For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the tabs marked “Roman” or “Notes”.
Recitation
lata maNgeshkar
جنگ کیوں ہے ۔ ساحر لدھیانوی
۱
خدائے برتر تری زمیں پر زمیں کی خاطر یہ جنگ کیوں ہے
ہر ایک فتح و ظفر کے دامن پہ خونِ انساں کا رنگ کیوں ہے
۲
زمیں بھی تیری ہے ہم بھی تیرے یہ ملکیت کا سوال کیا ہے
یہ قتل و خوں کا رواج کیوں ہے یہ رسم جنگ و جدال کیا ہے
۳
جنہیں طلب ہے جہان بھر کی اُنہیں کا دل اتنا تنگ کیوں ہے
خدائے برتر تیری زمیں پر زمیں کی خاطر یہ جنگ کیوں ہے
۴
غریب ماؤں شریف بہنوں کو امن و عزت کی زندگی دے
جنہیں عطا کی ہے تو نے طاقت اُنہیں ہدایت کی روشنی دے
۵
سَروں میں کبر و غرور کیوں ہے دلوں کے شیشے پہ زنگ کیوں ہے
خدائے برتر تری زمیں پر زمیں کی خاطر یہ جنگ کیوں ہے
۶
قضا کے رستے پہ جانے والوں کو بچ کے آنے کی راہ دینا
دِلوں کے گلشن اُجڑ نہ جائیں محبّتوں کو پناہ دینا
۷
جہاں میں جشنِ وفا کے بدلے یہ جشنِ تیر و تفنگ کیوں ہے
خدائے برتر تری زمیں پر زمیں کی خاطر یہ جنگ کیوں ہے
जंग क्यूँ है – साहिर लुधियानवी
१
ख़ुदा-ए-बर्तर तेरी ज़मीं पर ज़मीं की ख़ातिर ये जंग क्यूँ है
हर एक फ़त्ह-ओ-ज़फ़र के दामन पे ख़ून-ए-इन्सां का रंग क्यूँ है
२
ज़मीं भी तेरी है हम भी तेरे ये मिल्कियत का सवाल क्या है
ये क़त्ल-ओ-ख़ूँ का रिवाज क्यूँ है ये रस्म-ए-जंग-ओ-जिदाल क्या है
३
जिन्हें तलब है जहान भर की उन्हीं का दिल इतना तंग क्यूँ है
ख़ुदा-ए-बर्तर तेरी ज़मीं पर ज़मीं की ख़ातिर ये जंग क्यूँ है
४
ग़रीब माओं शरीफ़ बहनों को अम्न-ओ-इज़्ज़त की ज़िंदगी दे
जिन्हें अता की है तू ने ताक़त उन्हें हिदायत की रौशनी दे
५
सरों में किब्र-ओ-ग़ुरूर क्यूँ है दिलों के शीशे पे ज़ंग क्यूँ है
ख़ुदा-ए-बर्तर तेरी ज़मीं पर ज़मीं की ख़ातिर ये जंग क्यूँ है
६
क़ज़ा के रस्ते पे जाने वोलौं को बच के आने का राह देना
दिलौं के गुल्शन उजड़ न जाएं मोहब्बतौं को पनाह देना
७
जहां में जश्न-ए वफ़ा के बदले ये जश्न-ए तीर ऐ तफ़ंग क्यूं है
ख़ुदा-ए-बर्तर तेरी ज़मीं पर ज़मीं की ख़ातिर ये जंग क्यूँ है
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. sahir ludhianavi (1921-1980) most famous for extremely popular songs also wrote Ghazal and nazm in classical style yet in a language that was reachable by those not well-versed in urdu. The theme of peace is recurrent in his writings. A progressive, socialist/communist, he was one of the few openly atheist poets.
1
Khuda-e-bartar1 teri zamiN par zamiN ki Khatir2 ye jaNg kyuN hai
har ek fat’h-o-zafar3 ke daaman4 pe Khoon-e-insaaN ka raNg kyuN hai 1.god above 2.for the sake of 3.victory and triumph 4.hem of the dress
O, god above, on your earth, for the sake of (grabbing) land, why is there so much war. In each victory and triumph, why is there so much human blood.
2
zamiN bhi teri hai ham bhi tere ye milkiyat1 ka savaal kya hai
ye qatl-o-KhooN ka rivaaj2 kyuN hai ye rasm3-e jaNg-o-jidal4 kya hai 1.ownership 2.tradition 3.custom 4.war and conflict
The earth is yours, we are yours, then why is there a question of ownership. Why this tradition of blood and mayhem, why this custom of war and conflict.
3
jinheN talab1 hai jahaan bhar ki unhiN ka dil itna taNg2 kyuN hai
Khuda-e-bartar teri zamiN par zamiN ki Khatir ye jaNg kyuN hai 1.demand, desire 2.narrow
Those who desire to own the whole world, why is it that their heart is so narrow. O, god above, on your earth, for the sake of (grabbing) land, why is there so much war.
