Parveen Shakir (Urdu: پروین شاکر) (November 24, 1952 – December 26, 1994) was a Pakistani Urdu poetess, teacher and a civil servant of the Government of Pakistan. Shakir started writing at an early age, initially under the pen name of ‘Beena,’ and published her first volume of poetry, Khushbu [Fragrance], to great acclaim, in 1976. She subsequently published other volumes of poetry – all well-received – including Inkaar [Refusal], Sad-barg [Marsh Marigold], Khud Kalami [Conversing with the Self] and Kaf-e-Aa’ina [The Edge of the Mirror], besides a collection of her newspaper columns, titled Gosha-e-Chashm [The Sight Corner]], and was awarded one of Pakistan’s highest honours, the Pride of Performance for her outstanding contribution to literature. (courtesy Wikipedia)
Noon Meem Rashid (b. 1910 – 9 October 1975) is considered to be the father of Modernism in Urdu Literature. Along with Faiz Ahmed Faiz, he is by far the greatest poet in the history of Pakistani literature. His themes run from the struggle against oppression to the relationship between words and meanings, between language and awareness and the creative process that produces poetry and other arts. Though intellectually deep, he was often attacked for his unconventional views and life-style. He rebelled against the traditional form of ‘ghazal’ and became the first major exponent of free verse in Urdu Literature. (courtesy Wikipedia)
By Noon Meem Rashid
Translated by Ayesha Khanna
ai merii ham_raqs mujh ko thaam le
zindagii se bhaag kar aayaa huu.N mai.n
Dar se larazaa.N huu.N kahii.n aisaa na ho
raqs_gaah ke chor daravaaze se aakar zindagii
Dhuu.NDh le mujh ko nishaa.N paa le meraa
aur jurm-e-aish karate dekh le
come, my fellow dancer, hold me
from life I have fled and arrived
quivering with fear
that in this brothel, life may follow
and find me intoxicated
see me decadent, corrupt and debauched
ai merii ham_raqs mujh ko thaam le
raqs kii ye gardishe.n
ek mubaham aasiyaa ke daur hai.n
kaisi sargarmii se Gam ko rau.ndataa jaataa huu.N mai.n
jii me.n kahataa huu.N ki haa.N
raqs_gaah me.n zindagii ke jhaa.Nkane se peshtar
kulfato.n kaa sang_rezaa ek bhii rahane na paaye
come, my fellow dancer, hold me
these cycles of dance
enigmatic revolutions of sin
with what zeal I spin the wheels of sorrow
and in my mind, I agree
before entering this brothel
not one speck of my troubles should remain
ai merii ham_raqs mujh ko thaam le
zindagii mere liye
ek Khuunii bhe.Diye se kam nahii.n
ai hasii.n-o-ajanabii aurat usii ke Dar se mai.n
ho rahaa huu.N lamhaa lamhaa aur bhii tere qariib
jaanataa huu.N tuu merii jaa.N bhii nahii.n
tujh se milane kaa phir imkaa.N bhii nahii.n
tuu merii aarazuuo.n kii magar tamsiil hai
jo rahii mujh se gurezaa.N aaj tak
come, my fellow dancer, hold me
for me life
is no less than a surreptitious murderer
o beautiful stranger, from its very door
slowly, I come closer to you
knowing you are not my love
and meeting you is unlikely
but still you are that one desire
which eludes me till today
ai merii ham_raqs mujh ko thaam le
ahad-e-paariinaa kaa mai.n insaa.N nahii.n
bandagii se is dar-o-diivaar kii
ho chukii hai.n Khvaahishe.n be-soz-o-rang-o-naatavaa.N
jism se tere lipaT sakataa to huu.N
zindagii par mai.n jhapaT sakataa nahii.n
is liye ab thaam le
ai hasii.n-o-ajanabii aurat mujhe ab thaam le
come, my fellow dancer, hold me
of no divine promise am I a follower
and bondage to this place
has weakened all desire for abstinence
to your body I can cling
but life I cannot battle
so hold me now
o beautiful stranger hold me now
Faiz Ahmed Faiz ( فیض احمد فیض; born 1911, died 1984) is one of the most famous modern Urdu poets, though he also wrote in Punjabi. Faiz was a member of the Anjuman Tarraqi Pasand Mussanafin-e-Hind (Progressive Writers’ Movement), and an avowed Marxist. In 1962 he was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize by the Soviet Union (courtesy Wikipedia)
By Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Translated by Ayesha Khanna
dasht-e-tanhaai mein, ai jaan-e-jahaan, larzaan hain In the desert of my solitude, oh love of my life, quiver
teri avaaz ke saaye, the shadows of your voice, tere honthon ke saraab the mirage of your lips
dasht-e-tanhaai mein,
In the desert of my solitude, duri ke khas-o-khaak tale
beneath the dust and ashes of distance khil rahe hain tere pehlu ke saman aur gulaab
bloom the jasmines and roses of your proximity
uht rahi hai kahin qurbat se
From somewhere very close, teri saans ki aanch
rises the warmth of your breath apani khushbuu mein sulagti hui
smouldering in its own aroma, maddham maddham
slowly, bit by bit.
