Barha bedonar mato bejechho

When I think of you

there is an ache in my heart.
How deep it hurts, alas
none would ever know.
Day and night,
deep in my heart
I cherish your image,
and keep gazing
at the well-remembered face.
How I hope, how I pine
how utterly poor I feel for the lack of you.
How my love for you keeps me wakeful
now in joy, now in sorrow.
My heart and mind have drifted away

with the tide of death.

Whatever was ordained
has happened,
and there is nothing more to hope for.

[Q [VX[ ]T [LK

58

Dard ki ik lehar si dil se guzarti hai

nnZ dh bd ygj lh fny ls xqt+jrh gS

tc rqEgsa eSa lksprk gw
t+[+es&fny xgjk gS fdruk
dksbZ D;k tkus

Jab tumhein main sochta hoon

Zakhm-e-dil gehra hai kitna
Koi kya jane
Raat din

jkr&fnu
fny dh vFkkg xgjkbZ esa
eSa rsjh rLohj dks jD[kwa vt+ht+
,d Vd ns[kk d:a
psgjk rsjk
t+sg~u esa tks uD+'k gS

Dil ki athah gehrai mein

Main teri tasweer ko rakhoon azeez
Ektak dekha karoon
Chehra tera
Zehan mein jo naqsh hai
Mar raha hoon kaise ghul ghul kar magar

ej jgk gw dSls ?kqy ?kqydj exj

fdruk iqj mEehn gw
fdruk cspkjk gw eSa rsjs cx+Sj
fQj Hkh rsjk b'd+
j[krk gS eq>s gj ne ftyk,
yqRQ+ esa Hkh
dcZ esa Hkh
esjk fny] esjk fnekx+
ekSr ds eks&tt+j esa cg x;k
tks Hkh Fkk gqDes&[+kqnkoUnh]
gqvk]
vc ugha mEehn dh dksbZ fdju

Kitna pur ummeed hoon

Kitna bechaara hoon main tere baghair
Phir bhi tera ishq
Rakhta hai mujhe har dam jilae
Lutf mein bhi
Karb mein bhi

Mera dil, mera dimaag

Maut ke madd-o-jazar mein bah gaya
Jo bhi tha hukm-e-khudawandi,
Hua,
Ab nahin ummeed ki koee kiran

vt+ht+fiz;(
ftyk,thfor j[ks(
yqRQ+vkuan(
dcZihM+k(
eks&tt+jTokj HkkVk(
gqDes&[+kqnkoUnhbZ'oj dk vkns'kA

59

jilae- keep alive

lutf- happiness, joy
karb-pain
madd-o-jazar - tide;
hukm-e-khudawandi-order of God

De pare de aamay tora

Ah friends, read out to me
all that he says in his letter.
Let his far-away voice
touch my heart like a spell.
Let it come floating
with the smell of the ripening corn,
where I lie in my lonely room.
Let it play among my tresses,
like the lazy-footed wind
tired of its wanderings.
Let it sing to my solitary heart
as the blue sky sings
to the lonely heath.
As I stand by my window
let it open out to me
the dark grey stretch of the pilgrim road.
At the crimson hour of sunset
I shall scatter my dreams
in a wealth of colours,
while unbidden tears
will glisten at the corner of my eyes.

V YQ V %]^ T[

60

Aye dost

,s nksLr
rw i<+dj lquk
mlus fy[kk gS [+kr esa D;k

Tu padh kar suna

Usne likha hai khat mein kya
Door se aati hui aawaaz uski

nwj ls vkrh gqbZ vkokt+ mldh

Nwds ;w xqt+js esjs fny dks
fd eSa engks'k gks tk
[+kks'kk,&xanqe dh [+kq'cw
rSj tkus nks ogk
vius dejs esa tgk rUgk gw eSa
[ksyus nks esjs t qYQ+ksa ls bls
tSls vylkbZ Fkdh ekanh gok
esjs rUgk fny dh [+kkfrj xquxqukus nks bls
tSls rUgk chgM+ksa ds okLrs
vkdk'k uhyk xquxquk,
tc dHkh vius njhps esa [kM+k gks tk eSa
eq> is [kqy tkus nks xgjk lqjebZ ikdht+k jLrk
Mwcrs lwjt dh ykyh esa
eSa vius lkjs jaxha [+okc fc[kjk nw
dHkh tc vk[k dh dksjksa esa oks vklw
Bgj tk,a
btkt+r gh ugha ftudks feyh ckgj fudyus dh

Chhoo ke yun guzre mere dil ko

Ki main madhosh ho jaoon
Khoshaa-e-gandum ki khushboo
Tair jane do wahan
Apne kamre mein jahan tanha hoon main
Khelne do meri zulfon se ise
Jaise alsaai thaki maandi hawa
Mere tanha dil ki khatir gungunane do ise
Jaise tanha beehdon ke waaste
Aakash neela gungunaae
Jab kabhi apne dareeche mein khada ho jaoon main
Mujh pe khul jane do gehra surmaee pakeeza rasta
Doobte sooraj ki laali mein
Main apne saare rangeen khwab bikhra doon

Kabhi jab aankh ki koron mein woh aansu

thehar jaayein

Ijazat hi nahin jinko mili baahar nikalne ki

engks'kgks'k u j[kus okyk(

[+kks'kk,&xanqexsgw dh ckyh(
njhpsf[kM+fd;k(
ikdht+kifo=k(
dksjksafdukjksaA

61

madhosh- intoxicated
khoshaa-e-gandum- stalk of wheat
dareeche- windows
pakeeza- pious, pure
koron- edges

Amar paran jaha chay

You are what my heart desires
and I desire nothing else.
You are my world, my all.
If I have you not,
I have nothing.
If you lack happiness,
go and search for it,
Since I have you in my heart
I lack nothing.
Lost to me
though you be,
my heart will remain
lost to you.
All through my days and nights,
through the years and the seasons,
all my thoughts
will dwell in you.
If you give your heart
to some one else,
if you do not come back to me,
even so may you have
your hearts desire,
though my heart droop with despair
and I have to be sad.

%][ Y[X ^c J^

62

Tum woh hi ho
Jise mera dil chahta hai
Nahin hai koi aur khwahish
Tumhi meri duniya ho, sab kuch ho mere
Agar tum nahin ho
To kuch bhi nahin hai
Masarrat se khali hai gar dil tumhara
To jaao, talasho, masarrat kahan hai?
Samaaye ho tum jab se dil mein mere
Nahin hai kami kuch

rqe oks gh gks

ftls esjk fny pkgrk gS
ugha gS dksbZ vkSj [+okfg'k
rqEgha esjh nqfu;k gks] lcdqN gks esjs
vxj rqe ugha gks
rks dqN Hkh ugha gS
eljZr ls [+kkyh gS xj fny rqEgkjk
rks tkvks] ryk'kks] eljZr dgk gS\
lek, gks rqe tc ls fny esa esjs
ugha gS deh dqN
vxjps rqEgsa [kks pqdk gw eSa ysfdu
esjk fny ges'kk rqEgkjk jgsxk

Agarche tumhein kho chuka hoon main lekin

Mera dil hamesha tumhara rahega

esjs jkst+ks&'kc esa

lHkh ekSleksa esa
[+k;kyksa esa esjs
jgksxs lnk rqe
vxj fny fdlh vkSj dks viuk nksxs
vxj rqe esjs ikl okil u vk,
fd;k rqeus vius gh fny dk dgk
rks fQj ns[kuk
;klks&v+lqnZxh ls
fny esjk cSB tk,xk tkuk
vkSj gks tkaxk eSa nq[khA

Mere roz-o-shab mein

Sabhi mausamon mein
Khayalon mein mere
Rahoge sada tum

Agar dil kisi aur ko apna doge

Agar tum mere paas wapas na aaye
Kiya tumne apne hi dil ka kaha
To phir dekhna
Yas-o-afsurdgi se
Dil mera baith jaayega janaan
Aur ho jaoonga main dukhi

eljZr[+kq'kh(
;klks&v+lqnZxhfujk'kk ,oa mnklhA

63

masarrat- joy, happiness

yaas-o-afsurdgi- hopelessness and depression

Tumi jeyo na ekhani

Do not leave me and go,
for it is night.
The road through the wilderness
is lonely and dark
and lost in tangles:
the tired earth lies still,
like one blind
and without a staff.

I seem to have waited

for this moment for ages
to light my lamp
and cull my flowers.
I have reached the brink
of the shoreless sea
to take my plunge
and lose myself for ever.

