phir mujhe didaa-e-tar yaad aya
dil jigar tashnaa-e-fariyaad aya
dam liyaa tha na qayaamat ne hanoz
phir teraa vaqt-e-safar yaad aya
saadgi haaye tamanna yaani
phir wo nai_rang-e-nazar yaad aya
uzr-e-vaamaa.Ndagii ae hasrat-e-dil
nala kartaa tha jigar yaad aya
zindagi yuN bhi guzar hi jaati
kyo.n teraa raah_guzar yaad aya
kyaa hi rizavaan se laDai hogi
ghar teraa Khuld me.n gar yaad aya
aah wo jurrat-e-fariyaad kahaaN
dil se tang aake jigar yaad aya
phir tere kuche ko jaata hai Khayaal
dil-e-Gum_gashtaa magar yaad aya
koi viraani-si-viraa.Ni hai
dasht ko dekh ke ghar yaad aya
main ne majnuN pe laDakpan men 'Asad'
sang uThaya tha ke sar yaad aya
In the realm of Urdu poetry, one name stands out as a timeless maestro, revered by generations and cherished as a treasure of literary brilliance—Mirza Ghalib. With his profound understanding of human emotions, exquisite wordplay, and an unmatchable ability to capture the complexities of life, Ghalib continues to enchant poetry enthusiasts even centuries after his time.
Born as Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan in 1797, Ghalib's poetic journey began in the alleys of Old Delhi, where he was nurtured by a world steeped in rich cultural traditions. Ghalib's poetry reflects the era of change and turmoil in which he lived—a period marked by the decline of the Mughal Empire and the emergence of British colonial rule. His verses beautifully encapsulate the emotions of longing, love, loss, and existential contemplation, giving voice to the collective soul of a society grappling with transition.
Ghalib's poetry is characterized by its profound depth and intricacy. His verses, adorned with subtle metaphors and poignant imagery, possess an enigmatic quality that invites readers to dive into the depths of their own thoughts and emotions. Every couplet he penned carries layers of meaning, resonating with the complexities of the human experience. His mastery lies not only in his ability to express his own sentiments but also in his capacity to articulate the sentiments of others, making his poetry relatable across time and space.
The essence of Ghalib's poetry lies in his exploration of the themes of love and longing. His verses weave tales of unrequited love, passionate desire, and the yearning for union with the beloved. Through his words, he portrays the intoxicating agony of love, the eternal dance of hope and despair, and the eternal quest for fulfillment. His poetry reminds us that love, with all its joys and sorrows, remains an inseparable part of the human existence.
Ghalib's introspective nature is evident in his verses that delve into the existential quandaries of life. He contemplates the transience of time, the fleeting nature of youth, and the inevitability of mortality. His profound insights on life's uncertainties and the ephemeral nature of worldly pursuits evoke a sense of introspection and introspection among readers, urging them to seek deeper meaning in their own lives.
In addition to his lyrical brilliance, Ghalib's poetry possesses a distinct musical quality. His mastery of the ghazal form—a poetic genre consisting of rhyming couplets with a refrain—gives his verses a rhythm that resonates with the human heart. The cadence of his words, combined with the soul-stirring melodies of traditional Indian classical music, brings his poetry to life, infusing it with an ethereal beauty that transcends time and space.
Mirza Ghalib's impact on Urdu poetry cannot be overstated. His verses have left an indelible mark on the literary landscape, inspiring countless poets and enthusiasts over the years. His poetry continues to be celebrated in mushairas (poetry gatherings) and is taught in schools and universities as a testament to its enduring relevance.
In the realm of poetic genius, Mirza Ghalib reigns supreme. His verses serve as a reminder of the eternal power of words to touch hearts, stir emotions, and connect us with the shared experiences of humanity. As we immerse ourselves in the enchanting world of Ghalib's poetry, we are transported to a realm where emotions flow like rivers and the human spirit finds solace in the embrace of eloquent expression. Mirza Ghalib, the immortal poet, lives on through his verses, forever etching his name in the annals of literary greatness.
