Should we get apart now (Ab ke ham bichhḌe to)

Sung by the maestro: Mehdi Hassan sb.

Ab ke ham bichhḌe to shāyad kabhī ḳhvāboñ meñ mileñ
jis tarah sūkhe hue phuul kitāboñ meñ mileñ

Should we get apart now,
then perhaps in dreams
only we come across…
Quite like the dried flowers
stuck in books read
rarely come across…

DhūñDh ujḌe hue logoñ meñ vafā ke motī
ye ḳhazāne tujhe mumkin hai ḳharāboñ meñ mileñ

You search for
pearls of commitment among
the perpetually abandoned.
But it’s only a wilderness,
where such rare gems,
you possibly come across.

ġham-e-duniyā bhī ġham-e-yār meñ shāmil kar lo
nashsha baḌhtā hai sharābeñ jo sharāboñ meñ mileñ

Mix all that
misery of love, with
the pangs of the world.
More these venoms blend,
tastier an intoxication
we come across.

tū ḳhudā hai na mirā ishq farishtoñ jaisā
donoñ insāñ haiñ to kyuuñ itne hijāboñ meñ mileñ

Neither you are God
nor my love is
akin to the Angels.
When both are mere humans
then why so distantly
we come across?

aaj ham daar pe khīñche ga.e jin bātoñ par
kyā ajab kal vo zamāne ko nisāboñ meñ mileñ

These arguments on which
we are hanged today
on ropes.
No wonder, in time
in texts of curricula
they will surely come across.

ab na vo maiñ na vo tū hai na vo maazī hai ‘farāz’
jaise do shaḳhs tamannā ke sarāboñ meñ mileñ

Neither it’s same you now, nor same am I,
nor anything is as same
as our past, “Faraz”.
It’s almost as if two strangers
swimming in a lake of expectations,
coincidentally come across.

— Dedicated to the lovers separated physically but yet united in thoughts.

The World for the lovers, is no less than the heavens (Duniya kisi ke pyar mein jannat se kam nahi)

Another gem in the ghazal world, rendered by non-other than the master of the masters in Ghazal singing: Mehdi Hassan saheb.

Translation:

Nightingale said it to flower,
and flower said it to spring,
what stars heard as a whisper
from night’s silver fling:

“The World for the lovers,
is no less than the heavens…
A beloved residing in heart
is no less than the angels…”

You’re monarch of beauty,
beauty of universe you’re.
You’re soul of integrity,
integral of true love you’re.
All splendor of your beauty,
is no less than galaxies.

Even by chance when you smile,
pearls fall like it’s raining.
Even at sight of your glance,
buds bloom like it’s spring.
Fragrance sunk in your tresses,
is no less than the florets.

– Dedicated of course to the beloved no less than the angels…

Bulbul ne gul se, gul ne baharon se keh dia
Ek chaudween k chaand ne sitaron se keh dia

Duniya kisi ke pyar mein jannat se kam nahi
ik dilruba hai dil mein jo huron se kam nahi

tum badshah-e-husn ho husn-e-jahan ho
jan-e-vafa ho aur muhabbat ke shan ho
jalve tumhare husn ke taron se kam nahi

bhule se muskurao to moti baras pade
palke utha ke dekho to kaliyan bhi hans pade
khushbu tumhari zulf ke phoolon se kam nahi

– Originally written by: Wahaj Muhammad Khan (popularly known as Dukhi Premnagri). 

Urdu version:



بلبل نے گل سے، گل نے بہاروں سے کہه دیا
ایک چودهویں کے چاند نے تاروں سے کہه دیا

دنیا کسی کے پیار میں، جنت سے کم نہیں
اک دلربا ہے دل میں، جو حوروں سے کم نہیں

تم بادشاه حسن ہو، حسن جہان ہو
جان وفا ہو اور محبت کے شان ہو
جلوے تمہارے حسن کے تاروں سے کم نہیں

بهولے سے مسکراؤ تو موتی برس پڑے
پلکهیں اٹها کے دیکهـو تو کلیاں بهی ہنس پڑے
خوشبو تمہاری زلف کی پهولوں سے کم نہیں

