Recitation
عورت – کیفی اعظمی
اُ ٹھ میری جان میرے ساتھ ہی چلنا ہے تجھے
قلبِ ماحول میں لرزاں شررِ جنگ ہیں آ ج
حوصلے وقت کے اور زیست کے یک رنگ ہیں آ ج
آ بگینوں میں تپاں و لو لہ سنگ ہیں آ ج
حسن اور عشق ہم آ واز و ہم آ ہنگ ہیں آ ج
جس میں جلتا ہوں اُسی آ گ میں جلنا ہے تجھے
اُ ٹھ میری جان میرے ساتھ ہی چلنا ہے تجھے
زندگی جہد میں ہے صبر کے قا بو میں نہیں
نبضِ ہستی کالہو کا نپتے آ نسو میں نہیں
اُ ڑنے کھلنے میں ہے نکہت خمِ گیسو میں نہیں
جنت اک اور ہے جو مرد کے پہلو میں نہیں
اِس کی آ زادروش پر بھی مچلنا ہے تجھے
اُ ٹھ میری جان میرے ساتھ ہی چلنا ہے تجھے
گو شے گو شےمیں سلگتی ہے چتا تیرے لئے
فرض کا بھیس بدلتی ہے قضا تیرے لئے
قہر ہے تیری ہر اک نرم ادا تیرے لئے
ز ہر ہی ز ہر ہے دُنیا کی ہوا تیرے لئے
رُت بدل ڈال ا گر پھو لنا پھلناہے تجھے
اُ ٹھ میری جان میرے ساتھ ہی چلناہے تجھے
قدرابتک تیر ی تا ر یخ نے جانی ہی نہیں
تجھ میں شعلے بھی ہیں بس اشک فشا نی ہی نہیں
تو حقیقت بھی ہے دلچسپ کہا نی ہی نہیں
تیر ی ہستی بھی ہےاک چیز جوانی ہی نہیں
ا پنی تاریخ کا عنوان بدلنا ہے تجھے
اُ ٹھ میری جان میرے ساتھ ہی چلناہے تجھے
توڑ کر رسم کے بتُ بندِ قدامت سے نکل
ضعفِ عشر ت سے نکل وہمِ نزاکت سے نکل
نفس کے کھینچے ہوے حلقہٰ عظمت سے نکل
قید بن جائے محبت تو محبت سے نکل
راہ کا خار ہی کیاگل بھی کچلناہے تجھے
اُ ٹھ میری جان میرے ساتھ ہی چلناہے تجھے
توڑ یہ عزم شکن دغدغہِ پند بھی تو ڑ
تیری خا طر ہے جو زنجیر وہ سوگند بھی توڑ
طو ق یہ بھی ہے زمرّد کا گلو بند بھی توڑ
تو ڑ پیما نہٗ مردانِ خرد مند بھی تو ڑ
بن کے طوفان چھلکنا ہے اُ بلنا ہے تجھے
اُ ٹھ میری جان میرے ساتھ ہی چلناہے تجھے
تو فلاطون و ارسطو ہے تو زہرہ پر و یں
تیرے قبضے میں ہے گردوں تیری ٹھوکر میں زمیں
ہا ں اُ ٹھا جلد اُ ٹھا پا ئے مقدر سے جبیں
میں بھی رُکنے کا نہیں وقت بھی رُکنے کا نہیں
لڑ کھڑ ائیگی کہاں تک کہ سنبھہلناہے تجھے
اُ ٹھ میری جان میرے ساتھ ہی چلناہے تجھے
औरत-कैफ़ी आज़मी
उठ मेरी जान मेरे साथ ही चलना है तुझे
क़ल्ब ए माहौल में लरज़ाँ शरर ए जंग हैं आज
हौसले वक़्त के और ज़ीस्त के यक रंग हैं आज
आबगीनों में तपां वलवला ए संग हैं आज
हुस्न और इश्क़ हम आवाज़ ओ हम आहंग हैं आज
जिस में जलता हूँ उसी आग में जलना है तुझे
उठ मेरी जान मेरे साथ ही चलना है तुझे
ज़िन्दगी जहद में है, सब्र के ख़ाबू में नहीं
नब्ज़ ए हस्ती का लहू कांपते आंसू में नहीं
उड़ने खुलने में है निखत, ख़म ए गेसू में नहीं
जन्नत एक और है जो मर्द के पहलू में नहीं
इस की आज़ाद रविश पर भी मचलना है तुझे
उठ मेरी जान मेरे साथ ही चलना है तुझे
गोशे गोशे में सुलगती है चिता तेरे लिए
फ़र्ज़ का भेस बदलती है क़ज़ा तेरे लिए
क़हर है तेरी हर एक नर्म अदा तेरे लिए
ज़हर ही ज़हर है दुनिया की हवा तेरे लिए
रुत बदल डाल अगर फूलना फलना है तुझे
उठ मेरी जान मेरे साथ ही चलना है तुझे
क़द्र अबतक तेरी तारिख ने जानी ही नहीं
