Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. mohammed husain qamar jalaalavi (1887-1968), was born in jalaali, near aligaRh, moved to pakistan after partition/independence. He was popularly known as ‘ustad’, for his expertise in repairing bicycles, which is how he earned his living and lived in penury, in spite of his excellence as a poet. He wrote Ghazal is chaste classical style, many of which have been put to music. This is one of several thematic collections of his maqta in which he uses his taKhallus with great witticism.
1
raushan¹ hai mera naam baRa naamvar² huN maiN
shahed³ haiN aasmaN ke sitaare qamar⁴ huN maiN    1.bright, shining 2.famous, reputable 3.witness, also my name 4.full moon, also the pen-name of the poet
In 1965 I was introduced to ustad qamar jalalavi – “ustad, this is shahed. Say a couplet using his name”. Within 30 seconds came this couplet with loads of praise for himself and a beautiful play on words. My name shines bright, I am very famous. Stars of the sky bear witness that I am qamar (full moon and pen-name of poet).
2
maiN un sab meN ek imtiaazi¹ nishaaN² huN, falak³ par numayaaN⁴ haiN jitne sitaare
qamar bazm-e-anjum⁵ ki mujh ko maiassar⁶ sadaarat⁷ nahiN hai to phir aur kya hai    1.distinction, honour 2.mark 3.skies 4.manifestation, display 5.assembly of stars 6.available, bestowed, given 7.chairmanship
It is easy to imagine that the poet has been given the ‘sadaarat’ or place of honour/chairmanship of a mushaira and he is comparing himself as the moon among stars/other poets. Thus – I am distinguished among all the stars that are displayed in the sky. O qamar/moon/poet, after all the highest place of honour has been bestowed upon you in the assembly of stars.
3
kaun qamar¹ se hai begaana², ahl-e-zamiN³ ya ahl-e-falak⁴
zarra⁵ zarra us se vaaqif⁶, taara taara jaane hai    1.name and pen-name of the poet, full moon 2.unaware, not acquainted 3.people of the earth 4.people of the sky 5.particle (of dust) 6.familiar
Who is not acquainted with ‘qamar’ (the poet and/or the bright moon) on this earth and in the sky. Every particle of dust is aware of him and every star knows him. Thus he praises himself as a famous poet whose name is ‘bright’.
4
qamar se intezaam¹-e raushni ko poochhne vaale
chiraaGhauN ki zarurat kya hai jab mahfil² meN tuu hoga    1.arrangement, provision 2.gathering, party
The poet’s name is ‘qamar’ which also means ‘full moon’. Someone has asked him about what arrangement has been made for lights at the party. Why do they need lights when you are there, O, qamar.
5
Gharibi meN mera marna qamar rashk¹-e amiri hai
chaRheNgi chaandni ki chaadareN gor²-e GharibaaN par    1.envy 2.grave
My death in poverty is the envy of the rich, O qamar. Bright sheets of moonlight will be spread to honour my grave.
6
zamiN mujh se munavvar¹, aasmaaN raushan² mere dum se
Khuda ke fazl³ se donoN jagah qabza⁴ qamar apna    1.shining 2.lit up 3.kindness 4.control, dominance
The earth shines and the sky is lit up because of me. By the grace of god, I dominate both places.
7
qamar¹ maiN huN muKhtaar² tanzeem³-e shab⁴ ka
haiN mere hi buss⁵ meN andhere ujaale    1.moon, name of the poet 2.holding authority over 3.arrangement, administration 4.night 5.control
O qamar, I have authority over the affairs of the night. It is I who controls its brightness and darkness.
8
kya pataa¹ poochho ho mera naam raushan hai qamar
jis jagah taarauN ki basti hai vahaaN aabaad² huN    1.address, whereabouts 2.reside, prosper
Why ask me about my whereabouts, my name shines (I am famous). I live in the community of stars.