– دُکھی پریم نگری –

Trivia: “Lal Muhammad Iqbal was the composer of this song for the Pakistani film “Jaag Utha Insaan (1966)”. Shaikh Hassan, the director of the movie proposed Dukhi Saheb to write a song comparable with Shakeel Badayuni’s famous song :CHAUDHVEEN KA CHAND HO YA AFTAB HO…JO BHEE HO KHUDA KI KASAM LA’JAWAB HO… Dukhi Saheb reminisced “It was a very difficult challenge to me. Somehow, I sat down in a corner, scribbling aimlessly in a paper. Suddenly, the second Misra (Ek Dilruba Hai Dil Main Jo Hooron Sey Kum Nahin ) emerged from sub-conscious mind, I jotted it down. Meanwhile, Shaikh Hassan entered the room, he was glad to hear this Misra, he kept humming it. Within half an hour the first Misra flashed through my mind.” He completed the remaining song within 10 mins. Though it didn’t win, but this song was put up for Nigaar Award in Best Song category.”

Following version is covered very deliciously by a British singer, Tanya Wells:

If I was in abstinence (Main hosh mein tha to)

– Performed by king of ghazals: Mehdi Hassan sb, for whom absolute perfection in singing became effortless…

Translation:

How come I died of beloved’s stupor,
if I was observing abstinence?
How did my veins acquire a toxin,
off such – poisonous substance?

There must have been traces of
fume in hands of beloved as well…
How else did one came to rub
and leave me empty of fragrance…?

Must have been here, an intervention
of my beloved’s guidance…
How else I returned to my own doorstep,
when I had lost awareness…?

An eons passed, mere in attempts,
to eradicate whose remembrance…
How even in my lost senses, I passed
through that door for a reference?

– Dedicated to those abstinent, who remain in stupor at mere recall of how wine once felt…

main hosh mein tha to phir us pe mar gaya kaise
yeh zeher mere lahoo mein utar gaya kaise

kuch us ke dil mein lagawat zaroor thi warna
woh mera haath daba ke guzar gaya kaise

zaroor us ki tawajoh ki rehbari ho gi
nashe mein tha to main apne hi ghar gaya kaise

jise bhulaye kai saal ho gaye ‘Kamil
main aaj us ki gali se guzar gaya kaise…

– Original poem by: Kamil Chandpuri (according to few sources, this often gets miss-attributed to Daagh Dehlvi)

Urdu version:

میں ہوش میں تھا تو پھر اس پہ مر گیا کیسے
یہ زہر میرے لہو میں اتر گیا کیسے

کچھ اس کے دل میں لگاوٹ ضرور تھی ورنہ
وہ میرا ہاتھ دبا کر گزر گیا کیسے

ضرور اس کی توجہ کے رہبری ہو گی
نشے میں تھا تو میں اپنے ہی گھر گیا کیسے

جسے بھلائے کئی سال ہو گئے کامل
میں آج اس کی گلی سے گزر گیا کیسے​

# ? کامل –

Note: Author of this ghazal is still not confirmed. If someone has an insight with reference, it would be great. 🙂

Update (March 11, 2016):
Author of poem is confirmed as “Kamil Chandpuri”, by Mr. Tanveer Kamil (son of the author).

In each corner, breathed, news of our acquaintance (Ku-ba-ku phail gai baat shanasai ki)

– Rendered in his matchless voice by ghazal maestro Mehdi Hassan saheb

Translation:

In each corner, breathed, news of our acquaintance…
He praised me fluently like an imbue of fragrance…

How to reveal everyone, we no longer are – together…
Disclosure however true, is not without displeasance…

Wherever he did leave to, he returned always to me…
This stays a best thing to resort to, in his absence…

May your company be enriched just like your heart is,
May your nights, never be passing through, a solace…

When he placed his hand on my burning forehead,
Right beneath my soul, carried through, his presence…

– Dedicated to the lovers dwelling in the wells of an unrequited love.

Ku-ba-ku phail gai baat shanasai ki.
Us ne Khushboo ki tarah meri pazirai ki.

Kaise kah doon ke mujhe chor diya hai us ne;
Baat to sach hai magar baat hai rusvai ki.

Vo kahin bhi gaya lauTa to mere paas aya;
Bas yahi baat hai achchhi mere harajai ki.

Tera pahalo tere dil ki tarah abad rahe;
Tujh pe guzare na qayamat shab-e-tanhai ki.