तुझ में शोले भी हैं बस अश्क फ़िशानी ही नहीं
तू हक़ीक़त भी है दिलचस्प कहानी ही नहीं
तेरी हस्ती भी है एक चीज़ जवानी ही नहीं
अपनी तारिख़ का उनवान बदलना है तुझे
उठ मेरी जान मेरे साथ ही चलना है तुझे
तोड़ कर रस्म के बुत बंद ए क़दामत से निकल
ज़ो’फ़ ए इशरत से निकल वहम ए नज़ाकत से निकल
नफ़स के खींचे हुए हल्क़ा ए अज़मत से निकल
क़ैद बन जाए मोहब्बत तो मोहब्बत से निकल
राह का ख़ार ही क्या गुल भी कुचलना है तुझे
उठ मेरी जान मेरे साथ ही चलना है तुझे
तोड़ ये अज़्म शिकन दग़दग़ा-ए-पन्द भी तोड़
तेरी ख़ातिर है जो ज़ंजीर वो सौगंद भी तोड़
तौक़ ये भी है ज़म्मरुद का गुलूबंद भी तोड़
तोड़ पैमाना ए मरदान ए ख़िरदमंद भी तोड़
बन के तूफ़ान छलकना है उबलना है तुझे
उठ मेरी जान मेरे साथ ही चलना है तुझे
तू फ़लातून ओ अरस्तु है तू ज़ोहरा परवीं
तेरे ख़बज़े में है गर्दूं तेरी ठोकर में ज़मीं
हाँ उठा जल्द उठा पा ए मुक़द्दर से जबीं
मैं भी रुकने का नहीं वक़्त भी रुकने का नहीं
लड़खड़ाएगी कहाँ तक के संभलना है तुझे
उठ मेरी जान मेरे साथ ही चलना है तुझे
aurat – kaifi azmi
Click here for overall comments and on any passage for meanings and discussion.There are several nazms entitled “aurat” on this site. Some are downright reactionary. Others appear to be progressive but still relegate woman to a supportive role. Kaifi begins to recognize the personhood of woman but it remains for the feminist poets to assert their full rights.
uTh meri jaan mere saath hi chalna hai tujhe
qalb e mahaul1 meN larzaN2 sharar e jung3 haiN aaj
hausle vaqt ke4 aur zeest5 ke yek rang haiN aaj
aabgeenoN6 meN tapaN7 valvala8 e sang9 haiN aaj
husn aur ishq hum avaz10 o hum aahang11 haiN aaj
jis meN jalta huN usi aag meN jalna hai tujhe
uTh meri jaan mere saath hi chalna hai tujhe1. heart of the environment (spirit of the times) 2. quivering 3. sparks of war, struggle 4. needs of the time 5. life, existence 6. crystal 7. hot, sizzling 8. eagerness, enthusiasm 9. rock, solid 10. one voice 11. one tune; A call to women accepting their equality and their role as equals to meet the demands of the day. The spirit of the times sparkles with flashes of struggle. The demands of the age and of survival are becoming harmonious. The spirit of the weak is on fire with determination like a rock (the downtrodden are metaphorically described as “crystal” – delicate and vulnerable. Even weak structures made of crystal are on fire with an eagerness as strong as a rock). Men and women (“husn” and “ishq” are used as metaphors for women and men) sing with one voice, to the same tune. You have to burn in the same fire as I. Come my beloved, we have to walk together.
