For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the “English” or “Notes” tab.
Recitation
کیا پوچھو ہو ۔ رگھوپتی سہائے فراقؔ گورکھپوری
۱
ہم سے فراقؔ اکثر چھُپ چھُپ کر پہروں پہروں روؤ ہو
وہ بھی کوئی ہمیں جیسا ہے کیا تم اُس میں دیکھو ہو
۲
جن کو اتنا یاد کرو ہو چلتے پھرتے سائے تھے
اُن کو مِٹے تو مُدّت گزری نام و نشاں کیا پوچھو ہو
۳
جانے بھی دو نام کسی کا آ گیا باتوں باتوں میں
ایسی بھی کیا چُپ لگ جانا کچھ تو کہو کیا سوچو ہو
۴
پہروں پہروں تک یہ دنیا بھولا سپنا بن جائے ہے
میں تو سراسر کھو جاؤں ہوں یاد اِتنا کیوں آؤ ہو
۵
کیا غمِ دوراں کی پرچھائیں تم پر بھی پڑ جائے ہے
کیا یاد آ جائے ہے یکایک کیوں اُداس ہو جاؤ ہو
۶
جھوٹی شکایت بھی جو کروں ہوں پلک دیپ جل جائیں ہیں
تم کو چھیڑیں بھی کیا تم تو ہنسی ہنسی میں رو دو ہو
۷
غم سے خمیرِ عشق اُٹھا ہے حسن کو دیویں کیا اِلزام
اُس کے کرم پر اِتنی اُداسی دل والو کیا چاہو ہو
۸
ایک شخص کے مر جائے سے کیا ہو جائے ہے لیکن
ہم جیسے کم ہوئیں ہے پیدا پچھتاؤگے دیکھو ہو
۹
اتنی وحشت اتنی وحشت صدقے اچھی آنکھوں کے
تم نہ ہرن ہو میں نہ شکاری دور اتنا کیوں بھاگو ہو
۱۰
میرے نغمے کس کے لئے ہیں خود مجھ کو معلوم نہیں
کبھی نہ پوچھو یہ شاعر سے تم کس کا گن گاؤ ہو
۱۱
پلکیں بند السائی زلفیں نرم سیج پر بکھری ہوئی
ہونٹوں پر اِک موجِ تبسّم، سوؤ ہو یا جاگو ہو
۱۲
اتنے تپاک سے مجھ سے ملو ہو پھر بھی یہ غیرت کیوں
تم جسے یاد آؤ ہو برابر میں ہوں وہی تم بھُولو ہو
۱۳
کبھی بنا دو ہو سپنے کو جلوؤں سے رشکِ گلزار
کبھی رنگ رُخ بن کر تم یاد آتے ہی اُڑ جاؤ ہو
۱۴
گاہ ترس جائیں ہیں آنکھیں رسجل روپ کے درشن کو
گاہ نیند بن کے راتوں کو نین پٹوں میں آؤ ہو
۱۵
اِس دنیا ہی میں ہے سنیں ہیں، اِک دنیائے محبت بھی
ہم بھی اُسی جانب جاویں ہیں بولو تم بھی آؤ ہو
۱۶
بہت دنوں میں یاد کیا ہے بات بنائیں کیا اُن سے
جیون ساتھی دکھ پوچھیں ہیں کس کو ہمیں تم سونپو ہو
۱۷
چُپ چُپ سی ہے فضائے محبّت کچھ نہ کہے ہے خلوتِ راز
نرم اِشاروں سے آنکھوں کے بات کہاں پہنچاؤ ہو
۱۸
ابھی اُسی کا اِنتظار تھا اور کتنا اے اہلِ وفا
چشمِ کرم جب اُٹھنے لگی ہے تو تم اب شرماؤ ہو
۱۹
غم کے ساز سے چنچل اُنگلیاں کھیل رہی ہیں رات گئے
جن کا سکوت سکوتِ ابد ہے وے پردے کیوں چھیڑو ہو
۲۰
کچھ تو بتاؤ رنگ روپ بھی تم اُس کا اے اہلِ نظر
تم تو اُس کو جب دیکھو ہو دیکھتے ہی رہ جاؤ ہو
۲۱
اکثر گہری سوچ میں اُن کو کھویا کھویا پاویں ہیں
اب ہے فراقؔ کا کچھ روزوں سے جو عالم کیا پوچھو ہو
क्या पूछो हो – रघुपति सहाए फ़िराक़ गोरखपूरी
१
हम से फ़िराक़ अक्सर छुप छुप कर पहरौं पहरौं रोओ हो
वो भि कोई हमीं जैसा है, क्या तुम उस में देखो हो
२
जिन को इतना याद करो हो चलते फिरते साए थे