dur ufaq par chamakati hui
far away, across the horizon, glistens qatra qatra
drop by drop gir rahi hai teri dil daar nazar ki shabnam
the falling dew of your beguiling glance
is qadar pyaar se hai jaan-e jahaan rakkhaa hai
With such tenderness, O love of my life, dil ke rukhsaar pe
on the cheek of my heart, is vaqt teri yaad ne haath
has your memory placed its hand right now
yun guman hota hai
that it looks as if garche hai abhi subah-e-firaaq
(though it’s still the dawn of adieu) dhal gaya hijr ka din
the sun of separation has set aa bhi gaye vasl ki raat
and the night of union has arrived.
Abu-Al-Asar Hafeez Jalandhuri (Punjabi, Urdu: ابو الاثر حفیظ جالندھری) [1] writer, poet and composer of the National Anthem of Pakistan. He was born in Jalandhar, Punjab, India on January 14, 1900. After partition of India in 1947 he moved to Lahore. His monumental work of poetry, Shahnam-e-Islam, gave him incredible fame which, in the manner of Firdowsi’s Shahnameh, is a record of the glorious history of Islam in verse. (courtesy Wikipedia)
By Hafeez Jallandhari
Translated by Ayesha Khanna
abhi to main jawaan hoon I am still young
havaa bhii Kushagavaar hai, gulo.n pe bhii nikhaar hai
tarannume.n hazaar hai, bahaar purabahaar hai The air is delicious, flowers are blooming
Melodies are in the air, spring is everywhere
kahaa.N chalaa hai saaqiyaa, (idhar to lauT idhar to aa)
are, yah dekhataa hai kyaa? uThaa subuu, subuu uThaa Where are you going, wine-giver?
Ay, Come back here
Why do you wait? Bring the pitcher of wine
subuu uThaa, piyaalaa bhar piyaalaa bhar ke de idhar
chaman kii simt kar nazar, samaa to dekh beKabar Bring the pitcher, fill my cup
Observe, the world is blissfully unconcerned
vo kaalii-kaalii badaliyaa.N, ufaq pe ho ga_ii ayaa.n
vo ik hajuum-e-maikashaa.n, hai suu-e-maikadaa ravaa.n Those dark clouds that are now on the horizon
How they sway like inebriated taverns
ye kyaa gumaa.n hai badagumaa.n, samajh na mujhako naatavaa.n
Kayaal-e-zohd abhii kahaa.N?
abhii to mai.n javaan huu.N What suspicions you have!
Don’t judge me so feeble
Why should I think of abstinence?