dil hi to hai na Sang-o-KHisht dard se bhar na aae kyun
roenge hum hazar bar koi hamen satae kyun
dair nahin haram nahin dar nahin aastan nahin
baiThe hain rahguzar pe hum ghair hamen uThae kyun
jab wo jamal-e-dil-faroz surat-e-mehr-e-nim-roz
aap hi ho nazzara-soz parde men munh chhupae kyun
dashna-e-ghamza jaan-satan nawak-e-naz be-panah
tera hi aks-e-ruKH sahi samne tere aae kyun
qaid-e-hayat o band-e-gham asl men donon ek hain
maut se pahle aadmi gham se najat pae kyun
husn aur us pe husn-e-zan rah gai bul-hawas ki sharm
apne pe etimad hai ghair ko aazmae kyun
wan wo ghurur-e-izz-o-naz yan ye hijab-e-pas-e-waza
rah men hum milen kahan bazm men wo bulae kyun
han wo nahin KHuda-parast jao wo bewafa sahi
jis ko ho din-O-dil aziz uski gali men jaae kyun
ghaalib-e-KHasta ke baghair kaun se kaam band hain
roiye zaar zaar kya kijiye haae haae kyun
ishq mujh ko nahi.n wahshat hi sahi
meri wahshat teri shohrat hi sahi
qat.a kijiye na ta.Alluq ham se
kuchh nahi.n hai to adaawat hi sahi
mere hone me.n hai kyaa ruswaai
ai wo majlis nahi.n KHalvat hi sahi
ham bhi dushman to nahin hain apne
Ghair ko tujh se mohabbat hi sahi
apni hasti hi se ho jo kuchh ho
aagahi gar nahi.n Ghaflat hi sahi
umr har-chand ki hai barq-e-KHiraam
dil ke KHun karne ki fursat hi sahi
ham koi tark-e-wafaa karte hain
na sahi ishq musibat hi sahi
kuchh to de ai falak-e-naa-insaaf
aah o fariyaad ki ruKHsat hi sahii
ham bhi taslim ki KHu Daale.nge
be-niyaazii teri aadat hi sahi
yaar se chhe.D chali jaa.e asad
gar nahi.n vasl to hasrat hi sahi
aina kyu na dun k tamasha kahe jise
aisa kahan se laun k tujhsa kahe jise
hasrat ne la rakha teri bazm-e-khayal mein
guldasta-e-nigah suweda kahe jise
phunka hai kisne goshe muhabbat mein ai Khuda
afsun-e-intazar tamanna kahe jise
sar par hujum-e-dard-e-garibi se daliye
wo ek musht-e-khak k sahra kahe jise
hai chashm-e-tar mein hasrat-e-didar se nihan
shauq-e-inan gusekhta dariya kahe jise
darkar hai shiguftan-e-gul haye aish ko
subh-e-bahar panba-e-mina kahe jise
“ghalib” bura na man jo waiz bura kahe
aisa bhi koi hai k sab acha kahe jise
sadgi par us ke mar jane ke hasrat dil mein hai
bas nahi chalta ki phir khanjar kaf-e-qatil mein hai
dekhana taqarir ke lazzat ki jo usane kaha
mainne yah jana ki goya yah bhi mere dil mein hai
garche hai kis kis burai se wale ba in hama
zikr mera mujh se behtar hai ki us mahafil mein hai
bas hujum-e-na umidi khak mein mil jayagi
yah jo ik lazzat hamari sai-e-behasil mein hai
ranj-e-rah kyon khenchiye vamandagi ko ishq hai
uth nahi sakta hamara jo qadam manzil mein hai
jalva zar-e-atash-e-dozakh hamara dil sahi
fitana-e-shor-e-qayamat kis ke aab-o-gil mein hai
hai dil-e-shorida-e-galib tilism-e-pech-o-tab
raham kar apni tamanna par ki kis mushkil mein hai
har ek baat pe kehte ho tum ke 'too kya hai' ?
tumheeN kaho ke yeh andaaz-e-guftgoo kya hai ?
na shole meiN yeh karishma na barq meiN yeh ada
koee batao ki woh shoKH-e-tund_KHoo kya hai ?
yeh rashk hai ki wo hota hai ham_suKHan tumse
wagarna KHauf-e-bad_aamozi-e-adoo kya hai ?
chipak raha hai badan par lahoo se pairaahan
hamaaree jeb ko ab haajat-e-rafoo kya hai ?
jalaa hai jicm jahaaN dil bhee jal gaya hoga
kuredate ho jo ab raakh, justjoo kya hai ?
ragoN meiN dauDte firne ke ham naheeN qaayal
jab aaNkh hee se na Tapka to fir lahoo kya hai ?
woh cheez jiske liye hamko ho bahisht azeez
siwaay baada-e-gul_faam-e-mushkaboo kya hai ?
piyooN sharaab agar KHum bhee dekh looN do chaar
yeh sheesha-o-qadah-o-kooza-o-suboo kya hai ?
rahee na taaqat-e-guftaar, aur agar ho bhee
to kis ummeed pe kahiye ke aarzoo kya hai ?
bana hai shaah ka musaahib, fire hai itaraata
wagarna shehar meiN 'GHalib' kee aabroo kya hai ?
