The new year resolution of archiving ASAD articles is complete ! I still haven't found the 108th article that I am almost sure I posted. If I find it, I will upload it.
I don't really have any plans to restart ASAD. Definitely not on an every-day basis. But once in a while I will try post an article about GHazal or Urdu poetry in general.
I will also archive some other articles that I had posted on rec.music.indian.music newsgroup.
Showing posts with label ASAD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ASAD. Show all posts
Sunday, February 1, 2009
ASAD - 107
Originally posted on rec.music.indian.misc in 1997
Today, a quick mention of "sharaabi" shers by Jigar. These are not my favourites, but without these, discussion on Jiagar remains incomplete.
In all these shers, "sharaab" need not be taken literally !!! That's certainly one of the good things about these shers.
zeest = jeevan
pahale sharaab zeest thi, ab zeest hai sharaab,
koi peela raha hai, piye jaa rahaa huN maiN
This was not bad ! Similarly this one ...
beqaif = without 'nashaa'
beqaif dil hai aur jiye ja raha huN maiN
khaali hai sheesha aur piye ja raha huN maiN
But the follwoing two are much better ...
zaahid = puritan
shokhi-e-rindaana = mischief done in intoxication (?)
rahamat = divine mercy
zaahid, meri shokhi-e-rindaana to dekhana
rahamat ko baatoN baatoN me bahala ke pee gayaa [ :-) ]
daste-shauq = ichchha/utsaah_waale haath
ek jaam aakhari to peena hai aur saaqi,
ab daste-shauq kaaNpe ya paaNo ladkhadaaye !
The last one is really good ! To be used before saying good-bye to anything - even life.
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
Today, a quick mention of "sharaabi" shers by Jigar. These are not my favourites, but without these, discussion on Jiagar remains incomplete.
In all these shers, "sharaab" need not be taken literally !!! That's certainly one of the good things about these shers.
zeest = jeevan
pahale sharaab zeest thi, ab zeest hai sharaab,
koi peela raha hai, piye jaa rahaa huN maiN
This was not bad ! Similarly this one ...
beqaif = without 'nashaa'
beqaif dil hai aur jiye ja raha huN maiN
khaali hai sheesha aur piye ja raha huN maiN
But the follwoing two are much better ...
zaahid = puritan
shokhi-e-rindaana = mischief done in intoxication (?)
rahamat = divine mercy
zaahid, meri shokhi-e-rindaana to dekhana
rahamat ko baatoN baatoN me bahala ke pee gayaa [ :-) ]
daste-shauq = ichchha/utsaah_waale haath
ek jaam aakhari to peena hai aur saaqi,
ab daste-shauq kaaNpe ya paaNo ladkhadaaye !
The last one is really good ! To be used before saying good-bye to anything - even life.
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
ASAD - 106
Originally posted on rec.music.indian.misc in 1997
sab_ko maaraa 'Jigar' ke sheroN ne
aur "Jigar" ko sharaab ne maaraa !
What kind of image the word "shayar' evokes in your mind ? I would say that there are 2 most common answers. One, well-dressed polished person, who often uses poetry in his talk, full of "adab" etc etc. Another is, a drunken, heart-broken, bitter person - a la "Pyaasa".
The second image fits Jigar. Unkept hair, short built, dark complexion, smallpox scars on the face and always carrying a bottle. Even at the mushaira's, he used to go drunk. He used to dismiss any comments about his appearance by saying, "koi achchha insaan hi shayar ban sakata hai".
Many young poet-wannabes followed his footsteps and started drinking. Needless to say, drinking doesn't teach about poetry. Nor does "Pyaasa" like appearance. As the Pakistani poet Mehboob KHizaaN says ...
baat yeh hai, ki aadami shaayar
ya to hota hai, ya nahiN hota !
But Jigar himself always gave good advise. To one of the famous poets, who was young then, Jigar said - "Achchha sher zarur suno, lekin uski naqal mat utaaro. Jo dil me banati hai, use kaagaz pe utaaro. Apana ustaad khud bano". This one went on to become Majrooh Sultanpuri !
In his later years, Jigar gave up drinking completely. Still, wine remains an important part of his poetry. So let's take a brief look at such shers tomorrow, before concluding our discussion on him.
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
sab_ko maaraa 'Jigar' ke sheroN ne
aur "Jigar" ko sharaab ne maaraa !
What kind of image the word "shayar' evokes in your mind ? I would say that there are 2 most common answers. One, well-dressed polished person, who often uses poetry in his talk, full of "adab" etc etc. Another is, a drunken, heart-broken, bitter person - a la "Pyaasa".
The second image fits Jigar. Unkept hair, short built, dark complexion, smallpox scars on the face and always carrying a bottle. Even at the mushaira's, he used to go drunk. He used to dismiss any comments about his appearance by saying, "koi achchha insaan hi shayar ban sakata hai".
Many young poet-wannabes followed his footsteps and started drinking. Needless to say, drinking doesn't teach about poetry. Nor does "Pyaasa" like appearance. As the Pakistani poet Mehboob KHizaaN says ...
baat yeh hai, ki aadami shaayar
ya to hota hai, ya nahiN hota !
But Jigar himself always gave good advise. To one of the famous poets, who was young then, Jigar said - "Achchha sher zarur suno, lekin uski naqal mat utaaro. Jo dil me banati hai, use kaagaz pe utaaro. Apana ustaad khud bano". This one went on to become Majrooh Sultanpuri !
In his later years, Jigar gave up drinking completely. Still, wine remains an important part of his poetry. So let's take a brief look at such shers tomorrow, before concluding our discussion on him.
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
ASAD - 105
Originally posted on rec.music.indian.misc in 1997
Jigar Muradabadi was born in Muradabad, obvious :-), in 1890. I do not know much about his life except that at one point of time, he used to sell eye-glasses on railway platforms !
Simplicity with the ability to touch your heart was his magic. Get it straight. No complicated metaphors, no philosophy, no vague similes, no socialist musings. Just about love and love and love. If you don't like poetry of love, I am sorry for you ! And if you like ishqi'aana shaayari, then Jiagr is the poet for you.
Also present is the unquestionable music in his poetry.
Just look at the following shers. Written in a very conversational way. but still full of rhythm. This is - Jigar touch. Touch of class.
wo kab ke aaye, aur gaye bhi,
nazar me ab tak samaa rahe haiN
ye chal rahe haiN, wo phir rahe haiN,
ye aa rahe haiN, wo jaa rahe haiN !
