POST 96:
Taskin ko hum na royen jo Zokqey-e nazar milae
तस्कीं को हम न रोएँ जो ज़ौक़-ए-नज़र मिले
This again is a gazal penned by Ghalib. It is a very popular number sung by so many renowned artists. As always the words are rather difficult but the underlying thought is universal, except that it has been so beautifully expressed. Use of these difficult expressions was probably because of his great learning of Persian and its adaptation.
An interesting fact about Ghalib is that he wrote innumerable gazals and nazams in his original diwan. However at the suggestion of his mentor, Fazal -e-Haq Kharabadi, he deleted more than two thirds of these numerous gazals . What remains is what is known as Diwan-e-Ghalib!
Here Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is reciting this gazal. A rare treat indeed!
Begum Akhtar has sung this gazal in her inimitable style.
Malika Pukhraj (Born 1912–04.02. 2004) was a very popular Pakistani gazal singer equally popular in Pakistan and India. At the early age of nine she was admitted to the court of raja Hari Singh of Jammu and received her initial training from Ustad Allaha Bux. She is remembered for her rendition of Hafeez Jalandhari’s nazam ‘ abhi to mein jawan hoon…’
Iqbal Bano ( Born 28.08.1928- Died 21.04.2009) was again a Pakistani gazal singer who was equally popular both in India and Pakistan. She studied music at Delhi under Ustads Sabri Khan and Chand Khan of Delhi Gharana. During the regime of Muhammad Zia -Ul- Haq, sari was banned in Pakistan as un-Islamic. However Iqbal Bano, on 13 february 1986, appeared on stage at Al Hamira Hall in Lahore, wearing a black sari and recited gazals of Faiz Ahmed Faiz. As a consequence she was banned from Radio Pakistan, PTV and public appearances! Incidentally, black in Muslim culture is the colour of mourning.
Important words: तस्कीं: Consolation,solace; ज़ौक़-ए-नज़र: perceptive eye, connoisseur; हूरान-ए-ख़ुल्द: houries of paradise; ख़ल्क़: people at large, riff-raff; साक़ी-गरी: profession of bar tending;कलाम: a statement, promise; नदीम: friend, companion; नामा-बर: messenger, carrier of letters; कशाकश-ए-ग़म-ए-पिन्हाँ: conflict of the hidden grief; ख़िज़्र: a prophet who is reputed to have discovered the fountain of life and drunk it! Also means a guide or leader; साकिनान-ए-कूचा-ए-दिलदार: inhabitants of the street of the lover; ‘ग़ालिब’-ए-आशुफ़्ता-सर: Ghalib in a frenzy, in sadness.
तस्कीं को हम न रोएँ जो ज़ौक़-ए-नज़र मिले
हूरान-ए-ख़ुल्द में तिरी सूरत मगर मिले
I would not need any consolation or solace, only if my beloved gives me a friendly and welcoming look!
I wish even in Paradise the fairies, Houries should resemble her!
अपनी गली में मुझ को न कर दफ़्न बाद-ए-क़त्ल
मेरे पते से ख़ल्क़ को क्यूँ तेरा घर मिले
Having murdered me, at least do not bury me in your own street!
Why should the people at large be able locate your house because of the location of my final resting place?
साक़ी-गरी की शर्म करो आज
वर्ना हम हर शब पिया ही करते हैं मय जिस क़दर मिले
Toda at least please adhere to the niceties, protocol of the profession of bar tending and don’t limit the service of wine !
Otherwise, of-course every night we drink wine only as much as is available!!
तुझ से तो कुछ कलाम नहीं लेकिन ऐ नदीम
मेरा सलाम कहियो अगर नामा-बर मिले
Oh friend I do not expect any favour or promise from you !
Still if you encounter a carrier of letters, please convey my salutations to the beloved!!
तुम को भी हम दिखाएँ कि मजनूँ ने क्या किया
फ़ुर्सत कशाकश-ए-ग़म-ए-पिन्हाँ से गर मिले
I wish I could show to you also , what Majnu did?
If only I could get some respite from the dilemma of hidden grief, in my heart !!
लाज़िम नहीं कि ख़िज़्र की हम पैरवी करें
जाना कि इक बुज़ुर्ग हमें हम-सफ़र मिले
It is not necessary for me to justify the actions of ‘ Khizar’ !
Only felt as though I had met an elderly co-passenger on my travels!!
ऐ साकिनान-ए-कूचा-ए-दिलदार देखना
तुम को कहीं जो 'ग़ालिब'-ए-आशुफ़्ता-सर मिले
Oh you the people residing on the same street as my beloved,please be on watch !
If you find thereabouts Ghalib, in a frenzied, sad or confused mood!!
Fariha Pervez ( born 02.02.1974) is a popular Pakistani gazal singer, who started anchoring and acting programmes on PTV at a very early age. However she switched from acting to whole time singing. Asha Bhosale has been her inspiration. She too has tried classical and Pop and all things in between.
This gazal needs to be understood and then listened to let it grow on you. So try the experiment.
2nd May was the birthday of my daughter like Megha, born to Atul and Charu. 7th was the birthday of my granddaughter Ayushi , daughter of my niece Padmja and Sumit. Happy birthday Megha and Ayushi!
Take care!
