Meet Aashna

One day I suddenly came across her - Aashna, that's what she calls herself. The reason we got together is the same passion of poetry. She might be an amateur in the field, but has often inspired me with her words.

Here I present a few of her lines.
___________________________________________________________________________

aaj koi achchaa lagne lagaa
har sapna sachcha lagne lagaa
jiska tha Aashna ko intezaar
woh apna paas aaney laga

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

kuch na paa sakin, kuch na kho sakin,
aur kuch nahin tho wafa bhee na kar sakin
pyar mein Dil ki mehfil ko roshan jo karein
aashna woh shama bhee na ban sakein

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

Mera tanha mann... aur soona aangan...
sunai dethi hain... sirf hawaon ki gunjan...
Iss sukoon mein mahsoos hoti....
teri wo khushboo, aur meri ye dhadkan

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

uss manzar ko kaise na dekhein
jismein jhalak tumhari ho
uss pal ko kaise bhulayien
yaad teri jismein basi ho
Aashna kaise roke us saans ko
jismein teri arzoo pali ho

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

koi mashroof hain kaam mein,
toh koi shaam-e-gum mein,
koi tanhayion mein,
toh koi khamoshiyon mein
Aashna toh masroof hain
kabhi na khatm ho jo
kisike intezaar mein

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

intezaar in paloin mein hain itni sitam
chin rahaan sukoon badh rahein hain gum
Ye soch kar Aashna ki aankhen hain numm
kab hoga chandini raat mein teri baahon ki maalaa sanam

Shab-e-Firaaq

This was published at "Rang-e-Hayat" http://www.spaces.msn.com/rang-e-hayat/

===========================================================

Zikr-e-Shab-e-Firaaq Se Wehshat Usay Bhi Thi
Meri Tarha Kisi Se Mohabbat Usay Bhi Thi

Mujhko Bhi Shoq Tha Naye Chehron Ki Deed Ka
Raasta Badal K Chalne Ki Aadat Usay Bhi Thi

Us Raat Bohat Dair Tak Woh Raha Mehav-e-Guftugoo
Masroof Main Bhi Kam Tha Faraaghat Usay Bhi Thi

Sunata Tha Woh Bhi Sabse Purani Kahaniyan
Taaza Rafaqaton Ki Zarurat Usay Bhi Thi

Mujhse Bichar K Shehar Main Ghul Mil Gaya Woh Shaks
Halankey Shehar Bhar Se Raqabat Usay Bhi Thi

Woh Mujhse Barh K Zabt Ka Aadi Tha Jee Gaya
Werna Har Ek Saans Qayamat Usay Bhi Thi !

-Parveen Shakir-

Jafaa-e-zamaanaa

This was posted on aligarians.com; liked it so am posting it here... Don't know the name of the shaayar... ;-)

Jigar aur dil ko bachaanaa bhii hai;
Nazar aap hii se milaanaa bhii hai;
Muhabbat kaa har bhed paanaa bhii hai;
Magar apnaa daaman bachaanaa bhii hai;
Jo dil tere Gham kaa nishaanaa bhii hai;
Qatiil-e-jafaa-e-zamaanaa bhii hai;

[Qatiil : slain; jafaa-e-zamaanaa : cruelty of the world]

Ye bijlii chamaktii hai kyuN Dam-ba-dam chaman meN ko’ii aashiyaanaa bhii hai

[dam-ba-dam : now and then ...]

Caravan Serai

Kaash ke yeh kadam tham jaayein
Yeh safar kuchh lambaa ho chala hai
Hum chalein hain door talak
Ke bahut door falak ho chala hai
Zameen ko yeh guman bhi nahi
Khaaksaar yeh badan ho chala hai
Koi in kadamon ko lagaam de
Ke in kadamon ka hosh
Hawa ho chala hai...