T] ^^ X AFX

64

Na jaao mujhe chhod kar

u tkvks eq>s NksM+dj

vkt dh jkr
lqulku jLrk] va/ksjk gS gj lw
cgqr my>usa gSa
t+eha Fkd ds pqipki ysVh gqbZ gS
fd uk&chuk tSls vlk ds cx+Sj

Aaj ki raat
Sunsaan rasta, andhera hai har su
Bahut uljhanein hain
Zameen thak ke chupchaap leti hui hai
Ki nabina jaise asa ke baghair
Zamaane se is lamhe ka

t+ekus ls bl yEgs dk
eqUrft+j Fkk
fd jkS'ku djs dksbZ esjk pjkx+
esjs okLrs Qwy pqu yk, dksbZ

Muntazir tha
Ki roshan kare koi mera charaagh
Mere waaste phool chun laaye koee
Main aise samandar ke barlab hoon

eSa ,sls leUnj ds cjyc gw

ftldk fdukjk ugha gS dksbZ
eSa pkgrk gw Mwcw
vkSj bl rjg Mwcw
eSa [kks tk blesa ges'kk dh [+kkfrj

Jiska kinara nahin hai koi

Main chahta hoon dooboon
Aur is tarah dooboon
Main kho jaoon isme hamesha ki khatir

lwfn'kk] rjQ+(
ukchukus=kghu(
vlkNM+h(
eqUrft+jizrh{kd(
cjycfdukjkA

65

nabina- blind
asa- walking stick
muntazir- awaiting
barlab- shore, bank

Rodan-bhara e basant
Never before did I see
a springtime so drenched in tears.
The red blaze of the palash
flames with the pain
of my hopeless love.
The jessamine at the bower
robed in leaves of tender green,
watches the hours through
with sleepless eyes
awaiting her beloved.
From the far sky
comes the south wind
sighing the song
of a lonely heart.
All the buds in my bodys bower
struggle in their leafy prison
to burst into flower.
Impassioned, I pound
on the closed doors of life.
With an ache in my heart
I realise
I have yet to give my all
to my love.

[VX-\[ A [a

66

blls igys dHkh eSaus ns[kk ugha

vklqvksa ls 'kjkcksj ,slk clar

Is se pehle kabhi maine dekha nahin

yky 'kksyksa ls HkM+dk gqvk gS iyk'k

b'd+s&ukdke ds nnZ dh mB jgh gS ygj
gjh ifk;ksa ls <ds >qjeqVksa esa xqys&;kleha
v/k[kqyh vk[kksa ls eqUrft+j vius egcwc ds

Lal sholon se bhadka hua hai palash

Aansuon se sharabor aisa basant

Ishq-e-nakaam ke dard ki uth rahi hai lehar

Hari pattiyon se dhake jhurmuton mein gul-e-yasmin
Adhkhuli aankhon se muntazir apne mehboob ke
Door aflak se hai junoobi hawa aa rahi

nwj v+ykd ls gS tquwch gok vk jgh

rUgk fny dk rjkuk,&x+e xk jgh

Tanha dil ka taranaa-e-gham ga rahi

Pattiyon ki haseen jail mein band

ifk;ksa dh glha tsy esa cUn

esjs cnu dh ubZ dksaiysa
QwVus ds fy, csd+jkj
cUn njokt+s ij ft+Unxh ds]
[kM+k gw eSa cspSu lk

Mere badan ki nayee konplein

Phootne ke liye beqarar
Band darwaaze par zindagi ke,
Khada hoon main bechain sa
Dard-e-dil leke ehsaas mujhko hua

nnZs&fny ys ds ,glkl eq>dks gqvk

gk vHkh rks cgqr dqN gS nsuk eq>s
vius egcwc dks

Haan abhi to bahut kuch hai dena mujhe

Apne mehboob ko

'kjkcksjHkhxk gqvk(
iyk'k,d izdkj dk yky Qwy(
b'd+s&ukdkevlQy izse(
xqys&;klehapesyh dk Qwy(
eqarft+jizrh{kd(
v+ykdvkLeku(
rjkuk,&x+enq%[k dk xhrA

67

sharabor- drenched
palash- flame of the forest (flower)
ishq-e-nakaam- failed love
gul-e-yasmin- flower of jasmine
muntazir- awaiting
aflak- sky
taranaa-e-gham- sad song

Ore, nutan juger bhore

In the dawn of a new age
why waver, wise fool,
in subtle disputes,
and miss your chance for starting
and empty your thoughts
into a bottomless doubt?

Like a desperate torrent

fighting an obdurate mountain gorge,
take a wild leap into your fate,
dark and strange,
win it for your own
through a defiant courage
challenged by obstacles.

C[ XTX ^G[ \[

68

Naye ahad ki nayee sahar mein

u, vgn dh ubZ lgj esa

i'kks&is'k esa D;ksa gks
isphnk elvyk gS D;k
cs&flj iSj ds 'kdks&'kqCgs esa
viuh vD+y xaokbZ rqeus
tSls ;kl esa Mwch ckfj'k ewlyk/kkj
tax djs ft+h ijcr ls

Pash-o-pesh mein kyon ho

Pechida masala hai kya
Be-sir-pair ke shak-o-shubah mein
Apni aql ganwaai tum ne
Jaise yaas mein doobi baarish moosladhaar
Jung kare ziddi parbat se
Qismat, zulmat, laa-ilmi par

fd+Ler] t qYer] yk&bYeh ij

ph ,d Nykax yxkvks
Q+rg djks viuh gh [+kkfrj
ljd'k fgEer ds cycwrs
gj bd ck/kk dks yydkjks

Oonchi ek chhalaang lagao

Fateh karo apni hi khatir
Sarkash himmat ke balboote
Har ik baadha ko lalkaro

vgn;qx] dky(
i'kks&is'kvleatl(
isphnkeqf'dy(
elvykleL;k(
'kdks&'kqCglansg ,oa vk'kadk(
;klfujk'kkA

69

ahad- era
pash-o-pesh- dilemma
pechida- ccmplexed
masala- problem
shak-o-shubah- suspicion
yaas- pessimism, hopelessness

Gram-chhara oi ranga matir path

Ah, the red red road,
the run-away road of the village,
lures my mind away.
It stretches its arms
out to the far distance,
and my heart rolls away
with its red dust.
Out of the home
it seduces me.
It solicits me, alas,
at every lagging step.
It runs away with me
and leads me on to where,
I do not know.
What treasure
it has to show around the corner,
I do not know.
What hazards
it will save me from,
what perils resist and where,
I do not know.
Nor do I know at all
at what point and when,
the road and I
will reach our journeys end.

G]KQ C+ [I ]O[ YU

70

vkg] jLrk lq[+kZ & lq[+kZ

xko dh tkfuc dks tkrk jkLrk
t+sg~u esjk [khaprk
mldh ckt q,a gSa QSyh nwj rd
esjk fny fQlyk gS mldh xnZ eas
xnZ tks fd lq[+kZ gS

Aah, rasta surkh - surkh

Gaanv ki jaanib ko jata raasta
Zehan mera kheenchta
Uski bazuein hain phaili door tak
Mera dil phisla hai uski gard mein
Gard jo ki surkh hai

?kj ls ckgj
eq>dks yypkrk gS oks]
vkSj ihNs gVrs gj bD+nke ij
bfYrtk djrk gS oks
ys ds tkrk gS dgk] ekywe D;k\

Ghar se baahar
Mujhko lalchata hai woh,
Aur peechhe hat te har iqdaam par
Iltija karta hai woh
Leke jata hai kahan, maaloom kya?

xks'kk,&fny ds [+kt+kus dkSu ls fn[kyk,xk\

ekywe D;k
fdl eqlhcr ls cpk,xk eq>s\
ekywe D;k
dkSu lk [+krjk\ #dkoV dkSu lh\ vkSj gS dgk\
ekywe D;k
ugha ekywe] fcYdqy Hkh ugha ekywe
;s jLrk vkSj eSa
fdl tk #dsaxs\
dc #dsaxs\
dgk igqapsaxs vkSj igqapsaxs dc
fcykf[+kj bl lQ+j esa

Gosha-e-dil ke khazaane kaun se dikhlaaega?

Maaloom kya
Kis museebat se bachaaega mujhe?
Maloom kya
Kaun sa khatra? Rukawat kaun si? Aur hai kahan?
Maloom kya
Nahin maaloom, bilkul bhi nahin maaloom

Ye rasta aur main

Kis ja rukenge?
Kab rukenge?
Kahan pahunchenge aur pahunchenge kab
Bil-akhir is safar mein

tkfucvksj] fn'kk]
xnZ/kwy]
bD+nked+ne c<+kuk(
bfYrtkvuqjks/k(
xks'kk,&fnyfny dk dksuk
tktxgA

71

jaanib- towards
gard- dust
iqdaam - step;
iltija - request;
gosha-e-dil- corner of heart
ja - spot, venue;

He chiranutan, aaji e diner pratham gane

O ever-new,
with the first song
that heralds this day,
may my whole being
open up to you
like a flower.
In your vibrant voice
is boundless hope,
and the promise
of life ever-lasting.
The gift you pour into my hand
is wealth inexhaustible.
May the wind that blows
at this sacred hour
bring a breath of your immortality.
May it give me
a lease of fresh life.
May it submerge
all that is feeble and worn-out in me.
And may the fountain
of your new light
wash clean whatever in me
is tainted by age.

c J[XTX, %L A VX[ YU] GX

72

lnk lnk ds rkt+k ne!

