For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the tabs marked “Roman” or “Notes”.
Recitation
josh malihabadi
کیا ہوگا ۔ جوش ملیح آبادی
یقین ڈوب گیا تو گُماں سے کیا ہوگا
زمیں سے جو نہ ہوا آسماں سے کیا ہوگا
مزا تو جب ہے کہ نظمِ چمن پہ چھا جاؤ
شکائیتِ روشِ باغباں سے کیا ہوگا
بہار خونِ جگر سے اُگے تو بات بنے
جناب شکوۂ بادِ خزاں سے کیا ہوگا
خود اتّصافِ حیاتِ ابد کی راہ نکال
دعائے وسعتِ عمرِ رواں سے کیا ہوگا
ہوا کے دوش کو بارود کی ضرورت ہے
شمیمِ گیسوئے عنبر فشاں سے کیا ہوگا
غرورِ قلعہ شِکن وقت کا تقاضیٰ ہے
سجودِ بارگہِ خسرواں سے کیا ہوگا
اِن آنسوؤں میں بہاے بغیر تاجِ یزید
فقط حسین پر آہ و فغاں سے کیا ہوگا
جو مرد ہو تو چنین و چناں کو زیر کرو
اِس احتجاجِ چنین و چناں سے کیا ہوگا
جو رِند ہو تو اُٹھا لو پیالہ خود بڑھ کر
اِس اِنتظارِ عطائے مغاں سے کیا ہوگا
مجاہداتِ زمان و مکاں میں در آؤ
مُذاکراتِ زمان و مکاں سے کیا ہوگا
چراغِ طاقتِ گردن کشاں بجھاے بغیر
فقط ملامتِ گردن کشاں سے کیا ہوگا
سنو سنو کہ یہ گردوں سے آ رہی ہے صدا
کہ ذوالفقار سے بولو، زباں سے کیا ہوگا
دلوں میں جوش اگر غلغلے نہیں تو پھر
فروغِ ممبر و بانگِ اذاں سے کیا ہوگا
क्या होगा – जोश मलीहाबादी
यक़ीन डूब गया तो गुमां से क्या होगा
ज़मीं से जो न हुआ आस्मां से क्या होगा
मज़ा तो जब है के नज़्म-ए चमन पे छा जाओ
शिकाएत-ए रविश-ए बाग़्बां से क्या होगा
बहार ख़ून-ए जिगर से उगे तो बात बने
जनाब शिकवा-ए बाद-ए खिज़ां से क्या होगा
ख़ुद इत्तेसाफ़-ए हयात-ए अबद कि राह निकाल
दुआ-ए वुस’अत-ए उम्र-ए रवां से क्या होगा
हवा के दोश को बारूद कि ज़रूरत है
शमीम-ए गेसू-ए अम्बर फ़शां से क्या होगा
ग़ुरूर-ए क़ल’अ शिकन वक़्त कि ज़रूरत है
सुजूद-ए बारगाह-ए ख़ुस्रावां से क्या होगा
इन आन्सुऔं में बहाए बगै़र ताज-ए यज़ीद
फ़क़त हुसैन पर आह ओ फ़ग़ां से क्या होगा
जो मर्द हो तो चुनीन ओ चुनां को ज़ेर करो
इस एहतेजाज-ए चुनीन ओ चुनां से क्या होगा
जो रिंद हो उठा लो प्याला ख़ुद बढ़ कर
इस इन्तेज़ार-ए अता-ए मुग़़ां से क्या होगा
मुजहिदात-ए ज़मान ओ मकां में दर आओ
मुज़ाकेरात-ए ज़मान ओ मकां से क्या होगा
चिराग़-ए ताक़त-ए गर्दन कशां बुझाए बगै़र
फ़क़त मलामत-ए गर्दन कशां से क्या होगा
सुनो सुनो के ये गर्दूं से आ रही है सदा
के ज़ुल्फ़िक़ार से बोलो ज़बां से क्या होगा
दिलों में जोश अगर ग़ुल्ग़ुले नहीं तो फिर
फ़रोग़-ए मिम्बर ओ बांग-ए अज़ां से क्या होगा
kya hoga – josh malihabadi
Click here for overall comments and on any she’r for word meanings and discussion. josh wrote this during ayub KhaaN’s rule but no newspaper would dare publish it. He recited it at mushaa’era. The recording here from a 1968 mushaa’era, when ayub KhaaN was still in power, but getting quite unpopular. It is entirely possible that josh openly and defiantly recited this even before 1968.
yaqin1 Doob gaya to gumaaN2 se kya hoga
zamiN se jo na hua, aasmaaN se kya hoga1.certainty, confidence 2.doubt, hesitation, timidity
It might mean we had confidence in our system of government. That confidence is lost. We are now hesitant. Such hesitation is not going to get us anywhere. If humans cannot help themselves on earth then god (sky) will not be able to do much for them.
maza to jab hai ke nazm1-e chaman pe chha jaao
shikaayet2-e ravish3-e baaGhbaaN se kya hoga1.administration, governing 2.complaint 3.style, ways, conduct
It is better to take control of the reins of power/administration of the garden. What is the use of complaining about the ways of the gardener.
bahaar1 Khoon-e-jigar2 se uge to baat baney
janaab shikwa3-e baad4-e KhizaaN5 se kya hoga1.spring, just social order 2.blood of the liver – used like water to irrigate spring growth 3.complaint 4.breeze 5.winter/autumn/dry season
It is better if spring emerges irrigated with our blood. What is the use of complaining about wintry breeze.
