For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the tabs marked “Roman” or “Notes”.
Recitation
nayyara noor
ہمیں برباد نہ کر ۔ داؤد خاں اخترؔ شیرانی
۱
اے عشق نہ چھیڑ آ آ کے ہمیں ہم بھولے ہوؤں کو یاد نہ کر
پہلے ہی بہت ناشاد ہیں ہم تو اور ہمیں ناشاد نہ کر
قِسمت کا ستم ہی کم نہیں کچھ یہ تازہ ستم ایجاد نہ کر
یوں ظلم نہ کر بیداد نہ کر
اے عشق ہمیں برباد نہ کر
۲
جس دن سے ملے ہیں دونوں کا سب چین گیا آرام گیا
چہروں سے بہارِ صبح گئی آنکھوں سے فروغِ شام گیا
ہاتھوں سے خوشی کا جام چھٹا ہونٹوں سے ہنسی کا نام گیا
غمگیں نہ بنا ناشاد نہ کر
اے عشق ہمیں برباد نہ کر
۳
ہم راتوں کو اُٹھ کر روتے ہیں رو رو کے دعائیں کرتے ہیں
آنکھوں میں تصوّر دل میں خلِش سر دُھنتے ہیں آہیں بھرتے ہیں
اے عشق یہ کیسا روگ لگا جیتے ہیں نہ ظالم مرتے ہیں
یہ ظلم تو اے جلاد نہ کر
اے عشق ہمیں برباد نہ کر
۴
یہ روگ لگا ہے جب سے ہمیں رنجیدہ ہوں میں بیمار ہے وہ
ہر وقت تپِش ہر وقت خلِش بے خواب ہوں میں بے دار ہے وہ
جینے سے اِدھر بیزار ہوں میں مرنے پہ ادھر تیار ہے وہ
اور ضبط کہے فریاد نہ کر
اے عشق ہمیں برباد نہ کر
۵
جس دن سے بندھا ہے دھیان ترا گھبرائے ہوئے سے رہتے ہیں
ہر وقت تصور کر کر کے شرمائے ہوئے سے رہتے ہیں
کُمھلائے ہوئے پھولوں کی طرح کُمھلائے ہوئے سے رہتے ہیں
پامال نہ کر برباد نہ کر
اے عشق ہمیں برباد نہ کر
۶
بے درد! ذرا اِنصاف تو کر اس عمر میں اور مغموم ہے وہ
پھولوں کی طرح نازک ہے ابھی تاروں کی طرح معصوم ہے وہ
یہ حسن ستم! یہ رنجِ غضب! مجبور ہوں میں مظلوم ہے وہ
مظلوم پہ یوں بیداد نہ کر
اے عشق ہمیں برباد نہ کر
۷
اے عشق خدارا دیکھ کہیں وہ شوخ حزیں بدنام نہ ہو
وہ ماہ لقا بدنام نہ ہو وہ زہرہ جبیں بدنام نہ ہو
ناموس کا اُس کے پاس رہے وہ پردہ نشیں بدنام نہ ہو
اس پردہ نشیں کو یاد نہ کر
اے عشق ہمیں برباد نہ کر
۸
اُمّید کی جھوٹی جنّت کے رہ رہ کے نہ دکھلا خواب ہمیں
آئندہ کی فرضی عِشرت کے وعدوں سے نہ کر بیتاب ہمیں
کہتا ہے زمانہ جس کو خوشی آتی ہے نظر کمیاب ہمیں
چھوڑ ایسی خوشی کو یاد نہ کر
اے عشق ہمیں برباد نہ کر
۹
کیا سمجھے تھے اور تُو کیا نکلا یہ سوچ کے ہی حیران ہیں ہم
ہے پہلے پہل کا تجربہ اور کم عمر ہیں ہم انجان ہیں ہم
اے عشق! خدآرا! رحم و کرم معصوم ہیں ہم نادان ہیں ہم
نادان ہیں ہم ناشاد نہ کر
اے عشق ہمیں برباد نہ کر
۱۰
وہ راز ہے یہ غم آہ جسے پا جائے کوئی تو خیر نہیں
آنکھوں سے جب آنسو بہتے ہیں آ جائے کوئی تو خیر نہیں
ظالم ہے یہ دنیا دل کو یہاں بھا جائے کوئی تو خیر نہیں
ہے ظلم مگر فریاد نہ کر
اے عشق ہمیں برباد نہ کر
۱۱
دو دن ہی میں عہدِ طفلی کے معصوم زمانے بھول گئے
آنکھوں سے وہ خوشیاں مِٹ سی گئیں لب کو وہ ترانے بھول گئے
اِن پاک بہشتی خوابوں کے دلچسپ فسانے بھول گئے
ان خوابوں سے یوں آزاد نہ کر
اے عشق ہمیں برباد نہ کر
۱۲
اُس جانِ حیا کا بس نہیں کچھ بے بس ہے پرائے بس میں ہے
بے درد دلوں کو کیا ہے خبر جو پیار یہاں آپس میں ہے
ہے بے بسی زہر اور پیار ہے رس یہ زہر چھپا اس رس میں ہے
کہتی ہے حیا فریاد نہ کر
اے عشق ہمیں برباد نہ کر
۱۳
آنکھوں کو یہ کیا آزار ہوا ہر جذبِ نہاں پر رو دینا
آہنگِ طرب پر جُھک جانا آوازِ فغاں پر رو دینا
بربط کی صدا پر رو دینا مُطرِب کے بیاں پر رو دینا
احساس کو غم بنیاد نہ کر
اے عشق ہمیں برباد نہ کر
۱۴
ہر دم ابدی راحت کا سماں دکھلا کے ہمیں دلگیر نہ کر
للٰلہ حبابِ آبِ رواں پر نقشِ بقا تحریر نہ کر