Sada sada ke taaza dam!

vkt equknh djus okys

igys igys xhr ds lkFk
Qwy dh ekfuUn eSa gks tk rqe is v;k
xwat jgh gS tks vkokt+ rqEgkjh ;s
yk&egnwn mEehnsa blls okcLrk
vkSj vgn thou Hkj dk

Aaj munadi karne waale

esjs gkFk is rqeus tks ut+jkuk jD[kk gS

dHkh t+oky it+hj u gksxk
dk'k fd bl yEgs pyus okyh rD+nhl gok,
ysdj vk,a lkl vejrk dh
dk'k c[+'k nsa eq>s g;krs&ukS
dk'k fd esjh gj det+ksjh gks tk, x+d+kZc
dk'k rqEgkjh ubZ jkS'kuh ds >jus esa
esjh mez ds nkx+
ges'kk dh [+kkfrj /kqy tk,a

Pehle pehle geet ke saath

Phool ki maanind main ho jaaun tum pe ayaan
Goonj rahi hai jo aawaaz tumhaari ye
La mehdood ummeedein is se waabasta
Aur ahad jeevan bhar ka
Mere haath pe tum ne jo nazarana rakha hai
Kabhi zawaal pazeer na hoga
Kaash ki is lamhe chalne wali taqdees hawaayein
Lekar aayien saans amarta ki
Kaash bakhsh de mujhe hayaat-e-nau
Kaash ki meri har kamzori ho jaaye garqab
Kaash tumhaari nayee roshni ke jharne mein
Meri umr ke daag
Hamesha ki khatir dhul jaayein

rkt+k neLQwfrZ ls Hkjs(

v;kizdV] t+kfgj(
yk&egnwnvlhfer(
okcLrklEcfU/kr(
vgnizfrKk(

t+oky it+hjv{k;(
rD+nhlifo=krk(
g;krs&ukSu;k thou(
x+d+kZcikuh esa Mwck gqvk] uV gks73
tkukA

taqdees- piousness
hayaat-e-nau- new life
garqab- drowned

taza dam- fresh

ayaan- openup
la mehdood- endless
waabasta- related, concerning
ahad - pledge;
zawaal pazeer - inexhaustable

Ei kathati mane rekho

If you wish to remember me
when you are happy and gay,
remember how I used to sing
when the season was bleak
with fallen and withered leaves.
When all around there was
apathy and carelessness,
and the green of the grass
had turned yellow,
and the woodland deserted,
all by myself,
I used to sing when the season was bleak
with fallen and withered leaves.
Those of you who travel
by broad daylight,
remember how I used to walk
all alone towards the darkness
of the night with
the evening lamp in my hand
When the call came
from the other bank,
I did not tarry
although the market-place
was deserted by the time
I reached there.
And I did sing when the season was bleak
with fallen and withered leaves.

A+ EUO ]X [F

74

tc dHkh [+kq'k gks ds eq>dks ;kn djuk pkgks rqe

;kn djuk fdl rjg xkrk Fkk eSa
tcfd ekSle lnZ] csgn lnZ Fkk
ifk;k it+&eqnkZ gksdj >M+ jgh Fkha

Jab kabhi khush hoke mujhko yaad karna chaho tum

Yaad karna kis tarah gata tha main
Jabki mausam sard, behad sard tha
Pattiyan pazmurda hokar jhad rahi theen

pkj&lw QSyh gqb Fkh

csfglh] x+Q+yr reke
vkSj lCt+k gks x;k Fkk t+nZ
iwjk taxy csoQ+kbZ ij Fkk vkeknk

Chaar su phaili hui thi

Behisi, ghaflat tamaam
Aur sabza ho gaya tha zard
Poora jungle bewafaai par tha aamada

;kn djuk fdl rjg xkrk Fkk eSa

tcfd ekSle lnZ] csgn lnZ Fkk
ifk;k it+eqnkZ gksdj >M+ jgh Fkha

Yaad karna kis tarah gaata tha main

Jabki mausam sard, behad sard tha
Pattiyan pazmurdaa hokar jhad rahi thin

mtys fnu dh jks'kuh ds ,s eqlkfQ+j

;kn djuk fdl rjg pyrk Fkk eSa
gkFk esa fe'kvy fy, rUgk
va/ksjh jkr esa
tc fdlh us Hkh iqdkjk ml rjQ+ ls
eSaus dksrkgh u dh
;s vyx gS ckr fd ckt+kj Fkk cUn gks pqdk
eSa exj igqpk ogk
vkSj eSaus xhr xk;k
tcfd ekSle lnZ] csgn lnZ Fkk
ifk;k it+eqnkZ gksdj >M+ jgh Fkha

Ujle din ki roshni ke aye musafir

Yaad karna kis tarah chalta tha main
Haath mein mashal liye tanha
Andheri raat mein
Jab kisi ne bhi pukara us taraf se
Maine kotahi na ki
Ye alag hai baat ki baazaar tha band ho chuka
Main magar pahuncha wahan
Aur maine geet gaya
Jabki mausam sard, behad sard tha
Pattiyan pazmurdaa hokar jhad rahi theen

it+eqnkZfuthZo(
csfglhLrC/k(
x+Q+yrvpsruk] cs[+kcjh(
t+nZihyk(
fe'kvye'kky(
dksrkghvkyL;A

75

pazmurda- life less

behisi- senselessness
ghaflat- apathy
zard- yelow
mashal- torch
kotahi- carelessness

Ink and waterproof ink on paper, 36.1 x 20.9 cm.,

signed in English.
Ink, waterproof ink and poster colour on paper, 39 x 20.2 cm.

waterproof ink and water colour on paper, 44.5 x 28 cm.

Aabar jadi ichha karo

If you so wish,
I may again set my course
to this side of the ocean
where joy and sorrow
alternate like waves.
Once again,
I may set my raft adrift,
I may resume my play
in the dust of the roadside,
and go chasing after
the chimera of happinesseven if I have to weep
and be sad.
Again I may set out
on the thorny road,
ready to receive hurt,
ready for life
and ready for death.
Once again,
you will come
and be my playmatethough in a new form.
Through loving you,
I shall learn to love
this old world once again.

%[[ ^V +K E[

78

Agar tumhaari yahi hai khwahish

vxj rqEgkjh ;gh gS [+okfg'k

blh leUnj fdukjs] viuh
eSa ft+Unxh dks fulkj dj nw
tgk gS lq[k nq[k ygj dh ekfuan

Isi samandar kinare, apni

Main zindagi ko nisaar kar doon
Jahan hain sukh dukh lehar ki maanind
Main phir se kashti ka kholoon langar

eSa fQj ls d'rh dk [kksyw yaxj

xqckjs&jkg esa
dgkuh fQj ls 'kq: d: eSa
fdlh [+kq'kh ds
[+k;kys&ckfry ds ihNs nkSM wa
vxjps jksuk iM+sxk eq>dks
vxjps gksuk iM+sxk x+ex+ha

Ghubar-e-raah mein
Kahani phir se shuru karoon main
Kisi khushi ke
Khayal-e-baatil ke peechhe daudoon
Agarche rona padega mujhko
Agarche hona padega ghamgin
Main phir se khud ko

eSa fQj ls [+kqn dks

dVhyh jkgksa is NksM+ nwaxk
eSa t+[+e [kk
eSa ft+Unxh ds fy, gw gkft+j
eSa ekSr ds ge&jdkc gwxk
rqe vkvksxh fQj
cuksxh bd fnu jQ+hd+ esjh
oks :i gksxk exj u;k lk]
rqEgkjh mYQ+r ds t+sjs&lk;k
eSa fQj ls lh[kwxk I;kj djuk
xbZ #rksa dks

Katili rahon pe chhod doonga

Main zakhm khaaun
Main zindagi ke liye hoon haazir
Main maut ke hum-raqab hoonga
Tum aaogi phir

Banogi ik din rafeeq meri

Woh roop hoga magar naya sa
Tumhaari ulfat ke zer-e-saya,
Main phir se seekhoonga pyar karma
Gai ruton ko

ekfuantSlk(
xqckjs&jkgjLrs dh /kwy(
[+k;kys&ckfry>wBh dYiuk(
ge&jdkclkFk&lkFk
jQ+hd+nksLrA

79

khwahish - desire;
maanind- like, as
ghubar-e-raah- dust of the road
khayal-e-baatil- fake ideas
hum-raqab - in pace with
rafeeq- friend, companion

Tumi rabe nirabe hridaye mama

You come to the silence of my heart,
of a still summer night,
when the full moon envelops
the desolate sky in a deep embrace.
And my youth, my whole being,
the world that I call mineare all surcharged with
the glory of your advent.

Like the full moon

sailing across the silent summer night,
your sad eyes keep a lonely vigil
over all my wanderings,
and your anchal envelops me with love.