Khud ittesaaf1-e hayaat2-e abad3 ki raah4 nikaal
dua-e vus’at5-e umr-e-ravaaN6 se kya hoga1.qualities 2.life 3.eternal 4.pathway, method 5.expanse, increase 6.literally – flowing life meaning present life
You yourselves should discover/develop the qualities of eternal life (by sacrificing your life). What is the use of praying for long life.
hava ke dosh1 ko baarood ki zarurat hai
shamim2-e gesu3-e ambar4 fashaaN5 se kya hoga1.shoulder, back 2.breeze 3.hair 4.amber, fragrance 5.spreading
The wind (present conditions) calls for explosives (he is also using the sharp/pungent smell of gunpowder against the fragrance of the beloved’s hair). How can fragrance spreading breeze from the beloved’s hair help.
Ghuroor1-e qal’a-shikan2 vaqt ka taqaaza3 hai
sujood4-e baargah5-e KhusravaaN6 se kya hoga1.pride/self-confidence 2.fort conquerer 3.demand 4.prostration 5.palace 6.Khusro/king/tyrant
The times demand that you develop the confidence of a ‘fort conquerer’. What is the use of prostrating before the palace/throne of the tyrant.
in aaNsuauN meN bahaaye baGhair taaj-e yazid
faqat1 husain par aah-o-fuGhaaN2 se kya hoga1.only 2.wailing and lamenting
This she’r uses the backdrop of the shia tradition of lamenting and weeping the slaughter of husain and his family and followers in karbala. josh (and many others) use karbala as a metaphor for rebellion and standing up for justice. Thus, what is the use of only weeping and wailing … unless the flood of tears washes away the crown of yazid … yazid here being ayub KhaaN. In another version of this she’r the first misra is …
sar-e yazid utaare baGhair aye yaaro
… which is much more direct and defiant.
jo mard1 ho to chuneen-o-chunaaN2 ko zer3 karo
is ehtejaaj4-e chuneen o chunaaN se kya hoga1.man – used here to mean ‘brave’ 2.colloquially – idle debate, endless discussion 3.overcome 4.presenting logical arguments
If you are brave, overcome this habit of idle discussion. What is the use of presenting endless arguments.
mujahidaat1-e zamaan-o-makaaN2 meN dar3 aao
muzaakeraat4-e zamaan o makaaN se kya hoga1.struggle, action 2.time and place – meaning, life 3.force your way into 4.discussion
Force your way into the field of action. What is the use of just discussing the problems of life.
jo rind1 ho to uThaa lo pyaala Khud baRh kar
is intezaar2-e ataa3-e muGhaaN4 se kya hoga1.reveler, wine drinker 2.waiting, anticipating 3.grant 4.wine-maker
If you like to drink, step forward and pick up the cup. What is the use of waiting for the wine-maker to grant you one.
charaaGh-e taaqat-e gardan-kashaaN1 bujhaaye baGhair2
faqat3 malaamat4-e gardan kashaaN se kya hoga1.neck wringing/cutting 2.without 3.only 4.cursing, criticizing
Without putting out the lamp of those who chop heads off, what is the use of only criticizing/cursing the tyrant. Another version of this she’r is ….
jo soorma ho to chaNgez KhaaN se Takkar lo
faqat mazammat-e chaNgez KhaaN se kya hoga
… which is much more direct and defiant.
suno suno ke ye garduN1 se aa rahi hai sada2
ke zulfiqar3 se bolo, zabaaN se kya hoga1.skies, heavens 2.sound, call 3.the sword of ali, used as a symbol of active resistance
Listen to the voice from the heavens, use the sword to talk, what is the use of just wagging your tongue.
dilauN meN josh1 agar GhulGhule2 nahiN to phir
faroGh3-e mimbar4 o baaNg5-e azaaN6 se kya hoga1.enthusiasm, also the taKhallus of the shaa’er 2.clamour, uproar 3.ascending, climbing 4.pulpit 5.sound, call 6.islamic call to prayer
If there is no enthusiasm in the heart for uproar/clamour/protest then what is the use of climbing the pulpit, what is the use of issuing a call to prayer.
kya hoga – josh malihabadi
josh wrote this during ayub KhaaN’s rule but no newspaper would dare publish it. He recited it at mushaa’era. The recording here from a 1968 mushaa’era, when ayub KhaaN was still in power, but getting quite unpopular. It is entirely possible that josh openly and defiantly recited this even before 1968.