مایوسی کے رمتے بادل پر اُمّید کے گھر تعمیر نہ کر
تعمیر نہ کر آباد نہ کر
اے عشق ہمیں برباد نہ کر
۱۵
جی چاہتا ہے اک دوسرے کو یوں آٹھ پہر ہم یاد کریں
آنکھوں میں بسائیں خوابوں کو اور دل میں خیال آباد کریں
خلوت میں بھی ہو جلوت کا سماں وحدت کو دوئی سے شاد کریں
یہ آرزوئیں ایجاد نہ کر
اے عشق ہمیں برباد نہ کر
۱۶
دنیا کا تماشا دیکھ لیا غمگین سی ہے بیتاب سی ہے
اُمّید یہاں اک وہم سی ہے تسکین یہاں اک خواب سی ہے
دنیا میں خوشی کا نام نہیں دنیا میں خوشی نایاب سی ہے
دنیا میں خوشی کو یاد نہ کر
اے عشق ہمیں برباد نہ کر
हमें बर्बाद न कर – अख़्तर शीरानी
१
अए इश्क़ न छेड़ आ आ के हमें हम भूले हुओं को याद न कर
पहले ही बहुत नाशाद हैं हम तू और हमें नाशाद न कर
क़िस्मत का सितम ही कम नहीं कुछ ये ताज़ा सितम ईजाद न कर
यूँ ज़ुल्म न कर बे-दाद न कर
अए इश्क़ हमें बर्बाद न कर
२
जिस दिन से मिले हैं दोनों का सब चैन गया आराम गया
चेहरों से बहार-ए सुब्ह गई आँखों से फ़रोग़-ए शाम गया
हाथों से ख़ुशी का जाम छुटा होंटों से हँसी का नाम गया
ग़मगीं न बना नाशाद न कर
अए इश्क़ हमें बर्बाद न कर
३
हम रातों को उठ कर रोते हैं रो रो के दुआएँ करते हैं
आँखों में तसव्वुर दिल में ख़लिश सर धुनते हैं आहें भरते हैं
अए इश्क़ ये कैसा रोग लगा जीते हैं न ज़ालिम मरते हैं
ये ज़ुल्म तू अए जल्लाद न कर
अए इश्क़ हमें बर्बाद न कर
४
ये रोग लगा है जब से हमें रंजीदा हूँ मैं बीमार है वो
हर वक़्त तपिश हर वक़्त ख़लिश बे-ख़्वाब हूँ मैं बेदार है वो
जीने से इधर बेज़ार हूँ मैं मरने पे उधर तय्यार है वो
और ज़ब्त कहे फ़र्याद न कर
अए इश्क़ हमें बर्बाद न कर
५
जिस दिन से बँधा है ध्यान तेरा घबराए हुए से रहते हैं
हर वक़्त तसव्वुर कर कर के शरमाए हुए से रहते हैं
कुम्हलाए हुए फूलों की तरह कुम्हलाए हुए से रहते हैं
पामाल न कर बर्बाद न कर
अए इश्क़ हमें बर्बाद न कर
६
बेदर्द! ज़रा इंसाफ़ तो कर इस उम्र में और मग़्मूम है वो
फूलों की तरह नाज़ुक है अभी तारों की तरह मासूम है वो
ये हुस्न सितम! ये रंज ग़ज़ब! मज्बूर हूँ मैं मज़्लूम है वो
मज़्लूम पे यूँ बे-दाद न कर
अए इश्क़ हमें बर्बाद न कर
७
अए इश्क़ ख़ुदारा देख कहीं वो शूख़ हज़ीं बद-नाम न हो
वो माह-लक़ा बद-नाम न हो वो ज़ोहरा-जबीं बद-नाम न हो
नामूस का उस के पास रहे वो पर्दा-नशीं बद-नाम न हो
उस पर्दा-नशीं को याद न कर
अए इश्क़ हमें बर्बाद न कर
८
उम्मीद की झूटी जन्नत के रह रह के न दिखला ख़्वाब हमें
आइंदा की फ़र्ज़ी इश्रत के वादों से न कर बेताब हमें
कहता है ज़माना जिस को ख़ुशी आती है नज़र कमयाब हमें
छोढ ऐसी ख़ुशी को याद न कर
अए इश्क़ हमें बर्बाद न कर
९
क्या समझे थे और तू क्या निकला ये सोच के ही हैरान हैं हम
है पहले-पहल का तजरबा और कम-उम्र हैं हम अंजान हैं हम
अए इश्क़! ख़ुदारा! रहम-ओ-करम मासूम हैं हम नादान हैं हम
नादान हैं हम नाशाद न कर
अए इश्क़ हमें बर्बाद न कर
१०
वो राज़ है ये ग़म आह जिसे पा जाए कोई तो ख़ैर नहीं
आँखों से जब आँसू बहते हैं आ जाए कोई तो ख़ैर नहीं
ज़ालिम है ये दुनिया दिल को यहाँ भा जाए कोई तो ख़ैर नहीं
है ज़ुल्म मगर फ़रियाद न कर
अए इश्क़ हमें बर्बाद न कर
११
दो दिन ही में अहद-ए तिफ़्ली के मासूम ज़माने भूल गए
आँखों से वो ख़ुशियाँ मिट सी गईं लब को वो तराने भूल गए
उन पाक बेहिश्ती ख़्वाबों के दिलचस्प फ़साने भूल गए
इन ख़्वाबों से यूँ आज़ाद न कर
अए इश्क़ हमें बर्बाद न कर