I love this sher ! What a musical way to say that - all I see is her !
Another highly musical one from the same GHazal ...
shabaab = youth
jammal = beauty
shabaab rangiN, jamaal rangiN,
wo sar se pa tak tamaam rangiN,
tamaam rangiN bane hue haiN,
tamaam rangiN banaa rahe haiN
Very cute word play ! I like this one for its meaning too.
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
Jigar Muradabadi was born in Muradabad, obvious :-), in 1890. I do not know much about his life except that at one point of time, he used to sell eye-glasses on railway platforms !
Simplicity with the ability to touch your heart was his magic. Get it straight. No complicated metaphors, no philosophy, no vague similes, no socialist musings. Just about love and love and love. If you don't like poetry of love, I am sorry for you ! And if you like ishqi'aana shaayari, then Jiagr is the poet for you.
Also present is the unquestionable music in his poetry.
Just look at the following shers. Written in a very conversational way. but still full of rhythm. This is - Jigar touch. Touch of class.
wo kab ke aaye, aur gaye bhi,
nazar me ab tak samaa rahe haiN
ye chal rahe haiN, wo phir rahe haiN,
ye aa rahe haiN, wo jaa rahe haiN !
I love this sher ! What a musical way to say that - all I see is her !
Another highly musical one from the same GHazal ...
shabaab = youth
jammal = beauty
shabaab rangiN, jamaal rangiN,
wo sar se pa tak tamaam rangiN,
tamaam rangiN bane hue haiN,
tamaam rangiN banaa rahe haiN
Very cute word play ! I like this one for its meaning too.
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
ASAD - 104
Originally posted on rec.music.indian.misc in 1997
Sikandar Ali was his real name. But he is better known as ...
A bit of diversion before we proceed. All this suspense thing was not done to test your knowledge. It was mainly to stress the importance of this great poet and also for some fun. As I said in the very 1st article I know it wasn't such a big suspense. :-) ... Still ... I will emphasize that, there is NOTHING terrible, if it was a suspense for you.
Because some shers are so famous, that they are routinely used as idioms or "muhawara"s etc. and we often do not know the names of the creators. So just because you didn't know the name of the poet who wrote one particular sher, doesn't mean that you have a long way to go etc. Anyway. Back to Mr.X ...ooops... Jigar :-)
Now that we have observed Jigar to be the creator of many famous shers, let's turn our attention to other achievements by him.
Musha'ira is a very important thing for poets and lovers of poetry. And Jigar's impact was on the Mushaira too. He is also famous for his GHazal recitation. To understand what impact a good recitation can have on the audience, you have to attend a mushaira. A sher like ...
yuN zindagi guzaar rahaa huN tere baghair,
jaise koi gunaah kiye jaa raha huN maiN !
can get the entire crowd on its feet, if recited by someone who is good at it. Here the stress is on "gunaah". Story goes that, people tore away their shirts in frenzy, when Jigar presented such delicate shers in the Lakhnow mushaairas.
The following sher too can evoke the cries of "once more" many times, due to the sheer beauty of thought. And also because it's so subtle.
lutf = fun ( "mazaa" )
kya lutf, ki maiN apanaa pataa aap bataauN,
kije koi bhooli hui, khaas apani adaa yaad !!
What's the fun if I tell my 'pataa' myslef ? Why don't you remember your own special 'adaa' which you seem to have forgotten ? Aisi hi ek adaa par to maiN apane aapko kho baTHaa thaa ! Ab mera koi pataa nahiN ! Puchhanaa hai to apani hi kisi adaa se puchho ! (Any other interpretations ? Please share them if you have.)
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
Sikandar Ali was his real name. But he is better known as ...
Jigar Muradabadi !!
A bit of diversion before we proceed. All this suspense thing was not done to test your knowledge. It was mainly to stress the importance of this great poet and also for some fun. As I said in the very 1st article I know it wasn't such a big suspense. :-) ... Still ... I will emphasize that, there is NOTHING terrible, if it was a suspense for you.
Because some shers are so famous, that they are routinely used as idioms or "muhawara"s etc. and we often do not know the names of the creators. So just because you didn't know the name of the poet who wrote one particular sher, doesn't mean that you have a long way to go etc. Anyway. Back to Mr.X ...ooops... Jigar :-)
Now that we have observed Jigar to be the creator of many famous shers, let's turn our attention to other achievements by him.
Musha'ira is a very important thing for poets and lovers of poetry. And Jigar's impact was on the Mushaira too. He is also famous for his GHazal recitation. To understand what impact a good recitation can have on the audience, you have to attend a mushaira. A sher like ...
yuN zindagi guzaar rahaa huN tere baghair,
jaise koi gunaah kiye jaa raha huN maiN !
can get the entire crowd on its feet, if recited by someone who is good at it. Here the stress is on "gunaah". Story goes that, people tore away their shirts in frenzy, when Jigar presented such delicate shers in the Lakhnow mushaairas.
The following sher too can evoke the cries of "once more" many times, due to the sheer beauty of thought. And also because it's so subtle.
lutf = fun ( "mazaa" )
kya lutf, ki maiN apanaa pataa aap bataauN,
kije koi bhooli hui, khaas apani adaa yaad !!
What's the fun if I tell my 'pataa' myslef ? Why don't you remember your own special 'adaa' which you seem to have forgotten ? Aisi hi ek adaa par to maiN apane aapko kho baTHaa thaa ! Ab mera koi pataa nahiN ! Puchhanaa hai to apani hi kisi adaa se puchho ! (Any other interpretations ? Please share them if you have.)
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
ASAD - 103
Originally posted on rec.music.indian.misc in 1997
To begin, let's complete the last sentence of yesterday's article.
According to many, when it comes to GHazal, the name after Ghalib and Meer is ..... Sikandar Ali !
As I said in the 1st article on him, he is one of the most often quoted poets of Urdu Shayari. Probably next to Ghalib himself.
This sher by Ghalib is very well-known ...
ishq_ne 'GHalib' nikamma kar diya
warna ham bhi aadami the kaam_ke
Also well-known is this sher by Sikandar Ali, but opposite in meaning -
ruswa = badnaam
ishq jab tak na kar chuke ruswa,
aadami kaam_ka nahiN hota !
That reminds me of another famous sher of his ...
zindagi, tu hame kahaaN laa'i ?
ek muhabbat, hazaar ruswaai !
And another from the same GHazal of the above sher ...
naagaah = achaanak
shanaasaa'i = parichay
do dil is tarhaa mile naagaah
jaise barsoN ki ho shanaasaa'i !!
