URDU POETRY

 

Aah! The beauty of Urdu language. I think Urdu must be the richest and the most respectful of all languages. It has adab (etiquette) and softness. I simply love Urdu and consider myself unfortunate to not have been a formal student of this language. Specially when it comes to poetry, no other medium can match up to the eloquence of Urdu. This medium is powerful and articulate, the speaker leaves a lasting impression on the audience. Just sample this:

"Raghon mein daurhte phirne ke hum nahin qaayal,

Jo aankh hi se na tapka to phir lahoo kya hai?"

(I don't believe in blood running around in veins, the blood is not blood unless it drips from your eyes!) Simpler translation is that you have to prove your point in an intense manner.

There have been innumerable poets in Urdu. Urdu has borrowed many words from the Persian language. Amir Khusro (1253-1325), Kabir (1440-1518) and many other poets of earlier era were to inspire later Urdu poets and served as intellectual and linguistic sources. Among the greatest Urdu poets can be counted stalwarts such as Ghalib, Dard, Meer, Iqbal, Zauq, Josh, Jigar, Faiz, Ahmed Faraz, Firaq and Adam.

Ghalib remains the best of all. I am particularly fond of this poem:

Aah ko chahiye ik umr asar hone tak,

Kaun jeeta hai teri zulf ke sar hone tak?

(A lifetime passes before a sigh shows its effects,
Who would wait so long to see your curls fixed up?)

Aashiqui, sabr, talab aur tamanna betaab,

Dil ka kya rang karoon khoon-e-jigar hone tak?

(Love asks for patience but lust is restless,
What colour do I call my heart till it bleeds to death?)

Hum ne maana ke taghaaful na karoge lekin,

Khaaq ho jaayenge hum tum ko khabar hone tak,

(You won't disregard me, I know that, but when
you know of me I would have become dust)

Partav-e khur se hai shabnam ko fana'a ki taaleem,
Main bhi hoon ik inaayat ki nazar hone tak,

(The morning sun’s ardent rays spell death to dew drops,
I, too, exist only until you cast a glance at me)

Yak nazar besh nahin fursat-e-hasti ghaafil,

Garmi-e-bazm hai ik raqs -e-sharar hone tak,

(A glance from you will bring my life to end,
Like the dancing sparks end a party's fun)

Gham-e-hasti ka 'Asad' kis se ho juz marg ilaaj,

Shama har rang mein jalti hai sahar hone tak.

(Life is all suffering, Asad. Its cure is only death,
The candle burns in many colours till the morning comes)