१२
उस जान-ए हया का बस नहीं कुछ बे-बस है पराए बस में है
बे-दर्द दिलों को क्या है ख़बर जो प्यार यहाँ आपस में है
है बेबसी ज़हर और प्यार है रस ये ज़हर छुपा इस रस में है
कहती है हया फ़रियाद न कर
अए इश्क़ हमें बर्बाद न कर
१३
आँखों को ये क्या आज़ार हुआ हर जज़्ब-ए नेहाँ पर रो देना
आहंग-ए तरब पर झुक जाना आवाज़-ए फ़ुग़ाँ पर रो देना
बरबत की सदा पर रो देना मुतरिब के बयाँ पर रो देना
एहसास को ग़म-बुनियाद न कर
अए इश्क़ हमें बर्बाद न कर
१४
हर दम अबदी राहत का समाँ दिखला के हमें दिल-गीर न कर
लिल्लाह हबाब-ए आब-ए रवाँ पर नक़्श-ए बक़ा तहरीर न कर
मायूसी के रमते बादल पर उम्मीद के घर ता’मीर न कर
ता’मीर न कर आबाद न कर
अए इश्क़ हमें बर्बाद न कर
१५
जी चाहता है एक दूसरे को यूँ आठ पहर हम याद करें
आँखों में बसाएँ ख़्वाबों को और दिल में ख़याल आबाद करें
ख़ल्वत में भी हो जल्वत का समाँ वहदत को दुई से शाद करें
ये आर्ज़ुएँ ईजाद न कर
अए इश्क़ हमें बर्बाद न कर
१६
दुनिया का तमाशा देख लिया ग़मगीन सी है बेताब सी है
उम्मीद यहाँ एक वहम सी है तस्कीन यहाँ एक ख़्वाब सी है
दुनिया में ख़ुशी का नाम नहीं दुनिया में ख़ुशी नायाब सी है
दुनिया में ख़ुशी को याद न कर
अए इश्क़ हमें बर्बाद न कर
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. mohammed dawood KhaaN aKhtar shiiraani (1904-1948) ToNk, rajashthan. He received religious and classical education at home and was also given lessons in wrestling. In 1921, there was a rebellion against the local navaab. He was able to put down the rebellion but banished a lot of people, among them shiiraani’s family, who migrated to lahore. He started working as a journalist and publisher. His love interest and poetry caused a breakdown of relationship with his father, but his allowance continued. He died early due to heavy smoking and drinking. In his poetry he broke with the trend of progressive poets and stayed with romantic themes. This whole nazm is written in the context of love with an unnamed beloved, both at a young age. Either the family of the beloved, or perhaps both families are opposed to the liaison and forcefully keep the two lovers apart. It speaks of the intense sorrow of the beloved and should be interpreted as applicable to this specific situation. In the general poetic convention only the poet/lover is sorrowful, but in this specific case both are affected.
1
aye ishq na chheR aa aa ke hameN ham bhuule huoN ko yaad na kar
pahle hi bahut naashaad1 haiN ham tu aur hameN naashaad na kar
qismat ka sitam2 hi kam nahiN kuchh ye taaza3 sitam2 ijaad4 na kar
yuN zulm5 na kar bedaad6 na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad7 na kar 1.unhappy 2.oppression 3.fresh, new 4.invent 5.cruelty 6.injustice 7.destroy
O love, do not tease/harrass me; do not remember/visit me-the forgotten/overlooked one. I am already very unhappy, do not make me even more unhappy. Was not the oppression of fate enough, do not invent new ways of oppressing me. Do not be cruel like this, do not be unjust. O love, do not destroy me.
