Monday, March 12, 2007

tumhe yaad ho ke na yaad ho ...

Category : Ghazal
Poet : Momin Khan Momin (1800-1851)
Performers : Ghulam Ali


This is sometimes referred to as the best poem in the urdu language. The poet, a contemporary of Mirza Ghalib, was also his rival and both of them supposedly had a good time together.

The essence of the poem is reminiscings of an old love. Heartwarming. Especially with alcohol :)

: vo jo ham me.n tum me.n qaraar thaa tumhe.n yaad ho ke na yaad ho
: vahii yaanii vaadaa nibaah kaa tumhe.n yaad ho ke na yaad ho

: vo naye gile vo shikaayate.n vo maze maze kii hikaayate.n
: vo har ek baat pe ruuThanaa tumhe.n yaad ho ke na yaad ho

: ko_ii baat aisii agar hu_ii jo tumhaare jii ko burii lagii
: to bayaa.N se pahale hii bhuulanaa tumhe.n yaad ho ke na yaad ho

: suno zikr hai ka_ii saal kaa, ko_ii vaadaa mujh se thaa aap kaa
: vo nibaahane kaa to zikr kyaa, tumhe.n yaad ho ke na yaad ho

: kabhii ham me.n tum me.n bhii chaah thii, kabhii ham se tum se bhii raah thii
: kabhii ham bhii tum bhii the aashnaa, tumhe.n yaad ho ke na yaad ho

: hue ittefaaq se gar baham, vo vafaa jataane ko dam-ba-dam
: gilaa-e-malaamat-e-arqabaa, tumhe.n yaad ho ke na yaad ho

: vo jo lutf mujh pe the beshtar, vo karam ke haath mere haath par
: mujhe sab hai.n yaad zaraa zaraa, tumhe.n yaad no ki na yaad ho

: kabhii baiThe sab hai.n jo ruu-ba-ruu to ishaarato.n hii se guftaguu
: vo bayaan shauq kaa baramalaa tumhe.n yaad ho ki na yaad ho

: vo biga.Danaa vasl kii raat kaa, vo na maananaa kisii baat kaa
: vo nahiii.n nahii.n kii har aan adaa, tumhe.n yaad ho ki na yaad ho

: jise aap ginte the aashnaa jise aap kahate the baavafaa
: mai.n vahii huu.N "Momin"-e-mubtalaa tumhe.n yaad ho ke na yaad ho

This was also sung by Ghulam Ali (him with his soul rending voice) in a concert. Need that file? Let me know.

The poem's a wonderful one. It's kind of condescending, but yes, beautiful nonetheless. One of these days I'll update this and put in a neat glossary. Till then, you can buzz me and ask.

Source : www.urdupoetry.com