उन को मिटे तो मुद्दत गुज़्री नाम ओ निशां क्या पूछो हो
३
जाने भी दो नाम किसी का आ गया बातौं बातौं में
ऐसी भि क्या चुप लग जाना, कुछ तो कहो क्या सोचो हो
४
पहरौं पहरौं तक ये दुनिया भूलो सपना बन जाए
मैं तो सरासर खो जाऊं हूं याद इतना क्यूं आओ हो
५
क्या ग़म-ए दौरां की परछाईं तुम पर भि पढ जाए है
क्या याद आ जाए है यकायक क्यूं उदास हो जाओ हो
६
झूटी शिकाएत भी जो करूं हूं पलक दीप जल जाएं हैं
तुम को छेढें भि क्या तुम तो हंसी हंसी में रो दो हो
७
ग़म से ख़मीर-ए इश्क़ उठा है हुस्न को देवें क्या इल्ज़ाम
उस के करम पर इतनी उदासी दिल वालो क्या चाहो हो
८
एक शख़्स के मर जाए से क्या हो जाए है लैकिन
हम जैसे कम हुए हैं पैदा, पछताओगे देखो हो
९
इतनी वहशत इतनी वहशत सद्क़े अच्छी आंखौं के
तुम न हरन हो मैं न शिकारी दूर इतना क्यूं भागो हो
१०
मेरे नग़्मे किस के लिए हैं ख़ुद मुझ को मालूम नहीं
कभी न पूछो ये शाएर से तुम किस का गुन गाए हो
११
पल्कें बंद अल्साई ज़ुल्फ़ें नर्म सेज पर बिखरी हुई
होंटौं पर एक मौज-ए तबस्सुम सोओ हो या जागो हो
१२
इतने तपाक से मुझ से मिलो हो फिर भी ये ग़ैरत क्यूं
तुम जिसे याद आओ हो बराबर मैं हुं वही तुम भूलो हो
१३
कभी बना दो हो सपने को जल्वौं से रश्क-ए गुल्ज़ार
कभी रंग रुख़ बन कर तुम याद अते हि उढ जाओ हो
१४
गाह तरस जाएं हैं आंखें रस्जल रूप के दर्शन को
गाह नींद बन के रातौं को नैन पटौं में आओ हो
१५
इस दुनीया ही में है सुनें हैं, एक दुनिया-ए मोहब्बत भी
हम भी उस जानिब जअवों हैं बोलो तुम भी आओ हो
१६
बहुत दिनौं में याद किया है, बात बनाएं क्या उन से
जीवन साथी दुख पूछे हैं किस को हमें तुम सोंपो हो
१७
चुप चुप सी है फ़िज़ा-ए मोहब्बत कुछ न कहे है ख़ल्वत-ए राज़
नर्म इशारौं से आंखौं के बात कहां पहुंचाओ हो
१८
अभी उसी का इंतेज़ार था और कितना अए अहल-ए वफ़ा
चश्म-ए करम जब उठने सगी है तो तुम अब शरमाओ हो
१९
ग़म के साज़ से चंचल उंग्लियां खेल रही हैं रात गए
जिन का सुकूत सुकूत-ए अबद है वे परदे क्यूं छेढो हो
२०
कुछ तो बताओ रंग रूप भी तुम उस के अए अहल-ए नज़र
तुम तो उस को जब देखो हो देखते ही रह जाओ हो
२१
अक्सर गहरी सोच में उन को खोया खोया पावे हैं
अब है फ़िराक़ का कुछ रोज़ौं से जो आलम क्या पूछो हो
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. raghupati sahay firaq gorakhpuri (1896-1982). Early lessons in urdu, farsi and sanskrit from his father. Was nominated for Civil Service but decided to get into the freedom movement. Imprisoned 1920-22. Taught at Allahabad University. Sahitya Academy and Gyanpith Awards. This is one of several Ghazal that firaq wrote in the style of mir taqi mir.