2
jis din se mile haiN donoN ka sab chain1 gaya aaraam2 gaya
chehroN3 se bahaar4-e sub’h gaii aaNkhoN se faroGh5-e shaam gaya
haathoN se Khushi ka jaam6 chhuTa hoNToN se haNsi ka naam gaya
GhamgiN7 na bana naashaad8 na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad9 na kar 1.tranquility, calm 2.peace, quiet 3.faces 4.spring, blossom 5.brilliance, light 6.cup 7.sorrowful 8.unhappy 9.destroy
This is still addressed to ‘love’ but sometimes he addresses himself as the ‘embodiment of love’. Ever since the day that we met, my peace and quiet has been taken away. The bright happy looks of our faces have disappeared, the lights of evenings have been darkened. The cup of happiness has been snatched away from hands, there is no trace of a smile left on my lips. Do not make me even more sorrowful, even more unhappy. Do not destroy me.
3
ham raatoN ko uTh kar rote haiN ro ro ke duaa’eN karte haiN
aaNkhoN meN tasavvur1 dil meN Khalish2 sar-dhunte3 haiN aaheN4 bharte haiN
aye ishq ye kaisa rog laga jiite haiN na zaalim5 marte haiN
ye zulm6 tu aye jallaad7 na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar 1.imagination, image, memory 2.burning, pricking 3.beating/scratching head 4.sighs 5.tyrant 6.tyranny, cruelty 7.executioner, killer
I wake up at night and cry, I cry and pray for help. In the eyes I carry each her image; I feel pain in my heart, I beat my head and sigh deep sighs. O love what kind of a malady is this, neither do I live nor do I die. O tyrant (addressed to love), do not be so cruel, do not destroy me.
4
ye rog laga hai jab se hameN ranjiida1 huN maiN biimaar2 hai vo
har vaqt tapish3 har vaqt Khalish4 be-Khwaab5 huN maiN bedaar6 hai vo
jiine se idhar bezaar7 huN maiN marne pe udhar tayyaar8 hai vo
aur zabt9 kahe fariyaad10 na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar 1.sorrowful 2.ill, languid, weak 3.burning 4.hurting 5.sleepless 6.awake 7.disinterested, tired of 8.ready 9.self-control 10.lament
Ever since I have been stricken by this illness (love), I have been sorrowful and the beloved has been ill. A constant burning, constant pain, I am sleepless and the beloved is awake. Here I am tired of life, there she is ready to die. And self-control demands that we not lament. O love, do not destroy me.
5
jis din se baNdha hai dhyaan tera ghabraa’e hue se rahte haiN
har vaqt tasavvur1 kar kar ke sharmaa’e2 hue se rahte haiN
kumhlaa’e3 hue phuuloN ki tarah kumhlaa’e hue se rahte haiN
paamaal4 na kar barbaad na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar 1.imagine 2.coy, shy 3.withered, wilted 4.trampled
Ever since the day that my thoughts have been captured by her, I have been worried/perplexed. Every moment I imagine her, I feel shy. I am wilted like withered flowers. Do not trample me, O love do not destroy me.
6
bedard1! zara insaaf2 to kar is umr3 meN aur maGhmuum4 hai vo
phuuloN ki tarah naazuk5 hai abhi taaroN ki tarah maa’suum6 hai vo
ye husn7 sitam! ye raNj8 Ghazab9! majbuur10 huN maiN mazluum11 hai vo
mazluum11 pe yuN bedaad12 na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar 1.unkind 2.justice 3.age 4.sorrowful 5.delicate 6.innocent 7.beauty 8.sorrow 9.what a calamity 10.helpless 11.oppressed 12.injustice
O unkind one (love), be a little just, this tender age and she become sorrowful. She is still delicate like petals, innocent like bright stars. Such cruelty on this beauty, such pain, oh what a calamity. I am helpless and she is oppressed. Do not be unjust to the already oppressed. O love, do not destroy me.
7
aye ishq Khudaara1 dekh kahiN vo shooKh2 haziiN3 bad-naam4 na ho
vo maah-laqa5 bad-naam na ho vo zohra-jabiiN6 bad-naam na ho
naamuus7 ka uss ke paas8 rahe vo parda-nashiiN9 bad-naam na ho
uss parda-nashiN ko yaad na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar 1.by god 2.playful 3.sorrowful, melancholy 4.maligned, bad name 5.moon faced 6.brow like venus, bright brow 7.dignity 8.respect, regard 9.veiled, aloof, modest
O love by god, take care that that playful and sorrowful one not be maligned. That moon-faced one, that bright browed one does not lose her reputation. Have some regard for her dignity, let not that modest one be maligned. Do not remember/take her name (this is probably addressed to himself as a personification of ishq) that veiled one. O love do not destroy me.
8
ummiid1 ki jhuuTi jannat2 ke rah-rah3 ke na dikhla Khwaab hameN
aa’inda4 ki farzi5 ishrat6 ke vaa’doN7 se na kar betaab8 hameN
kahta hai zamaana jis ko Khushi aati hai nazar kamyaab9 hameN
chhoR aisi Khushi ko yaad na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar 1.hope 2.heaven 3.every moment, frequently 4.future 5.fictitious 6.pleasure 7.promises 8.restless, eager 9.rare
O love, do not entice me with frequent dreams of false hopes. Do not make me restless with false promises of future happiness. That which the world calls happiness, appears very rare to me. Leave it aside, do not remember (yearn for) such happiness. O love, do not destroy me.
