Urdu Poetry by Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib
Ghazal: Dil Hi To Hai Na Sang o Khisht Dard Se Bhar Na Aaye Kyun
Recitation: Raheel Farooq
_____
Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib, born in 1797 in Agra, is celebrated as one of the most influential poets in Urdu literature. His name, meaning "victor," reflects his prominent position among literary giants like Mir Taqi Mir and Sauda. Ghalib’s mastery of the ghazal form has cemented his status as a major figure in classical Urdu poetry.
Despite his profound influence, Ghalib’s life was marked by hardship and sorrow. Early losses, including the death of his father and uncle, and subsequent financial instability shaped his poetic outlook. His work merges classical Persian influences with modern Urdu themes, bridging traditional and contemporary styles. Ghalib’s poetry embodies a deep understanding of mystic philosophy and reflects the cultural and intellectual shifts of his era.
Complete Roman Text of the Urdu Ghazal with English Translation (Courtesy: Rekhta):
dil hī to hai na sang-o-ḳhisht dard se bhar na aa.e kyuuñ
ro.eñge ham hazār baar koī hameñ satā.e kyuuñ
it's just a heart, no stony shard; why shouldn't it fill with pain
i will cry a thousand times,why should someone complain?
dair nahīñ haram nahīñ dar nahīñ āstāñ nahīñ
baiThe haiñ rahguzar pe ham ġhair hameñ uThā.e kyuuñ
neither door nor threshold 'tis, no temple 'tis nor mosque
why should rivals bid me leave? the street's public domain
jab vo jamāl-e-dil-faroz sūrat-e-mehr-e-nīm-roz
aap hī ho nazāra-soz parde meñ muñh chhupā.e kyuuñ
when she has a lustrous face, as bright as the sun at noon
a burning spectacle is she, why veiled does she remain?
dashna-e-ġhamza jāñ-sitāñ nāvak-e-nāz be-panāh
terā hī aks-e-ruḳh sahī sāmne tere aa.e kyuuñ
dagger-like glances, arrow-like airs, fatal well could be
thus even from facing you, your image should refrain
qaid-e-hayāt o band-e-ġham asl meñ donoñ ek haiñ
maut se pahle aadmī ġham se najāt paa.e kyuuñ
prison of life and sorrow's chains in truth are just the same
then relief from pain, ere death,why should man obtain
husn aur us pe husn-e-zan rah ga.ī bul-havas kī sharm
apne pe e'timād hai ġhair ko āzmā.e kyuuñ
beauty and its self-esteem did spare my rival shame
when she is self-confident, in testing him what gain?
vaañ vo ġhurūr-e-izz-o-nāz yaañ ye hijāb-e-pās-e-vaza'
raah meñ ham mileñ kahāñ bazm meñ vo bulā.e kyuuñ
she won't call me to her house, by the wayside I can't meet
she is proud of name and grace, and I by form refrain
haañ vo nahīñ ḳhudā-parast jaao vo bevafā sahī
jis ko ho diin o dil aziiz us kī galī meñ jaa.e kyuuñ
let her a non-believer be, unfaithful too, and therefore
if you value faith and heart, then from her street abstain
'ġhālib'-e-ḳhasta ke baġhair kaun se kaam band haiñ
roiye zaar zaar kyā kījiye haa.e haa.e kyuuñ
In poor Ghalib's absence say, what tasks are stopped today
then why shed such copious tears, why lament in vain?
Analysis of the Ghazal
The ghazal "dil hī to hai na sang-o-ḳhisht dard se bhar na aa.e kyuuñ" showcases Ghalib’s style, marked by emotional depth, philosophical inquiry, and linguistic elegance. It explores themes of love, pain, and existential musings.
1. Emotional Depth: The opening couplet emphasizes human vulnerability by comparing the heart to fragile stone or brick, highlighting inevitable suffering.
2. Philosophical Inquiry: The verse "qaid-e-hayāt o band-e-ġham asl meñ donoñ ek haiñ" equates life with sorrow, questioning relief from pain before death.
3. Love and Beauty: "jab vo jamāl-e-dil-faroz sūrat-e-mehr-e-nīm-roz" questions why overwhelming beauty remains hidden, reflecting the tension between seen and unseen.
4. Social Commentary: "vaañ vo ġhurūr-e-izz-o-nāz yaañ ye hijāb-e-pās-e-vaza'" critiques social barriers created by pride and convention.
5. Self-Awareness and Humor: The final couplet, "‘ġhālib’-e-ḳhasta ke baġhair kaun se kaam band haiñ," showcases Ghalib’s ironic humor and detachment.
Summary of Ghalib's Enduring Influence
Ghalib’s ghazals resonate deeply with readers and scholars, making him a lasting figure in Urdu literature. His ability to combine complex ideas with simple language makes his work accessible and timeless. Beyond poetry, his conversational letters have also impacted Urdu prose. Ghalib’s themes of love, loss, and existential angst speak to universal human experiences, ensuring his continued relevance and admiration across cultures and generations. His work is frequently cited in discussions of classical Urdu poetry and is associated with some of the best Urdu ghazals ever written.
#Urdu #Poetry #Literature