Us ne jalati hui peshani pe jo hath rakha;
Rouh tak aa gai taseer maseehai ki.

– Original lyrics by: Parveen Shakir (par excellence Urdu poetess)

Also performed by legendary singer: Abida Parveen, in classically patient tones…

One of the rarest known, but magically elevated rendition… By Yaruq Masood Malik…

In such a way, walls of my life did collide with someone (Yun zindagi ki raah mein takra gya koi)

– Performed by non-other than Ghazal legend: Mehdi Hassan saheb.

Translation:

In such a way, walls of my life did collide with someone…
Like canvas of darkness is spilled of light by someone…

That stroke, first bump into each-other, what can I say?
How unique was the situation be-felling, what can I say?
That crash, that shock and the awe, I do remember…
Her appearing cold and indifferent, I do remember…
Irremovable such an ink, way it’s inscribed by someone…

As she crossed her eyes with mine, she got all frost.
Stepping into realm of her thoughts, she got all lost.
At defenseless stance of mine, she showered her compassion.
Perhaps, the way I suffered, too stirred up her veiled passion.
As close to an extent of feeling the breaths came someone…

With such love and affection she brushed my guard,
Like destination itself chose a journeyman’s heart…
In tenth of the moment, such lightning got struck…
In all veins to my heart, her fragrance got stuck…
Curls leading to a trance were waved at me by someone…

Ask me no further, state of my heart in the pittance…
Ask me nor of those nameless desires now in emergence…
A stranger in a life, became a fuel for soul’s fire…
An accident unpredicted, became sole subject of desire.
Path waiting along destiny is revealed to me by someone…

– Dedicated to serendipitous collisions…

yun zindagi ki raah mein takra gaya koi
ik roshni andheroun mein bikhra gaya koi

woh haadsa woh pehli mulaakat kya kahoon
kitni ajab thi soorat-e-haalaat kya kahoon
woh kehar woh ghazab woh jafa mujh ko yaad hai
woh uski be-rukhi ki adaa mujh ko yaad hai
mit-ta naih hai zehn say yun chhaa gaya koi
yun zindagi ki raah mein takra gaya koi

pehlay mujhay woh dekh kay barham si ho gayee
phir apnay he haseen khyaaloun mein kho gayee
bechaargi pe meri usay reham aagya
shayed meray tarapnay ka andaaz bhaa gaya
saansoun se bhi kareeb thee mere aa gaya koi
yun zindagi ki raah mein takra gaya koi

yun usnay pyar say meri baanhoun ko chhoo liya
manzil nay jaisay shauk ki raahoun ko chhoo liya
ik pal mein dil pe kaisi qayamat guzar gayee
rag rag mein uski khushbu bikhar gayee
zulfoun ko mere shaanay pe lehra gaya koi
yun zindagi ki raah mein takra gaya koi

ab is dil-e-tabaah ki haalat na poochiye
be-naam aarzu’oun ki lazzat na poochiye
ik ajnabi ka rooh ka armaan ban gya
ik haadsa tha pyar ka, unwaan ban gya
manzil ka raasta mujhe dikhla gya koi
yun zindagi ki raah mein takra gya koi

yun zindagi ki raah mein…

Urdu version:

یوں زندگی کی راہ میں ٹکرا گیا کوئی
اک روشنی اندھیروں میں بکھرا گیا کوئی

وہ حادثہ وہ پہلی ملاقات کیا کہوں
کتنی عجب صورتحال کیا کہوں
یوں قہر وہ غضب وہ جفا مجھ کو یاد ہے
وہ اسکی بے رخی کی ادا مجھ کو یاد ہے
مٹتا نہیں ہے ذہن پہ یوں چھا گیا کوئی
یوں زندگی کی راہ میں ٹکرا گیا کوئی

پہلے مجھے وہ دیکھ کے برہم سی ہوگئی
پھر اپنے ہی حسین خیالوں میں کھو گئی
بیچارگی پہ میری اسے رحم آ گیا
شاید میرے تڑپنے کا انداز بھا گیا
سانسوں سے بھی قریب تھی مرے آگیا کوئی
یوں زندگی کی راہ میں ٹکرا گیا کوئی