9
kya samjhe the aur tu kya nikla ye soch ke hi hairaan1 haiN ham
hai pahle-pahal2 ka tajraba3 aur kam-umr haiN ham anjaan4 haiN ham
aye ishq! Khudaara5! rahm-o-karam6 maas’uum7 haiN ham naadaan8 haiN ham
naadaan haiN ham naashaad9 na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar 1.perplexed 2.first time 3.experience 4.inexperienced 5.by god 6.kindness and mercy 7.innocent 8.simpleton 9.unhappy
Look at what we had imagined and look at what has happened, it is perplexing. This was a first experience, we are still young and inexperienced. O love, by god, have some mercy, show some kindness, we are innocent simpletons. We are innocent, we are unhappy, O love, do not destroy us.
10
vo raaz1 hai ye Gham2 aah3 jise paa jaa’e koi to Khair4 nahiN
aaNkhoN se jab aaNsu bahte haiN aa jaa’e koi to Khair nahiN
zaalim5 hai ye duniya dil ko yahaaN bhaa6 jaa’e koi to Khair nahiN
hai zulm7 magar fariyaad8 na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar 1.secret, mystery 2.sorrow, pain, love 3.alas 4.safety, refuge 5.tyrannical 6.liked 7.cruelty 8.appeal, lament, cry
Alas, this pain (of love) is such a mystery that if someone acquires it, then there is no refuge. When anyone discovers tears flowing down your eyes, then there is no refuge. This world is tyrannical, if you begin to like someone, then it does not leave you alone. This cruelty, but there is no appeal, you are not allowed to lament. O love do not destroy me.
11
do din hi meN ahd1-e tifli2 ke maa’suum3 zamaane4 bhuul ga’e
aaNkhoN se vo KhushiyaaN miT si gaiiN lab5 ko vo taraane6 bhuul ga’e
un paak7 behishti8 KhwaaboN ke dilchasp9 fasaane10 bhuul ga’e
in KhwaaboN se yuN aazaad na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar 1.age, era 2.childhood, youth 3.innocent 4.times, period 5.lips 6.songs 7.pure, innocent 8.heavenly 9.interesting 10.stories
In a very short time I had to forget the carefree age of youth. Those joys were erased from my eyes, I had to forget those joyful songs. I had to forget those innocent, heavenly dreams. Do not set me free of those beautiful dreams. O love do not destroy me.
12
do din hi meN ahd1-e tifli2 ke maa’suum3 zamaane4 bhuul ga’e
aaNkhoN se vo KhushiyaaN miT si gaiiN lab5 ko vo taraane6 bhuul ga’e
un paak7 behishti8 KhwaaboN ke dilchasp9 fasaane10 bhuul ga’e
in KhwaaboN se yuN aazaad na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar 1.age, era 2.childhood, youth 3.innocent 4.times, period 5.lips 6.songs 7.pure, innocent 8.heavenly 9.interesting 10.stories
In a very short time I had to forget the carefree age of youth. Those joys were erased from my eyes, I had to forget those joyful songs. I had to forget those innocent, heavenly dreams. Do not set me free of those beautiful dreams. O love do not destroy me.
13
aaNkhoN ko ye kya aazaar1 hua har jazb2-e nehaaN3 par ro dena
aahaNg4-e tarab5 par jhuk jaana aavaaz-e fuGhaaN6 par ro dena
barbat7 ki sada par ro dena mutrib8 ke bayaaN9 par ro dena
ehsaas10 ko Gham-buniyaad11 na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar 1.agony, affliction 2.short for jazba-feelings, emotions 3.hidden 4.melody 5.joy 6.lamentation 7.harp, lute 8.singer 9.words, song 10.feelings, emotions 11.based on a foundation of sorrow
What is this malady that has afflicted my eyes, I burst into tears at every hidden emotion. I look down when I hear a joyous melody and cry at the sound of lamentation. I cry at the sound of the lute, and burst into tears at the words of the singer. Do not make sorrow the foundation of my feelings. O love, do not destroy me.
14
har dam1 abadi2 raahat3 ka samaaN4 dikhla ke hameN dilgiir5 na kar
lillaah6 habaab7-e aab-e-ravaaN8 par naqsh-e-baqaa9 tahriir10 na kar
maayuusi11 ke ramte12 baadal par ummid13 ke ghar taa’miir14 na kar
taa’miir na kar aabaad15 na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar 1.moment 2.eternal 3.happiness 4.means, methods 5.heart-broken 6.by god 7.bubble 8.flowing water 9.words/images of stability 10.write/draw 11.disappointment 12.floating, moving 13.hopes 14.build 15.populate, fill
Do not break my heart after showing me ways to achieve eternal happiness. By god, do not draw images of stability/permanence o a bubble floating on flowing water. Do not build a house of hopes on flowing clouds of disppointment. Do not build, do not fill this house with false hopes. O love, do not destroy me.
