Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. raahat indori (1950-2020). At a very young age the family’s financial situation forced him to work as a sign painter. But he continued with his education and eventually completed his PhD in urdu literature and later taught at a local college in indore. He was a very popular, crowd pleasing, mushaa’era shaa’er and a lyricist. Some of his compositions are more than usually combative. As a tribute to him I have selected a Ghazal of classical style rather than mushaa’era style.
1
juu¹-e KhooN zillat²-e izhaar³ ki mohtaaj⁴ nahiN
ye kahaani kisi kirdaar⁵ ki mohtaaj nahiN     1.river 2.insult 3.expression 4.under obligation, dependent on 4.character
The poet’s blood is flowing like a river – either because he has been wronged or equally likely because he is crying tears of blood upon seeing injustice around him. To express/explain this flowing blood is an insult because it should be evident to all. Thus, this river of blood is not dependent upon an explanation. This story does not require a central character.
2
aasmaaN oaRh ke soye haiN khule maidaaN meN
apni ye chhat kisi diivaar ki mohtaaj nahiN     The poet has slept out in the open, under the skies, without any cover. He has experienced homelessness. The roof over his head (the sky) does not need any walls. This could also be interpreted as the poet’s freedom of thought and his independence.
3
Khaali kashkol¹ pe naazaaN² hai faqiiri³ apni
ye kisi jubba⁴ o dastaar⁵ ki mohtaaj nahiN     1.begging bowl 2.proud 3.saint-hood, mendicant 4.robe, religious garb 5.crown
The poet is happy with his ‘faqiiri’, leading a life like a monk, mendicant, sufi. He is proud of his empty begging bowl. His monk-hood does not need any display of religious garb, robe or of a crown.
4
maiN ne mulkoN ki tarah logoN ke dil jiite haiN
ye hukuumat kisi talwaar ki mohtaaj nahiN     The poet has conquered hearts like kings of old times used to conquer countries/other kingdoms. He reigns over hearts. His reign does not need a sword.
5
log hoNToN pe sajaaye hue phirte haiN mujhe
meri shohrat¹ kisi aKhbaar ki mohtaaj nahiN    1.fame
People make me an adornment of their lips i.e. they quote my ash’aar. My fame does not depend on any advertisement.
6
ise toofaaN hi kinaare se laga dete haiN
meri kashti kisi patvaar¹ ki mohtaaj nahiN    1.oars
The storm itself pushes his boat to the shore. His boat does not need any oars.
7
ooNche daamoN pe bika karte haiN bazaar meN Khwaab
ye vo shai¹ hai jo Kharidaar ki mohtaaj nahiN       1.thing, commodity
The poet’s dreams, expressed through his verse, are available in the bazaar at a high value. Their value is intrinsic. It does not depend on the whims of a buyer.