Physical Flow

My drunken sweetheart came inside the door,
We sat on the floor and drank some more.
My heart started playing with her auburn hair,
My face became eyes and eyes became hands.

Faiz, Bano & me

Every now and then Faiz Ahmad Faiz comes and speaks to me. Sometimes, in the wee hours of the morning and sometimes, deep in the night. Yesterday, for a change, he came in the afternoon along with the great singer Iqbal Baano. Both the greats talked to me over a few G&Ts. What follows is an excerpt from yesterday along with the lady’s brilliant rendition of it.

Dasht-e-tanhaai mein,
Ai jaan-e-jahaan, larzaan hain 
Teri avaaz ke saaye, 
Tere honthon ke saraab 

In the desert of my solitude,
Oh love of my life, quivers
The shadows of your voice, 
The mirage of your lips

Dasht-e-tanhaai mein, 
Duri ke khas-o-khaak tale 
Khil rahe hain tere pehlu ke saman aur gulaab

In the desert of my solitude, 
Beneath the dust and ashes of distance
Bloom the jasmines and roses of your proximity

Uth rahi hai kahin qurbat se 
Teri saans ki aanch 
Apani khushbuu mein sulagti hui 
Maddham maddham 

From somewhere very close,
Rises the warmth of your breath
Smouldering in its own aroma,
Slowly, bit by bit.

Dur ufaq par chamakati hui 
Qatra qatra
Gir rahi hai teri dil daar nazar ki shabnam 

Far away, across the horizon,
Glistens drop by drop
The falling dew of your beguiling glance

Is qadar pyaar se hai jaan-e jahaan rakkhaa hai , 
Dil ke rukhsaar pe 
Is vaqt teri yaad ne haath

With such tenderness, O love of my life
On the cheek of my heart,
Has your memory placed its hand right now

Yun guman hota hai 
Garche hai abhi subah-e-firaaq 
Dhal gaya hijr ka din 
Aa bhi gaye vasl ki raat 

That it looks as if
(though it's still the dawn of adieu)
The sun of separation has set
And the night of union has arrived.

Long Weekend

Darwaazon Pe Pada
Akhbaaron Ka Dher
Long Weekend Ki
Gawaahi Deta Hai

Khabron Ki Laash Liye
Iss Intezaar Mein Ke
Kab Darwaaza Khule
Aur Raddi Mein Dafnaya Jaaye

Kai Baar Koshish Ki
Ke Qabron Ko Khod Kar
Khabron Ko Zinda Karoon
Lekin Yeh Kabhi Na Hua

A rough translation in English...

Newspapers lying on the doorstep
Speak  of the long weekend
Carrying dead News, they wait
To be buried in the heap of trash

Many a times, I tried
Digging the graves
To resurrect those News
But, I've invariably failed

A Wordsmith to a Tunesmith

Tunesmith, my tunesmith
Craft me a sweet tune
My words need them
Please give them one

It’d be the best for my words
Even if it’s your worst
They'll dance in its glory
So will your tune, in them

When the song is complete
We shall celebrate in style
Scotch and Gold Flake Lights
To light up the night

Woh Ghadi Hamaari Hai

Shaam Jab Jaane Ka Naam Na Le
Aur Raat Aane Mein Sharma Rahi Ho
Samunder Mein Silaeti Chamak Ho
Aur Tumhaari Aankhon Mein Bhi

Woh Ghadi Hamaari Hai
Woh Ghadi Hamaari Apni Hai
Woh Ghadi Hamaari Hai
Woh Ghadi Hamaari Apni Hai

Bheege Ret Par Roz Aati Hai, Woh Ghadi
Hamaara Intezaar Karti Hai Der Tak
Phir Maayoosi Se Laut Jaati Hai
Kal Phir Se Aane Ke Liye

Lekin Ek Dafa Aisa Hoga Kabhi
Mayoos Na Hogi Hamaari Ghadi
Hum Saath Baithe Honge Ret Par
Haanth Mein Haanth Liye...Hamaari Apni Ghadi Mein

Aajkal

Aajkal Ghar Mein Lambe Baal Nahin Dikhte
Sirf Ek Lambi Si Tanhaayi Dikhti Hai, Akeli Baithi

Ab Ghar Mein Chotti Taqraarein Bhi Nahin Hotein
Bas Ek Badi Si Khamoshi Tangi Rehti Hai Har Taraf

Aajkal Koi Nahin Poochta Ki, ‘Kya Pehnoon?’
Bas Kuch Khamosh Kapde Rakhe Hain Almaari Mein

Aajkal Bistar Kuch Zyaada Bada Lagta Hai
Aur Neendein Choti Hoti Jaa Rahein Hain

Aur Ek Aadha Paint Kiya Hua Canvas Pada Hai
Patta Nahin Kabhi Poora Hoga Bhi Ya Nahin?