zindagi jahd1 meN hai, sabr2 ke qaboo3 meN nahiN
nabz e hasti4 ka lahu5 kaaNpte aaNsoo meN nahiN
uRne khulne meN hai nikhat6, Kham-e gesu7 meN nahiN
jannat ek aur hai jo mard ke pahloo8 meN nahiN
is ki aazad9 ravish10 par bhi machalna hai tujhe
uTh meri jaan mere saath hi chalna hai tujhe1. struggle 2. patience, acceptance (of fate) 3. control 4. pulse of life 5. blood (spirit, energy) 6. beauty 7. curls of tresses 8. side 9. independence 10. path The pleasure of living is in struggle not in meek acceptance of fate. The pulsation of life is not in the quivering of tears on eyelashes. Beauty is in letting your hair blow freely in the wind, not in making curls. Kaifi has gone far beyond the parda – covering up of hair. He is calling on women to let their hair blow freely and not curl them or otherwise adorn them to look beautiful. There is a paradise that is not necessarily by the side of a man. He invites women to chart an alternative path … freedom, not in the shadow of the male world. You have to walk this path of freedom too. Come my beloved, we have to walk together.
goshe goshe1 meN sulagti hai chita tere liye
farz2 ka bhes3 badalti hai qaza4 tere liye
qahr5 hai teri har ek narm ada6 tere liye
zahr hi zahr hai duniya ki hava7 tere liye
ruth8 badal Daal agar phoolna phalna9 hai tujhe
uTh meri jaan mere saath hi chalna hai tujhe1. in every corner 2. duty 3. appearance 4. death 5. curse 6. soft style, kind nature 7. air of the world (accepted conventions) 8. season, current cultural atmosphere, conventions 9. prosper In every corner there is a funeral pyre to consume you. A clear recognition of societal forces arrayed against her, exemplified by “sati” … with a funeral pyre in every corner and death disguised as glorified “duty”. They call it “duty” but it is really Death in disguise (not just the extreme form of sati, but also the conventionality of “duty”, “softness, kind nature” is a curse. The culture (season) needs to be changed. The label/expectation of “kind nature” is a curse for you, the conventions of the day are poison. Change these conventions if you want to prosper. Come my beloved, we have to walk together.
qadr1 abtak teri tareeKh2 ne jaani hi nahiN
tujh meN sholay3 bhi haiN bas ashk fishani4 hi nahiN
tu haqeeqat5 bhi hai dilchasp6 kahani hi nahiN
teri hasti7 bhi hai ek cheez javani hi nahiN
apni tareeKh ka unvaan8 badalna hai tujhe
uTh meri jaan mere saath hi chalna hai tujhe1. value 2. history 3. flames 4. flowing tears 5. reality 6. interesting 7. existence 8. title, subject matter History has not given recognition that is your due. You have flames of passion and power, not just tears and sentimentality. Kaifi is trying to break the mould, the conventional burdening of women with “virtues” that they are supposed to have. He is recognizing the personhood of woman. You are a real person not just an interesting story. There is more to your existence than just youth and beauty. You have to change the title of your story. Come we have to walk together.
toR kar rasm1 ke buth2 band e qadamat3 se nikal
zo’f4 e ishrat5 se nikal vahm6-e nazakat7 se nikal
nafs8 ke kheenche hue9 halqa-e azmat10 se nikal
qaid ban jaye mohabbat to mohabbat se nikal
raah11 ka Khaar12 hi kya gul13 bhi kuchalna14 hai tujhe
uTh meri jaan mere saath hi chalna hai tujhe1. tradition 2. idols 3. ties (imprisonment) of ancient thinking 4. weakness 5. grandeur, beauty 6. superstition, myth 7. tenderness 8. breath, soul, life 9. drawn 10. circle (circumscribed/imprisoned by) of greatness (pedestal) 11. path 12. thorn 13. flower 14. trample Smash the idols of outdated traditions, break the ties of outdated thinking. Overcome the weakness of beauty the myth of tenderness. Get off the pedestal on which Life (culture) has placed you. If love imprisons you, then reject love. You have to trample not only thorns but also flowers in your path. Come my beloved, we have to walk together.
toR ye azm shikan1 daGhdaGha-e pand2 bhi toR
teri Khatir hai jo zanjir vo saugand3 bhi toR
tauq4 ye bhi hai zammarud ka guluband5 bhi toR
toR paimana6-e mardaan-e Khiradmand7 bhi toR
ban ke tufaan chhalakna hai ubalna hai tujhe
uTh meri jaan mere saath hi chalna hai tujhe1. determination destroying 2. burden of restrictive prescriptions 3. promise 4. shackle 5. emerald necklace 6. wine cup 7. leaders of knowledge 8. storm Traditional restrictions on women break their determination to be their own person. Smash these restrictive rules that break your determination. Break the chain of the promise of fealty that was fashioned for you. The jewelry on your neck is but a shackle, break it. Smash the wine cup that these wheeler-dealers of knowledge drink out of. Kaifi derides the self proclaimed “keepers of knowledge”. You need to flow, spill and boil over like a storm. Come my beloved, we have to walk together.