All my sorrows, all my dreams

are made fragnant
when you come to the silence of my heart
of a still summer night.

T] [[ X[[ cV^ ]]

80

xehZ dh oks Bgjh gqbZ bd jkr

fd vki vk,
pqids ls esjs fny dh [+keks'kh esa lek,
tc pkn eqdEey Fkk
vkSj pknuh
lqulku Q+yd dh Fkh ge&vkxks'k

Garmi ki woh thahari hui ik raat

Ki aap aaye
Chupke se mere dil ki khaamoshi mein samaaye
Jab chaand mukammal tha
Aur chaandni
Sunasaan falak ki thi hum-aagosh

oks esjh tokuh

oks esjk viukiu
nqfu;k tks dHkh esjh Fkh
vc vki dh vken ls
cl vki gqvk pkgs

Woh meri jawani

Woh mera apnapan
Duniya jo kabhi meri thi
Ab aap ki aamad se
Bas aap hua chahe

;s vkidh x+eukd fuxkgsa

csnkjh ds vkye esa
djrh gSa rvkD+d qc esjh vkokjxh dk ,sls
tSls fdlh [+kkeks'k 'kcs&xjek ds
csik;k leUnj dks
egrkc djs ikj]
vkSj vki eq>s I;kj ds vkpy esa Nqik ysa
nq[k esjs] esjs [+okc
lc egd egd tk,
tc vki esjs fny dh
[+kkeks'k iukgksa esa
pqids ls pys vk,

Ye aapki ghamnaak nigaahein

Bedaari ke aalam mein
Karti hain taaqqub meri aawaargi ka aise
Jaise kisi khaamosh shab-e-garma ke
Bepaayan samandar ko
Mahatab kare paar,
Aur aap mujhe pyar ke aanchal mein chhupa lein

Dukh mere, mere khwab

Sab mahak mahak jaaein
Jab aap mere dil ki
Khaamosh panahon mein
Chupke se chale aayein

Q+ydvkdk'k(
ge&vkx+ks'kvkfyaxuc)(
x+eukdnq%[k Hkjh(
csnkjhvfunzk(

vkyenkk(
rvkD+dq cihNk(
kcs&xjekxehZ dh jkr(
csik;kvFkkg(
egrkcpknA

taaqqub- to follow
shab-e-garma- hot night
bepaayan- endless ; mahatab-moon

81

falak-sky, horizen
hum-aagosh- hugged
ghamnaak- filled with sorrows
bedaari- sleeplessness;
aalam- condition

Mori lo mori, aamay banshite dekechhe ke

Ah me! I know not what to do,
the music of the flute calls out to me
I thought I would keep house,
and not stir out the whole day.
But the flute-notes call me to the open,
and I know not what to do.

I have heard it said;

In some woodland grove,
by the dark water of the Jamuna,
softly does the flute sound
of a quiet evening.

If you happen to know the way,

do tell me where to find
the one who plays the flute.
I wish to see the smile on his face,
as I offer him the garland I have woven.
I wish to tell him how his flute-notes
echo in my heart.

][ _ ][, %]^ [g`T QEK E

82

Kya karoon
Main nahin jaanti,
Kya karoon

D;k d:
eSa ugha tkurh]
D;k d:
[khaprh gS eq>s cklqjh dh tks y;
lksprh gw fd [+kqn dks j[kw d+Sn esa
dksbZ gypy u gks iwjs fnu
cklqjh dh /kqusa gSa cqykrh eq>s
vkvks ckgj pysa
D;k d:
eSa ugha tkurh] D;k d:

Kheenchti hai mujhe baansuri ki jo lay

Sochti hoon ki khud ko rakhoon qaid mein
Koi hulchul na ho poore din
Baansuri ki dhunein hain bulati mujhe
Aao baahar chalein
Kya karoon
Main nahin jaanti, kya karoon

eSaus yksxksa dks dgrs lquk gS ;gk

gS dgha ij ?kusjs nj[+rksa dh Nko
tgk tequk ds /kqa/kys ikuh esa gS
cklqjh dh lnk
xks;k oks ,d [+kkeks'k lh 'kke gks

Mainne logon ko kehte suna hai yahan

Hai kahin par ghanere darkhaton ki chhaon
Jahan jamuna ke dhundle pani mein hai
Baansuri ki sada
Goya woh ek khamosh si shaam ho

jkLrk xj yxs gkFk dqN

rks crkuk eq>s
eS dgk <w<w ml cklqjh okys dks

Raasta gar lage haath kuch

To batana mujhe
Main kahan dhoondhoon us baansuri waale ko

esjh [+okfg'k gS ns[kw mls eqLdqjkrs gq,

vius gkFkksa ls xw/kk gqvk Qwyksa dk gkj
mldks iguk eSa
pkgrh gw crk nw mls
cklqjh dh e/kqj rku mldh
dSls gS xwtrh esjs fny esa

Meri khwahish hai dekhoon use muskurate hue

Apne haathon se goondha hua phoolon ka haar
Usko pehnaaun main
Chahati hoon bata doon use
Baansuri ki madhur taan uski
Kaise hai goonjti mere dil mein

lnkvkokt(
xks;ktSls(
xjvxj] ;fnA

83

sada - sound;
goya - like, as;
gar - if;

Tabu mane rekho

If I have to go far,
far away,
and you are caught
in the toils of a new love,
and the dust of oblivion
settles over the old,
forget me not,
my love,
remember me.

If I remain close to you like a shadow,

and you do not notice me,
forget me not,
my love, remember me.

T[ ]X [F

84

Agar main bichhad jaaun tum se

vxj eSa fcNqM+ tk rqe ls

fxj+rkj gks tkvks rqe
bd u, b'd+ ds tky esa
vkSj iqjkuh eqgCcr dh gj ;kn ij
rx+kQ qy dh xnZ teus yxs

Giraftar ho jaao tum

Ik naye ishq ke jaal mein
Aur purani muhabbat ki har yaad par
Taghaful ki gard jamne lage
Meri jane-jaanan

esjh tkus tkuk

eq>s Hkwyuk er
eq>s ;kn j[kuk

Mujhe bhoolna mat

Mujhe yaad rakhna
Agar main rahoon

vxj eSa jgw

gQs+Z&lk, dh lwjr lnk lkFk&lkFk
rqEgsa dqN [+kcj Hkh u gks

Harf-e-saaye ki soorat sada saath saath

Tumhen kuchh khabar bhi na ho
Meri jane-jaanan

esjh tkus tkuk

eq>s Hkwyuk er
eq>s ;kn j[kuk

Mujhe bhoolna mat

Mujhe yaad rakhna

rx+kQqytku cw>dj mis{kk djuk(

xnZ/kwyA

85

taghaful- avoiding
gard- dust

Tabu mane rekho

If of a spring night your eyes
well over with tears
and you have to stop
in the very midst of your frolic,
or, of an autumn morning
your daily round of duties is interrupted
for no reason, forget me not
my love, remember me.

Even if tears do not show

at some time when
I occur to you as memory,
forget me not,
my love, remember me.

86

Agar ek baharon bhari raat mein

vxj bd cgkjksa Hkjh jkr esa

nkSM+rs Hkkxrs
vk[k esa v'd Hkj vk,] vkSj
rqedks #duk iM+s]
;k f[+kt+k dh fdlh lqCg esa
jkst+ ejkZ ds dkeksa esa vk, [+kyy
vkSj ,slk fd okftc otg Hkh u gks

Daudte bhaagte
Aankh mein ashq bhar aayein, aur
Tumko rukna pade,
Ya khizaan ki kisi subh mein
Roz marra ke kaamon mein aaye khalal
Aur aisa ki wajib wajah bhi na ho
Meri jane-jaanan

esjh tkus tkuk

eq>s Hkwyuk er
eq>s ;kn j[kuk

Mujhe bhoolna mat

Mujhe yaad rakhna
Kabhi jab meri yad tum ko sataye

dHkh tc esjh ;kn rqedks lrk,

vkSj vk[kksa esa vklw Hkh u f>yfeyk,

Aur aankhon mein aansu bhi na jhilmilai

Meri jane-jaanan

esjh tkus tkuk

eq>s Hkwyuk er
eq>s ;kn j[kuk

Mujhe bhoolna mat

Mujhe yaad rakhna

f[+kt+kir>M+(
okftcmfprA

87

khizaan- autumn
wajib- appropriate

Aami tomar sange bendhhechhi

aamar pran
My songs are a link between usBetween my heart and yours.
You do not know how long
and how hard I had to strive to
forge this bond.
With the melody of words
I had to compound the elusive
fragrance of bakula to be able
to conjure up your image,
and then I had to secret it away
in a many-coloured cove.
I contemplate a vision
of you in the light and
shade of early spring.
When my flute
sings the notes of
Lalita-vasanta in
frantic cascades,
I see a corner of your scarf
quiver in the gold
of the far horizon.