15
ji chaahta hai ek duusre ko yuN aaTh-pahar1 ham yaad kareN
aaNkhoN meN basaa’eN2 KhwaaboN ko aur dil meN Khayaal3 aabaad4 kareN
Khalvat5 meN bhi ho jalvat6 ka samaaN7 vahdat8 ko duii9 se shaad10 kareN
ye aarzu’eN11 ijaad12 na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar 1.eight durations, day and night 2.inhabit, grow, cultivate 3.thoughts 4.settle, prosper, fill 5.solitude 6.multitude 7.atmosphere, ambience 8.one-ness, alone 9.twosome 10.joyful 11.desires 12.invent, create
I wish that we could carry thoughts of each other day and night; that we could cultivate dreams in our eyes, and fill our hearts with thoughts of each other. I wish that we could make even our solitude like a joyful ambience of two being together. O love, do not create such emotions, do not destroy me.
16
duniya ka tamaasha1 dekh liya Ghamgiin2 si hai betaab3 si hai
ummiid4 yahaaN ek vahm5 si hai taskiin6 yahaaN ek Khwaab si hai
duniya meN Khushi ka naam nahiN duniya meN Khushi naayaab7 si hai
duniya meN Khushi ko yaad na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar 1.spectacle 2.sorrowful 3.restless 4.hope 5.illusion 6.solace, calm 7.unachievable
I have seen the spectacle of this world. It is sorrowful and restless. Hope is like an illusion, solace is like a dream. There is no trace of happiness in this world, happiness is unachievable. Do not wish for happiness in this world. O love, do not destroy me.
mohammed dawood KhaaN aKhtar shiiraani (1904-1948) ToNk, rajashthan. He received religious and classical education at home and was also given lessons in wrestling. In 1921, there was a rebellion against the local navaab. He was able to put down the rebellion but banished a lot of people, among them shiiraani’s family, who migrated to lahore. He started working as a journalist and publisher. His love interest and poetry caused a breakdown of relationship with his father, but his allowance continued. He died early due to heavy smoking and drinking. In his poetry he broke with the trend of progressive poets and stayed with romantic themes. This whole nazm is written in the context of love with an unnamed beloved, both at a young age. Either the family of the beloved, or perhaps both families are opposed to the liaison and forcefully keep the two lovers apart. It speaks of the intense sorrow of the beloved and should be interpreted as applicable to this specific situation. In the general poetic convention only the poet/lover is sorrowful, but in this specific case both are affected.
1
aye ishq na chheR aa aa ke hameN ham bhuule huoN ko yaad na kar
pahle hi bahut naashaad1 haiN ham tu aur hameN naashaad na kar
qismat ka sitam2 hi kam nahiN kuchh ye taaza3 sitam2 ijaad4 na kar
yuN zulm5 na kar bedaad6 na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad7 na kar
1.unhappy 2.oppression 3.fresh, new 4.invent 5.cruelty 6.injustice 7.destroy
O love, do not tease/harrass me; do not remember/visit me-the forgotten/overlooked one. I am already very unhappy, do not make me even more unhappy. Was not the oppression of fate enough, do not invent new ways of oppressing me. Do not be cruel like this, do not be unjust. O love, do not destroy me.
2
jis din se mile haiN donoN ka sab chain1 gaya aaraam2 gaya
chehroN3 se bahaar4-e sub’h gaii aaNkhoN se faroGh5-e shaam gaya
haathoN se Khushi ka jaam6 chhuTa hoNToN se haNsi ka naam gaya
GhamgiN7 na bana naashaad8 na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad9 na kar
1.tranquility, calm 2.peace, quiet 3.faces 4.spring, blossom 5.brilliance, light 6.cup 7.sorrowful 8.unhappy 9.destroy
This is still addressed to ‘love’ but sometimes he addresses himself as the ‘embodiment of love’. Ever since the day that we met, my peace and quiet has been taken away. The bright happy looks of our faces have disappeared, the lights of evenings have been darkened. The cup of happiness has been snatched away from hands, there is no trace of a smile left on my lips. Do not make me even more sorrowful, even more unhappy. Do not destroy me.
3
ham raatoN ko uTh kar rote haiN ro ro ke duaa’eN karte haiN
aaNkhoN meN tasavvur1 dil meN Khalish2 sar-dhunte3 haiN aaheN4 bharte haiN
aye ishq ye kaisa rog laga jiite haiN na zaalim5 marte haiN
ye zulm6 tu aye jallaad7 na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar
1.imagination, image, memory 2.burning, pricking 3.beating/scratching head 4.sighs 5.tyrant 6.tyranny, cruelty 7.executioner, killer
I wake up at night and cry, I cry and pray for help. In the eyes I carry each her image; I feel pain in my heart, I beat my head and sigh deep sighs. O love what kind of a malady is this, neither do I live nor do I die. O tyrant (addressed to love), do not be so cruel, do not destroy me.
