POST 93:Baharon ko chaman yaad aa gaya hae
बहारों को चमन याद आ गया है
I have not been able to research any biographical details about poet Rifat Sultan except this photograph! He has penned 16 gazals and this one tops the popularity chart.
A dear friend Mr.Manish Roy has sent me biographical details about poet Rifat Sultan,which I am adding here:
Rifat sultan ( born 18.03.1936 — died 05.06.2015) was a prominent Pakistani poet, known for his ability to convey complex emotions in simple words. He did M.A. Urdu from Punjab University. He published collection of poetry including ‘ Kuch khwab kuch sapne’, ‘Wohi khawabon ke shehr’ , ‘ baarish ka mausam’.He was awarded ‘Pride of Performance’ award in 2007,one of the highest civilian awards in Pakistan.
Thank you Manish!
I have selected a few of his shers that have a realistic feel. These may give some indication of his personality.
- dil meñ koī ḳhushī nahīñ lekin
ādatan muskurā rahā huuñ maiñ!
2. tū mirī baat kā javāb na de
maiñ samajhtā huuñ ḳhāmushī kī zabāñ!
3. mujhe bhī yuuñ to badī aarzū hai jiine kī
magar savāl ye hai kis tarah jiyā jaa.e?
4. jaltā rahā huuñ ziist ke dozaḳh meñ umr bhar
ye aur baat hai mirī koī ḳhatā nahīñ!
बहारों को चमन याद आ गया है
मुझे वो गुल-बदन याद आ गया है
The spring season of blooming flowers, has started remembering the garden!
While I remember the one whose body is as beautiful as the rose!!
लचकती शाख़ ने जब सर उठाया
किसी का बाँकपन याद आ गया है
That tender, twisting branch*, when it bent and raised its head!
I suddenly remembered the innocence of someone so young!!
*the sweetheart
मिरी ख़ामोशियों पर हँसने वालो
मुझे वो कम-सुख़न याद आ गया है
Oh you people who laugh at me for being taciturn, quiet !
I am remembering the one who speaks so little!!
तुम्हें मिल कर तो ऐ यज़्दाँ-परस्तो
ग़ुरूर-ए-अहरमन याद आ गया है
On meeting you, Oh the worshippers of God !
I remembered the pride of Ahiraman*
*Ahiraman — It alludes to the spirit of evil in Zoroastrianism ; arch rival of the spirit of God
तिरी सूरत को जब देखा है मैं ने
उरूज-ए-फ़िक्र-ओ-फ़न याद आ गया है
When I looked at your face!
I remembered the high points of fine arts and ideas!!
किसी का ख़ूबसूरत शे’र सुन कर
तिरा लुत्फ़-ए-सुख़न याद आ गया है
After hearing a beautiful sher recited by someone!
I remembered your pleasure and involvement in poetry and conversation!!
मिले वो अजनबी बन कर तो
‘रिफ़अत’ ज़माने का चलन याद आ गया है
When she met and ignored me, treated and behaved like a stranger!
Oh Rifat, I remembered the ways of the World in present times!!
Ghulam Ali has sung this gazal in his inimitable style and endearing voice!
Hariharan ( Born 03.04.1955), an Indian playback singer in films and a master craftsman of the art of gazal singing, is known to sing predominantly in Telugu and Tamil. He has sung more than 15,000 songs in 10 regional languages. While singing gazals there is no trace of any other language and his pronunciation is so pure and pleasant. He was awarded Padma Shri in 2004. He formed a two member band with Leslee Lewis, called Colonial Cousins! Leslee Lewis is an Indian singer and composer who introduced Indian music lovers to Rock and Pop music. Their debut album was released in 1996.
Papon ( Born 24.11.1975) entered Bollywood in 2006 but tasted success with his song ‘ jiyein kyon…..’ from film ‘Dam maro Dam’. His most popular song perhaps is ‘Moh moh ke dhage……’ from the film ‘ Dum laga ke haisha’.
Imtiyaz Talkhani was born in Honnavar ,India and is presently living in England. He is a practicing Orthopaedics surgeon and an amateur singer.
I have also included gazals sung by M/S Anand Mohan Pathak and Pushkar Sir, who have sung the same gazal and presented a different flavour although I have not been able to collect any biographical details for either of them.
Pushkar sir
This is a happy gazal but with a realistic twist in the last sher ! Hope you like it.
16th March was the birthday of my third child, Prashant- my son. Happy birthday Prashant! 30th March was the birthday of my dear friend Vijay Garg, which I celebrated with him at Jaipur.
Take care.