Consider Me Dead

Consider me dead
Unless you want us to live
Like that little seed

Sown in our hearts

Soon this seed will

Turn into a plant

With water of love

Become an ageless tree

And as we grow old

We'll seek its shade
To rest our bodies
On sunny afternoons

And when we are gone

(With luck on our side)

We'd be buried together
Under our very own ageless tree

Consider me dead
Unless you want us to live
Like that little seed

Sown in our hearts

Neend Ke Dhaage

Neend Ke Dhaage Mein
Khwaab Pirote Ho Tum
Gale Mein Yeh Haar Daale
Raat Haseen Ho Jaati Hai

Badi Itraati Phirti Hai
Khaamosh Galiyon Mein
Sitaaron Ka Dil Todti
Andheron Ko Roshan Karti

Aur Jab Kabhi Ek Aadh Baar
Chandni Ka Saamna Hota Hai
Dhak Leti Hai Khudko Sharmaaker

Ek Bade Sufaid Chaadar Mein

Nayi Dosti

The seeds of this one was once again sowed by the same poetry-loving friend.

Beech Raat Ek Khwaab
Sirhane Gir Gaya
Masoom Aur Tanha
Apno Se Juda Ho Gaya

Neend Ki Galiyon Mein
Bechara Akele Yunhi
Bhatakta Raha Badi Der
Doston Ki Talaash Mein

Yunhi Bhataktey Bhataktey
Usse Ek Aur Khwaab Mila
Lamppost Ke Neeche Baitha
Sar Jhukaaye, Masoom Aur Tanha

Ek Ne Doosre Se Poocha,
‘Kya Tum Bhi Meri Tarah Ho
Raasta Bhatak Gaye Ho,

Apnon Se Bichad Gaye Ho?’

Phir Kya, Dosti Hui Unki
Haanth Milaaye Gaye
Aur Donon Saath Chal Diye
Subah Tak Ka Safar Tay Karne

Jugalbandi

This one is a collaborative effort with a poetry loving friend of mine over a modern day technology (mobile sms). We liked the result, so here it is for you to comment.

Kabhi Kabhi Na Jaane Kyun,
Bevajeh Anjaane Mein Yunhi
Tum Aa Jaate Ho Khayaalon Mein
Ek Pyaari Si Yaad Bankar

Phir Uss Yaad Ke Chaand Ko
Dubote Ho Iss Dil Ke Saagar Mein
Aur Hoke Ek Kashti Mein Sawaar
Jaate Hain Hum Sapon Ki Basti Mein

Basti Mein Kuch Diye Jal Rahe The,
Aur Raat Kaafi Gehri Thi
Kuch Der Pehle Khaaye Hue
Khaane Ki Khusbhu Bhi Phaili Thi

Door Kuch Khamoshiyan Baithein Thi
Aapas Mein Kucch Baatein Kar Rahi Thein
Maine Tumse Haule Se Kaha
‘Ho Sake Toh Inhein Suno Zara’

A Dream Conversation

Tonight

My 3rd dream

Will meet your 4th (you sleep earlier than me)

Over cups of cloud

They will chat about

Their hopes and dreams

Then they will move on

To the reality of our lives

As the night fades into a new dawn

A rough translation in Urdu follows...

Aaj Raat

Mera Teesra Khaab

Milega Tumhaare Chauthe Se

Baadalon Ki Pyaliyon Ke Saath

Baatein Hongein Hamaari
Ummeedon Ki Aur Khaabon Ki

Phir Haqueeqat Ka Saamna Hoga

Jab Raat Subah Ki Taraf Jaane Lagegi

Nanhi Si Jaan

Sometimes, you wake up in the night with something in your head.

