For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the tabs marked “Roman” or “Notes”.
Recitation
ایک خواب اور ۔ علی سردار جعفری
۱
خواب اب حُسنِ تصوّر کے اُفق سے ہیں پرے
دل کے اک جذبۂ معصوم نے دیکھے تھے جو خواب
۲
اور تعبیروں کے تپتے ہوئے صحراؤں میں
تِشنگی، آبلہ پا، شعلہ بکف، موجِ سراب
۳
یہ تو ممکن نہیں بچپن کا کوئی دِن مل جائے
یا پلٹ آئے کوئی ساعتِ نایابِ شباب
۴
پھوٹ نکلے کسی افسردہ تبسُّم سے کرن
یا دمک اُٹّھے کسی دستِ بُریدہ میں گلاب
۵
آہ پتھر کی لکیریں ہیں کہ یادوں کے نقوش
کون لکھ سکتا ہے پھر عمرِ گزشتہ کی کتاب
۶
بیتے لمحات کے سوئے ہوئے طوفانوں میں
تیرتے پھرتے ہیں پھوٹی ہوئی آنکھوں کے حباب
۷
تابشِ رنگِ شفق آتشِ روئے خورشید
مَل کے چہرے پہ سحر آئی ہے خونِ احباب
۸
جانے کس موڑ پہ کس راہ میں کیا بیتی ہے
کس سے ممکن ہے تمناؤں کے زخموں کا حساب
۹
آستینوں کو پکاریں گے کہاں تک آنسو
اب تو دامن کو پکڑتے ہیں لہو کے گرداب
۱۰
دیکھتی پھرتی ہے ایک ایک کا منہ خاموشی
جانے کیا بات ہے شرمِندہ ہے اندازِ خطاب
۱۱
در بدر ٹھوکریں کھاتے ہوئے پھرتے ہیں سوال
اور مجرم کی طرح اِن سے گریزاں ہے جواب
۱۲
سرکشی پِھر میں تجھے آج صدا دیتا ہوں
میں ترا شاعرِ آوارہ و بے باک و خراب
۱۳
پھینک پھر جذبۂ بے تاب کی عالم پہ کمند
ایک خواب اور بھی اے ہِمّتِ دُشوار پسند
एक ख़्वाब और – अली सरदार जाफ़री
१
ख़्वाब अब हुस्न-ए तसव्वुर के उफ़ुक़ से हैं परे
दिल के एक जज़्बा-ए मासूम ने देखे थे जो ख़्वाब
२
और ताबीरों के तपते हुए सहराओं में
तिश्नगी, आबला-पा, शोला-ब-कफ़, मौज-ए सराब
३
ये तो मुमकिन नहीं बचपन का कोई दिन मिल जाए
या पलट आए कोई सा’अत-ए नायाब-ए शबाब
४
फूट निकले किसी अफ़्सुर्दा तबस्सुम से किरन
या दमक उट्ठे किसी दस्त-ए बुरीदा में गुलाब
५
आह पत्थर की लकीरें हैं के यादों के नुक़ूश
कौन लिख सकता है फिर उम्र-ए गुज़िश्ता की किताब
६
बीते लम्हात के सोए हुए तूफ़ानों में
तैरते फिरते हैं फूटी हुई आंखों के हुबाब
७
ताबिश-ए रंग-ए शफ़क़, आतिश-ए रू-ए ख़ुर्शीद
मल के चेहरे पे सहर आई है ख़ून-ए अहबाब
८
जाने किस मोढ पे किस राह में क्या बीती है
किस से मुमकिन है तमन्नाओं के ज़ख़्मों का हिसाब
९
आस्तीनों को पुकारेंगे कहां तक आंसू
अब तो दामन को पकढते हैं लहू के गिर्दाब
१०
देखती फिरती है एक एक का मुंह ख़ामोशी
जाने क्या बात है शर्मिंदा है अंदाज़-ए ख़िताब
११
दर-ब-दर ठोकरें खाते हुए फिरते हैं सवाल
और मुज्रिम की तरह उन से गुरेज़ां है जवाब
१२
सरकशी फिर मैं तुझे आज सदा देता हूं
मैं तेरा शा’एर-ए आवारा ओ बे-बाक-ओ-ख़राब
१३
फेंक फिर जज़्बा-ए बे-ताब की आलम पे कमंद
एक ख़्वाब और भी अए हिम्मत-ए दुश्वार-पसंद
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. ali sardar jafri (1913-2000), balrampur, gonDa, U.P. Religious upbringing and education. MA luckhnow university. Started composing at 15. He soon turned to progressive, revolutionary nazm/Ghazal. Member Communist Party. Arrested in 1940. Plays, short stories, movies and TV serials gave him a career in mumbaii. Padma Shri in 1967.