%] T][ a [gWK %][ YS

88

Hamare darmiyan kya hai

Yehi kuch geet hain mere
Tumhein maaloom kya
Maine inhe
Ik lambi muddat mein
Mashaqqat se, muhabbat se
Bahut mazboot baandha hai

gekjs njE;k D;k gS

;gh dqN xhr gSa esjs
rqEgsa ekywe D;k
eSaus bUgsa
bd yEch eqr esa
e'kD+d+r ls] eqgCcr ls
cgqr et+cwr ck/kk gS
bUgha y+tksa ls
vkSj buds rjUuqe ls
rlOoqj eSaus dj jD[kk gS
ml pEik dh [+kq'cw dk
fd ftl esa ns[k ldrk gw
rqEgkjk fnyu'kha psgjk
Nqik ysrk gw fQj mldks
fdlh jaxhu xks'ks esa

Inheen lafzon se
Aur inke tarannum se
Tasawwur maine kar rakha hai
Us champa ki khushboo ka
Ki jis mein dekh sakta hoon
Tumhaara dilnasheen chehra
Chhupa leta hoon phir usko
Kisi rangeen goshe mein

rlOoqj esa rqEgkjs uD+'k

eSa dqN ;w cukrk gw
cgkjs&ukS esa tSls
/kwi lk, f>yfeykrs gSa
dHkh tc cklqjh dh y;
mrjrh vkSj p<+rh gS
eq>s engks'k djrh gS
rks eq>dks ,slk yxrk gS
rqEgkjs js'keh vkpy dk dksuk
FkjFkjkrk gS
lqugjs mQ+d+ ds ij

Tasawwur mein tumhaare naqsh

Main kuch yun banata hoon
Bahaar-e-nau mein jaise
Dhoop saaye jhilmilaate hain

Kabhi jab baansuri ki lay

Utarti aur chadhti hai
Mujhe madhosh karti hai
To mujhko aisa lagta hai
Tumhaare reshmi aanchal ka kona
Thartharata hai
Sunehare ufaq ke upar

e'kD+d+resgur( rjUuqey;(
rlOoqjdYiuk( fnyu'khafny dks Hkkus okyk(
xks'ksdksus( uD+'kNki(
cgkjs&ukSclar( engks'kMwck gqvk(
mQ+d+f{kfrtA

89

mashaqqat- hard work ; tarannum- song modululation ;

tasawwur- imagination ; dilnasheen- lovely ;
goshe- corners ; naqsh- print ;
bahaar-e-nau- spring ; madhosh- intoxicated ;
ufaq- horizon

Aamar ki bedana she ki jaano

O Mita, O my far-away friend,
How my heart aches
with longing for you !
Would you ever come to know?
When incessant rain
wipes out all light,
and the dark night is dazed
with lightning, how my heart throbs
With the sobbing wind!
Would you ever come to know?
Would my night-long vigil end in vain,
O Mita, O my far-away friend?
Your malati, the one you
planted in my garden,
is in full flower at this season.
Would you ever come to know?
Your vina,
the one you tuned yourself,
lies weeping and forlorn on my lap.

Would you ever come to know?

%][ E [VX a E LX

90

Meri dost

esjh nksLr
eq>ls cgqr nwj gS rw
rsjh pkgrksa dk
esjs fny esa gS nnZ fdruk
D;k dHkh tku ik,xh rw\

Mujhse bahut door hai tu

Teri chaahaton ka
Mere dil mein hai dard kitna
Kya kabhi jaan payegi tu?

cjlrh gS tc ewlyk/kkj ckfj'k

feVk nsrh gS jks'kuh ds fu'kka
gqbZ tkrh gS fctfy;ksa dh dM+d ls
?kuh dkyh 'kc cngokl
/kM+drk gS rc fdl rjg fny esjk
flldrh gokvksa ds lkFk
D;k dHkh tku ik,xh rw\

Barasti hai jab moosladhaar baarish

oks esjk jkr Hkj tkxuk

D;k lHkh jk;xk gks x;k\
rq>s ;kn gksxk fd rwus dHkh
esjs ckx+ esa ekyrh cksbZ Fkh
vc ds cjl ml is tkscu cgqr gS
D;k dHkh tku ik,xh rw\

Woh mera raat bhar jaagna

oks ohuk rsjh

ftlds rkjksa dks NsM+k Fkk rwus dHkh
flldrh gS ykpkj xksnh esa esjh
D;k dHkh tku ik,xh rw\

Mita deti hai roshni ke nishan

Hui jaati hai bijliyon ki kadak se
Ghani kaali shab badhawaas
Dhadakta hai tab kis tarah dil mera
Sisakti hawaaon ke saath
Kya kabhi jaan payegi tu?

Kya sabhi raygan ho gaya?

Tujhe yaad hoga ki tune kabhi
Mere bagh mein malti boee thi
Ab ke baras us pe joban bahut hai
Kya kabhi jaan payegi tu?

Woh veena teri

Jiske taron ko chheda tha tune kabhi
Sisakti hai lachar godi mein meri
Kya kabhi jaan payegi tu?

cngoklijs'kku] vLr&O;Lr
jk;xkO;FkZ] csdkjA

91

badhawaas- senseless, bewildered, stunned

raygan- useless

Premer joyare bhasabe donhare

We shall set ourselves adrift
on the flood-tide of love,
you and I.

Come, cut asunder the moorings

and let us ride the waves -fearless and nonchalant.
No more idle brooding for us,
no more looking after in vain,
come, let us set sail and drift on.

The wind is tempestuous

and the waves swell.
Our hearts rock and reel.
Come, my love, my mad mariner,
make me forget sense and direction,
set the sails and let our frail boat
roll on and on.

Y][ L^[ \a[ Vc[

92

Pyar ka hai ye talatum

I;kj dk gS ;s rykrqe
vkvks cgrs tk,a ge rqe

Aao behete jaayein hum tum

Saare bandhan tod dein

lkjs ca/ku rksM+ nsa

ygjksa is d'rh NksM+ nsa
fny esa u gks [kkSQ+ks&[+krj
ml ikj ge tk,a mrj
dksbZ gekjh ;kn esa
D;ksa dj jgs xqelqe
vkvks cgrs tk,a ge rqe

Leharon pe kashti chhod dein

Dil mein na ho khauf-o-khatar
Us paar hum jaayein utar
Koi hamari yaad mein
Kyon kar rahe gumsum
Aao behete jaayen hum tum
Waah kya hawaayein mast hain

D;k gok, eLr gSa

ygjsa Hkh egos&x'r gSa
fny esjk jg jg >werk
,s esjs ikxy uk[+kqnk
rqe Hkwy tkvks gj fn'kk
vkSj gks'k Hkh gks tk,a xqe
vkvks cgrs tk,a ge rqe

Leharein bhi mahav-e-gasht hain

Dil mera rah rah jhoomta
Aye mere pagal nakhuda
Tum bhool jaao har disha
Aur hosh bhi ho jaayein gum
Aao bahate jaayein hum tum

rykrqegypy(
[+kkSQ+ks&[+krjHk; vkSj [+krjk(
egos&x'rxfr'khy(
uk[+kqnkeYykgA

93

talatum- buffeting, storm;

khauf-o-khatar- fear and danger
mahav-e-gasht- moving
nakhuda- boat man

Aaji sharat-tapane prabhat-swapane

As I awake this autumn morning,
a nameless longing assails meI know not why.
The birds on the bough of flowering
Sephali call to each other.
I do not know
what song they sing.
When the wind is so balmy,
so gentle,
why should my heart pine?
Why should I weary of home
and feel like wandering across
what song they sing.
When the wind is so balmy,
so gentle,
why should my heart pine?
Why should I weary of home
and feel like wandering across
the blue of the sky,
looking for magic flowers?

%L `[TTYX Y\TYX

94

Neend se jaagta hoon main jab

uhan ls tkxrk gw eSa tc

bl f[+kt+k esa losjs losjs
bd csuke d qcZr dk lk;k
Mky nsrk gS et+cwr ?ksjs
,slk gksrk gS D;ksa]
eSa ugha tkurk

Is khizan mein sawere sawere

Ik benaam qurbat ka saya
Dal deta hai mazboot ghere
Aisa hota hai kyon
Main nahin jaanta
Shaakh shefali ki, phoolon se lad gaee

'kk[+k 'ksQ+kyh dh] Qwyksa ls yn xbZ

vkSj fpfM+;k e/kqj xhr gSa xk jgh
dkSu lk xhr gS
eSa ugha tkurk

Aur chidiyan madhur geet hain ga rahi

Kaun sa geet hai
Main nahin jaanta
Jabki khushboo mein doobi hai naazuk hawa

tcfd [+kq'cw esa Mwch gS ukt qd gok

fdlfy, esjs fny esa gaS cspSfu;k
D;ksa Fkdkrk gS ?kj dk rlOoqj eq>s
,slk yxrk gS vkokjk gw ?kwerk
uhys vkdk'k dks ikj djrs gq,
<w<rk gw eSa bd tknqbZ Qwy dks

Kisliye mere dil mein hain bechainiyan

Kyon thakata hai ghar ka tasawwur mujhe
Aisa lagta hai aawara hoon ghoomta
Neele aakash ko paar karte hue
Dhoondhta hoon main ik jaadui phool ko

d qcZrlehirk(
rlOoqjdYiuk(
f[+kt+kir>M+(

95

khizan-autumn
qurbat- closeness
tasawwur- imagination

Aaji sharat-tapane prabhat-swapane

Some one is missing
this autumn morningthat is why my life appears empty.
I look here, I look thereand my heart weeps because
she is nowhere to be seen.
She is gone, alas,
to some pale and shadowy land of dreams,
where she sits in some flowery gladeher long tresses let down,
and her eyes streaming with tears
for the pain of parting from me.
If I make songs out of my sorrow,
there is none to whom to sing them.
If I gather flowers and weave them into a garland,
there is none to whom to offer it.
If I wish to give up this life,
where is the one at whose
feet I could lay it down?
And yet, I have a fear all the while
lest she feels hurtimagining that
I may not care for her.