Nanhi Si Jaan

Ek Baar Jab Neend Na Aayi
Jaa Pahucha Taaron Se Milne
Balcony Mein Hava Sard Thi
Traffic Ki Awaaz Bhi Nahin Thi

Saamne Lamppost Ke Neeche
Khadi Thi Ek Nanhi Si Jaan,
Thand Me Thartharati
Zindagi Se Haar Maanti

Maine Awaaz Dekar Kaha
‘Aao Oopar Ghar Mein
Baahar Ki Thand Mein
Bimaar Padne Ka Dar Hai’

Halke Paanv Oopar Aayi Woh
Thand Se Safed Hua Chehra Liye
Sehemte hue Baithi Arm-chair Pe
Maine Chai Aur Chaadar Badhaai

Chehre Ki Laali Thodi Waapas Aayi
Toh Maine Poocha, ‘Kaun Ho Tum, Kahanse Aayi?’
Ussne Kaha, ‘Main Is Raat Ki Beti Hoon,
Zara Raasta Bhool Gayein Hoon’

Waqt Guzra Aur Chidyon Ne Kaha
Ke Seher Hone Hi Waali Hai
Woh Uthke Badhi Darwaaze Ki Or
Maine Poocha, ‘Phir Kab Milogi?’

Boli, 'Shaayad...Jab Tumhein Neend Na Aaye Agli Baar’

Chalo Gaane Paida Karte Hain - Come, Let's Parent Songs

This one happened while on my way to a client meeting. It was a long journey spanning 3 states, so I had enough time to craft it. But then, I erred...and a friend & a colleague helped me rectify the errors.

To savor this, you've got to imagine a musical rainy night with scotch and a good friend to give you company. If he/she is a musician, even better!

Chalo Gaane Paida Karte Hain

Aao Hum Gaane Paida karte Hain
Ek Chotti Si Musical Family Banaate Hain
Tum Dhun Nikaalna, Main Bol Dalunga
Mukhda Tum Jaisa Hoga, Antara Mujhsa

Jab Thode Bade Honge Hamaare Gaane
Ek Acche Se Studio Mein Daakhila Delaayenge
Taaki Ek Acchi Si Tarbiyat Paakar
Zara Nikhar Jaayenge Sur Taal Mein

 Aur Phir Duniya Mein Agar
Sab Ke Azeez Ho Gaye Yeh Gaane
Hum Fakhr Se Ek Doosre Ke Saath
Gungaanaate Phirenge Inhein

Come, Let's Parent Some Songs (A Rough Translation)

Come let’s give birth to songs
And build a small musical family
You set the tunes, me adds the words
Chorus will look like you, verses like me

When our songs grow up a bit
We shall put them in a good studio
With some good upbringing
They will get fine tuned

And when presented to the world
If the songs get sung by others
With our hearts full of pride
We shall be humming them too

Ashu Miyan Hamaare

My nephew, Ashar (lovingly called 'Ashu') turned two last Saturday. I wrote some lines for the occasion and they go like this.

Ashu Miyaan Hamaare

Ashu Miyaan Hamaare
Ab Do Saal Ke Ho Chale
Abhi Kal Hi Ki Toh Baat Hai
Ke Duniya Mein Aaye The

Toothi Phooti Meethi Meethi
Dheeme Baatein Karte Hain
Mummy Papa, Dada Dadi
Naana Naani, Sab Ke Mithaayi Hain

Paani Se Badi Mohabbat Hai
Chap Chap Karte Rehte Hain
Shushu Karne Ke Bahaane
Roz Chaar Dafa Nahaate Hain

Chicken, Ice Cream, Chocolate
Unke Pasand Ki Cheezein Hain
Kucch Aur Khaane Ko Do Toh
Mummy Ko Daudaate Hain

Jab Aashu Miyan, Pehli Baar
Mile Mumbai Ke Monsoon Se
Baadalon Ki Garaj Se Bina Dare
Naachte Gaate Phire Khushi Se

Jo Ghar Mein Nahin Hai
Woh Ophish Gaya Hai
Aur Kucch Raaton Ko Toh
Chand Bhi Ophish Jaata Hai

Miyan, Filmi Bhi Ho Gaye Hain
Item Songs Ko Pettu Gaana Aur
Kucch gaanon Ko Patta nahin Kyon
Maamu Gaana Kehkar Bulaate Hain

Na Jaane Aur Kya Kya Karenge Aage
Lekin Aaj Toh Is Red Bus Ko Kaat Kar
Apni Doosri Saalgirah Manaayenge
Hum Sab Ke Pyaar Ke Beech

That's Ashu Miyan with his charming smile.