یوں پیار سے اس نے مری باہوں کو چھو لیا
منزل نے جیسے شوق کی راہوں کو چھو لیا
اک پل میں دل پہ کیسی گزر گئی
رگ رگ میں اسکی خوشبو بکھر گئی
زلفوں کو مرے شانے پہ لہرا گیا کوئی
یوں زندگی کی راہ میں ٹکرا گیا کوئی

اب اس دل تباہ کی حالت نہ پوچھیے
بے نام آرزوؤں کی کی لذت نہ پوچھیے
اک اجنبی کا روح کا ارمان بن گیا
اک خادثہ سا تھا پیار کا، عنوان بن گیا
منزل کا راستا مجھے دکھلا گیا کوئی
یوں زندگی کی راہ میں ٹکرا گیا کوئی

یوں زندگی کی راہ میں۔۔۔۔

– Original poem penned by Masroor Anwar.

Spilling colors in flowers, breeze of new spring continues (Gulon mein rang bhare baad-e-naubahaar chalay)

– Live rendition by Ghazal maestro Mehdi Hassan saheb.

Translation:

Spilling colors in flowers, breeze of new spring does continue.
Come along you too so that business of garden does continue.

Crimson cage is in the gloom from morning, please request the wind.
For sake of God, somewhere remembrance of beloved must continue…

For once at least Oh morning, let corners of your lips be my excuse to flourish.
For once at least allow night to slip under fragrance of your tresses to continue…

Whatever befell over me I kept hold, still in a night of separation,
At least my eyes in your respect, allowed my tears to continue…

So what, even if the arrow did cross the eye for a moment?
State to ponder is, when piercing the chest it lives to continue…

In court of the beloved, exhibits of affection are requested.
Watch me, how tying the torn collars together, I continue…

Nor one’s here a Christ, nor holds any resemblance to Mansur,
For what then, towards a gallows, push of people gets continue?

Not a place matched the bar worthy to behold a solace (Faiz),
Leaving lane of beloved, right to gallows one would continue.

– Dedicated to the vacuum that’s left in heart due to a beloved’s absence…

Gulon mein rang bhare baad-e-naubahaar chalay
Chale bhi aao ke gulshan ka kaarobaar chalay

Qafas udaas hai yaaron sabaa se kuchh tau kaho
Kahin to bahr-e-Khuda aaj zikr-e-yaar chalay

kabhi tau subah tere kunj-e-lab se ho aaghaz
Kabhi to shab sar-e-kaakul se mushakbaar chalay

Jo hum pe guzri so guzri magar shab-e-hijraan
Hamaare ashk teri aaqibat sanwaar chalay

Hua jo teer-e-nazar neem kash to kya hasil
maza to jab hai ke sinay ke aar paar chalay
(contributed for singing rendition by Faiz Saheb’s friend: Kunwar Mohinder Singh Bedi Sahar)

huzuur-e-yaar huyii daftar-e-junuun kii talab
girah men le ke girebaan kaa taar taar chalay

ham na iisaa na Sarmad o Mansur
log kyuu.n le ke suu-e-daar chalay
(not part of original, another couplet for singing rendition)

Maqaam Faiz koi raah mein jacha hi nahin
Jo kue yaar se nikle to suu-e-daar chalay

Urdu version:

گلوں میں رنگ بھرے، بادِ نو بہار چلے
چلے بھی آؤ کہ گلشن کا کاروبار چلے

قفس اداس ہے یارو، صبا سے کچھ تو کہو
کہیں تو بہرِ خدا آج ذکرِ یار چلے

کبھی تو صبح ترے کنجِ لب سے ہو آغاز
کبھی تو شب سرِ کاکل سے مشکبار چلے

جو ہم پہ گزری سو گزری مگر شبِ ہجراں
ہمارے اشک تری عاقبت سنوار چلے

چلا جو تیر نظر نیمکش تو کیا حاصل؟
مزا تو جب ہے که سینے کے آر پار چلے
(مهندر سنگهـ بیدی)

حضورِ‌ یار ہوئی دفترِ جنوں کی طلب
گرہ میں لے کے گریباں کا تار تار چلے

مقام فیضؔ کوئی راہ میں جچا ہی نہیں
جو کوئے یار سے نکلے تو سوئے دار چلے

– Original poetry by esteemed Urdu poet who needs no introduction, Faiz Ahmad Faiz.