I am still young
ibaadato.n kaa zikr hai, nijaat kii bhii fikr hai
junuun hai savaab kaa, Kayaal hai azaab kaa All this talk of worship, this worry about salvation
These rewards in heaven, those torments in hell
magar suno to sheK jii, ajiib shay hai.n aap bhii
bhalaa shabaab-o-aashiqii, alag hue bhii hai.n kabhii Dear sir, how strange you are
Surely you know, youth and passion dance together
hasiin jalavaarez ho.n, adaae.n fitanaaKez ho.n
havaae.n itr_bez ho.n, to shauq kyuu.N na tez ho.n? Beautiful women, resplendent and full of mischief
Brought to me by the wind, how can I resist?
nigaarahaa-e-fitanaagar, koii idhar koii udhar
ubhaarate hai.n aish par, to kyaa kare koii bashar Those playful lovers, some there, others here
When they so arouse, what is a man to fear?
chalo jii qissaa muKtasar, tumhaaraa nuqtaa-e-nazar
durust hai to ho magar, abhii to mai.n javaan huu.N All right then, my story will be short
Critical looks abound
You are probably right but …
I am still young
ye Gasht kohasaar kii, ye sair juu-e-vaar kii
ye bulabulo.n ke chahachahe, ye gularuKo.n ke qahaqahe These wandering mountains with gushing rivulets
Chirping nightingales, this laughter of lovely maidens
kisii se mel ho gayaa, to ra.nj-o-fikr kho gayaa
kabhii jo vaqt so gayaa, ye ha.Ns gayaa vo ro gayaa I met someone, and fled all worry of anguish
Time stood still, there was some laughter, a few tears
ye ishq kii kahaaniyaa.N, ye ras bharii javaaniyaa.N
udhar se meharabaaniyaa.N, idhar se lantaraaniyaa.N The stories of passion, youth filled with sweetness
Some kindness there, a little boasting here
ye aasmaan ye zamii.n, nazzaraahaa-e-dilanashii.n
une hayaat aafarii.n, bhalaa mai.n chho.D duu.N yahii.n This heaven, this earth, these wonderful sights of His
Demands He a life well spent, my sins for me to leave
hai maut is qadar qarii.n, mujhe na aaegaa yaqii.n
nahii.n-nahii.n abhii nahii.n, nahii.n-nahii.n abhii nahii.n
abhii to mai.n javaan huu.N That death could be so near, I cannot believe
No, not yet, not yet,
I am still young
Gam kushuud-o-bast kaa, bala.nd kaa na past ka
na buud kaa na hast kaa, na vaadaa-e-alast kaa Not concerned am I with proximity or distance, zenith or nadir
My status or my existence, the promise of man’s creation
ummiid aur yaas gum, havaas gum qayaas gum
nazar se aas-paas gum, hamaa.n bajuz gilaas gum I have lost hope and despair, reason and self-awareness
My vision is blurred, even my goblet have I misplaced
na may me.n kuchh kamii rahe, kadaa se hamadamii rahe
nishast ye jamii rahe, yahii hamaa.n hamii.n rahe Let the wine not fail me, the friendship with the tavern grow
The evening remain the same, the gathering live on
vo raag chhe.D mutaribaa, tarab-fizaa, alam-rubaa
asar sadaa-e-saaz kaa, jiGar me.n aag de lagaa Crooner, sing a melody, exhilarate me, snuff my ire
Influences of song and dance, set my soul on fire
har ik lab pe ho sadaa, na haath rok saaqiyaa
pilaae jaa pilaae jaa, pilaae jaa pilaae jaa
abhii to mai.n javaan huu.N Everyone is imploring, don’t stop this flow of wine
Keep on pouring, keep on pouring
I am still young
Faiz Ahmed Faiz ( فیض احمد فیض; born 1911, died 1984) is one of the most famous modern Urdu poets, though he also wrote in Punjabi. Faiz was a member of the Anjuman Tarraqi Pasand Mussanafin-e-Hind (Progressive Writers’ Movement), and an avowed Marxist. In 1962 he was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize by the Soviet Union (courtesy Wikipedia)
By Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Translated by Ayesha Khanna
mujh se pehli si mohabbat meray mehbub na maang Don’t ask me for the love I once gave you, my love