1
Khwaab1 ab husn2-e tasavvur3 ke ufuq4 se haiN par’e5
dil ke ek jazba6-e maasuum7 ne dekhe the jo Khwaab 1.dreams, aspirations 2.beauty, skill 3.imagination 4.horizon 5.beyond 6.sentiments 7.innocent, simple
The protagonist has suffered such trials of life that his innocent/simple dreams/aspirations of the past now appear beyond the realm of imagination. He no longer has the skill/finesse to create dreams.
2
aur taa’biiroN1 ke tapt’e2 hue sahraaoN3 meN
tishnagi4, aabla-paa5, shola-ba-kaf6, mauj7-e saraab8 1.fulfillment, realization of dreams 2.hot, burning 3.desert 4.thirst 5.sore feet 6.flame in hand 7.wave 8.mirage
These dreams wander in the burning desert of fulfillment where they are faced with thirst, sore feet, flames and deceptive waves of mirage – false promises.
3
ye to mumkin1 nahiN bachpan ka koi din mil jaa’e
yaa palaT2 aa’e koi saa’at3-e naayaab4-e shabaab5 1.possible 2.return 3.time 4.rare 5.youth
It is not possible that the days of childhood be encountered/experienced again or that some rare moments of youthful pleasure return.
4
phuuT1 nikl’e kisi afsurda2 tabassum3 s’e kiran4
yaa damak5 uTThe kisi dast6-e buriida7 meN gulaab 1.burst 2.sad, dejected 3.smile 4.ray 5.shine, glow 6.hand 7.chopped, cut
This is a continuation from the previous she’r of what is not possible. Thus, it is not possible a shining ray of light burst forth from a sorrowful/dejected smile or that a rose glow in a chopped off hand.
5
aah1 patthar ki lakiireN haiN keh yaadoN2 ke nuquush3
kaun likh sakta hai phir umr4-e guzishta5 ki kitaab 1.alas 2.memories 3.marks, images 4.life 5.past
Alas, the images of memories are written in/carved into lines of stone; who can re-write the book of past life.
6
biite1 lamhaat2 ke so’e hue tuufaanoN3 meN
tairte4 phirte haiN phuuTi hui aaNkhoN ke hubaab5 1.past 2.moments, times 3.storms, floods 4.swimming around 5.bubbles
The imagery of suppressed dreams/aspirations continues. Suppressed dreams are like eyes that have been gouged out/burst. They just swim around in the storm/flood of memories of past times.
7
taabish1-e raNg-e shafaq2 aatish3-e ruu4-e Khurshiid5
mal6 ke chehre7 pe sahar8 aa’i hai Khuun-e ahbaab9 1.light, splendour 2.twilight, horizon 3.fire, flame 4.face 5.sun 6.rubbing 7.face 8.dawn 9.friends
The redness of the horizon, the splendour of its colours, the flaming redness of the face of sun, feels like that dawn has arrived rubbing the blood of friends and loved ones on its face (they too have had their dreams shattered).
8
jaane1 kis moR2 pe kis raah3 meN kya biiti4 hai
kis se mumkin5 hai tamannaaoN6 ke zaKhmoN7 ka hisaab8 1.who knows 2.turn 3.path 4.transpired, happened 5.possible 6.desires, aspiration 7.wounds 8.count
Who know what transpired at which turn in the path of their (friends and loved ones) lives. How is it possible for anyone to keep count of the wounds of dreams/aspirations.