Isn't the last one wonderful ? This is a little bit similar to the line "beqaraar dil is tarha mile, jis tarha kabhi hum juda na the" by Kaifi. I like the sher by Sikandar Ali more. It's so short and effective. Also the important word is "naagaah". Love happens. Just happens.
Oh yes ! :-) :-)
Sikandar Ali was his real name. But he is better known as ...
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
To begin, let's complete the last sentence of yesterday's article.
According to many, when it comes to GHazal, the name after Ghalib and Meer is ..... Sikandar Ali !
As I said in the 1st article on him, he is one of the most often quoted poets of Urdu Shayari. Probably next to Ghalib himself.
This sher by Ghalib is very well-known ...
ishq_ne 'GHalib' nikamma kar diya
warna ham bhi aadami the kaam_ke
Also well-known is this sher by Sikandar Ali, but opposite in meaning -
ruswa = badnaam
ishq jab tak na kar chuke ruswa,
aadami kaam_ka nahiN hota !
That reminds me of another famous sher of his ...
zindagi, tu hame kahaaN laa'i ?
ek muhabbat, hazaar ruswaai !
And another from the same GHazal of the above sher ...
naagaah = achaanak
shanaasaa'i = parichay
do dil is tarhaa mile naagaah
jaise barsoN ki ho shanaasaa'i !!
Isn't the last one wonderful ? This is a little bit similar to the line "beqaraar dil is tarha mile, jis tarha kabhi hum juda na the" by Kaifi. I like the sher by Sikandar Ali more. It's so short and effective. Also the important word is "naagaah". Love happens. Just happens.
Oh yes ! :-) :-)
Sikandar Ali was his real name. But he is better known as ...
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
ASAD - 102
Originally posted on rec.music.indian.misc in 1997
Those were the days before independence. The atmosphere in the country was of freedom-struggle. Naturally, this was reflected in the poetry too. Iqbal, Chakbist, Josh and others wrote poetry on these aspects. The soul of GHazal then - ishq - was sidelined. In fact, even GHazal as a form of poetry was not anymore in vogue.
It seemd that, GHazal is in its last stages. The end was near. The fact, that it didn't, is mainly due to a few handful of poets, one of which is the Shayar under discussion.
His poetry was mainly about prem and pyar, some times about ishq and muhabbat and otherwise about love. :-) That is about love and love only.
By writing such poetry, he gave a rebirth to GHazal.
And probably that's why he said in another ultra-famous sher ...
arbaab-e-siyaasat = politicians [ political scientists ?? arbaab = lord and siyaasat = politics/deception(!!!) ]
unka jo farz hai, arbaab-e-siyaasat jaane !
mera paighaam muhabbat hai ! jahaN tak pahuNche
Maybe he addressed it to the poets who wrote about politics, or maybe he simply meant masters-of-deception literally.
In any case, people loved this rebirth of GHazal. And the work of this poet became "Classical Literature" in his own life-time !
So ! Those of you who thought, it's Iqbal we are discussing now know that it's not so. :-) Iqbal, although one of the greatest poets, is primarily a poet of Nazm. According to many, when it comes to GHazal, the name after Ghalib and Meer is .....
:-) :-)
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
Those were the days before independence. The atmosphere in the country was of freedom-struggle. Naturally, this was reflected in the poetry too. Iqbal, Chakbist, Josh and others wrote poetry on these aspects. The soul of GHazal then - ishq - was sidelined. In fact, even GHazal as a form of poetry was not anymore in vogue.
It seemd that, GHazal is in its last stages. The end was near. The fact, that it didn't, is mainly due to a few handful of poets, one of which is the Shayar under discussion.
His poetry was mainly about prem and pyar, some times about ishq and muhabbat and otherwise about love. :-) That is about love and love only.
By writing such poetry, he gave a rebirth to GHazal.
And probably that's why he said in another ultra-famous sher ...
arbaab-e-siyaasat = politicians [ political scientists ?? arbaab = lord and siyaasat = politics/deception(!!!) ]
unka jo farz hai, arbaab-e-siyaasat jaane !
mera paighaam muhabbat hai ! jahaN tak pahuNche
Maybe he addressed it to the poets who wrote about politics, or maybe he simply meant masters-of-deception literally.
In any case, people loved this rebirth of GHazal. And the work of this poet became "Classical Literature" in his own life-time !
So ! Those of you who thought, it's Iqbal we are discussing now know that it's not so. :-) Iqbal, although one of the greatest poets, is primarily a poet of Nazm. According to many, when it comes to GHazal, the name after Ghalib and Meer is .....
:-) :-)
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
ASAD - 101
Originally posted on rec.music.indian.misc in 1997
It's incredible that the series has completed the 100 article mark ...
Don't you frown and start doubting my modesty :-) let me complete ...
It's incredible that the series has completed the 100 article mark ... without devoting a single article to a Shayar, without whom any discussion on Ghazal would be incomplete !
Hence let me devote a few articles on this great personality of GHazal. Usually, I discuss a poet only for 3 consecutive articles. To remedy the lack of discussion on this Shayar till now, I will devote more than 3.
I would begin with a sher by him, which is used in the begining of the titles of many (all ?) films produced by Nasir Hussain.
kya husn ne samjha hai, kya ishq ne jaanaa hai
hum KHaak-nashinoN ki, THokar me zamaanaa hai !
A thundering sher, no doubt ! It's also one of the many many many famous and often quoted shers by this genius. Come to think of it, I think, only GHalib would outnumber him in that aspect.
Many of you must have guessed the name of the shayar. This is such a famous sher. But it's possible, that some haven't ! For them, let me build the suspense :-) See you tomorrow friends .....
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
It's incredible that the series has completed the 100 article mark ...
Don't you frown and start doubting my modesty :-) let me complete ...
It's incredible that the series has completed the 100 article mark ... without devoting a single article to a Shayar, without whom any discussion on Ghazal would be incomplete !
Hence let me devote a few articles on this great personality of GHazal. Usually, I discuss a poet only for 3 consecutive articles. To remedy the lack of discussion on this Shayar till now, I will devote more than 3.
I would begin with a sher by him, which is used in the begining of the titles of many (all ?) films produced by Nasir Hussain.
kya husn ne samjha hai, kya ishq ne jaanaa hai
hum KHaak-nashinoN ki, THokar me zamaanaa hai !