4
Gharib maaoN sharif bahnoN ko amn-o-izzat1 ki zindagi de
jinheN ata2 ki hai tu ne taaqat3 unheN hidaayat4 ki raushni de 1.peace and honour 2.granted 3.strength, power 4.righteousness
There is a recognition that women are also the casualties of war. Grant a life of peace and honour to all helpless mothers and brave sisters. To those whom you have given power, also give them the light of righteousness.
5
saroN meN kibr1 o Ghuroor2 kyuN hai diloN ke shishe pe zaNg3 kyuN hai
Khuda-e-bartar teri zamiN par zamiN ki Khatir ye jaNg kyuN hai 1.hubris 2.pride 3.rust
Why are their heads full of hubris and pride, why are the mirrors of their hearts rusted. O, god above, on your earth, for the sake of (grabbing) land, why is there so much war.
6
qaza1 ke raste pe jaane vaaloN ko buch ke aane ki raah dena
dilauN ke gulshan ujaR na jaayeN mohabbatauN ko panaah2 dena 1.death 2.refuge, protection.
Those who are on the path to their death, let them find a way back to safety. May the gardens of the hearts (of mothers and sisters) not go barren. Give their love some protection.
7
jahaaN meN jashn1-e vafa2 ke badle ye jashne-e tiir-o-tufaNg3 kyuN hai
Khuda-e-bartar teri zamiN par zamiN ki Khatir ye jaNg kyuN hai 1.celebration 2.truth 3.arrows and guns
In this world, instead of a celebration of Truth, why is there a celebration of arms. O, god above, on your earth, for the sake of (grabbing) land, why is there so much war.
sahir ludhianavi (1921-1980) most famous for extremely popular songs also wrote Ghazal and nazm in classical style yet in a language that was reachable by those not well-versed in urdu. The theme of peace is recurrent in his writings. A progressive, socialist/communist, he was one of the few openly atheist poets.
1
Khuda-e-bartar1 teri zamiN par zamiN ki Khatir2 ye jaNg kyuN hai
har ek fat’h-o-zafar3 ke daaman4 pe Khoon-e-insaaN ka raNg kyuN hai
1.god above 2.for the sake of 3.victory and triumph 4.hem of the dress
O, god above, on your earth, for the sake of (grabbing) land, why is there so much war. In each victory and triumph, why is there so much human blood.
2
zamiN bhi teri hai ham bhi tere ye milkiyat1 ka savaal kya hai
ye qatl-o-KhooN ka rivaaj2 kyuN hai ye rasm3-e jaNg-o-jidal4 kya hai
1.ownership 2.tradition 3.custom 4.war and conflict
The earth is yours, we are yours, then why is there a question of ownership. Why this tradition of blood and mayhem, why this custom of war and conflict.
3
jinheN talab1 hai jahaan bhar ki unhiN ka dil itna taNg2 kyuN hai
Khuda-e-bartar teri zamiN par zamiN ki Khatir ye jaNg kyuN hai
1.demand, desire 2.narrow
Those who desire to own the whole world, why is it that their heart is so narrow. O, god above, on your earth, for the sake of (grabbing) land, why is there so much war.
4
Gharib maaoN sharif bahnoN ko amn-o-izzat1 ki zindagi de
jinheN ata2 ki hai tu ne taaqat3 unheN hidaayat4 ki raushni de
1.peace and honour 2.granted 3.strength, power 4.righteousness
There is a recognition that women are also the casualties of war. Grant a life of peace and honour to all helpless mothers and brave sisters. To those whom you have given power, also give them the light of righteousness.
5
saroN meN kibr1 o Ghuroor2 kyuN hai diloN ke shishe pe zaNg3 kyuN hai
Khuda-e-bartar teri zamiN par zamiN ki Khatir ye jaNg kyuN hai
1.hubris 2.pride 3.rust
Why are their heads full of hubris and pride, why are the mirrors of their hearts rusted. O, god above, on your earth, for the sake of (grabbing) land, why is there so much war.
6
qaza1 ke raste pe jaane vaaloN ko buch ke aane ki raah dena
dilauN ke gulshan ujaR na jaayeN mohabbatauN ko panaah2 dena
1.death 2.refuge, protection.
Those who are on the path to their death, let them find a way back to safety. May the gardens of the hearts (of mothers and sisters) not go barren. Give their love some protection.
7
jahaaN meN jashn1-e vafa2 ke badle ye jashne-e tiir-o-tufaNg3 kyuN hai
Khuda-e-bartar teri zamiN par zamiN ki Khatir ye jaNg kyuN hai
1.celebration 2.truth 3.arrows and guns
In this world, instead of a celebration of Truth, why is there a celebration of arms. O, god above, on your earth, for the sake of (grabbing) land, why is there so much war.
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