4
ye rog laga hai jab se hameN ranjiida1 huN maiN biimaar2 hai vo
har vaqt tapish3 har vaqt Khalish4 be-Khwaab5 huN maiN bedaar6 hai vo
jiine se idhar bezaar7 huN maiN marne pe udhar tayyaar8 hai vo
aur zabt9 kahe fariyaad10 na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar
1.sorrowful 2.ill, languid, weak 3.burning 4.hurting 5.sleepless 6.awake 7.disinterested, tired of 8.ready 9.self-control 10.lament
Ever since I have been stricken by this illness (love), I have been sorrowful and the beloved has been ill. A constant burning, constant pain, I am sleepless and the beloved is awake. Here I am tired of life, there she is ready to die. And self-control demands that we not lament. O love, do not destroy me.
5
jis din se baNdha hai dhyaan tera ghabraa’e hue se rahte haiN
har vaqt tasavvur1 kar kar ke sharmaa’e2 hue se rahte haiN
kumhlaa’e3 hue phuuloN ki tarah kumhlaa’e hue se rahte haiN
paamaal4 na kar barbaad na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar
1.imagine 2.coy, shy 3.withered, wilted 4.trampled
Ever since the day that my thoughts have been captured by her, I have been worried/perplexed. Every moment I imagine her, I feel shy. I am wilted like withered flowers. Do not trample me, O love do not destroy me.
6
bedard1! zara insaaf2 to kar is umr3 meN aur maGhmuum4 hai vo
phuuloN ki tarah naazuk5 hai abhi taaroN ki tarah maa’suum6 hai vo
ye husn7 sitam! ye raNj8 Ghazab9! majbuur10 huN maiN mazluum11 hai vo
mazluum11 pe yuN bedaad12 na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar
1.unkind 2.justice 3.age 4.sorrowful 5.delicate 6.innocent 7.beauty 8.sorrow 9.what a calamity 10.helpless 11.oppressed 12.injustice
O unkind one (love), be a little just, this tender age and she become sorrowful. She is still delicate like petals, innocent like bright stars. Such cruelty on this beauty, such pain, oh what a calamity. I am helpless and she is oppressed. Do not be unjust to the already oppressed. O love, do not destroy me.
7
aye ishq Khudaara1 dekh kahiN vo shooKh2 haziiN3 bad-naam4 na ho
vo maah-laqa5 bad-naam na ho vo zohra-jabiiN6 bad-naam na ho
naamuus7 ka uss ke paas8 rahe vo parda-nashiiN9 bad-naam na ho
uss parda-nashiN ko yaad na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar
1.by god 2.playful 3.sorrowful, melancholy 4.maligned, bad name 5.moon faced 6.brow like venus, bright brow 7.dignity 8.respect, regard 9.veiled, aloof, modest
O love by god, take care that that playful and sorrowful one not be maligned. That moon-faced one, that bright browed one does not lose her reputation. Have some regard for her dignity, let not that modest one be maligned. Do not remember/take her name (this is probably addressed to himself as a personification of ishq) that veiled one. O love do not destroy me.
8
ummiid1 ki jhuuTi jannat2 ke rah-rah3 ke na dikhla Khwaab hameN
aa’inda4 ki farzi5 ishrat6 ke vaa’doN7 se na kar betaab8 hameN
kahta hai zamaana jis ko Khushi aati hai nazar kamyaab9 hameN
chhoR aisi Khushi ko yaad na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar
1.hope 2.heaven 3.every moment, frequently 4.future 5.fictitious 6.pleasure 7.promises 8.restless, eager 9.rare
O love, do not entice me with frequent dreams of false hopes. Do not make me restless with false promises of future happiness. That which the world calls happiness, appears very rare to me. Leave it aside, do not remember (yearn for) such happiness. O love, do not destroy me.
9
kya samjhe the aur tu kya nikla ye soch ke hi hairaan1 haiN ham
hai pahle-pahal2 ka tajraba3 aur kam-umr haiN ham anjaan4 haiN ham
aye ishq! Khudaara5! rahm-o-karam6 maas’uum7 haiN ham naadaan8 haiN ham
naadaan haiN ham naashaad9 na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar
1.perplexed 2.first time 3.experience 4.inexperienced 5.by god 6.kindness and mercy 7.innocent 8.simpleton 9.unhappy
Look at what we had imagined and look at what has happened, it is perplexing. This was a first experience, we are still young and inexperienced. O love, by god, have some mercy, show some kindness, we are innocent simpletons. We are innocent, we are unhappy, O love, do not destroy us.
10
vo raaz1 hai ye Gham2 aah3 jise paa jaa’e koi to Khair4 nahiN
aaNkhoN se jab aaNsu bahte haiN aa jaa’e koi to Khair nahiN
zaalim5 hai ye duniya dil ko yahaaN bhaa6 jaa’e koi to Khair nahiN
hai zulm7 magar fariyaad8 na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar
1.secret, mystery 2.sorrow, pain, love 3.alas 4.safety, refuge 5.tyrannical 6.liked 7.cruelty 8.appeal, lament, cry
Alas, this pain (of love) is such a mystery that if someone acquires it, then there is no refuge. When anyone discovers tears flowing down your eyes, then there is no refuge. This world is tyrannical, if you begin to like someone, then it does not leave you alone. This cruelty, but there is no appeal, you are not allowed to lament. O love do not destroy me.