A thundering sher, no doubt ! It's also one of the many many many famous and often quoted shers by this genius. Come to think of it, I think, only GHalib would outnumber him in that aspect.
Many of you must have guessed the name of the shayar. This is such a famous sher. But it's possible, that some haven't ! For them, let me build the suspense :-) See you tomorrow friends .....
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
ASAD - 100
Originally posted on rec.music.indian.misc in 1997
Another milestone in the series :-) And once again, keeping with the tradition (!) it's time to look at a sher by GHalib and also a sher about Ghalib. Cool ! No problem. :-)
Before presenting a sher, thanks to all who have supported the series, sent their comments, suggested other interpretations, pointed out mistakes, added their knowledge and all such things. Thanks a lot !
How would one describe Ghalib ? I am sure different people will have different ideas about it. One of the main qualities I absolutely adore in his Poetry is his use of Logic ! No other poet can come close to him, in that aspect. In fact, if there is any candidate from the world of poetry to be included in Douglas Hofstadter's Eternal Golden Braid, then it has to be Ghalib. As Ansari Mohsin said in his mail, "The man is incredible. A lesson in logic, creativity, and magic". Very apt !
Logic leads to philosophy. And philosophy requires questioning. Which, too, is abundant in GHalib's poetry. I could go on and on, but to illustrate this nature of Ghalib's poetry, let me present a sher by Ghalib himself.
It's a prophecy which came true ...
hui muddat, ki 'GHalib' mar gaya, par yaad aata hai,
wah har ek baat par kehna, "ki yoN hota, to kya hota ?" !
How do I praise this Sher ? How do I ?
Isn't this sher true ? Isn't it SO TRUE ? Hasn't this very ability to question made AsadulaakhaN into Ghalib ? Don't we remember him as a "philosopher poet" ? I have no words to describe what I feel, when I read this sher again and again. Again and again.
Ghalib has captured his entire poetry - his self - into just one sher !
With these feelings of devotion, we complete the century of this series.
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
Another milestone in the series :-) And once again, keeping with the tradition (!) it's time to look at a sher by GHalib and also a sher about Ghalib. Cool ! No problem. :-)
Before presenting a sher, thanks to all who have supported the series, sent their comments, suggested other interpretations, pointed out mistakes, added their knowledge and all such things. Thanks a lot !
How would one describe Ghalib ? I am sure different people will have different ideas about it. One of the main qualities I absolutely adore in his Poetry is his use of Logic ! No other poet can come close to him, in that aspect. In fact, if there is any candidate from the world of poetry to be included in Douglas Hofstadter's Eternal Golden Braid, then it has to be Ghalib. As Ansari Mohsin said in his mail, "The man is incredible. A lesson in logic, creativity, and magic". Very apt !
Logic leads to philosophy. And philosophy requires questioning. Which, too, is abundant in GHalib's poetry. I could go on and on, but to illustrate this nature of Ghalib's poetry, let me present a sher by Ghalib himself.
It's a prophecy which came true ...
hui muddat, ki 'GHalib' mar gaya, par yaad aata hai,
wah har ek baat par kehna, "ki yoN hota, to kya hota ?" !
How do I praise this Sher ? How do I ?
Isn't this sher true ? Isn't it SO TRUE ? Hasn't this very ability to question made AsadulaakhaN into Ghalib ? Don't we remember him as a "philosopher poet" ? I have no words to describe what I feel, when I read this sher again and again. Again and again.
Ghalib has captured his entire poetry - his self - into just one sher !
With these feelings of devotion, we complete the century of this series.
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
ASAD - 99
Originally posted on rec.music.indian.misc in 1997
The title of this series is "A Sher A Day". I myself haven't exactly followed it. Two things. I don't post every day and I sometimes post more than one sher. Today, third type of exception. An article WITHOUT any sher at all ! (First and probably the last time).
The 'kissa' I am going to present today is worth it. It's humourous, and also very enlightening about the true nature of GHazal. That is, IMHO.
------------
Firaq Gorakhpuri and Josh Malihabadi were good friends. But their views about GHazal were quite different. Firaq loved GHazal, whereas Josh preferred Nazm and Rubaai. In fact Josh didn't like GHazal much. Once, a student came and asked Firaq to guide him in writing a thesis on GHazal. Firaq, true to his nature, immediately redirected him to Josh !
Josh listened to this young man's request, and asked him to come on the next day. When he arrived, Josh chatted with him on all the topics but GHazal and asked him to come again. The student went back nervously and came again on the next day. Same thing happened that day too. Josh, once again talked about many topics, but not GHazal. This happned for almost a week, before the poor fellow finally got agitated.
"GustaKHi mu'aaf, Josh saahab", he said, "First you told me about the second world war and about Churchill and Stalin, the next day you told me about the partition and Jina's policy, then discussed about social problems and what not. During the last week you told me about everything but didn't say a word about GHazal."
Josh laughed aloud and said, "Barkhurdar, all along I have been talking about GHazal only. Unfortunately, you didn't get it. A poem without any consistent theme, na sar na pair, is GHazal ! Chalo bhaago yahaaN se !!"
------------
:-)
It's not necessary that every sher on GHazal has to be on a different topic. But that's how generally it turns out to be. The reason is, each sher is semantically independent. So each sher is a complete poem. This IMHO, is the soul of GHazal. This is the main strength of GHazal, and I would like to talk a lot more about this aspect. It also is the main weakness of GHazal, as it kind-of hinders the poet from developing a theme gradually and lead it to it's logical end. Depends on individual view-point. As for me I love GHazal !
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
The title of this series is "A Sher A Day". I myself haven't exactly followed it. Two things. I don't post every day and I sometimes post more than one sher. Today, third type of exception. An article WITHOUT any sher at all ! (First and probably the last time).
The 'kissa' I am going to present today is worth it. It's humourous, and also very enlightening about the true nature of GHazal. That is, IMHO.
------------
Firaq Gorakhpuri and Josh Malihabadi were good friends. But their views about GHazal were quite different. Firaq loved GHazal, whereas Josh preferred Nazm and Rubaai. In fact Josh didn't like GHazal much. Once, a student came and asked Firaq to guide him in writing a thesis on GHazal. Firaq, true to his nature, immediately redirected him to Josh !
Josh listened to this young man's request, and asked him to come on the next day. When he arrived, Josh chatted with him on all the topics but GHazal and asked him to come again. The student went back nervously and came again on the next day. Same thing happened that day too. Josh, once again talked about many topics, but not GHazal. This happned for almost a week, before the poor fellow finally got agitated.
