POST 2: Har Ek bat pe…हर एक बात पर
There is a story about this ghazal. It appears that the ghazal was originally written by the begum of Mirza Ghalib and then adapted by him. Whatever be the truth but if the initial lines were indeed written by a lady in those ancient times, it speaks volumes about the position of the woman in the society.
The lady is questioning the manner of talking to her! She feels she is being slighted! Kudos!!
हर एक बात पे कहते हो तुम के तू क्या है
तुम्हीं बताओ ये अन्दाज़-ए-गुफ़्तगू क्या है
In every conversation, you imply that I am a nonentity!
What is this way of talking to me?
रगों में दौड़ते फिरने के हम नहीं क़ाइल
जब आँख ही से न टपका तो फिर लहू क्या है
Blood coursing through veins does not impress me
Unless it oozes out of the eyes, it is not blood.
(Under extreme conditions of stress and exertion, blood can actually ooze out of the eyes)
ए पियूँ शराब अगर ख़ुम भी देख लूँ दो-चार
ये शीशा-ओ-क़दह-ओ-कूज़ा-ओ-सुबू क्या है
I would agree to drink wine after I see a few of the vessels (मटका)full of wine
after all what is this small earthen pitcher meant for drinking water(कुल्हड़) doing here
हुआ है शह का मुसाहिब फिरे है इतराता
वगरना शहर में ग़ालिब की आबरू क्या ह
A minor employee of the minister has suddenly become important
Otherwise Ghalib has no standing in the society.
The ghazal has also been sung by Jagjit Singh in the TV serial Mirza Ghalib. It has many more shers…so here is the translation for the Jagjit Singh version as well…
चिपक रहा है बदन पर लहू से पैराहन
हमारी जेब को अब हाजत-ऐ-रफू क्या है
My clothes are sticking to my body as I am bloodied.
Where is the requirement of repairing my pocket although it has a big hole!
जला है जिस्म जहाँ दिल भी जल गया होगा
कुरेदते हो जो अब राख जुस्तजू क्या है
As the body has burnt so the heart also would have burnt
Why are you stirring the ashes ,what is it that you are searching for?
The implication is that your attitude has made my heart full of ashes, now what are you trying to regain
रही न ताक़त ऐ गुफ्तार और अगर हो भी
तो किस उम्मीद पे कहिये के आरज़ू क्या है
I have no strength left for discussions and even if I have,what gives you the right to ask me what is my wish
What a beautiful ghazal!!
I hope you enjoyed it. The pleasure multiplies when you understand the meaning and underlying concept.
Next week I will be presenting a ghazal sung by child prodigy Master Madan.