%L `[TTYX Y\TYX

96

Meri mehboob mujhko na aayee nazar,

esjh egcwc eq>dks u vkbZ ut+j

ftl rjg ls gks ohjk f[+kt+k dh lgj
ft+Unxh bl rjg [+kkyh [+kkyh lh gS
<w<rk gw mls tk&c&tk
fny esjk jks jgk
oks dgha Hkh ut+j eq>dks vkrh ugha
vkg oks tk pqdh
t+nksZ&rkjhd liuksa esa gS [kks xbZ
gS fdlh okfn,&xqy esa cSBh gqbZ
vkSj [kksys gq, viuh t qYQ+s&njkt+
mldh vk[kksa ls v'dksa ds /kkjs jok
mldks eq>ls fcNM+us dk x+e gS cgqr

Jis tarah se ho veeran khizan ki sahar

Zindagi is tarah khali khali si hai
Dhoondhta hoon use ja-b-ja
Dil mera ro raha
Woh kahin bhi nazar mujhko aati nahin
Aah woh ja chuki
Zard-o-tareek sapnon mein hai kho gaee
Hai kisi waadi-e-gul mein baithi hui
Aur khole huye apni zulf-e-daraaz
Uski aankhon se ashqon ke dhaare rawan
Usko mujhse bichhdne ka gham hai bahut
Gham ke naghme likhoon to sunaun kise

x+e ds uX+es fy[kw rks lquk fdls

Qwy pqudj vxj gkj esa xw/k yw
dkSu gS vc ;gk is'k fdldks d:
ft+Unxh djuk pkgw fuNkoj vxj
fdlds d+neksa esa lj viuk jD[kw ;gk
gS oks vkf[+kj dgk
gS vHkh rd exj fny esa bd [+kkSQ+ lk
fd oks ;s u le>s
fd oks ;s u lksps
fd mlls eqgCcr ugha gS eq>s

Phool chunkar agar haar mein goonth loon

Kaun hai ab yahan pesh kisko karoon
Zindagi karna chahoon nichhawar agar
Kiske qadmon mein sar apna rakhoon yahan
Hai woh aakhir kahan

Hai abhi tak magar dil mein ik khauf sa

Ki woh ye na samjhe
Ki woh ye na soche
Ki usse muhabbat nahin hai mujhe

tk&c&tktxg txg ij(

t+nksZ&rkjhdihyk vkSj va/ksjk(
okfn,&xqyQwyksa dh ?kkVh(
tqYQ+s&njkt+yEcs cky]
v'dvklw( uX+esxhrA

97

zard-o-tareek - yellow and dark;

waadi-e-gul - valley of flowers;
zulf-e-daraaz - long tresses;
ashq - tears;
naghme - songs;

Aamar praaner majhe sudha achhe, chao ki

There is honey
in the core of my heart.
Would you care to have
a taste of it?
Alas, you do not know how to
plumb the depths.
Do you not perceive
the sweet smell of the flower of paradise?
Alas, it is a flower
beyond your reach.
What a pity you do not even know
that the rainy season of love is here.
When cloud calls,
does your heart dance
like a peacock?
I have tuned my sitar
to the strains of heavenly music.
Are you ready to sing
in tune with it,
with all your heart,
and all your soul?
Alas, you are not to be seen
at the soiree.
The call has gone
out to you time and again.
Do you ever care to respond?
There is a swing in the air at this season
of love.
But your heart
remains unmoved, alas!

%][ YS[ ]M aW %K, JC E

98

xks'kk,&fny esa esjs] gS 'kgn dk [+kt+huk

D;k t+k;d+k p[kksxs] pkgksxs bldks ihuk\
vQ+lksl rqedks bldh dqN Hkh [+kcj ugha gS
fdl rjg ukirs gSa xgjkb;k fnyksa dh
D;k vk u ikbZ rqe rd
fQ+jnkSl ds xqyksa dh oks ehBh&ehBh [+kq'cw
vQ+lksl bu xqyksa rd rqe nLrjl u ik,
vQ+lksl rks gS ;s Hkh
rqedks [+kcj ugha gS
mYQ+r dh ckfj'kksa dk ekSle ;gk gS vk;k
ckny cqyk jgs gSa
D;k eksj dh rjg fny jD+lk gqvk rqEgkjk\
vius flrkj ds lqj
eSaus feyk fn, gSa
fQ+jnkSl ds lqjksa ls
dqN blds lkFk xkvks
xgjkbZ;ksa ls fny dh
vkSj :g dh rM+i ls
vQ+lksl egfQ+ys&'kc esa
rqe dgha ugha gks
fny dh iqdkj rqe rd] gS ckj ckj igqph
ysfdu tokc nsuk] le>k ugha xokjk
bd ckj fQj gS vk;k
ekSle eqgCcrksa dk
ysfdu rqEgkjs fny ij dqN Hkh vlj ugha gS
vQ+lksl rqedks bldh dksbZ [+kcj ugha gS

Gosha-e-dil mein mere, hai shahad ka khazeena

Kya zaiqa chakhoge, chahoge isko peena ?
Afsos tumko iski kuch bhi khabar nahin hai
Kis tarah napte hain geharayan dilon ki
Kya aa na paee tum tak
Firdaus ke gulon ki woh meethi-meethi khushboo
Afsos in gulon tak tum dastaras na paaye
Afsos to hai ye bhi
Tumko khabar nahin hai
Ulfat ki barishon ka mausam yahan hai aaya
Baadal bula rahe hain
Kya mor ki tarah dil raqsan hua tumhaara?
Apne sitaar ke sur
Maine mila diye hain
Firdaus ke suron se
Kuch iske saath gaao
Gehareeyon se dil ki
Aur rooh ki tadap se
Afsos mehefil-e-shab mein
Tum kahin nahin ho
Dil ki pukaar tum tak, hai baar baar pahunchi
Lekin jawab dena, samjha nahin gawara
Ik baar phir hai aaya
Mausam muhabbaton ka
Lekin tumhaare dil par kuch bhi asar naheen hai
Afsos tumko iski koi khabar naheen hai

xks'kk,&fnyfny dk dksuk(
[+kt+huk[+kt+kuk(
t+k;d+kLokn(
fQ+jnkSltUur] LoxZ(
nLrjligqp(
mYQ+rizse(

99

gosha-e-dil- corner of the heart

khazeena- treasure
zaiqa- taste
firdaus-heaven
dastaras- access
ulfat- love, friendship

Bhalobeshe, sakhi, nibhrite jatane

Secretly, with loving care,
write my name
in the tablet of your memory, my love.
Let your anklet bells
jingle to the rhyme
of the song of my soul.
May your love
Make a willing captive
of my thoughts
that prattle like a bird.
Round your bracelets of gold
tie my rakhi of coloured threads
as memorys keep-sake.
In your dark braid of hair
wear with careful carelessness,
a random flower plucked from my garden.
Let my memory be the vermilion drop
of happy augury,
which you place by the sandal mark
on your brow.
Your fragrant limbs
carry the sweet aroma of my love.
To your lasting triumph
take and make your own
all that I havemy love, my life and also my death.

\_[a, aF, X\T ^TX

100

Chupke-chupke
Likh do mera naam
Tum apni yaadon ki takhti par
Aye mere mehboob!

pqids&pqids
fy[k nks esjk uke
rqe viuh ;knksa dh r[+rh ij
,s esjs egcwc!