mein ne samjha tha kay tu hai to darakhshaan hai hayaat I thought if I had you, life would shine eternally for me tera gham hai to gham-e-dahar ka jhagdra kya hai With your heartaches, those of the universe would fade teri surat se hai aalam mein bahaaron ko sabaat Your face would bring permanence to every spring teri aankhon ke sivaa duniya mein rakkha kya hai What is there to treasure in this world but your eyes? tu jo mil jaaye to taqdir niguun ho jaaye If I found you, my fate would bow down to me yun na tha mein ne faqat chahaa tha yun ho jaaye It was not so, merely how I wished it to be aur bhii dukh hain zamaane mein mohabbat ke sivaa The times hold sorrows besides those of love raahaten aur bhi vasl ki raahat ke sivaa There is happiness other than the joy of union
anaginat sadiyon ki taarik bahimanaa talism The dreadful magic of uncountable dark years resham-o-atalas-o-kamkhvaab mein bunavaaye huye Woven in silk, satin and brocade jaa-ba-jaa bikate huye kuuchaa-o-baazaar mein jism Bodies sold in every corner of the market khaak mein lithade huye khuun mein nahalaaye huye Covered in dust, bathed in blood laut jaati hai udhar ko bhi nazar kyaa kije Still returns my gaze in that direction, what can be done? ab bhi dilkash hai tera husn magar kya kije Even now your beauty is tantalizing, but what can I do? aur bhii dukh hain zamaane mein mohabbat ke sivaa The times hold sorrows besides those of love raahaten aur bhi vasl ki raahat ke sivaa There is happiness other than the joy of union
mujh se pehli si mohabbat meray mehbub na maang Don’t ask me for the love I once gave you, my love
Faiz Ahmed Faiz ( فیض احمد فیض; born 1911, died 1984) is one of the most famous modern Urdu poets, though he also wrote in Punjabi. Faiz was a member of the Anjuman Tarraqi Pasand Mussanafin-e-Hind (Progressive Writers’ Movement), and an avowed Marxist. In 1962 he was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize by the Soviet Union (courtesy Wikipedia)
By Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Translated by Ayesha Khanna
Hum Dekhain Gay We shall see Lazim Hai ke hum Bhi Dekhain Gay It is necessary that we shall also see Woh Din ke Jis ka Wadah Hai That day which has been promised Jo Loh-e-Azl pe Likha hai Which is written with God’s ink Hum Dekhain Gay We shall see
Jab Zulm-o-Sitam ke Koh-e-garaan When the mountains of cruelty and torture Ruii ki Tarah Urd Jain Gay Will fly like pieces of cotton Hum Mehkumoon ke Paun Talay Under the feet of the governed Yeh Dharti Dhard Dhard Dhardkay gi This earth will quake Aur Ehl-e-Hukum ke Sar Uper And over the head of the ruler Jab Bijli kard Kard Kardke gi When lightening will thunder Hum Dekhain Gay We shall see
Jab Arz-e-Khuda ke kabay se When from God’s Mecca Sab but Uthwaaiy Jain gay All the idols will be shattered Hum Ehl-e-Safa Mardood-e-Haram Us people standing in the mosque Masnad pe Bithaaiy jain gay Will be elevated to a higher platform Sab Taaj Uchalay jain gay All the crowns will be tossed Sab Takht Giraaiy Jain gay All the thrones will be toppled
Bas Naam rahay Ga Allah ka Then only God’s name will remain Jo Ghayab Bhi hai Hazir Bhi Who is both absent and present Jo nazir bhi hai manzar bhi Who is both the observer and the view itself Uthay ga Analhaq ka Naara When the anthem of truth will be raised Jo Main bhi Hun aur Tumbhi ho Who I am and you are as well Aur Raaj karay gi khalq-e-Khuda And the people of God will reign Jo main bhi hun aur tum bhi ho Who I am and you are as well
Hum Dekhain Gay We shall see Lazim Hai ke hum Bhi Dekhain Gay It is necessary that we shall also see Hum Dekhain Gay We shall see
Faiz Ahmed Faiz ( فیض احمد فیض; born 1911, died 1984) is one of the most famous modern Urdu poets, though he also wrote in Punjabi. Faiz was a member of the Anjuman Tarraqi Pasand Mussanafin-e-Hind (Progressive Writers’ Movement), and an avowed Marxist. In 1962 he was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize by the Soviet Union (courtesy Wikipedia)
By Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Translated by Ayesha Khanna