"GustaKHi mu'aaf, Josh saahab", he said, "First you told me about the second world war and about Churchill and Stalin, the next day you told me about the partition and Jina's policy, then discussed about social problems and what not. During the last week you told me about everything but didn't say a word about GHazal."
Josh laughed aloud and said, "Barkhurdar, all along I have been talking about GHazal only. Unfortunately, you didn't get it. A poem without any consistent theme, na sar na pair, is GHazal ! Chalo bhaago yahaaN se !!"
------------
:-)
It's not necessary that every sher on GHazal has to be on a different topic. But that's how generally it turns out to be. The reason is, each sher is semantically independent. So each sher is a complete poem. This IMHO, is the soul of GHazal. This is the main strength of GHazal, and I would like to talk a lot more about this aspect. It also is the main weakness of GHazal, as it kind-of hinders the poet from developing a theme gradually and lead it to it's logical end. Depends on individual view-point. As for me I love GHazal !
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
ASAD - 98
Originally posted on rec.music.indian.misc in 1997
No one would claim that Urdu Shayari has no drawbacks. IMHO, there are many. (Note the IMHO). One drawback (and also a strength at the same time) is the way women are portrayed. They always trouble our Shayar by ignoring his love etc. Or they are just beautiful. Nothing more.
Of course, there are exceptions ! But it won't be totally wrong to say that this is the general tone of much of the classical ishqi'aana Urdu Poetry. (Note how vague I am trying to be :-)).
Hasrat Mohani ("chukpe chupke raat din") and Jigar are given the credit of starting better portrayal of women. Sahir has also written "aurat ne janam diya" and "jinhe naaz hai" etc. But what about a true feminine viewpoint ? I mean from the heart of a Shaa'ira ?
Following sher talks about Institution of Marriage in Islam, but IMHO, it's emotions are equally applicable to any Indian marriage.
gurur-o-kahar = gurur aur ghussa [ kahar = anger, rage, temper ]
mehar = The money / jwellery a bride brings with her and which has to be returned if divorced by the husband
shabaab = jawaani (in this context, but it also means beauty)
talaaq de to rahe ho, gurur-o-kahar ke saath,
mera shabaab bhi lauta do, mere mehar ke saath !
- Begum Anjum
Very powerful ! Very touching !!
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
No one would claim that Urdu Shayari has no drawbacks. IMHO, there are many. (Note the IMHO). One drawback (and also a strength at the same time) is the way women are portrayed. They always trouble our Shayar by ignoring his love etc. Or they are just beautiful. Nothing more.
Of course, there are exceptions ! But it won't be totally wrong to say that this is the general tone of much of the classical ishqi'aana Urdu Poetry. (Note how vague I am trying to be :-)).
Hasrat Mohani ("chukpe chupke raat din") and Jigar are given the credit of starting better portrayal of women. Sahir has also written "aurat ne janam diya" and "jinhe naaz hai" etc. But what about a true feminine viewpoint ? I mean from the heart of a Shaa'ira ?
Following sher talks about Institution of Marriage in Islam, but IMHO, it's emotions are equally applicable to any Indian marriage.
gurur-o-kahar = gurur aur ghussa [ kahar = anger, rage, temper ]
mehar = The money / jwellery a bride brings with her and which has to be returned if divorced by the husband
shabaab = jawaani (in this context, but it also means beauty)
talaaq de to rahe ho, gurur-o-kahar ke saath,
mera shabaab bhi lauta do, mere mehar ke saath !
- Begum Anjum
Very powerful ! Very touching !!
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
ASAD - 97
Originally posted on rec.music.indian.misc in 1997
While on the topic of Akbar Ilaahabadi, let me just mention some of his 'mazahiya' shers for today. His ability to put down funny thoughts in the seemingly constraining medium like sher is really superb.
And he takes off on anything ! Really. Here are some proofs.
wasl = milan
ruKHsat hona = chale jaana
is_qadar tha, khatmaloN_ka chaarpaayi_me hujuum,
wasl ka dil_se mere, armaan ruKHsat ho gaya :-)
What a romantic sher ;-) !
Now a taunt on westernized rich ...
muhazzab = civilised
aspataal = hospitol
hu'e is_qadar muhazzab, kabhi ghar_ka muNh na dekha,
umr kaTi hoteloN me, mare aspataal jaakar !
And finally here is what he felt by looking at a beauty ...
muris = ancestors
Darwin saahab haqiqat_se nihaayat door the,
maiN na maanunga, muris aap_ke langoor the !
What a way to appreciate the beauty of a lady :-) This one is a gem ! I am sure Darwin would have been unable to refute this opposition to his theory of evolution :-)
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
While on the topic of Akbar Ilaahabadi, let me just mention some of his 'mazahiya' shers for today. His ability to put down funny thoughts in the seemingly constraining medium like sher is really superb.
And he takes off on anything ! Really. Here are some proofs.
wasl = milan
ruKHsat hona = chale jaana
is_qadar tha, khatmaloN_ka chaarpaayi_me hujuum,
wasl ka dil_se mere, armaan ruKHsat ho gaya :-)
What a romantic sher ;-) !
Now a taunt on westernized rich ...
muhazzab = civilised
aspataal = hospitol
hu'e is_qadar muhazzab, kabhi ghar_ka muNh na dekha,
umr kaTi hoteloN me, mare aspataal jaakar !
And finally here is what he felt by looking at a beauty ...
muris = ancestors
Darwin saahab haqiqat_se nihaayat door the,
maiN na maanunga, muris aap_ke langoor the !
What a way to appreciate the beauty of a lady :-) This one is a gem ! I am sure Darwin would have been unable to refute this opposition to his theory of evolution :-)
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
ASAD - 96
Originally posted on rec.music.indian.misc in 1997
Akbar Illahabadi, born on 16 Nov 1864 as Akbar Syed Hussain, and died on 9 Sept 1921, was a Magistrate by profession. As a shayar, is is famous for his 'Mazahiya Shayari' and light but touching poetry. In spite of being in the service of the British he used to attack them, their lifestyle and the government in his poetry.
It's seems people used to say, "KHuda bachaaye in firangiyoN ko ! Unhe to shukr karana chaahiye ke Akbar saahab sarakaari naukar hai. Khuda-na-khasta agar nikhaalas shaayar hote to, tauba tauba ...".