1
hum se firaq aksar1 chhup chhup kar, pahroN pahroN ro’o ho
vo bhi koii hamiN jaisa hai, kya tum us meN dekho ho 1.often
This could be friends/fellow lovers/rivals of firaq talking among themselves … these days firaq often hides from us cries for hours. It turns out that he is just like us, what do you see special about him. Or, it could be firaq speaking about/to himself … O, firaq, why do hide and cry so much. What extra-ordinary quaities do you see in her (the beloved). She is just like us.
2
jin ko itna yaad karo ho chalte phirte saaye the
un ko miTe to muddat1 guzri, naam o nishaaN kya poochho ho 1.ages, long time
The audience remembers/reveres the poets who have gone before. The poet/firaq observes … why do you remember them so much, they were just passing shadows … did not leave much of a mark. They have been dead and gone for a long time now, why do you ask about their whereabouts.
3
jaane bhi do naam kisi ka aa gaya baatoN baatoN meN
aisi bhi kya chup lug jaana kuchh to kaho kya socho ho This could be fellow lovers/rivals suffering together. They address themselves to firaq – let it go, her name came up in conversation. Why are you quiet. Say something, what are you thinking about. Or, it could be the poet speaking to himself, saying pretty much the same thing.
4
pahroN pahroN tak ye duniya bhoola sapna ban jaaye hai
maiN to saraasar1 kho jaauN huN, yaad itna kyuN aao ho 1.head to head, totally
For long hours this life feels like a long forgotten dream. I get totally lost. Why do you invade my thoughts so much.
5
kya Gham-e-dauraaN1 ki parchhaaiiN tum par bhi paR jaaye hai
kya yaad aa jaaye hai yakaayak2 kyuN udaas ho jaao ho 1.sorrow/concern for the affairs of the world 2.suddenly
Are you too (O, firaq) afflicted by the shadow/concern for what is going on in the world. What is it that you suddenly remember, why do you become so sad.
6
jhooTi shikaayat bhi jo karuN huN palak-deep1 jal jaayeN haiN
tum ko chheRe bhi kya tum to haNsi haNsi meN ro do ho 1.lamps of the eyelids i.e. eyes
The beloved is very sensitive and bursts out sobbing even with light banter. Even if I make a semblence of a complaint her eyes begin to glow red (as if on fire).
7
Gham se Khameer1-e ishq uTha hai, husn ko deveN kya ilzaam2
us ke karam3 par itni udaasi dil vaalo kya chaaho ho 1.yeast, starter 2.accusation, blame 3.benevolence
Sorrow itself is the starter that brews/grows/nurtures love. Why blame beauty/beloved. Whatever love/longing you have is because of this benevolence. O, lovers, why are so sad.
8
ek shaKhs1 ke mar jaaye se kya ho jaaye hai laikin
hum jaise kum huveN haiN paida, pachhtaaoge2 dekho ho 1.person 2.regret, feel sorry
The death of one person does not make much difference, but, very few are born, who are like me. You will regret it (when I die) just wait and see.
9
itni vahshat1 itni vahshat sadqe2 achchhi aaNkhoN ke
tum na haran ho, maiN shikaari, duur itna kyuN bhaago ho 1.fear, terror 2.sacrificial offering
Such terror, so much fear, in these beautiful eyes. I will give up my life to protect them. I am no hunter, you are no doe, why run so far from me.