tu falatoon1 o arastu2 hai tu zohra parviN3
tere qabze4 meN hai garduN5 teri Thokar6 meN zamiN
haN uTha jald uTha pa e muqaddar7 se jabiN8
maiN bhi rukne ka nahiN vaqt bhi rukne ka nahiN
laRkhaRayegi9 kahaN tak ke sanbhalna hai tujhe
uTh meri jaan mere saath hi chalna hai tujhe1. Plato 2. Aristotle 3. constellations 4. control 5. sky 6. toe 7. feet of (the godess of) fate 8. forehead 9. stagger
You are equal to the best philosophers, you can reach for the stars. Compare this to Sahir’s “aurat” where he credits her with “giving birth” to prophets. You can control the sky and keep the earth at your toe. Pick your brow up from the feet of the godess of fate. I have to move on and time is not going to wait for you. How long will you stumble, you need to be steadfast. Come my beloved, we have to walk together.
aurat – kaifi azmi
There are several nazms entitled “aurat” on this site. Some are downright reactionary. Others appear to be progressive but still relegate woman to a supportive role. Kaifi begins to recognize the personhood of woman but it remains for the feminist poets to assert their full rights.
uTh meri jaan mere saath hi chalna hai tujhe
qalb e mahaul1 meN larzaN2 sharar e jung3 haiN aaj
hausle vaqt ke4 aur zeest5 ke yek rang haiN aaj
aabgeenoN6 meN tapaN7 valvala8 e sang9 haiN aaj
husn aur ishq hum avaz10 o hum aahang11 haiN aaj
jis meN jalta huN usi aag meN jalna hai tujhe
uTh meri jaan mere saath hi chalna hai tujhe
1. heart of the environment (spirit of the times) 2. quivering 3. sparks of war, struggle 4. needs of the time 5. life, existence 6. crystal 7. hot, sizzling 8. eagerness, enthusiasm 9. rock, solid 10. one voice 11. one tune
A call to women accepting their equality and their role as equals to meet the demands of the day. The spirit of the times sparkles with flashes of struggle. The demands of the age and of survival are becoming harmonious. The spirit of the weak is on fire with determination like a rock (the downtrodden are metaphorically described as “crystal” – delicate and vulnerable. Even weak structures made of crystal are on fire with an eagerness as strong as a rock). Men and women (“husn” and “ishq” are used as metaphors for women and men) sing with one voice, to the same tune. You have to burn in the same fire as I. Come my beloved, we have to walk together.
zindagi jahd1 meN hai, sabr2 ke qaboo3 meN nahiN
nabz e hasti4 ka lahu5 kaaNpte aaNsoo meN nahiN
uRne khulne meN hai nikhat6, Kham-e gesu7 meN nahiN
jannat ek aur hai jo mard ke pahloo8 meN nahiN
is ki aazad9 ravish10 par bhi machalna hai tujhe
uTh meri jaan mere saath hi chalna hai tujhe
1. struggle 2. patience, acceptance (of fate) 3. control 4. pulse of life 5. blood (spirit, energy) 6. beauty 7. curls of tresses 8. side 9. independence 10. path
The pleasure of living is in struggle not in meek acceptance of fate. The pulsation of life is not in the quivering of tears on eyelashes. Beauty is in letting your hair blow freely in the wind, not in making curls. Kaifi has gone far beyond the parda – covering up of hair. He is calling on women to let their hair blow freely and not curl them or otherwise adorn them to look beautiful. There is a paradise that is not necessarily by the side of a man. He invites women to chart an alternative path … freedom, not in the shadow of the male world. You have to walk this path of freedom too. Come my beloved, we have to walk together.