yaqin1 Doob gaya to gumaaN2 se kya hoga
zamiN se jo na hua, aasmaaN se kya hoga
1.certainty, confidence 2.doubt, hesitation, timidity
It might mean we had confidence in our system of government. That confidence is lost. We are now hesitant. Such hesitation is not going to get us anywhere. If humans cannot help themselves on earth then god (sky) will not be able to do much for them.
maza to jab hai ke nazm1-e chaman pe chha jaao
shikaayet2-e ravish3-e baaGhbaaN se kya hoga
1.administration, governing 2.complaint 3.style, ways, conduct
It is better to take control of the reins of power/administration of the garden. What is the use of complaining about the ways of the gardener.
bahaar1 Khoon-e-jigar2 se uge to baat baney
janaab shikwa3-e baad4-e KhizaaN5 se kya hoga
1.spring, just social order 2.blood of the liver – used like water to irrigate spring growth 3.complaint 4.breeze 5.winter/autumn/dry season
It is better if spring emerges irrigated with our blood. What is the use of complaining about wintry breeze.
Khud ittesaaf1-e hayaat2-e abad3 ki raah4 nikaal
dua-e vus’at5-e umr-e-ravaaN6 se kya hoga
1.qualities 2.life 3.eternal 4.pathway, method 5.expanse, increase 6.literally – flowing life meaning present life
You yourselves should discover/develop the qualities of eternal life (by sacrificing your life). What is the use of praying for long life.
hava ke dosh1 ko baarood ki zarurat hai
shamim2-e gesu3-e ambar4 fashaaN5 se kya hoga
1.shoulder, back 2.breeze 3.hair 4.amber, fragrance 5.spreading
The wind (present conditions) calls for explosives (he is also using the sharp/pungent smell of gunpowder against the fragrance of the beloved’s hair). How can fragrance spreading breeze from the beloved’s hair help.
Ghuroor1-e qal’a-shikan2 vaqt ka taqaaza3 hai
sujood4-e baargah5-e KhusravaaN6 se kya hoga
1.pride/self-confidence 2.fort conquerer 3.demand 4.prostration 5.palace 6.Khusro/king/tyrant
The times demand that you develop the confidence of a ‘fort conquerer’. What is the use of prostrating before the palace/throne of the tyrant.
in aaNsuauN meN bahaaye baGhair taaj-e yazid
faqat1 husain par aah-o-fuGhaaN2 se kya hoga
1.only 2.wailing and lamenting
This she’r uses the backdrop of the shia tradition of lamenting and weeping the slaughter of husain and his family and followers in karbala. josh (and many others) use karbala as a metaphor for rebellion and standing up for justice. Thus, what is the use of only weeping and wailing … unless the flood of tears washes away the crown of yazid … yazid here being ayub KhaaN. In another version of this she’r the first misra is …
sar-e yazid utaare baGhair aye yaaro
… which is much more direct and defiant.
jo mard1 ho to chuneen-o-chunaaN2 ko zer3 karo
is ehtejaaj4-e chuneen o chunaaN se kya hoga
1.man – used here to mean ‘brave’ 2.colloquially – idle debate, endless discussion 3.overcome 4.presenting logical arguments
If you are brave, overcome this habit of idle discussion. What is the use of presenting endless arguments.
mujahidaat1-e zamaan-o-makaaN2 meN dar3 aao
muzaakeraat4-e zamaan o makaaN se kya hoga
1.struggle, action 2.time and place – meaning, life 3.force your way into 4.discussion
Force your way into the field of action. What is the use of just discussing the problems of life.
jo rind1 ho to uThaa lo pyaala Khud baRh kar
is intezaar2-e ataa3-e muGhaaN4 se kya hoga
1.reveler, wine drinker 2.waiting, anticipating 3.grant 4.wine-maker
If you like to drink, step forward and pick up the cup. What is the use of waiting for the wine-maker to grant you one.
charaaGh-e taaqat-e gardan-kashaaN1 bujhaaye baGhair2
faqat3 malaamat4-e gardan kashaaN se kya hoga
1.neck wringing/cutting 2.without 3.only 4.cursing, criticizing
Without putting out the lamp of those who chop heads off, what is the use of only criticizing/cursing the tyrant. Another version of this she’r is ….
jo soorma ho to chaNgez KhaaN se Takkar lo
faqat mazammat-e chaNgez KhaaN se kya hoga
… which is much more direct and defiant.
suno suno ke ye garduN1 se aa rahi hai sada2
ke zulfiqar3 se bolo, zabaaN se kya hoga
1.skies, heavens 2.sound, call 3.the sword of ali, used as a symbol of active resistance
Listen to the voice from the heavens, use the sword to talk, what is the use of just wagging your tongue.
dilauN meN josh1 agar GhulGhule2 nahiN to phir
faroGh3-e mimbar4 o baaNg5-e azaaN6 se kya hoga
1.enthusiasm, also the taKhallus of the shaa’er 2.clamour, uproar 3.ascending, climbing 4.pulpit 5.sound, call 6.islamic call to prayer
If there is no enthusiasm in the heart for uproar/clamour/protest then what is the use of climbing the pulpit, what is the use of issuing a call to prayer.
Key Search Words: resistance revolution oppression dictatorship military rule