9
aastinoN1 ko pukaareNge kahaaN tak aaNsuu2
ab to daaman3 ko pakaRte haiN lahuu4 ke girdaab5 1.sleeves 2.tears 3.hem of the garment 4.blood 5.whirlpool
The protagonist is well past the stage of crying in drops of tears which can be wiped off on the sleeve. Now he cries tears of blood and they are no longer a thin stream but a flood, a whirlpool. Thus, how long will tears call upon sleeves to wipe them; they now flow in a flood of tears down to the hem of the garment.
10
dekhti phirti hai ek ek ka muNh1 Khaamoshi2
jaane3 kya baat hai sharminda4 hai andaaz5-e Khitaab6 1.muNh dekhte phirna – going about expectantly/hopefully looking for someone to help 2.silence 3.who knows 4.ashamed 5.style 6.conversation
Shattered dreams go around in silence looking expectantly that somehow they will be fulfilled. Who knows what it is that the style of conversation is ashamed i.e., the people who could have helped look away/turn their face.
11
dar-ba-dar1 ThokareN2 khaate hue phirte haiN savaal3
aur mujrim4 ki tarah5 unn se gurezaaN6 hai javaab7 1.door to door 2.stumbling, struggling 3.questions 4.criminal, thief 5.like 6.running away 7.answers
Questions (about fulfillment of dreams/aspirations) go stumbling door to door but the answers slink away/run away like a thief.
12
sarkashi1 phir maiN tujhe aaj sadaa2 detaa huN
maiN tera shaa’er-e aavaara3 o be-baak4-o-Kharaab5 1.rebelliousness 2.call 3.aimless wanderer 4.fearless 5.ruined
The fearless, homeless, ruined poet once again today (in spite of all the disappointments/hopelessness) call upon you, O rebellious spirit ….
13
phaiNk1 phir jazba2-e be-taab3 ki aalam4 pe kamand5
a’ek Khwaab aur bhi, aye himmat6-e dushvaar-pasand7 1.throw 2.emotion 3.restless, demanding 4.world 5.noose 6.courage 7.difficulty-facing
…. call upon you, O rebellious spirit to throw a noose of restless/demanding emotions around the neck of the world/society; one more dream O difficulty loving courageous spirit; one more dream.
ali sardar jafri (1913-2000), balrampur, gonDa, U.P. Religious upbringing and education. MA luckhnow university. Started composing at 15. He soon turned to progressive, revolutionary nazm/Ghazal. Member Communist Party. Arrested in 1940. Plays, short stories, movies and TV serials gave him a career in mumbaii. Padma Shri in 1967.
1
Khwaab1 ab husn2-e tasavvur3 ke ufuq4 se haiN par’e5
dil ke ek jazba6-e maasuum7 ne dekhe the jo Khwaab
1.dreams, aspirations 2.beauty, skill 3.imagination 4.horizon 5.beyond 6.sentiments 7.innocent, simple
The protagonist has suffered such trials of life that his innocent/simple dreams/aspirations of the past now appear beyond the realm of imagination. He no longer has the skill/finesse to create dreams.
2
aur taa’biiroN1 ke tapt’e2 hue sahraaoN3 meN
tishnagi4, aabla-paa5, shola-ba-kaf6, mauj7-e saraab8
1.fulfillment, realization of dreams 2.hot, burning 3.desert 4.thirst 5.sore feet 6.flame in hand 7.wave 8.mirage
These dreams wander in the burning desert of fulfillment where they are faced with thirst, sore feet, flames and deceptive waves of mirage – false promises.
3
ye to mumkin1 nahiN bachpan ka koi din mil jaa’e
yaa palaT2 aa’e koi saa’at3-e naayaab4-e shabaab5
1.possible 2.return 3.time 4.rare 5.youth
It is not possible that the days of childhood be encountered/experienced again or that some rare moments of youthful pleasure return.
4
phuuT1 nikl’e kisi afsurda2 tabassum3 s’e kiran4
yaa damak5 uTThe kisi dast6-e buriida7 meN gulaab
1.burst 2.sad, dejected 3.smile 4.ray 5.shine, glow 6.hand 7.chopped, cut
This is a continuation from the previous she’r of what is not possible. Thus, it is not possible a shining ray of light burst forth from a sorrowful/dejected smile or that a rose glow in a chopped off hand.