Mirza Ghalib
Meaning
[ barq = lightning/bolt, tund = sharp/angry/ ferocious, KHoo = behavior/performance ]
[ rashk = jealousy,/spite ham_suKHan = to speak together/to agree,
KHauf = fear/cold feet, bad = bad/wicked, aamozee = education/teaching, adoo = enemy/assailant ]
[ KHum = wine barrel, qadah = goblet, kooza/suboo = wine pitcher ]
[ musaahib = comrade/associate ]
aah ko chaahiye ik 'umr asar hone tak
kaun jeeta hai teree zulf ke sar hone tak ?
daam har mauj meiN hai halqa-e-sad_kaam-e-nahaNg
dekhaiN kya guzre hai qatre pe guhar hone tak
aashiqee sabr talab aur tamanna betaab
dil ka kya rang karooN KHoon-e-jigar hone tak ?
partav-e-khur se hai shabnam ko fana'a ki taaleem
maiN bhee hooN ik inaayat ki nazar hone tak
yak_nazar besh naheeN fursat-e-hastee GHaafil
garmi-e-bazm hai ik raqs-e-sharar hone tak
GHam-e-hastee ka 'Asad' kis'se ho juz marg ilaaz
shamma'a har rang meiN jaltee hai sahar hone tak
dil-e-naadaaN tujhe huaa kya hai ?
aaKHir is dard kee dawa kya hai
ham haiN mushtaaq aur woh bezaar
ya ilaahee ! yeh maajra kya hai ?
maiN bhee muNh meiN zabaan rakhta hooN
kaash ! poocho ki "muddaa kya hai" ?
jab ki tujh bin naheeN koee maujood
fir ye hangaama, 'ei KHuda ! kya hai
ye paree chehara log kaise haiN ?
GHamza-o-ishwa-o-'adaa kya hai ?
shikan-e-zulf-e-ambaree kyoN hai ?
nigah-e-chashm-e-soorma sa kya hai ?
sabza-o-gul kahaaN se aaye haiN ?
abr kya cheez hai, hawa kya hai ?
hamko unse wafa ki hai ummeed
jo naheeN jaante wafa kya hai
haaN bhala kar tera bhala hoga"
aur darvesh kee sada kya hai ?
jaan tum par nisaar karta hooN
maiN naheeN jaanata duaa kya hai
maiNe maana ki kuchch naheeN 'GHalib'
muft haath aaye to bura kya hai ?
Mirza Ghalib
hazaaroN KHwahishaiN 'eisee ke har KHwahish pe dam nikle
bohot nikle mere armaaN lekin fir bhee kam nikle
Dare kyooN mera qaatil kya rahega uskee gardan par
wo KHooN, jo chashm-e-tar se 'umr bhar yooN dam_ba_dam nikle
nikalna KHuld se aadam ka sunte aayaiN haiN lekin
bohot be_aabru hokar tere kooche se ham nikle
bharam khul jaaye zaalim tere qaamat ki daraazee ka
agar is turra-e-pur_pech-o-KHam ka pech-o-KHam nikle
magar likhwaaye koee usko KHat, to hamse likhawaaye
huee subah aur ghar se kaan par rakhkar qalam nikle
huee is daur meiN mansoob mujhse baada_aashaamee
fir aaya wo zamaana, jo jahaaN se jaam-e-jam nikle
huee jinse tavaqqo KHastagee kee daad paane kee
wo hamse bhee ziyaada KHasta-e-teGH-e-sitam nikle
mohabbat meiN naheeN hai farq jeene aur marne kaa
usee ko dekh kar jeete haiN jis kaafir pe dam nikle
zara kar jor seene par ki teer-e-pursitam nikle
jo wo nikle to dil nikle, jo dil nikle to dam nikle
KHuda ke waaste parda na kaabe se uThaa zaalim
kaheeN 'eisa na ho yaaN bhee wohee kaafir sanam nikle
kahaaN maiKHaane ka darwaaza 'GHalib' aur kahaaN waaiz
par itana jaante haiN kal wo jaata tha ke ham nikle
Mirza Ghalib
koee din gar zindagaanee aur hai
apne jee meiN hamne THaanee aur hai
aatish-e-dozaKH meiN ye garmee kahaaN
soz-e-GHam haay nihaanee aur hai
baarha dekhee haiN unkee ranjishaiN
par kuchch ab ke sar_giraanee aur hai
deke KHat muNh dekhta hai naamabar
kuchch to paiGHaam-e-zabaanee aur hai
qaata-e-'amaar hai aksar nujoom
woh balaa-e-aasmaanee aur hai
ho chukeeN 'GHalib' balaayeN sab tamaam
ek marg-e-naagahaanee aur hai