or at least used to know before social-media came in, that history can be re-written by the victorious.

Happy, smiling faces at Hiroshima in Oct 1945 after 'good sense' has been driven into them (Pic courtesy: www.mctv.ne.jp)
Happy, smiling faces at Hiroshima in Oct 1945 after ‘good sense’ has been driven into them (Pic courtesy: www.mctv.ne.jp)

I also feel that when two grownups fight the others call them loco. However, when countries fight, and spend money, resources, time, and lives plotting against each other, it is called stratagem or grand strategy or some equally high-sounding names. This is so that when Life goes on, the business of ending others’ lives should also flourish; a kind of ‘Live-and-Let-Die’.

In peacetime, people are busy doing or not doing what they feel like. However, as soon as War starts, everyone is busy doing War; soldiers with shooting down erstwhile friends-turned-enemies, doctors in stitching up mutilated bodies, industrialists (especially defence industrialists) making themselves richer than they normally do, undertakers in burying and cremating and writers in having enough to write about; eg, stories with a ‘human (ha, ha) angle’, tales of heroism, love, romance and intrigue; singers, movie-makers, actors, lyricists, music makers in churning out films and songs on how the soldiers stood between us and annihilation. Indeed, that’s the time you realize that War keeps more people busy than the bally peace!

We always remember the origin of such wars and its unique vocabulary. Thus, however advanced the means of war may become, in our folklore we shall always keep using the expression ‘chucking stones at each other’. However, newer expressions originate and Oxford and Webster and hordes of other dictionary wallahs run up to the printing presses to bring out the latest vocabulary unleashed by War.

Indians have convinced themselves that they were never war-minded. It is because we decided not to do so in the battlefield with the enemies of the country (even Mahabharata was between brothers, cousins and uncles); but on the roads (traffic wars of gaining just a few inches more than the ones to your right or left), streets and other public arena. Wars may have been important to people abroad, but, we manage to kill more people on the roads than they do with their war machinery, nerve gas, and even nuclear bombs. We too are capitalists and we too know how to remain in business.

An everyday scene in India (Pic courtesy: www.instablogs.com)
An everyday scene in India
(Pic courtesy: www.instablogs.com)

We are the most self-sufficient nation in the world; we have our own enemy within and are never dependent upon nefarious forces outside (or as Indira Gandhi used to call: “Foreign Hand”) to do it to us what we can do to ourselves.

Patton’s famous quote ‘The more you sweat in peace; the less you bleed in war’ has been taken by us rather seriously. So, we sweat and bleed in peacetime in our country, so that there will be nothing left to do in War.

Lastly, most of us in my group Humour In And Out Of Uniform (HIAOOU for short) are eternally grateful to War or its Fear since that’s the raison d’être for us as soldiers, airmen and sailors; in short, people in uniform. No War or its Fear, No ‘R, K, and Makaan’ for us and our families.

‘No War, No Uniform’ also means that HIAOOU ceases to be a greeting between us all; one of the stupidest collateral damages!

So, lets keep our powder dry,
And preserve our platitudes;
In uniform, we fight, we sail, we fly,
To correct the enemies’ attitudes.

There is glory and there is honour,
In rubbing their noses to ground;
It also gives HIAOOU its humour,
That couldn’t otherwise be found.

War, we love you and adore you,
Avoiding you, we call as ‘deterrence’,
Thankfully there is nothing new,
No other meaning or inference.

Than to advance the concept,
Of Poly Ticks by other means,
And, in fighting-for-peace become adept,
With bombs, missiles, bullets and magazines.

Charlie Chaplin in 'The Great Dictator'
Charlie Chaplin in ‘The Great Dictator’

HIAOUU there! Lets hear your views.

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