Many of you must be wondering, "Have I heard a GHazal by him ?" I bet ! I am sure most of you have heard the GHulam Ali ghazal, from which the following sher is taken. It's not found in all the recordings !! Hence included here. It's one of the best by the poet. Quite "ishqi'aana", but at the same time a little bit "mazahiya" too.
waaN = wahaaN and yaaN = yahaaN
waaN dil me, ki sadame do ! yaaN jee me, ke sab seh lo !
unka bhi ajab dil hai, mera bhi ajab jee hai !
Which GHazal is this from ? :-)
From the super-famous, "hangaamaa hai kyuN barapaa" ! Yes, that's by him.
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
Akbar Illahabadi, born on 16 Nov 1864 as Akbar Syed Hussain, and died on 9 Sept 1921, was a Magistrate by profession. As a shayar, is is famous for his 'Mazahiya Shayari' and light but touching poetry. In spite of being in the service of the British he used to attack them, their lifestyle and the government in his poetry.
It's seems people used to say, "KHuda bachaaye in firangiyoN ko ! Unhe to shukr karana chaahiye ke Akbar saahab sarakaari naukar hai. Khuda-na-khasta agar nikhaalas shaayar hote to, tauba tauba ...".
Many of you must be wondering, "Have I heard a GHazal by him ?" I bet ! I am sure most of you have heard the GHulam Ali ghazal, from which the following sher is taken. It's not found in all the recordings !! Hence included here. It's one of the best by the poet. Quite "ishqi'aana", but at the same time a little bit "mazahiya" too.
waaN = wahaaN and yaaN = yahaaN
waaN dil me, ki sadame do ! yaaN jee me, ke sab seh lo !
unka bhi ajab dil hai, mera bhi ajab jee hai !
Which GHazal is this from ? :-)
From the super-famous, "hangaamaa hai kyuN barapaa" ! Yes, that's by him.
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
ASAD - 95
Originally posted on rec.music.indian.misc in 1997
It's generally accepted that humour is best when it's actually serious. If that's so, then the king of Urdu's 'mazahiya shayari' can only be Akbar Illahabaadi. He wrote poetry which was humourous and at the same time had depth. You not only laugh/smile, but you are touched too.
I consider the following lines as top class poetry. It makes you smile, but it's a slap too. Delivered straight on the face of society.
GHairat-e-qaumi = national pride/shame :-) [GHairat is an interesting
word, means both pride and shame !]
be-pardaah, kal jo nazar aayeeN, chand bibiyaN
'Akbar' zameeN me, GHairat-e-qaumi se, gad gaya
poochha jo un_se, "aap ka parda, wo kya hua ?"
kehne lagiN ke, "aql pe, mardoN ki pad gaya !"
- Akbar Illahabaadi
This poetry is for reading again and again. Notice how he presents it. Just by seeing a few women not following 'pardaa' he feels a sense of National Shame :-) And the last line is simply ultimate. The entire thing has such a nice and smooth flow to it. Amazing poetry.
And the anti-climax is, after presenting such poetry, Pankaj Udhas, used to follow it with a below-mediocre GHazal, "nikalo na be-naqaab". From one such concert I attended, I started disliking Pankaj Udhas.
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
It's generally accepted that humour is best when it's actually serious. If that's so, then the king of Urdu's 'mazahiya shayari' can only be Akbar Illahabaadi. He wrote poetry which was humourous and at the same time had depth. You not only laugh/smile, but you are touched too.
I consider the following lines as top class poetry. It makes you smile, but it's a slap too. Delivered straight on the face of society.
GHairat-e-qaumi = national pride/shame :-) [GHairat is an interesting
word, means both pride and shame !]
be-pardaah, kal jo nazar aayeeN, chand bibiyaN
'Akbar' zameeN me, GHairat-e-qaumi se, gad gaya
poochha jo un_se, "aap ka parda, wo kya hua ?"
kehne lagiN ke, "aql pe, mardoN ki pad gaya !"
- Akbar Illahabaadi
This poetry is for reading again and again. Notice how he presents it. Just by seeing a few women not following 'pardaa' he feels a sense of National Shame :-) And the last line is simply ultimate. The entire thing has such a nice and smooth flow to it. Amazing poetry.
And the anti-climax is, after presenting such poetry, Pankaj Udhas, used to follow it with a below-mediocre GHazal, "nikalo na be-naqaab". From one such concert I attended, I started disliking Pankaj Udhas.
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
ASAD - 94
Originally posted on rec.music.indian.misc in 1997
Continuing the topic of previous article, we can ask ourseleves a verrry philosophical question, "rishte aakhir bigadate kyuN hai". If we are to believe Amrita Preetam's hi-fi praise, then a Gulzar fan can come with ten different answers :-) before s/he stops to catch breath. But I am a lesser mortal, who has a poor imagination. I can only think of the following as the 'most common reason'.
The 'Maqta' (sher having poet's alias) from a GHazal sung by GHulam Ali.
'Razi' miyaaN, tum shaam_se aise chuup baiTHe ho,
kuchh to bolo, aise chuup_se, baat baDHegi !
Yes, it's kind of 'ham_se aayaa na gayaa, tum_se bulaayaa na gayaa' type of lines. What I like is the word play "chuup se baat baDHegi" and also that the timing and placement of this punch is perfect. It comes as late as possible ! In last 3 words !!
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
Continuing the topic of previous article, we can ask ourseleves a verrry philosophical question, "rishte aakhir bigadate kyuN hai". If we are to believe Amrita Preetam's hi-fi praise, then a Gulzar fan can come with ten different answers :-) before s/he stops to catch breath. But I am a lesser mortal, who has a poor imagination. I can only think of the following as the 'most common reason'.
The 'Maqta' (sher having poet's alias) from a GHazal sung by GHulam Ali.
'Razi' miyaaN, tum shaam_se aise chuup baiTHe ho,
kuchh to bolo, aise chuup_se, baat baDHegi !
Yes, it's kind of 'ham_se aayaa na gayaa, tum_se bulaayaa na gayaa' type of lines. What I like is the word play "chuup se baat baDHegi" and also that the timing and placement of this punch is perfect. It comes as late as possible ! In last 3 words !!
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
ASAD - 93
Originally posted on rec.music.indian.misc in 1997
Similarity between different poems/lyrics is one topic we always explore in ASAD. Here is a special case today. The 2 shers we are going to see today are similar yet subtly different.
The first mega-hit album (Mehfil) of Pankaj Udhas contains this GHazal -
dono ke darmiyaaN, ye ajab faasalaa rahaa,
wo mere paas hoke bhi, mujh_se judaa rahaa
- Syed 'Rahi'
This sher tries to highlight the difference between 'physical proximity' and 'mental harmony'. Like a failed marriage. The couple is staying together but not living together.