bahar aayee Spring has come to jaisey yak baar laut aaye hain phir adum se So have returned suddenly from the past woh khaab sarey, shabaab sarey All those dreams, all that beauty jo terey honton pe mar mittey they That on your lips had died jo mit ke har baar phir jiye they That had died and lived again each time nikher gaye hain gulaaab sarey All the roses are blooming jo teri yadon se mushkboo hain That still smell of your memories jo terey ushaak ka lahoo hain That are the blood of my love for you
ubal parey hain azaab sarey All the torments are raging again malaal-e-ihbay-e-doastaan bhi That unheeded advice of friends tumharey aaghosh-e-mehvashaan bhi That intoxication of your embrace ghubar-e-khatir ke baab sarey The dust speckled old chapters tirey humarey sawaal sarey, jawaab sarey With all our questions, all our answers bahaar aayee Spring has come to khul gaye hain So have opened neye sirrey se hisaab sarey All those journals of my love anew
Ahmed Faraz (Urdu: احمد فراز) was considered one of the greatest modern Urdu poets of the last century. He died in Islamabad on August 25, 2008. Outspoken about politics, he went into self-imposed exile during the Zia-ul-Haq era after he was arrested for reciting certain poems at a mushaira criticizing the military rule. He stayed for 6 years in Britain, Canada and Europe before returning to Pakistan. He has been awarded with numerous national and international awards. (courtesy Wikipedia)
By Ahmed Faraz
Translated by Ayesha Khanna
Ranjish hi sahi dil hi dukhaanay kay liyay aa Let it be anguish, come still to torment my heart aa phir say mujhay chhorr kay jaanay kay liyay aa Come, even if to leave me again
pehlay say maraasim na sahi phir bhi kabhi to If not for our past association rasm-o-rahay duniya hi nibhaanay kay liyay aa Come to fulfill the rituals of the world
kis kis ko bataayengay judaai kaa sabab ham Who else must I explain the reason of separation tu mujh se khafaa hai to zamaanay kay liyay aa Come, despite your displeasure, to continue the ceremony
kuchh to meri pindaar-e-mohabbat ka bharam rakh Respect a little the depth of my love for you tu bhi to kabhi mujh ko manaanay kay liyay aa Come someday to placate me as well
ek umr say hun lazzat-e-giryaa se bhi mehruum Too long have I been deprived of the pathos of longing aye raahat-e-jaan mujh ko rulaanay kay liyay aa Come my love, if only to make me weep again
ab tak dil-e-khush_feham ko tujh say hain ummeedain Till now, my heart suffers from some expectation ye aakhari shammain bhi bujhaanay kay liyay aa Come to snuff even these last candles of hope
Noon Meem Rashid (b. 1910 – 9 October 1975) is considered to be the father of Modernism in Urdu Literature. Along with Faiz Ahmed Faiz, he is by far the greatest poet in the history of Pakistani literature. His themes run from the struggle against oppression to the relationship between words and meanings, between language and awareness and the creative process that produces poetry and other arts. Though intellectually deep, he was often attacked for his unconventional views and life-style. He rebelled against the traditional form of ‘ghazal’ and became the first major exponent of free verse in Urdu Literature. (courtesy Wikipedia)
By Noon Meem Rashid Translated by Ayesha Khanna
zindagii se Darate ho? You are afraid of life? zindagii to tum bhii ho, zindagii to ham bhii hai.n! But you are life, and I am too! aadamii se Darate ho? You are afraid of man? aadamii to tum bhii ho aadamii to ham bhii hai.n! But you are man, and I am too! aadamii zubaa.N bhii hai, aadamii bayaa.N bhii hai Man is hearsay, man is fact as well is se tum nahii.n Darate! It is not him you fear! harf aur maanii ke rishte haaye aahan se aadamii hai vaabastaa To syntax and semantics is man tied aadamii ke daaman se zindagii hai vaabastaa To man is life inextricably tied is se tum nahii.n Darate! It is not him you fear! ankahii se Darate ho You fear the unspoken jo abhii aa_ii nahii.n us gha.Dii se Darate ho That which has not come, that moment you fear us gha.Dii ke aane kii aag hii se Darate ho! The fire of that moment, this is what you fear!