Madhur madhur jhankaar tumhaari paayal ki

Meri rooh ke naghme se mil jaaye
Kaash tumhaara pyar khayalon ko mere
Raazi kar le qaidi banne ko aise
Jaise chidiya pinjre mein naghma gaaye

e/kqj e/kqj >adkj rqEgkjh ik;y dh

esjh :g ds uX+es ls fey tk,
dk'k rqEgkjk I;kj [+k;kyksa dks esjs
jkt+h dj ys d+Snh cuus dks ,sls
tSls fpfM+;k fiatjs esa uX+ek xk,

Baandh do kaskar mere rangeen dhaagon se

Apna sone ka kangan
Taaki yaadein rahein salaamat
Phool chune the jo tumne mere gulshan se
Goondh lo apni choti mein
Jaani boojhi beparvahi se

ck/k nks dldj esjs jaxha /kkxksa ls

viuk lksus dk daxu
rkfd ;knsa jgsa lyker
Qwy pqus Fks tks rqeus esjs xqy'ku ls
xwa/k yks viuh pksVh esa
tkuh cw>h csijokgh ls
cuus nks esjh ;knksa ds vPNs 'kxqu dk Vhdk
rqeus vius ekFks ij tks panu fryd yxk;k
ns[kks rqEgkjs ftLeks&tk dh [+kq'cw esa
esjs I;kj dh ehBh [+kq'cw clh gqbZ gS
viuh thr dh [+kkfrj ys yks
oks lc dqN
tks ikl gS esjs
esjh eqgCcr
esjh ft+Unxh
esjh vkf[+kjh lkl

Banne do meri yaadon ke achchhe shagun ka teeka

Tumne apne mathe par jo chandan tilak lagaya
Dekho tumhaare jism-o-jaan ki khushboo mein
Mere pyar ki meethi khushboo basi hui hai

Apni jeet ki khatir le lo

Woh sab kuch
Jo paas hai mere
Meri muhabbat
Meri zindagi
Meri aakihri saans

jkt+hlger(
ftLeks&tk'kjhj vkSj izk.kA

101

raazi - agree;
jism-o-jaan - body and soul

Aami chini go chini tomare

I know you, know you o lady from foreign land
You live across the ocean o lady from foreign land

I have seen you on autumn mornings

I have seen you on Madhavi nights
I have seen you in the middle of (my) heart
O lady from foreign land

I have turned my ears to the sky

And have heard your singing
I have offered my soul to you
O lady from foreign land

After traveling around the world

I have come to a new country
I am a guest at your door
O lady from foreign land

%] JX G JX T][

102

rqe ls 'kuklk fny gqvk ml ikj ds lue

lkxj ds ikj jgrs gks ml ikj ds lue

Tum se shanasa dil hua us paar ke sanam

ml ikj ds lue] esjs ml ikj ds lue

Us paar ke sanam mere us paar ke sanam

rsjk ut+kjk djrk gw lqCgs&f[+kt+k esa Hkh

gj pknuh dh jkr esa lwjr rsjh fn[kh
nhnkj fny ds chp esa gksrk gS gj ?kM+h

Sagar ke par rahte ho us paar ke sanam

Tera nazara karta hun subh-e-khizan mein bhi

Har chandni ki raat mein soorat teri dikhi
Deedar dil ke beech mein hota hai har ghadi
Us par ke sanam mere us paar ke sanam

ml ikj ds lue] esjs ml ikj ds lue

Su-e-falak jo mere kanon ka rukh hua

lw,&Q+yd tks esjs dkuksa dk #[+k gqvk

uX+ek rsjk ogk ls lqukbZ eq>s fn;k
fQj viuh tku rq> is lue dj nh gS fQ+nk

Naghma tera wahan se sunaee mujhe diya

Phir apni jaan tujh pe sanam kar di hai fida
Us paar ke sanam, mere us paar ke sanam

ml ikj ds lue] esjs ml ikj ds lue

Sare jahan mein ghooma, mili na kahin amaan

lkjs tgk eas ?kwek] feyh u dgha vek

yks vk x;k gw ,d u;k eqYd gS tgk
esgeku vc gqvk gw rsjs nj dk eSa ;gk
ml ikj ds lue] esjs ml ikj ds lue

Lo aa gaya hun ek naya mulk hai jahan

Mehman ab hua hoon tere dar ka main yahan

Us paar ke sanam, mere us paar paar ke sanam

'kuklkifjfpr(
lqCgs&f[+kt+kir>M+ dh lqcg(
lw,&Q+yd vkdk'k dh vksj(
vek veu] pSuA

103

shanasa - known to
subh-e-khizan - autumn morning;
su-e-falak - towards the sky;
amaan - trust, faith

Ink waterproof ink on paper, 25 x 22 cm., signed in Bengali.

Ink on paper, 25.5 x 20.5 cm., signed in Bengali.

Ink and waterproof ink on pasted paper, 25 x 20.5 cm., signed in Bengali.

Aamar matha nata kore dao

Make me bow my head beneath the dust of your feet.
Drown away my pride with tears from my eyes.
When I confer honour on me I only disgrace myself,
Being enclosed in myself, I move around every moment, in vain.
Drown away my pride with tears from my eyes.
May I not make myself known through my work,
Fulfill your will within my life.
I ask for your strength and grace in my life-Keep me hidden within the hearts lotus blooms
Drown away my pride with tears from my eyes.

%][ ]U XT E[ VC

106

Gard-e-pa ki tahon mein tum apni

xnsZ&ik dh rgksa esa rqe viuh

[+ke djks ;g tcha
esjs ekSyk!
x+d+Z dj nks xq:j lc esjk
esjs v'dksa ds cgrs ikuh esa

Kham karo yeh jabeen

Mere Maula !
Gharq kar do sab ghuroor mera
Mere ashkon ke behte pani mein
Fakhr karta hun aap beja main

Q++ djrk gw vki cstk eSa

[+kqn t+yhy gks jgk gw fQj fQj dj
ejrk jgrk gw yEgk yEgk eSa
[+ke djks ;g tcha
esjs ekSyk!
x+d+Z dj nks xq:j lc esjk
esjs v'dksa ds cgrs ikuh esa
ekSyk! vkeky u d: r'ghj
ft+Unxh esa ;gh esjh [+okfg'k
gj rjg ls djks eqdEey vc
eq>dks viuk lk nks lqdwr lnk
vkSj esjh :g uwj ls Hkj nks
vkSj vius daoy uqek fny esa
rqe cpkvks] Nqikvks vc eq>dks
[+ke djks ;g tcha
esjs ekSyk!
x+d+Z dj nks xq:j lc esjk
esjs v'dksa ds cgrs ikuh esa

Khud zaleel ho raha hoon phir phir kar

Marta rehta hoon lamha lamha main
Kham karo yeh jabin
Mere Maula !
Gharq kar do sab ghuroor mera
Mere ashkon ke behte pani mein
Maula ! aamaal na karoon tashheer
Zindagi mein yehi meri khwahish
Har tarah se karo mukammal ab
Mujhko apna sa do sukoot sada
Aur meri rooh noor se bhar do
Aao apne kanwal numa dil mein

Tum bachao, chhupao ab mujhko

Kham karo yeh jabeen
Mere Maula !
Gharq kar do sab ghuroor mera
Mere ashkon ke behte pani mein

xnsZ&ikpj.k /kwfy(
[+ke>qduk(
vkekydeZ(
r'ghjizpkj(
lqdwr[+kkeks'khA

107

gard-e-pa - dust of the feet;

kham - to bow;
aamaal - action;
tashheer - publicity;
sukoot - silence;

Lovers Gift
I dreamt that she sat by my head,
tenderly ruffling my hair with
her fingers, playing the melody of her touch.
I looked at her face
and struggled with my tears,
till the agony of unspoken words burst
my sleep like a bubble.
I sat up and saw the glow of the Milky Way
above my window,
like a world of silence on fire,
and I wondered if at this moment
she had a dream that rhymed with mine.

Number 28

108

eSaus ,d [+okc vHkh cgqr lqgkuk ns[kk gS

esjs ljgkus og cSBh gS cM+h pkgr ls
maxfy;ksa ls oks esjk lj Hkh jgh gS lgyk
ftlds gj yEl ls QwVk gS lqjhyk uX+ek
mlds psgjs dks cM+s x+kSj ls ns[kk eSaus
vkSj v'dksa dks laHkkyk gS cM+h eqf'dy ls
dqN tck ls eSa vnk dj ugha ik;k mlls
mlds vkx+ks'k esa og gky gqvk Fkk esjk
nQ+vru uhan esjh VwV xbZ dqN ,sls
cqycqyk tSls cus cu ds fc[kj tk, dgha
tkx dj [kksyk njhpk rks ;s eat+j ns[kk
dgd'kk uwj ls fyiVh Fkh Q+yd ds uhps
vkx [+kkeks'k ls vkye esa yxh gks tSls
eSaus ;s lkspk fd bl oD+r esjs tSlk gh
mlus Hkh [+okc ,slk ns[kk gks 'kk;n

Maine ek khwab abhi bahut suhaana dekha hai

Mere sarhane woh baithi hai badi chahat se
Ungliyon se woh mera sir bhi rahi hai sehla
Jiske har lams se phoota hai sureela naghma
Uske chehre ko bade ghaur se dekha maine
Aur ashqon ko sambhala hai badi mushkil se
Kuch zaban se main ada kar naheen paya us se
Uske aaghosh mein woh haal hua tha mera
Dafatan neend meri toot gaee kuch aise
Bulbula jaise bane ban ke bikhar jaaye kaheen
Jaag kar khola dareecha to yeh manzar dekha
Kahkashan noor se lipti thi falak ke neeche
Aag khaamosh se aalam mein lagi ho jaise
Maine ye socha ki is waqt mere jaisa hi
Us ne bhi khwab aisa dekha ho shayad

yElLi'kZ(
vkxks'kvkfyaxu(
nQ+vruvpkud] vdLekr(
dgd'kkvkdk'kxaxkA

109

lams - touch;
aaghosh - hug;
dafatan - suddenly;
kahkashan - galaxy, milky-way;

Tumi je surer aagun

You lit the fire of music in my soul,
And that fire everywhere did gambol.
That fire dances in the dead twigs with cadence,
And raises its hands to the heavens.
Stars stare amazed at the air,
And a truant wind races with flair
In the heart of gloom a golden lotus blooms.
What is the charm of the fire who knows?