5
aah1 patthar ki lakiireN haiN keh yaadoN2 ke nuquush3
kaun likh sakta hai phir umr4-e guzishta5 ki kitaab
1.alas 2.memories 3.marks, images 4.life 5.past
Alas, the images of memories are written in/carved into lines of stone; who can re-write the book of past life.
6
biite1 lamhaat2 ke so’e hue tuufaanoN3 meN
tairte4 phirte haiN phuuTi hui aaNkhoN ke hubaab5
1.past 2.moments, times 3.storms, floods 4.swimming around 5.bubbles
The imagery of suppressed dreams/aspirations continues. Suppressed dreams are like eyes that have been gouged out/burst. They just swim around in the storm/flood of memories of past times.
7
taabish1-e raNg-e shafaq2 aatish3-e ruu4-e Khurshiid5
mal6 ke chehre7 pe sahar8 aa’i hai Khuun-e ahbaab9
1.light, splendour 2.twilight, horizon 3.fire, flame 4.face 5.sun 6.rubbing 7.face 8.dawn 9.friends
The redness of the horizon, the splendour of its colours, the flaming redness of the face of sun, feels like that dawn has arrived rubbing the blood of friends and loved ones on its face (they too have had their dreams shattered).
8
jaane1 kis moR2 pe kis raah3 meN kya biiti4 hai
kis se mumkin5 hai tamannaaoN6 ke zaKhmoN7 ka hisaab8
1.who knows 2.turn 3.path 4.transpired, happened 5.possible 6.desires, aspiration 7.wounds 8.count
Who know what transpired at which turn in the path of their (friends and loved ones) lives. How is it possible for anyone to keep count of the wounds of dreams/aspirations.
9
aastinoN1 ko pukaareNge kahaaN tak aaNsuu2
ab to daaman3 ko pakaRte haiN lahuu4 ke girdaab5
1.sleeves 2.tears 3.hem of the garment 4.blood 5.whirlpool
The protagonist is well past the stage of crying in drops of tears which can be wiped off on the sleeve. Now he cries tears of blood and they are no longer a thin stream but a flood, a whirlpool. Thus, how long will tears call upon sleeves to wipe them; they now flow in a flood of tears down to the hem of the garment.
10
dekhti phirti hai ek ek ka muNh1 Khaamoshi2
jaane3 kya baat hai sharminda4 hai andaaz5-e Khitaab6
1.muNh dekhte phirna – going about expectantly/hopefully looking for someone to help 2.silence 3.who knows 4.ashamed 5.style 6.conversation
Shattered dreams go around in silence looking expectantly that somehow they will be fulfilled. Who knows what it is that the style of conversation is ashamed i.e., the people who could have helped look away/turn their face.
11
dar-ba-dar1 ThokareN2 khaate hue phirte haiN savaal3
aur mujrim4 ki tarah5 unn se gurezaaN6 hai javaab7
1.door to door 2.stumbling, struggling 3.questions 4.criminal, thief 5.like 6.running away 7.answers
Questions (about fulfillment of dreams/aspirations) go stumbling door to door but the answers slink away/run away like a thief.
12
sarkashi1 phir maiN tujhe aaj sadaa2 detaa huN
maiN tera shaa’er-e aavaara3 o be-baak4-o-Kharaab5
1.rebelliousness 2.call 3.aimless wanderer 4.fearless 5.ruined
The fearless, homeless, ruined poet once again today (in spite of all the disappointments/hopelessness) call upon you, O rebellious spirit ….
13
phaiNk1 phir jazba2-e be-taab3 ki aalam4 pe kamand5
a’ek Khwaab aur bhi, aye himmat6-e dushvaar-pasand7
1.throw 2.emotion 3.restless, demanding 4.world 5.noose 6.courage 7.difficulty-facing
…. call upon you, O rebellious spirit to throw a noose of restless/demanding emotions around the neck of the world/society; one more dream O difficulty loving courageous spirit; one more dream.