pahale bhii to guzare hai.n But times have come and gone before daur naarasaa_ii ke, beriyaa, Khudaa_ii ke Epochs of failure, centuries of godliness phir bhii ye samajhate ho, hech aazaruumandii Still you believe it is meaningless to aspire ye shab zubaa.Nbandii, hai rahe Khudaabandii! That silence is a way to avoid divine ire! tum yahii samajhate ho, tum magar ye kyaa jaano? You believe this, but what would you know? lab agar nahii.n hilate haath jaag uThate hai.n If lips fall silent, the hands arise haath jaag uThate hai.n raah kaa nishaan ban kar As signs that point to the path that is right nuur kii zubaa.N ban kar Becoming the voice of light haath bol uThate hai.n subah kii azaa.N ban kar Calling to prayer after the night roshanii se Darate ho? You are afraid of light? roshanii to tum bhii ho, roshanii to ham bhii hai.n But you are light, and I am too roshanii se Darate ho! You are afraid of light!
shahar kii fasiilo.n par From the walls of the city dev kaa jo saayaa thaa, paak ho gayaa aaKhir The shadow of evil was removed finally raat ka labada bhi Night’s garb of darkness chaak ho gaya aakhir, khaakh ho gaya aakhir Torn finally, made ashes to dust finally az_dahaam-e-afsaa.N se fard kii navaa aa_ii Then from humanity, one man’s voice sounds zaat kii sadaa aa_ii The cry of the Self arrives raah-e-shauq me.n jaise raah_ravii Khuu.N lapake Like in the path of love, love’s passion leaps ik nayaa junuu.N lapake! A new exhilaration abounds! aadamii chhalak uThe Mankind awakes aadamii ha.Nse dekho, shahar phir base dekho Watch him smile, see cities come to life tum abhii se Darate ho? Is it the present you fear? haa.N abhii to tum bhii ho, haa.N abhii to ham bhii hai.n But present you are, and I am too tum abhii se Darate ho! It is the present you fear!
Translated by Ayesha Khanna
Sung By: Strings & John Abraham
yeh hai meri kahani
this is my story khamosh zindagani
my voiceless existence sannata keh raha hai
where even silence questions kyun zulm seh raha hai
why I bear such injustice
ek dastaan purani
an ancient tale tanhayi ki zubani
hearsay of solitude her zakham khil raha hai
where each wound blossoms kuch mujh se keh raha hai
to whisper softly to me
chubtay kantay yadoon ke daaman say chunta hoon
where I pick the thorns of my memories girti deewaron ke aanchal mai zinda hoon
and live behind the veil of falling walls
bass yeh meri kahani
this, this is my story benishaan nishaani
my unremarkable mark ek darr beh raha hai
where fear trickles down kuch mujh se keh raha hai
to whisper softly to me
bajay pyaar ki shabnum mere gulistaan mein
the dew of love glistens baraste rehte hain har simt maut ke saye
yet death haunts every corner siyahiyon se ulajh padti hain meri aankhein
eyes weary of inky shadows koi nahi .. koi bhi nahi jo batlaye but no one … no one to tell main kitni der ujalon ki raah dekhoon gaa how long till light appears koi nahi hai koi bhi nahi no one … there is no one na pass na durr not near, not far
ek pyaar hai this is love dil ki dharkan this heartbeat apni chahat ka jo ellan kiye jaati hai that keeps announcing its presence zindagi hai jo jiye jaati hai life is validated by living khoon k ghoont peay jaati hai that continues persevering khwaab kaanton se siye jaati hai dreams are woven by dreaming
ab na koi paas hai alone phir bhi ehsaas hai and still i sense siyahiyon mai uljhi padi entangled in darkness jeene ki ek aas hai an inchoate desire to live
yadoon ka jungle yeh dil jungle of reminiscences, this heart kaanton se jal thal yeh dil strewn with thistles, this heart
chubtay kantay yadoon ke daaman say chunta hoon
where I pick the thorns of my memories girti deewaron ke aanchal mai zinda hoon and live behind the veil of falling walls