10
mere naGhme kis ke liye haiN Khud mujh ko maaloom nahiN
kabhi na poochho ye shaa’er se, tun kis ka gun gaao ho For whom do I recite/write Ghazal, even I do not know. Never ask a shaa’er whose praise he sings.
11
palkeN bund, alsaaii1 zulfeN2, narm sej par bikhri hui
hoNToN par ek mauj3-e tabassum4, so’o ho ya jaago ho 1.loose, not tied 2.hair 3.wave 4.smile
Eyelids shut, hair loose, spread on the soft bed and a smile on your lips … are you asleep or wide awake.
12
itne tapaak1 se mujh se milo ho, phir bhi ye Ghairiyaat2 kyuN
tum jise yaad aao ho baraabar, maiN huN vahi tum bhoolo ho 1.warmth, cordiality 2.otherness, distance
With such coridality you greet me, yet, why this distance. I am the one who always thinks of you, you seem to forget.
13
kabhi bana do ho sapne ko jalvoN1 se rashk2-e gulzaar
kabhi raNg roop ban kar tum, yaad aate hi uR jaate ho 1.manifestations, images 2.envy
Sometimes your images make my dreams the envy of gardens, but at other times as soon as you arrive with all your pomp and glory, you turn around and depart.
14
gaah1 taras jaayeN haiN aaNkheN rasjal2 roop ke darshan3 ko
gaah neend ban ke raatoN ko nain4 paToN5 men aao ho 1.at times 2.sweet nectar 3.sight 4.eyes 5.doors/eyelids
At times my eyes thirst for the sight of your sweet face. At other times, you slide through my eyelids gently, like sleep (dream).
15
is duniya hi meN sune haiN, ek duniya-e mohabbat bhi
hum bhi usi jaanib1 jaave haiN, bolo tum bhi aao ho 1.direction
I have heard that there is a world of love in this life. I am going in that direction. Tell me, do you want to come too.
16
bahut dinoN meN yaad kiya hai, baat banaaeN kya un se
jeevan saathi dukh poochhe haiN kis ko hameN tum soNpo ho She (the beloved) has called me after a long time. Now, sorrow, my life-companion wants to know to whom I am going to consign them. What can I tell them. The poet/lover feels a loyalty to his life-companion as well as to the beloved.
17
chup chup si hai fiza1-e mohabbat, kuchh na kahe hai Khalvat2-e raaz3
narm ishaaroN se aaNkhoN ke baat kahaaN pahuNchaao ho 1.atmosphere, ambience 2.intimacy, closeness 3.secret, mystery
Love is silent. Even if I become intimate with Mystery, she does not reveal anything. But only with soft glances, the beloved speaks volumes.
18
abhi usi ka intezaar tha, aur kitna aye ahl-e-vafa1
chashm-e-karam2 jab uThne lagi hai to ab tum sharmaao ho 1.people of faith/commitment in love 2.benevolent glance
We have been waiting for this for so long, how much longer O, friends (fellow lovers, rivals). Now that she is raising her benevolent glance, you are getting bashful.
19
Gham ke saaz1 se chanchal uNgliaaN khel rahi haiN raat gaye
jin ka sukoot2 sukoot-e abad3 hai ve parde4 kyuN chheRo ho 1.musical instrument, lute 2.silence 3.eternal, forever 4.sheets of music
Late at night, mischievous fingers are playing music on the lute of the poet’s heart i.e. they are re-playing and re-creating painful memories of spurned love. These sheets of music had forever been silenced, why do you stir them again.
20
kuchh to bataao raNg ruup bhi tum us ka aye ahl-e-nazar1
tum to us ko jab dekho ho dekhte his rah jaao ho 1.people of discriminating vision
This could be about the beloved or about god who is often protrayed as the beloved. The poet/lover/devotee calls upon people who have discriminating sight to describe to him the shape and beauty of the beloved/god, because when the look at him/her, they have kept staring for a long time.