Mehdi Hassan’s play-back version:

References:

Urdu Alfaz – Gulon Mein Rang Bhare

Number of those who love you won’t be less (Mohabbat Karne Wale Kam Na Honge)

Translation:

Number of those who love you – die for you, won’t be less.
But in gathering of your confidants, I won’t be present.

Whole world’s torment, and then there – a trouble of yours.
Should this pain be, what other sufferings be in absence?

Even if by some miracle or a coincidence – we do unite.
The awe and amazement of distance won’t ever be less.

Complications for hearts – restlessness will keep arising.
If few suggestions and advice won’t partake in romance.

Oh Guardian (“Hafiz”), no matter how much I’m self-conscious here.
There, for my advances, won’t be even a hint of complain for annoyance.

– Dedicated to the lovers too unsure of themselves in front of the beloved.

Original poem is by Haffiz Hoshyarpuri.

mohabbat karanevaale kam na ho.nge
terii mahafil me.n lekin ham na ho.nge

zamaane bhar ke Gam yaa ik teraa Gam
ye Gam hogaa to kitane Gam na ho.nge

dilo.n kii ulajhane.n ba.Datii rahe.ngii
Agar kuchh mashvare baaham na ho.nge

agar tuu ittafaaqan mil bhii jaaye
terii furqat ke sadame.n kam na ho.nge

‘Hafeez’ un se mai.n jitanaa bad_gumaa.N huu.N
vo mujh se is qadar barham na ho.nge

Rendition presented at top is by non other than Ghazal Maestro (my favorite) Mehdi Hassan saheb. Following is his live performance.

One cherishes hearing this as nostalgia yet wonders what happened to the era when ghazals were intricately woven part of our music culture.

Main Khayal Hoon Kisi Aur Ka (I’m a thought of someone else)

Translation:

I’m a thought of someone, but being thought by someone else,
Appearing before the mirror is my image, behind is someone else.

I’m under possession of someone, someone else makes the claims,
I’m destined to be with someone, but who begs for me is someone else.

Amidst strange conundrum of belief and disbelief hangs my life,
I belong to someone, yet one who understands me is someone else…

My gloss and luminosity isn’t different from yours description, yet
come close, for me to be sure, you’re the same one or someone else?

You had no idea of enemies, I remain ignorant of friends,
Your story was something, but my incident is something else..

Should you meet face to face again, don’t ask – notice earnestly,
The one who noticed late, amidst the way – the road is different.

Those traditions of juries, those inscriptions of decisions,
My offense was quite different, my sentence is something else…

When my midnight-devotion does not accede to a gloom of morning,
This must be a telling that here now “master” is someone else….

– Dedicated to love unrequited.

Main Khayaal Hun Kisi Aur Ka Mujhe Sochtaa Koi Aur Hai
Sar-E-Aeenah Mera Aks Hai Pas-E-Aeenah Koi Aur Hai

Main Kisi Ke Daste Talab Main Hoon, To Kisi Kay Harf-E -Dua Main Hoon
Main Naseeb Hoon Kisi Aur Ka Mujhe Maangata Koi Aur Hai

Ajab Aitabar-O-Bey Aitabaree, Keh Darmayan Hai Zindagi
Main Qareeb Hoon Kisi Aur Ke Mujhe Janataa Koi Aur Hai

Meri Roshni Teri Khaddo-Khaal Se Mukhtalif To Nahin Magar
Tu Qareeb Aa Tujhe Dekh Lun Tu Wohi Hai Ya Koi Aur Hai

Tujhe Dushmanon Ki Khabar Nati, Mujhey Doston Ka Pata Nahi
Teri Daastan Koi Aur Thi, Mera Waaqaya Koi Aur Hai

Wohi Munsifon Ki Rwaayaten Wohi Faisalon Ki Ibaaraten
Mera Jurm To Koi Aur Tha Par Meri Sazaa Koi Aur Hai

Kabhi Laut Aayen To Na Poochna, Nahin Dekhnaa Onay Ghaur Se
Jinhen Raaste Main Khabar Hoyi Ki Yain Raasta Koi Aur Hai