Bandipur Ke Bandi

About a month ago, along with some of my friends, I spent a few days at a National Forest called Bandipur, which is located in the state of Karnataka. This one came to me over there.

Bandipur Ke Bandi

Halki Baarish Mein Bheegti
Jungle Ki Ek Neeli Si Jheel
Haule Haule Jhoom Rahi Aise
Hawa Ke Saath Waltz Kar Rahi Jaise

Hirnon Ki Fauj Jama Hai Paas Mein
Jaise Khubsoorti Ki Hifaazat Karne
Aur Shaayad Is Haseen Waltz Ki
Dheemi Nazaakat Ka Lutf Uthaane

Jungle Ki Khaamoshi Se Hokar
Eucalyptus Khushboo Mein Nahaayi
Ek Meethi Dhun, Four By Four Mein
Aa Rahi Hai Is Raqs Ki Madad Ko

In Sab Ko Kahin Band Karne Ki Chaah Mein
Meri Yeh Thodi Si Koshish Hai
Shaayad Aa Jaayein Nazar Aapko Bhi
Woh Waltz Aur Woh Fauj Hirnon Ki

Worli Sea Face Ki Ek Shaam

Of late, I've started utilizing the proximty of my home to the sea-face promenade of Worli by going for regular evening walks of brisk types. This one comes from one of those walks.

Worli Sea Face Ki Ek Shaam

Kabhi Is Tez Zindagi Se
Thodi Si Mohlat Lekar
Baitho Logon Ko Dekhte
Sea-face Ki Ek Bench Par

Umr Ki Shaam Mein
Laathi Liye Hava Khaate Log

Ear-phone Kaan Mein Daale
Sehat Ke Liye Bhaagte Log

Saari Aur Sneakers Pehne
Aadhi Moti Aunty Log

Breed Kutte Ghumaate
Uktaaye Hue Naukar Log

Garm Chana Bhoonte
Rozi Roti Kamaate Log

Sharm-bhari Aankho Se
Chips Bechti Ek Baaligh Si Ladki
Majboori Hai Bechaari Ki
Warna Aisa Kyon Karti?

International Women's Day

This is the third time Majaaz figures in a post on this space. This time it’s to mark this International Women’s Day through his beautifully powerful Nazm, urging the women of India in the pre-independence days to get involved in the freedom movement. Apart from being the great Romantic poet that he was, the man had a strong revolutionary / progressive side too.

I’ve also tried translating the Ghazal for my non-Urdu (English friendly) friends.

Hijaab-e-fitna parwar ab utha leti to achha thaa,
Khud apne husn ko parda bana leti to achha thaa.

Teri neechi nazar khud teri ismat ki muhafiz hai,
Tu is nashtar ki tezi aazma leti to achha thaa.

Teri maathe pe ye aanchal bahut hi khoob hai lekin,
Tu is aaNchal se ik parcham bana leti to achha thaa.

Translation is as follows:

If you now raise the veil of revolt, it would be good,
And instead make your beauty a veil, it would be good.

Your lowered gaze is itself a protector of your purity,
If you now raise your eyes and test the sharpness of it, it would be good.

The cloth covering your head is no doubt a good thing,
But if you make a flag out of it, it would be good.

For my other two posts on the great poet, you can go here and here.

'Chaubees Ghante' or 'Love Story of a Hooker'

Chaubees Ghante

Jhoothi Raat
Khaali Baatein
Ghair Ki Baahein
Nakli Aahein

Sacchi Subah
Alsaayi Aankhein
Bikhri Zulfein
Kal Ki Khabrein

Garam Dopeher
Thandi Beer-Cans
Puraane Naghme
Nayi Baatein

Simat-ti Shaam
Sehmi Baahein
Pyaar Bhari Nazrein
Khaamosh Baatein

Sulagti Raat
Pighalti Baahein
Dheemi Aaahein
Garm Saasein

Love Story of a Hooker (a rough translation in English)

Untrue Night
Empty Talks
Unknown Arms
Fake Sighs

True Morning
Lazy eyes
Tousled Tresses
Newspaper Headlines

Warm Afternoon
Cold Beer Cans
Old Songs
New Talks

Together evening
Shy Embraces
Love-filled Eyes
Quiet Conversations

Fiery Night
Melting Arms
Quiet Sighs
Warm breaths

Kuchh Acche Palon Ki Ungli Thaame - Happy 2011!