T] ^ a[[ %mX

110

rqeus esjh :g esa

lkt+ dh vkx yxkbZ
,slh vkx yid jgh tks ;gk ogk
vkx tks viuh y; esa jD+lk gS lw[kh 'kk[kksa ij
vius gkFk c<+krh gS tks vkleku rd
rkjs gSa VdVdh yxk, gSjkuh ls ns[ksa
vkSj erokyh gok
mnklh esa Mwcs fny ls xqt+jsa
daoy lqugjk f[ky tk,
vkx esa D;k tknw gS\
D;k ekywe fdlh dks!

Tumne meri rooh mein

Saaz ki aag lagaai
Aisi aag lapak rahi jo yahan wahan
Aag jo apni lay mein raqsan hai sookhi shakhon par
Apne haath badhati hai jo aasmaan tak
Taare hain taktaki lagaae hairani se dekhein
Aur matwaali hawa
Udaasi mein doobe dil se guzrein
Kanwal sunhara khil jaaye
Aag mein kya jaadu hai ?
Kya maaloom kisi ko!

y;rky(
jD+lku`R; esa jrA

111

lay- rhythm
raqsan- while dancing

Aamar sure lage tomar hashi

On my songs your smiles tarry,
As waves dance with the sunrays.
Through the hours I seek your music strains
Suddenly your reed my mind gladdens.

All my chores remain undone, lessons unread.

To embrace your songs I stroll astray instead,
I love to be enchanted by your refrains.

%][ a[ _G T][ ca

112

Bgjrk gS esjs uX+eksa is ;w rsjk rcLlqe

fd tSls ygj ds gejkg
fdjusa vkQ+rkch jD+l djrh gSa
u tkus <w<rk gw dc ls eSa
uX+es rqEgkjs
rqEgkjh rku vkSj eqdhZ rqEgkjh
vpkud fQj rqEgkjh cklqjh
'kknkc dj nsrh gS t+sg~uks&fny dks esjs
gSa esjs dke lc vk/ks v/kwjs
lcd+ vc rd ugha iwjs i<+s eSaus
HkVd tkrk gw eSa
lqurk gw tc uX+es rqEgkjs
exj tc jksdrh gks rqe
eq>s tc Vksdrh gks rqe
eSa rqe ij vkSj T+;knk ejus yxrk gw

Thaharta hai mere naghmon pe yun tera tabassum

Ki jaise lehar ke hamraah
Kirne aaftaabi raqs karti hain
Na jane dhoondhta hoon kab se main
Naghmein tumhaare
Tumhaari taan aur murki tumhaari
Achaanak phir tumhaari baansuri
Shaadab kar deti hai zehan-o-dil ko mere
Hain mere kaam sab aadhe adhoore
Sabaq ab tak naheen poore padhe maine
Bhatak jata hoon main
Sunta hoon jab naghme tumhaare
Magar jab rokti ho tum
Mujhe jab tokti ho tum
Main tum par aur zyada marne lagata hoon

vkQ+rkchlwjt dh(
jD+lu`R;(
'kknkcgjk Hkjk] [kq'k(
t+sg~uks&fnyfny fnekx+(
lcd+ikBA

113

aaftaabi - of the sun;

raqs - dance;
shaadab - bliss;
zehan-o-dil - mind and heart;
sabaq - lesson;

Kul theke mor gaaner tari

From the pier I freed my song-boat in the swell,
On ocean unfurling the sails.
Not where cuckoos sing in the shade,
Not where village girls for water wade,
Where a peaceful play of death sways
I coursed my song-boat that way.
And now my veena and I are alone together
If in the darkness we meet none it does not matter.
It is not the flower to pick from a bough,
It is not a flower swaying in a window
Towards the sky full of wayward tuneful sparks
That way I turned my song-barque.

E_ UE ][ GX[ T[

114

NksM+ nh xhr dh d'rh vkt+kn

cknck [kksy fn;k chp leUnj eSaus
ogk ugha fd tgk Nkao esa dks;y xk,
ogk ugha fd tgk xko dh nks'kht+k,a
ikuh Hkjus ds fy, iu?kV tk,a
xhr dh d'rh dks ml lEr c<+k;k eSaus
ftl txg ekSr dh [+kkeks'k gqDejkuh gS
flQ+Z vc eSa gw esjh ohuk gS
bl va/ksjs esa dksbZ gedks feys ;k u feys
Q+d+Z dqN Hkh ugha iM+us okyk
Qwy vc dkSu ls xqaps ls eSa pqudj yk
,d Hkh xqy ugha f[kM+dh ls tks ckgj >kds
vkSj vkdk'k dh tkfuc ns[ks
gSa ge vkgax tgka fdrus 'kjkjs [+kqnlj
xhr dh d'rh dks ml lEr c<+k;k eSaus

Chhod di geet ki kashti aazaad

Baadbaan khol diya beech samandar maine
Wahan nahin ki jahan chhaaon mein koyal gaaye
Wahan nahin ki jahan gaaon ki doshizaayein
Pani bharne ke liye panghat jaayein
Geet ki kashti ko us samt badhaya maine
Jis jagah maut ki khaamosh hukmarani hai
Sirf ab main hoon meri veena hai
Is andhere mein koi humko mile ya na mile
Farq kuchh bhi naheen padne wala
Phool ab kaun se gunche se main chunkar laaun
Ek bhi gul nahin khidki se jo baahar jhaanke
Aur aakash ki jaanib dekhe
Hain hum aahang jahan kitne sharare khudsar
Geet ki kashti ko us samt badhaya maine

cknckaukSdk esa yxus okyk iky(

nks'kht+k,adqaokjh dU;k,a(
[+kkeks'k'kkar] pqi(
gqDejkuhjkt(

tkfucfnkk(
kjkjsvkx dh yiVsa(
[+kqnljLora=k] Lok/khuA115

jaanib- towards
sharare-blazes
khudsar- free; independent

baadbaan- sail, mast;

doshizaayein- maiden girls;
khaamosh- silent
hukmarani- rule

Gaaner bhitar diye jakhan

When I see nature through musical airs
Then I see her, then I know her.
For then her diction of light fills my sky with delight,
Then in the ground awakes a message rare.
And then she leaving the shell enters my soul,
Then my heart vibrates with the aureole.
Sonorous lines in dulcet sound then lose the bounds,
Then in the crowd I find myself aware.

GX[ \T[ V^ ^FX

116

Dekhta hoon qudrat ko

ns[krk gw dqnjr dks

ekSlhd+h dh vk[kksa ls
mldks ns[krk gw rc
mldks tkurk gw rc

Mausiqee ki aankhon se
Usko dekhta hoon tab
Usko jaanta hoon tab
Mere aasaman ko woh

esjs vkLek dks oks

viuh iqj&eljZr jkS'kuh ls Hkjrk gS
rc t+ehu ij esjh
tkxrk gS bd eqT+nk
eqT+nk x+Sj ekewyh
vkSj oks rksM+dj lkjs nk;js t+ekus ds
nkf[+ky gksrk tkrk gS esjh :g ds vanj
fny esjk /kM+drk gS lkFk lkFk gkyk ds
'khjha vkSj cqyan vkokt+
[kksy nsrh gS ca/ku
rc gqtwe ds vanj
[+kqn dks ikrk gw csnkj

Apni pur-masarrat roshni se bharta hai

Tab zameen par meri
Jaagta hai ik muzda
Muzda ghair maamooli
Aur woh todkar saare daayre zamane ke
Dakhil hota jata hai meri rooh ke andar
Dil mera dhadkta hai saath saath hala ke
Sheerin aur buland aawaaz
Khol deti hai bandhan
Tab hujoom ke andar
Khud ko pata hoon bedaar

iqj&eljZr[+kq'kh ls Hkjiwj(
eqT+nkgky] o.kZu(
gkyko`k] p(
'khjhaehBk(
cqyanpkA

117

pur-masarrat- full of joy

muzda- message;
hala- circle
sheerin- sweet
buland- high, loud