Strikingly similar are the feelings expressed in the following sher from a very famous GHazal sung by Ghulam Ali.
faasale aise bhi honge, ye kabhi sochaa na thaa,
saamane baiTHaa thaa mere, aur wo meraa na thaa
- Adeem
Beautiful sher. This sher is more about a relationship which was good once but now has gone sour. Like a couple, meeting after the divorce. IMHO, this is the slight difference between the two shers. Even though they both use the similar idea of contrasting the body v/s the mind. (Of course it's not necessary to use marriage in interpreting the shers. I used it just to make the comparison easier. That's all.)
Interestingly, both the shers are the Matlas, the first shers of the respective GHazals. And more interestingly, the second sher of the second GHazal featured in the second article of this series and it too is similar but twice better than these two combined :-)
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
Similarity between different poems/lyrics is one topic we always explore in ASAD. Here is a special case today. The 2 shers we are going to see today are similar yet subtly different.
The first mega-hit album (Mehfil) of Pankaj Udhas contains this GHazal -
dono ke darmiyaaN, ye ajab faasalaa rahaa,
wo mere paas hoke bhi, mujh_se judaa rahaa
- Syed 'Rahi'
This sher tries to highlight the difference between 'physical proximity' and 'mental harmony'. Like a failed marriage. The couple is staying together but not living together.
Strikingly similar are the feelings expressed in the following sher from a very famous GHazal sung by Ghulam Ali.
faasale aise bhi honge, ye kabhi sochaa na thaa,
saamane baiTHaa thaa mere, aur wo meraa na thaa
- Adeem
Beautiful sher. This sher is more about a relationship which was good once but now has gone sour. Like a couple, meeting after the divorce. IMHO, this is the slight difference between the two shers. Even though they both use the similar idea of contrasting the body v/s the mind. (Of course it's not necessary to use marriage in interpreting the shers. I used it just to make the comparison easier. That's all.)
Interestingly, both the shers are the Matlas, the first shers of the respective GHazals. And more interestingly, the second sher of the second GHazal featured in the second article of this series and it too is similar but twice better than these two combined :-)
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
ASAD - 92
Originally posted on rec.music.indian.misc in 1997
'Sauda' lived from 1714 to 1781. His father came from Kabul. Sauda was born in Delhi, but then moved to Farukhabad before settling down in Lakhnow. This is the period, which is considered as the Golden Period of the Urdu Poetry. Although, Meer was most certainly the best from this Era, Sauda is considered as one of the greats. Many times, next to Meer.
Even he admitted this by saying ...
'Sauda', tu is zameeN me GHazal-dar-GHazal hi likh
hona hai tukh_ko, "Meer"_se ustad_ki tarah !
BTW, is anybody keeping the count of shers presented in ASAD and which are about praising Meer ? :-) There are many, and many more to come !
Being second to Meer, also means a lot ! The fact that a Shayar is compared to Meer means that he is quite good in the first place. As a proof, consider this lovely sher by Sauda ...
khuu se dar_guzar = aadat se baaz aa [khuu = aadat, dar_guzar = ignore]
zaalim, maiN keh rahaa tha, ki tu is khuu se dar_guzar
'Sauda'_ka qatl hai, ye chhupaaya na jaayegaa !!
Didn't I tell you, this habit of hurting me is going to land you in trouble ? Now I am dead, and everyone is going to find out !
Such a gem ! The worry is not about the hurt she is causing him, but rather about, the world finding it out about her ! Also there is no direct reference to she causing him any pain, it's just implied. A superb example of the "aashiq" from the classical Shayari. Marvellous !
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
'Sauda' lived from 1714 to 1781. His father came from Kabul. Sauda was born in Delhi, but then moved to Farukhabad before settling down in Lakhnow. This is the period, which is considered as the Golden Period of the Urdu Poetry. Although, Meer was most certainly the best from this Era, Sauda is considered as one of the greats. Many times, next to Meer.
Even he admitted this by saying ...
'Sauda', tu is zameeN me GHazal-dar-GHazal hi likh
hona hai tukh_ko, "Meer"_se ustad_ki tarah !
BTW, is anybody keeping the count of shers presented in ASAD and which are about praising Meer ? :-) There are many, and many more to come !
Being second to Meer, also means a lot ! The fact that a Shayar is compared to Meer means that he is quite good in the first place. As a proof, consider this lovely sher by Sauda ...
khuu se dar_guzar = aadat se baaz aa [khuu = aadat, dar_guzar = ignore]
zaalim, maiN keh rahaa tha, ki tu is khuu se dar_guzar
'Sauda'_ka qatl hai, ye chhupaaya na jaayegaa !!
Didn't I tell you, this habit of hurting me is going to land you in trouble ? Now I am dead, and everyone is going to find out !
Such a gem ! The worry is not about the hurt she is causing him, but rather about, the world finding it out about her ! Also there is no direct reference to she causing him any pain, it's just implied. A superb example of the "aashiq" from the classical Shayari. Marvellous !
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
ASAD - 91
Originally posted on rec.music.indian.misc in 1997
The 'mukhada' of this Talat song is quite good ...
aaNsu samajh_ke kyuN mujhe aaNkh_se tumne gira diya
moti kisi_ke pyaar_ka mitti_me kyuN mila diya
Very clever usage of the 2 meanings of "aaNkh se girana" ! The literal and the one by considering it as a phrase. But the credit of original such usage of this phrase should be given to Mohammed Rafi who wrote the following sher some 200 years ago ...
juN = jaise
dil ! mat Tapak nazar_se, ki paayaa na jaayega
juN ashk phir zameeN se uTHaayaa na jaayega
Ek baar nazar_se gir gaye, to phir kaam_se gaye !
I hope you didn't miss out the "200 years ago" part :-) Yes, the Shayar Mohammed Rafi is different from the singer Mohammed Rafi. The Shayar is better known as 'Sauda' ! Mirza Mohammed Rafi 'Sauda'.
BTW, "suada" means 'eccentricity/frenzy of love' too, apart from the commonly known meaning - 'give and take/transaction' etc.
Tomorrow, a concluding article on him, with the Maqta from this GHazal.