11
do din hi meN ahd1-e tifli2 ke maa’suum3 zamaane4 bhuul ga’e
aaNkhoN se vo KhushiyaaN miT si gaiiN lab5 ko vo taraane6 bhuul ga’e
un paak7 behishti8 KhwaaboN ke dilchasp9 fasaane10 bhuul ga’e
in KhwaaboN se yuN aazaad na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar
1.age, era 2.childhood, youth 3.innocent 4.times, period 5.lips 6.songs 7.pure, innocent 8.heavenly 9.interesting 10.stories
In a very short time I had to forget the carefree age of youth. Those joys were erased from my eyes, I had to forget those joyful songs. I had to forget those innocent, heavenly dreams. Do not set me free of those beautiful dreams. O love do not destroy me.
12
usa jaan-e-haya1 ka bas2 nahiN kuchh bebas3 hai paraa’e4 bas2 meN hai
bedard5 diloN ko kya hai Khabar6 jo pyaar yahaaN aapas7 meN hai
hai bebasi3 zahr8 aur pyaar hai ras ye zahr chhupa is ras meN hai
kahti hai haya fariyaad9 na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar
1.life/soul of modesty 2.control 3.helpless 4.other 5.unkind, cruel 6.awareness 7.mutual 8.poison 9.cry, appeal, lament
That soul of modesty is not in control. She is helpless, under the control of someone else. How can unkind hearts be aware of the love we have for each other. This helplessness is a poison, and love is the nectar in which this poison is hidden. Dignity demands that I not lament. O love, do not destroy me.
13
aaNkhoN ko ye kya aazaar1 hua har jazb2-e nehaaN3 par ro dena
aahaNg4-e tarab5 par jhuk jaana aavaaz-e fuGhaaN6 par ro dena
barbat7 ki sada par ro dena mutrib8 ke bayaaN9 par ro dena
ehsaas10 ko Gham-buniyaad11 na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar
1.agony, affliction 2.short for jazba-feelings, emotions 3.hidden 4.melody 5.joy 6.lamentation 7.harp, lute 8.singer 9.words, song 10.feelings, emotions 11.based on a foundation of sorrow
What is this malady that has afflicted my eyes, I burst into tears at every hidden emotion. I look down when I hear a joyous melody and cry at the sound of lamentation. I cry at the sound of the lute, and burst into tears at the words of the singer. Do not make sorrow the foundation of my feelings. O love, do not destroy me.
14
har dam1 abadi2 raahat3 ka samaaN4 dikhla ke hameN dilgiir5 na kar
lillaah6 habaab7-e aab-e-ravaaN8 par naqsh-e-baqaa9 tahriir10 na kar
maayuusi11 ke ramte12 baadal par ummid13 ke ghar taa’miir14 na kar
taa’miir na kar aabaad15 na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar
1.moment 2.eternal 3.happiness 4.means, methods 5.heart-broken 6.by god 7.bubble 8.flowing water 9.words/images of stability 10.write/draw 11.disappointment 12.floating, moving 13.hopes 14.build 15.populate, fill
Do not break my heart after showing me ways to achieve eternal happiness. By god, do not draw images of stability/permanence o a bubble floating on flowing water. Do not build a house of hopes on flowing clouds of disppointment. Do not build, do not fill this house with false hopes. O love, do not destroy me.
15
ji chaahta hai ek duusre ko yuN aaTh-pahar1 ham yaad kareN
aaNkhoN meN basaa’eN2 KhwaaboN ko aur dil meN Khayaal3 aabaad4 kareN
Khalvat5 meN bhi ho jalvat6 ka samaaN7 vahdat8 ko duii9 se shaad10 kareN
ye aarzu’eN11 ijaad12 na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar
1.eight durations, day and night 2.inhabit, grow, cultivate 3.thoughts 4.settle, prosper, fill 5.solitude 6.multitude 7.atmosphere, ambience 8.one-ness, alone 9.twosome 10.joyful 11.desires 12.invent, create
I wish that we could carry thoughts of each other day and night; that we could cultivate dreams in our eyes, and fill our hearts with thoughts of each other. I wish that we could make even our solitude like a joyful ambience of two being together. O love, do not create such emotions, do not destroy me.
16
duniya ka tamaasha1 dekh liya Ghamgiin2 si hai betaab3 si hai
ummiid4 yahaaN ek vahm5 si hai taskiin6 yahaaN ek Khwaab si hai
duniya meN Khushi ka naam nahiN duniya meN Khushi naayaab7 si hai
duniya meN Khushi ko yaad na kar
aye ishq hameN barbaad na kar
1.spectacle 2.sorrowful 3.restless 4.hope 5.illusion 6.solace, calm 7.unachievable
I have seen the spectacle of this world. It is sorrowful and restless. Hope is like an illusion, solace is like a dream. There is no trace of happiness in this world, happiness is unachievable. Do not wish for happiness in this world. O love, do not destroy me.