goshe goshe1 meN sulagti hai chita tere liye
farz2 ka bhes3 badalti hai qaza4 tere liye
qahr5 hai teri har ek narm ada6 tere liye
zahr hi zahr hai duniya ki hava7 tere liye
ruth8 badal Daal agar phoolna phalna9 hai tujhe
uTh meri jaan mere saath hi chalna hai tujhe
1. in every corner 2. duty 3. appearance 4. death 5. curse 6. soft style, kind nature 7. air of the world (accepted conventions) 8. season, current cultural atmosphere, conventions 9. prosper
In every corner there is a funeral pyre to consume you. A clear recognition of societal forces arrayed against her, exemplified by “sati” … with a funeral pyre in every corner and death disguised as glorified “duty”. They call it “duty” but it is really Death in disguise (not just the extreme form of sati, but also the conventionality of “duty”, “softness, kind nature” is a curse. The culture (season) needs to be changed. The label/expectation of “kind nature” is a curse for you, the conventions of the day are poison. Change these conventions if you want to prosper. Come my beloved, we have to walk together.
qadr1 abtak teri tareeKh2 ne jaani hi nahiN
tujh meN sholay3 bhi haiN bas ashk fishani4 hi nahiN
tu haqeeqat5 bhi hai dilchasp6 kahani hi nahiN
teri hasti7 bhi hai ek cheez javani hi nahiN
apni tareeKh ka unvaan8 badalna hai tujhe
uTh meri jaan mere saath hi chalna hai tujhe
1. value 2. history 3. flames 4. flowing tears 5. reality 6. interesting 7. existence 8. title, subject matter
History has not given recognition that is your due. You have flames of passion and power, not just tears and sentimentality. Kaifi is trying to break the mould, the conventional burdening of women with “virtues” that they are supposed to have. He is recognizing the personhood of woman. You are a real person not just an interesting story. There is more to your existence than just youth and beauty. You have to change the title of your story. Come we have to walk together.
toR kar rasm1 ke buth2 band e qadamat3 se nikal
zo’f4 e ishrat5 se nikal vahm6-e nazakat7 se nikal
nafs8 ke kheenche hue9 halqa-e azmat10 se nikal
qaid ban jaye mohabbat to mohabbat se nikal
raah11 ka Khaar12 hi kya gul13 bhi kuchalna14 hai tujhe
uTh meri jaan mere saath hi chalna hai tujhe
1. tradition 2. idols 3. ties (imprisonment) of ancient thinking 4. weakness 5. grandeur, beauty 6. superstition, myth 7. tenderness 8. breath, soul, life 9. drawn 10. circle (circumscribed/imprisoned by) of greatness (pedestal) 11. path 12. thorn 13. flower 14. trample
Smash the idols of outdated traditions, break the ties of outdated thinking. Overcome the weakness of beauty the myth of tenderness. Get off the pedestal on which Life (culture) has placed you. If love imprisons you, then reject love. You have to trample not only thorns but also flowers in your path. Come my beloved, we have to walk together.
toR ye azm shikan1 daGhdaGha-e pand2 bhi toR
teri Khatir hai jo zanjir vo saugand3 bhi toR
tauq4 ye bhi hai zammarud ka guluband5 bhi toR
toR paimana6-e mardaan-e Khiradmand7 bhi toR
ban ke tufaan chhalakna hai ubalna hai tujhe
uTh meri jaan mere saath hi chalna hai tujhe
1. determination destroying 2. burden of restrictive prescriptions 3. promise 4. shackle 5. emerald necklace 6. wine cup 7. leaders of knowledge 8. storm
Traditional restrictions on women break their determination to be their own person. Smash these restrictive rules that break your determination. Break the chain of the promise of fealty that was fashioned for you. The jewelry on your neck is but a shackle, break it. Smash the wine cup that these wheeler-dealers of knowledge drink out of. Kaifi derides the self proclaimed “keepers of knowledge”. You need to flow, spill and boil over like a storm. Come my beloved, we have to walk together.
tu falatoon1 o arastu2 hai tu zohra parviN3
tere qabze4 meN hai garduN5 teri Thokar6 meN zamiN
haN uTha jald uTha pa e muqaddar7 se jabiN8
maiN bhi rukne ka nahiN vaqt bhi rukne ka nahiN
laRkhaRayegi9 kahaN tak ke sanbhalna hai tujhe
uTh meri jaan mere saath hi chalna hai tujhe
1. Plato 2. Aristotle 3. constellations 4. control 5. sky 6. toe 7. feet of (the godess of) fate 8. forehead 9. stagger
You are equal to the best philosophers, you can reach for the stars. Compare this to Sahir’s “aurat” where he credits her with “giving birth” to prophets. You can control the sky and keep the earth at your toe. Pick your brow up from the feet of the godess of fate. I have to move on and time is not going to wait for you. How long will you stumble, you need to be steadfast. Come my beloved, we have to walk together.
