Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. moin ehsan jazbi (1912-2005) born in aazamgaRh and educated, taught and lived in aligaRh. Member of the Progressive Writers’ Association. He worked as an assistant editor of ‘aajkal’ of which josh malihabadi was also the chief editor. I am not sure if they overlapped but he was close to majaz, faani, sardar jafri and sibt-e hasan. He did his MA from aligaRh and later joined the faculty teaching there until his retirement. He also completed his PhD while teaching and published several collections of poetry. This Ghazal is dated 1933. In 1939, panDit anand narain mulla composed a Ghazal in the same radeef and qaafiya as well the same theme, paying tribute to jazbi. Some of mulla’s ash’aar are noted under each relevant she’r. Also, there is an icon on the ‘refrain’ to which all Ghazal of the same radeef will be linked.
1
marne ki duaeN kyuN maaNguN jiine ki tamanna¹ kaun kare
ye duniya ho ya vo duniya ab Khwaahish²-e duniya kaun kare   1.desire, longing 2.wish
Conventionally the poet/lover gives up hope of gaining the attention of the beloved and hopes for death at her hands. Here he seems to be utterly hopeless, giving up on both this world and the next. Said panDit anand narain mulla ….
jab dil meN zara bhi aas na ho izhaar-e tamanna kaun kare
armaan kiye dil hi meN fana armaan ko rusva kaun kare
2
jab kashti saabit¹-o-saalim² thi saahil³ ki tamanna⁴ kis ko thi
ab aisi shikasta⁵ kashti par saahil ki tamanna kaun kare   1.not broken 2.complete, safe 3.shore 4.desire 5.broken
This could well reflect vigorous youth vs frail old age. When the boat was safe and strong, who cared for the shore. Now that the boat is broken so much, what is the use of even wishing for the shore. Better to drown and die.
3
jo aag lagaaii thi tum ne us ko to bujhaaya ashkoN¹ ne
jo ashkoN ne bhaRkaai² hai us aag ko ThanDa kaun kare 1.tears 2.inflame, blow
This is addressed to the beloved. The fire (of love) that you lit, has been put out by my tears. But who will put out the fire (of pain) that my tears inflamed.
4
daata¹ hai baRa razzaaq² mera, bharpuur Khazaane haiN us ke
ye such hai magar aye dast³-e dua⁴, har roz taqaaza⁵ kaun kare 1.benefactor, divine giver 2.sustainer, provider 3.hand of 4.supplication, begging 5.demand, ask
This is an expression of dignity and self-respect. My divine benefactor may be a great provider. His treasuries may be overflowing. This is true, but who will stretch the hand of supplication to ask/beg every day. Said panDit anand narain mulla …
Khaali hai mera saaGhar to rahe saaqi ko ishaara kaun kare
Khuddaari-e saa’el bhi to hai kuchh har baar taqaaza kaun kare
5
duniya ne hameN chhoRa jazbi¹ ham chhoR na deN kyuN duniya ko
duniya ko samajh² kar baiThe haiN ab duniya duniya kaun kare   1.pen-name of the poet 2.understand (the true nature, hidden motives)
O jazbi, the world has abandoned me. Why should I not leave this world. I have come to understand the true nature of the world, how can I chase after it. This implies chasing after worldly goods, achievements, relationships … we are left to decide that. panDit anand narain mulla …
ek dard hai apne dil meN bhi ham chup haiN duniya na-vaaqif
auroN ki tarah dohra dohra kar us ko fasaana kaun kare