Shikast-e-Wafaa

Jaane kyun iss qadar khaamosh yeh tanhaayi hai aaj;
Gham ka woh chehra haseen shaam phir le aayi hai aaj;

Mehfil-e-raanaayi hai, viraani ki shama bhi raushan hai;
Hur simt se yaadon ki chaadur lapete bahaar aayi hai aaj;

Jashn-e-Khudai mein yeh kahaan mumkin, mukammal ho har baat;
Uss par zamaane ka sitam, har taraf aalam-e-bewafaai hai aaj;

Sanam kade ke darr pe khara hun subeh ke intezaar mein;
Kaya khoob woh jaam-e-visaal hai jo tu ne pilaayi hai aaj;

Kiska gila karun, kaun sa shikwa tujhe nazar-e-inayat karun;
Tune khud hi wafaa ki aarh mein meri hasti mitaayi hai aaj;

Ab dard ke aaghosh mein soye hain hasraton ke saare khwaab;
Zindagi bhi "Arman" shikast-e-wafa meiN samaa kar aayi hai aaj;


- "Arman"

Dastoor-e-safar

Ek khaamosh sa lamha, chhookar beh gaya
Ek zindagi mili, ek waqt theher gaya

Kuchh baat thi us galiyare ki, jahan se guzar gaye hum
Us galiyare mein ek dil theher gaya

Kabhi dee thi dastak, haule haule dhadkan si
Kabhi ruk gayi, kabhi haath theher gaya

Kahan ki khushi phir laut aayi hai aaj
Kahan ka ghum, theher kar bikhar gaya

Shayad yehi dastoor-e-safar hai ke
Unke saath, ek manzar theher gaya.

Arman ki khwahish...

shikast-e-wafa nahin hoti, shikast hoti hai ummeed-e-wafa ki,
zindagi dhokha nahin hoti, dhokha hoti hai zindagi se khwahish,
Iss safar mein dard-o-gham ka saath,
Reh jaata hai sirf ek ehsaas bankar,
Gar nahin hota hai khauff karam-e-muqaddar ka...

Jashn-e-Mehdi Hassan

“Mehdi Hassan ke gale mein Bhagwaan bolta hai…”
Lata Mangeshkar

They say a true evaluation of one’s genius is that which comes from one’s own peers. So, do we need a greater proof of evidence to proclaim the genius of Mehdi Hassan than these laudatory remarks by the Melody Queen, Lata Mangeshkar? Best known for his unparalleled magnum opus GuloN meN rang bhare…, Mehdi Hassan has to his credit greater credence and vehemence in the world of ghazal singing than what any lexis can claim to express.

To lovers and affiliates of ghazals or Urdu poetry, Mehdi Hassan is not a new name. Acclaimed as the “King of Ghazals,” Mehdi Hassan instantly shot to fame and glory by the famous ghazal: GuloN meN rang bhare, Baad-e-nau-bahaar chale… In his singing career, which now extends more than 50 years, Mehdi Hassan has the credit of having sung more than 30,000 ghazals and geets. What makes his panache unrivaled is his dexterity for even the most difficult of ragaas, or musical notes. His popularity and distinction has been ever increasing, and people do not cringe in bracketing him together with the greatest of Pakistani ghazal singers like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Noor Jahan.

Mehdi Hassan has had an enduring singing career, embracing a gamut of celebrated and legendary ghazals. The list is endless, but some prominent are as:

* Meray khayal-0- khwab ki duniya liye huway – Film: Shikaar; 1962
* Duniya kisi kay pyar mein – Film: Jaag Uthaa insaa; 1966
* Mujhay tum nazar say gira tau rahay ho – Film: Doraha; 1967
* Ik naye morH pay lay aaye hain – Film: Ehsaan; 1967
* Ye kaghazi phool jaisay chehre – Film: Devar Bhaabhi; 1967
* Tark-e-ulfat ka sila – Film: Dil mera dharkan teri; 1968
* Ye wafaon ka diya aap ne – Film: Phir chaand niklega; 1970
* Khamosh hain nazaaray – Film: Bandagi; 1972
* Ga meray diwanay dil – Film: Daulat aur duniyaa; 1972

Take time to visit

http://www.aligarians.com/category/singers/mehdi-hassan/ and celebrate the cavalcade; Jashn-e-Mehdi Hassan.

References:

* Pakistan Television Corp. Ltd.

http://www.ptv.com.pk/webptv/singer13.asp

* Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mehdi_Hassan

My latest composition

Jaane kyun iss qadar khaamosh yeh tanhaayi hai aaj;
Gham ka woh chehra haseen shaam phir le aayi hai aaj;
Dard ke aaghosh mein soye hain hasraton ke saare khwaab;
Zindagi bhi yoon shikast-e-wafa meiN samaa kar aayi hai aaj.