Jo Meri Riyaazat-E-Nim Shab Ko Saleem Subho Na Mil Saki
To Phir Is Ke Mahni Yain Hoye Ke Yahaan Khudaa Koi Aur Hai

Urdu version:

میں خیال ہوں کسی اور کا ، مجھے سوچتا کوئی اور ہے
سرِ آئینہ میرا عکس ہے ، پسِ آئینہ کوئ اور ہے

میں کسی کے دستِ طلب میں ہوں تو کس کے حرفِ دعا میں ہوں
میں نصیب ہوں کسی اور کا ، مجھے مانگتا کوئی اور ہے

عجب اعتبار و بے اعتبار ی کے درمیان ہے زندگی
میں قریب ہو ں کسی اور کے مجھے جانتا کوئی اور ہے

مری روشنی ترے خد ّو خال سے مختلف تو نہیں مگر
تو قریب آ تجھے دیکھ لوں تو وہی ہے یا کوئی اور ہے

تجھے دشمنوں کی خبر نہ تھی مجھے دوستوں کا پتہ نہیں
تری داستاں کوئی اور تھی مرا واقعہ کو ئی اور ہے

وہی منصفوں کی روایتیں وہی فیصلوں کی عبارتیں
مرا جرم تو کوئی اور تھا پہ مری سزا کوئی اور ہے

کبھی لوٹ آئیں تو پوچھنا نہیں دیکھنا انہیں غور سے
جنہیں راستے میں خبر ہوئی کہ یہ راستہ کوئی اور ہے

جو مری ریاضتِ نیم شب کو سلیم صبح نہ مل سکی
تو پھر اس کے معنی تو یہ ہوئے کہ یہاں خدا کوئی اور ہے

– Original lyrics penned by Saleem Kausar

Superb rendition by Ghazal maestro Mehdi Hassan saheb.

Great rendition by classical maestros Ustads Imtiaz and Riaz Ali Khan.

 

Related articles

• Rafta Rafta Woh Meri Hasti Ka Saman Ho Gaye (Unconsciously she became a reason of existence) (alisohani.wordpress.com)
• Ranjish hi sahi… (Disappointment though it is…) – Mehdi Hassan – Ahmed Faraz poem (alisohani.wordpress.com)

Rafta Rafta Woh Meri Hasti Ka Saman Ho Gaye (Unconsciously she became a reason of existence)

Translation:

In quite an unconscious manner, reason of my existence is what she became.
From life to love of life, from that to love of my entire life she became.

With each passing day her grace, her charm, her vividness started to grow.
From rose to a rose of a garden, from that to rose of the world she became.

The way she started to grow over me, close, more close and the closest…
From my sense to my feelings, then my whole array of emotions she became…

When love crossed all limits in sight, all politeness began to advance..
From “yours” to “yours only”, from that to “forever yours”… she became.

– Tribute to a beyond awesome rendition by none other than Ghazal maestro Mehdi Hassan saheb. I hope the liberal translation doesn’t offend any enthusiasts and aficionados.

If an above version is too fast for your tastes, then here’s an audio of the maestro singing it live in Ghazal format…

Related articles

• Ranjish hi sahi… (Disappointment though it is…) – Mehdi Hassan – Ahmed Faraz poem (alisohani.wordpress.com)

Ranjish hi sahi… (Disappointment though it is…) – Mehdi Hassan – Ahmed Faraz poem

Translation:

Disappointment though it is, come if only it’s to give me some pain..
close in, even if it’s just to abandon me again…

Albeit a relation what once used to be, does not remain…
turn-up if just for sake of worldly traditions you maintain…

To whom all I must justify the cause of separation as certain…
since it’s me who you ignore; for society’s sake, come and feign…

Till now, in my stupid heart, expectations for you remain…
breeze in, if only to slip my last lamp of hope in drain…

Too long have I been deprived of the pathos of disdain…
oh calmness of life, show-up if only to make me weep again..

Show some courtesy to an extent of love, that I contain…
you too appear someday to cheer up the fan…

I agree, for love to be concealed, only a beloved can…
though in secret reach someday, solely to make a complain…

Just like for not coming you gather excuses so mundane…
likewise for once be here, to never leave me again…

– Original poetry by Ahmed Faraz, rendition by ghazal maestro Mehdi Hassan.