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
The 'mukhada' of this Talat song is quite good ...
aaNsu samajh_ke kyuN mujhe aaNkh_se tumne gira diya
moti kisi_ke pyaar_ka mitti_me kyuN mila diya
Very clever usage of the 2 meanings of "aaNkh se girana" ! The literal and the one by considering it as a phrase. But the credit of original such usage of this phrase should be given to Mohammed Rafi who wrote the following sher some 200 years ago ...
juN = jaise
dil ! mat Tapak nazar_se, ki paayaa na jaayega
juN ashk phir zameeN se uTHaayaa na jaayega
Ek baar nazar_se gir gaye, to phir kaam_se gaye !
I hope you didn't miss out the "200 years ago" part :-) Yes, the Shayar Mohammed Rafi is different from the singer Mohammed Rafi. The Shayar is better known as 'Sauda' ! Mirza Mohammed Rafi 'Sauda'.
BTW, "suada" means 'eccentricity/frenzy of love' too, apart from the commonly known meaning - 'give and take/transaction' etc.
Tomorrow, a concluding article on him, with the Maqta from this GHazal.
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
ASAD - 90
Originally posted on rec.music.indian.misc in 1997
In the song which always manages to defeat the Klan :-), Mohammed Rafi sings - "mandir girataa phir ban jaata, dil ko kaun sambhaale".
Similar thoughts can be found in this sher written (!) by Mohammed Rafi.
kaabaa = masjid
agarache = agar
jaa-e-gham = dukh ka kaaran / jageh ka dukh
[ These two translations are from the two books I have. The 2nd sounds better to me, as I had always thought jaa = jageh. BTW, grammar experts can tell me whether this izaafat can be translated as "dukh ki jageh" ? Not a very useful meaning to understand the sher, if you consider it literally, but maybe it can be extended ? Also "dukhi jagah" doesn't seem proper as "gham" is not any adjective. Any comments ? ]
kasr-e-dil = dil ka mahal (kasr = mahal)
kaabaa agarache tuta, to kya jaa-e-gham hai, sheikh ?
kuchh kasr-e-dil nahiN, ki banaayaa na jaayega
Interesting coincidence, isn't it ? :-)
_Written_ by Mohammed Rafi ? Of course, YES ! This is one of his most famous shers. Why do you look puzzled ?
Let me leave you here. I will provide the answer to this apparent dilemma tomorrow :-) Alongwith some more shers from this same GHazal.
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
In the song which always manages to defeat the Klan :-), Mohammed Rafi sings - "mandir girataa phir ban jaata, dil ko kaun sambhaale".
Similar thoughts can be found in this sher written (!) by Mohammed Rafi.
kaabaa = masjid
agarache = agar
jaa-e-gham = dukh ka kaaran / jageh ka dukh
[ These two translations are from the two books I have. The 2nd sounds better to me, as I had always thought jaa = jageh. BTW, grammar experts can tell me whether this izaafat can be translated as "dukh ki jageh" ? Not a very useful meaning to understand the sher, if you consider it literally, but maybe it can be extended ? Also "dukhi jagah" doesn't seem proper as "gham" is not any adjective. Any comments ? ]
kasr-e-dil = dil ka mahal (kasr = mahal)
kaabaa agarache tuta, to kya jaa-e-gham hai, sheikh ?
kuchh kasr-e-dil nahiN, ki banaayaa na jaayega
Interesting coincidence, isn't it ? :-)
_Written_ by Mohammed Rafi ? Of course, YES ! This is one of his most famous shers. Why do you look puzzled ?
Let me leave you here. I will provide the answer to this apparent dilemma tomorrow :-) Alongwith some more shers from this same GHazal.
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
ASAD - 89
Originally posted on rec.music.indian.misc in 1997
mangal bhavan, amangal haari ! dravahu so dasarath ajeer bihari !
Happy Raam-navami to everyone.
Traditionally, Urdu Poetry has borrowed more from the Persian and Arabic languages and Islam than the Sanskrit language and Hindu religion. This is quite understandable. Similarly, it shouldn't be surprising that in a society like India has, such barriers are not impregnable. I really like it when when any Art crosses such artificial boundaries.
After all - Hari anant, hari katha anantaa !
The ideals presented in Raamayan are universally appealing. One doesn't have to consider Raam as God to worship him as an Ideal ! Raam as a son or Lakshuman as a brother or Seeta as a wife, are all ideals, which the Indian (not just Hindu) family system is based on. As an aside, I do believe that Seeta as an ideal wife is totally different from the supposedly ideal wife shown in movies, who considers "mera pati mera devata" even when her husband is totally worthless. Anyway, I think I have made enough controversial statements, so let's see a sher now :-)
Seeta_ki aabru_ka hai tujh_ko agar khayaal,
Raam_ke bheNs me chhup Raavan_ko talaash kar !
I don't think this is a "trite" sher. The dangers to today's Seeta are not as clearly identifiable as they were in the days of Raamayan, when the world was mainly black and white, with not many shades of gray. The times have changed and the difference between Raam and Raavan is slowly vanishing. That can be one of the meanings. Raam and Raavan are two shades of the personality of every person. That can be another meaning.
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
mangal bhavan, amangal haari ! dravahu so dasarath ajeer bihari !
Happy Raam-navami to everyone.
Traditionally, Urdu Poetry has borrowed more from the Persian and Arabic languages and Islam than the Sanskrit language and Hindu religion. This is quite understandable. Similarly, it shouldn't be surprising that in a society like India has, such barriers are not impregnable. I really like it when when any Art crosses such artificial boundaries.
After all - Hari anant, hari katha anantaa !
The ideals presented in Raamayan are universally appealing. One doesn't have to consider Raam as God to worship him as an Ideal ! Raam as a son or Lakshuman as a brother or Seeta as a wife, are all ideals, which the Indian (not just Hindu) family system is based on. As an aside, I do believe that Seeta as an ideal wife is totally different from the supposedly ideal wife shown in movies, who considers "mera pati mera devata" even when her husband is totally worthless. Anyway, I think I have made enough controversial statements, so let's see a sher now :-)
Seeta_ki aabru_ka hai tujh_ko agar khayaal,
Raam_ke bheNs me chhup Raavan_ko talaash kar !
I don't think this is a "trite" sher. The dangers to today's Seeta are not as clearly identifiable as they were in the days of Raamayan, when the world was mainly black and white, with not many shades of gray. The times have changed and the difference between Raam and Raavan is slowly vanishing. That can be one of the meanings. Raam and Raavan are two shades of the personality of every person. That can be another meaning.
- Abhay.
ASAD _also_ stands for "A Sher A Day" !
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