- "Arman"

Mere Lahoo kee do boondein

Zamaana kya hum par aansoo bahataa hai,
Humne dhool se apni aankhen seenchi hain;
Apni maiyat hai, aur unhe rona nahi aata hai,
Janaaza humaraa hai, aur hum hi denge kandha,
Shayad is maut mein hi koi saath dene wala hai.

Metaphysics of Symbolism and Motivation for Life in Urdu Poetry

Ragon mein daurhte rehne ke hum nahi qayal;
Jab aankh hi se ne tapka to phir lahoo kaya hai…

One thing that makes Urdu poetry significantly different from other forms of literary expressions is the symbolism or metaphysical association of human emotions. The above couplets beautifully symbolize life's realities in terms of pains and sufferings. The symbolism depicted here metaphysically ascribes to blood (lahoo). And that blood epitomizes the highest degree of suffering and pain is quite understood!

The way pains and sufferings as part of our lives is visualized by the first line of the couplet: Ragon mein daurhte rehne ke hum nahi qayal. We can visualize life being full with pain and suffering in the same way as veins (rag, or ragon) are filled with blood. This line emphatically suggests that although life is full of pain and suffering, the pains and sufferings are not significant, at least in the eyes of the poet. The line translates as: It's the basic characteristics of blood to flow in the veins, and the poet does not subscribe to the importance of blood till it flows in the veins.

The beauty of the thought is brought out in the second line of the couplet: Jab aankh hi se na tapka to phir lahoo kaya hai [The blood holds no significance till it flows out from your eyes]. The couplet in tandem translates into the thought that though blood is significantly symbolic of suffering and pain, the symbolism is not brought out till it flows down your eyes!! In symbolism, majority of life's miseries, pains, and sufferings are insignificant; till they reach an acme [the acme being symbolized by the blood flowing out from your eyes].

Though different people might have different thoughts and logic to comprehend this couplet, to me, the above sentences would definitely describe the best translation of the couplet. This holds the window to the reality of life, by urging us to view pains and sufferings as insignificant till they reach their acme.

The next couplet in this ghazal by Ghalib represents his own state of mind as far as pains and sufferings are concerned:

Chipak raha hai badan par lahoo se pairaham;
Hamari jeb ko ab hajat-e-rafoo kaya hai.

To me, the translation of this couplet amounts to stating that his (the poet's) sufferings [the origin of which lies perhaps in his poverty and misery] are so intense that the sufferings themselves ensemble his respite - he does not need to mend his torn pocket, as his shirt sticks to his body because of the blood flowing!!

A note to conclude: Although a very nicely written and an excellent masterpiece of its kind, this ghazal lacks the basic motivation towards life. A marked difference between poets like Ghalib and poets like Allama Iqbal is that while the former category focuses more on presenting the situations of life, while the later category concentrates on motivating people to continue living against all odds, for these odds are part of life.

"Nahin tera nasheman Qasr-e-Sultani ke gumbad par;
Tu shaheen hai, basera kar paharon ki chattano mein."

This couplet by Allama Iqbal sums up what I intend to conclude: If you are a man of courage, grit, and ditermination, and you want to stand out in the crowd; do not approach the easy way. On the contrary, prepare to lead a rock-sturdy life, which is characterized by hardships (paharon ki chattein).

Welcome to Dareecha-e-Ghazaliyaat!!

Welcome to Dareecha-e-Ghazaliyaat!!

Though there might be numerous blogs and discussion forums running on the theme of Urdu poetry, this one stands out different.

Although poets like Ghalib were ordinary people, and wrote for ordinary people, it is not always the case that ordinary people easily understand them. For one thing, poets such as Nida Fazli, Kaifi Azmi, and Basheer Badar belong to the more recent breed of Urdu poets; and though their excellence cannot be challenged, these poets are easily understood. However, the essence of Urdu as a language lies in the depth of Urdu poetry. And this depth is not easy to comprehend.

This forum will seek to make the incomprehensible comprehendible. The forum is open to discussions and exchange of opinions on these and many other issues. We would appreciate your efforts to this end and would also expect you to advertise and spread word about this blog.

Happy blogging, and have a great stay at this Dareecha...