[Translation] Saeed Rahi's Tum Nahin, Gham Nahin Sharaab Nahin

 

 

This ghazal is a long time favourite of mine mostly for it's spectacular rendition by Jagjit Singh.  

Original:

Tum nahin, Gham nahin sharaab nahiN
aisi tanhaayi ka jawaab nahiN
gaahe gaahe ise paDha kije
dil se behtar koi kitaab nahiN
jaane kis kis ki maut aayeee hai
aaj ruKh pe koi naqaab nahiN
wo karam oongliyoN pe ginte haiN
zulm ka jinke kuch hisaab nahiN

 

Source: http://lyricstranslate.com/en/Jagjit-Singh-tum-naihin-gham-nahin-sharaab-nahiN-lyrics.html#ixzz3cxv0H9RQ

 

Translation  

 

If it weren't for you, there would be neither pain, nor the need to drink 
Such loneliness too would have no parallel

 

Recall this time and again
There's no book greater than the human heart.

 

Those visited by death - of them we know not,
Today, the spirit gleams forth, veil lifted

 

Those who carry no record of their tyranny  

Bewail the paucity of favours.

 

 

 

[Translation] Nazir Kazmi's Ye bhi kya sham-e-mulaqat ayee

This is one of my favourite ghazals by Syed Nazir Raza Kasmi (1925-1972) Nazir was born in India and migrated to Pakistan during the partition. The ghazal presents the pain and the desperation of love.

I sincerely thank Murtuza Furniturewala for working closely with me to bring forth this translation.

Original:

Aankh khulte hi chhup gaye harshar
Aalme bekhudi mein kya kuchh tha
Laakh rahe thi laakh jalwe the
Ahedi awargi me kya kuchh tha
Yaad hai marhale mohabbat ke
Haye us bekhudi mein kya kuchh tha
Kitni beete dino ki yaad aayi

Aaj teri kami mein kya kuchh tha

ye bhi kya sham-e-mulaqat ayee

lab pe mushkil se teri bat ayee

 subah se chup hain tere hijr nasib

 haye kya hoga agar rat ayee

 bastiyan chod ke barse badal

kis qayamat ki ye barsat ayee

 koi jab mil ke hua tha rukhsat

 dil-e-betab wahi rat ayee

 saya-e-zulf-e-butan main 'Nasir’

ek se ek nai rat ayee

 
Translation:

On waking, I realized my abandonment

Though disoriented, stark indeed was the clarity
Many paths lit up with splendorous lights

In my lonesome wanderings, what not did I see

Reminiscences of the pain of passion I did see

Though inebriated, my clear vision, an irony

Recalled I, several blissful days spent in harmony

Alas, what contrast, to this present ignominy

O hark! the dawn of evening heralds thoughts of you my darling
I can barely speak of you without my voice breaking

I fall silent all morning

Recalling our forked destines

Oh how I dread the night 

Ridden with anxieties

The tears flow, the barriers come undone

Does this deluge augur the end of times?

The emptiness which comes 
When a loved one meets and parts
 I feel that same restless emptiness now, upon this night

Oh Nazir! how lost you were in that beauteous form
and in the shadow of those tresses
Ah! how wondrous the delight
Meeting night after night, 
As new groom and as bride

Now listen to this song rendered by Penaz Masani.

Lyrics Credits: https://www.lyricsbogie.com/albums/tu-hi-mera-dil-tu-hi-meri-jaan-1988/ye-bhi-kya-shaam-e-mulaqat-aayi.html