21
aksar1 gahri soch meN un ko khoya khoya paaye haiN
ab hai firaq ka kuchh rozoN se jo aalam2 kya poochho ho 1.often 2.condition
These days we often find him lost in deep thought. Do not ask me about the condition of firaq over the last few days.
raghupati sahay firaq gorakhpuri (1896-1982). Early lessons in urdu, farsi and sanskrit from his father. Was nominated for Civil Service but decided to get into the freedom movement. Imprisoned 1920-22. Taught at Allahabad University. Sahitya Academy and Gyanpith Awards. This is one of several Ghazal that firaq wrote in the style of mir taqi mir.
1
hum se firaq aksar1 chhup chhup kar, pahroN pahroN ro’o ho
vo bhi koii hamiN jaisa hai, kya tum us meN dekho ho
1.often
This could be friends/fellow lovers/rivals of firaq talking among themselves … these days firaq often hides from us cries for hours. It turns out that he is just like us, what do you see special about him. Or, it could be firaq speaking about/to himself … O, firaq, why do hide and cry so much. What extra-ordinary quaities do you see in her (the beloved). She is just like us.
2
jin ko itna yaad karo ho chalte phirte saaye the
un ko miTe to muddat1 guzri, naam o nishaaN kya poochho ho
1.ages, long time
The audience remembers/reveres the poets who have gone before. The poet/firaq observes … why do you remember them so much, they were just passing shadows … did not leave much of a mark. They have been dead and gone for a long time now, why do you ask about their whereabouts.
3
jaane bhi do naam kisi ka aa gaya baatoN baatoN meN
aisi bhi kya chup lug jaana kuchh to kaho kya socho ho
This could be fellow lovers/rivals suffering together. They address themselves to firaq – let it go, her name came up in conversation. Why are you quiet. Say something, what are you thinking about. Or, it could be the poet speaking to himself, saying pretty much the same thing.
4
pahroN pahroN tak ye duniya bhoola sapna ban jaaye hai
maiN to saraasar1 kho jaauN huN, yaad itna kyuN aao ho
1.head to head, totally
For long hours this life feels like a long forgotten dream. I get totally lost. Why do you invade my thoughts so much.
5
kya Gham-e-dauraaN1 ki parchhaaiiN tum par bhi paR jaaye hai
kya yaad aa jaaye hai yakaayak2 kyuN udaas ho jaao ho
1.sorrow/concern for the affairs of the world 2.suddenly
Are you too (O, firaq) afflicted by the shadow/concern for what is going on in the world. What is it that you suddenly remember, why do you become so sad.
6
jhooTi shikaayat bhi jo karuN huN palak-deep1 jal jaayeN haiN
tum ko chheRe bhi kya tum to haNsi haNsi meN ro do ho
1.lamps of the eyelids i.e. eyes
The beloved is very sensitive and bursts out sobbing even with light banter. Even if I make a semblence of a complaint her eyes begin to glow red (as if on fire).
7
Gham se Khameer1-e ishq uTha hai, husn ko deveN kya ilzaam2
us ke karam3 par itni udaasi dil vaalo kya chaaho ho
1.yeast, starter 2.accusation, blame 3.benevolence
Sorrow itself is the starter that brews/grows/nurtures love. Why blame beauty/beloved. Whatever love/longing you have is because of this benevolence. O, lovers, why are so sad.
8
ek shaKhs1 ke mar jaaye se kya ho jaaye hai laikin
hum jaise kum huveN haiN paida, pachhtaaoge2 dekho ho
1.person 2.regret, feel sorry
The death of one person does not make much difference, but, very few are born, who are like me. You will regret it (when I die) just wait and see.
9
itni vahshat1 itni vahshat sadqe2 achchhi aaNkhoN ke
tum na haran ho, maiN shikaari, duur itna kyuN bhaago ho
1.fear, terror 2.sacrificial offering
Such terror, so much fear, in these beautiful eyes. I will give up my life to protect them. I am no hunter, you are no doe, why run so far from me.
10
mere naGhme kis ke liye haiN Khud mujh ko maaloom nahiN
kabhi na poochho ye shaa’er se, tun kis ka gun gaao ho
For whom do I recite/write Ghazal, even I do not know. Never ask a shaa’er whose praise he sings.