A fresh year is yet another occasion to contemplate and look forward. While doing so. I came up with this. Have a great year ahead!

Kuchh Acche Palon Ki Ungli Thaame

Kucch Acche Palon Ki Ungli Thaame
Hum Mushkil Galiyon Se Nikal Jaate Hain
Zindaki Ke Kai Ghumaavdaar Raaste
Hum Yunhi Tay Kiye Jaate Hain

Kitne Dost Aaye Aur Gaye
Kucch Paas Bhi Reh Gaye
Unke Saath Thoda Hans Bol Kar
Hum Apni Shaamein Saja Lete Hain

Kuch Ghaltiyan Bhi Ki Hain Humne
Aage Bhi Hoti Rahengee, Shaayad
Par Kucch Acche Karmon Ke Sahaare
Unhein Sudhaar Bhi Lenge, Shaayad

Kucch Acche Palon Ki Ungli Thaame
Hum Mushkil Galiyon Se Nikal Jaate Hain
Zindaki Ke Kai Ghumaavdaar Raaste
Hum Yunhi Tay Kiye Jaate Hain

Holding The Finger Of Some Good Moments (a rough translation in English)

Holding the finger of some good moments
I pass through the difficult lanes
That’s how I keep traversing
The long & winding journey of Life

Many friends came and went
Some stayed with me as well
We often talk & laugh together
And our evenings are decorated

I’ve made some mistakes too
Perhaps will make some more
But thanks to some good deeds
I might just rectify ‘em errors

Holding the fingers of good moments
I pass through the difficult lanes
That’s how I keep traversing
The long & winding journey of Life

Mumbai Winters...if there is anything like that.

The first two lines of this piece came to me some mornings ago, when I woke up feeling an unusual (and welcome) nip in the Mumbai air. Rest of the words took a couple of days to follow.

Mumbai Ke Jaade

Khushiyon Ki Shawl Odh Lo Yaaron
Mumbai Ke Jaade Aa Gaye Hain
Naram Moze Bhi Pehen Lo Yaaron
Thandi Raatein Bhi Saath Aayeein Hain

Chai Ki Pyaaliyon Se Garm Karenge Haath
Scotch Ki Chuskiyon Se Shaamein
Vaseline Ki Dibbi Nikal Gayi Hai Baahar
Ab Thandi Hawaaon Se Hongi Jo Baatein

Subah Ki Neend Zyaada Pyaari Hogi
Ceiling Fan Se Thodi Dushmani Bhi
Chaadar Se Yaaraana, Office Na Jaana
Kucch Aisi Hi Hamaari Kaifiyat Hogi

Building Ka Watchman Aag Ke Aage
Raat Kaatega, Aungh Aungh Ke
Uske Dulaara Gali Ka Kutta Bhi,
Aa Jaayega Thodi Garmaahat Paane

Khushiyon Ki Shawl Odh Lo Yaaron
Mumbai ke jaade aa gaye hain
Garm moze bhi pehen lo yaaron
Thandi raatein bhi saath aayein hain

Mumbai Winters (a rough translation in English)

Wear the shawl of happiness, my friends
Mumbai winters are here
Put on your soft socks as well
Cold nights too have come along

Cups of tea will warm our hands
Scotch sips, the evenings
Vaseline box has come out
Shielding us form the cold wind

Morning sleep will be sweeter
Ceiling fan, slightly bitter
Love with sheets, hatred with office
That’s how all of us will feel

Building’s watchman will light a fire
To doze off the night, in front of it
His pet street-dog will slowly crawl in
To get a bit of warmth from it

Wear the shawl of happiness, my friends
Mumbai winters are here
Put on your soft socks as well
Cold nights too have come along