11
palkeN bund, alsaaii1 zulfeN2, narm sej par bikhri hui
hoNToN par ek mauj3-e tabassum4, so’o ho ya jaago ho
1.loose, not tied 2.hair 3.wave 4.smile
Eyelids shut, hair loose, spread on the soft bed and a smile on your lips … are you asleep or wide awake.
12
itne tapaak1 se mujh se milo ho, phir bhi ye Ghairiyaat2 kyuN
tum jise yaad aao ho baraabar, maiN huN vahi tum bhoolo ho
1.warmth, cordiality 2.otherness, distance
With such coridality you greet me, yet, why this distance. I am the one who always thinks of you, you seem to forget.
13
kabhi bana do ho sapne ko jalvoN1 se rashk2-e gulzaar
kabhi raNg roop ban kar tum, yaad aate hi uR jaate ho
1.manifestations, images 2.envy
Sometimes your images make my dreams the envy of gardens, but at other times as soon as you arrive with all your pomp and glory, you turn around and depart.
14
gaah1 taras jaayeN haiN aaNkheN rasjal2 roop ke darshan3 ko
gaah neend ban ke raatoN ko nain4 paToN5 men aao ho
1.at times 2.sweet nectar 3.sight 4.eyes 5.doors/eyelids
At times my eyes thirst for the sight of your sweet face. At other times, you slide through my eyelids gently, like sleep (dream).
15
is duniya hi meN sune haiN, ek duniya-e mohabbat bhi
hum bhi usi jaanib1 jaave haiN, bolo tum bhi aao ho
1.direction
I have heard that there is a world of love in this life. I am going in that direction. Tell me, do you want to come too.
16
bahut dinoN meN yaad kiya hai, baat banaaeN kya un se
jeevan saathi dukh poochhe haiN kis ko hameN tum soNpo ho
She (the beloved) has called me after a long time. Now, sorrow, my life-companion wants to know to whom I am going to consign them. What can I tell them. The poet/lover feels a loyalty to his life-companion as well as to the beloved.
17
chup chup si hai fiza1-e mohabbat, kuchh na kahe hai Khalvat2-e raaz3
narm ishaaroN se aaNkhoN ke baat kahaaN pahuNchaao ho
1.atmosphere, ambience 2.intimacy, closeness 3.secret, mystery
Love is silent. Even if I become intimate with Mystery, she does not reveal anything. But only with soft glances, the beloved speaks volumes.
18
abhi usi ka intezaar tha, aur kitna aye ahl-e-vafa1
chashm-e-karam2 jab uThne lagi hai to ab tum sharmaao ho
1.people of faith/commitment in love 2.benevolent glance
We have been waiting for this for so long, how much longer O, friends (fellow lovers, rivals). Now that she is raising her benevolent glance, you are getting bashful.
19
Gham ke saaz1 se chanchal uNgliaaN khel rahi haiN raat gaye
jin ka sukoot2 sukoot-e abad3 hai ve parde4 kyuN chheRo ho
1.musical instrument, lute 2.silence 3.eternal, forever 4.sheets of music
Late at night, mischievous fingers are playing music on the lute of the poet’s heart i.e. they are re-playing and re-creating painful memories of spurned love. These sheets of music had forever been silenced, why do you stir them again.
20
kuchh to bataao raNg ruup bhi tum us ka aye ahl-e-nazar1
tum to us ko jab dekho ho dekhte his rah jaao ho
1.people of discriminating vision
This could be about the beloved or about god who is often protrayed as the beloved. The poet/lover/devotee calls upon people who have discriminating sight to describe to him the shape and beauty of the beloved/god, because when the look at him/her, they have kept staring for a long time.
21
aksar1 gahri soch meN un ko khoya khoya paaye haiN
ab hai firaq ka kuchh rozoN se jo aalam2 kya poochho ho
1.often 2.condition
These days we often find him lost in deep thought. Do not ask me about the condition of firaq over the last few days.
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