For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the tabs marked “Roman” or “Notes”.
Stanza by stanza posting of Grey, ameer chand bahaar and ali haidar nazm tabaatabaai.
gor-e GhariibaaN
Elegy-Thomas Grey
گورِ غریباں – علی حیدر نظمؔ طباطبائی
۱
وداعِ روزِ روشن ہے گجر شامِ غریباں کا
چراگاہوں سے پلٹے قافلے وہ بے زبانوں کے
قدم گھر کی طرف کس شوق سے اُٹھتا ہے دہقاں کا
یہ ویرانہ ہے میں ہوں اور طائر آشیانوں کے
۲
اندھیرا چھا گیا دُنیا نظر سے چھپتی جاتی ہے
جدھر دیکھو اُٹھا کر آ نکھ اُدھر اِک ہوُ کا ہے عالم
مگس لیکن کسی جا بھیرویں بے وقت گاتی ہے
جرس کی دور سے آواز آ تی ہے کہیں پیہم
۳
کبھی اک گنبدِ کہنہ پہ بومِ خانماں ویراں
فلک کو دیکھ کر شکووں کا دفتر باز کرتا ہے
کہ دُنیا سے الگ اک گوشۂ عزلت میں ہوں پنہاں
کوئی پھر کیوں قدم اِس کنجِ تنہائی میں دھرتا ہے
۴
قطار اک سامنے ہے مولسریوں کے درختوں کی
وہاں قبریں ہیں کچھ مِٹیّ کے جیسے ڈھیر ہوتے ہیں
ہر اک نے مر کے بس دوگز کفن گز بھر زمیں پائی
بسانے والے جو اِس گاؤں کے تھے سب وہ سوتے ہیں
۵
نفس بادِ سحر کا نالۂ پُر درد بلبل کا
ہوے بیکار سب اُنکو اُٹھا سکتا نہیں کوئی
رہی بے فائدہ مستوں کی ہُو حق شور قلقل کا
ہیں ایسے نیند کے مارے جگا سکتا نہیں کوئی
۶
نہ چولہے آگ روشن ہے نہ اب اُنکے گھڑے پانی
نہ گھر والوں کو اب کچھ کام ہے فکرِ شبستاں سے
نہ بی بی کو سرِ شام اِنتظار اب ہے نہ حیرانی
نہ بچے دوڑتے ہیں اب کہ لپٹیں آ کے داماں سے
۷
وہی ہیں یہ جنہیں وقتِ درو مہلت نہ تھی دم بھر
وہی ہیں ہاتھ چلتے رہتے ہی تھے بیشتر جن کے
وہی ہیں یہ جنھوں نے ہل چلائے گیت گا گا کر
بڑے سرکش درختوں کو گراتے تھے تبر جن کے
۸
نہ دیکھیں حال اِن لوگوں کا ذِلّت کی نگاہوں سے
بھرا ہے جن کے سر میں غرّۂ نوّابی و خانی
یہ اِنکا کاسۂ سر کہہ رہا ہےکج کلاہوں سے
عجب ناداں ہیں وہ جِن کو ہے عُجبِ تاجِ سلطانی
۹
نہیں شایانِ فخر و ناز و نوبت اور نقاّرہ
جو نازاں جاہ و ثروت پر ہیں اُن پر موت ہنستی ہے
وہ ساعت آنے والی ہے نہیں جس سے کوئی چارہ
کہ فانی ہے جہاں ہر اوج کا انجام پستی ہے
۱۰
نظر آتے نہیں کتبے مزاروں پر تو کیا غم ہے
چراغاں اور صندل اور گل و ریحاں نہ ہوں تو کیا
نہیں نمگیرہ و کمخواب کی چادر تو کیا غم ہے
جو خوش آہنگ کوئی قاریِ قرآں نہ ہو تو کیا
गोर-ए ग़रीबाँ – अली हैदर नज़्म तबा तबाई
१
विदा-ए रोज़-ए रौशन है गजर शाम-ए ग़रीबां का
चरागाहों से पल्टे क़ाफ़िले वो बेज़ाबानों के
क़दम घर की तरफ़ किस शौक़ से उठता है दहक़ां का
ये वीराना है मैं हूं और ता’एर आशियानों के
२
अँधेरा छा गया दुनिया नज़र से छुपती जाती है
जिधर देखो उठा कर आँख उधर एक हू का है आलम
मगस लैकिन किसी जा भैरवीं बे-वक़्त गाती है
जरस की दूर से आवाज़ आती है कहीं पैहम
३
कभी एक गुंबद-ए कुहना पे बोम-ए ख़ानुमा वीरां
फ़लक को देख कर शिकवों का दफ़्तर बाज़ करता है
के दुनिया से अलग एक गोश-ए उज़्लत में हूं पिनहाँ
कोई फिर क्यूँ क़दम इस कुंज-ए तन्हाई में रखता है
४
क़तार एक सामने है मूल्सरियों के दरख़तौं की
वहां क़ब्रें हैं कुछ मिट्टी के जैसे ढेर होते हैं
हर एक ने मर के बस दो गज़ कफ़न गज़ भर ज़मीं पाई
बसाने वाले जो इस गाँव के थे सब वो सोते हैं
५
नफ़स बाद-ए सहर का नाला-ए पुर दर्द बुलबुल का
हुए बेकार सब उनको उठा सकता नहीं कोई
रही बे फ़ाएदा मस्तों की हू हक़ शोर क़ुल्क़ुल का
हैं ऐसे नींद के मारे जगा सकता नहीं कोई
६
न चूल्हे, आग रौशन है न अब उनके घड़े पानी
न घर वालों को अब कुछ काम है फ़िक्र-ए शबिस्तां से
न बीबी को सर-ए शाम इंतेज़ार अब है न हैरानी
न बच्चे दौड़ते हैं अब के लपटें आ के दामां से
७
वही हैं ये जिन्हें वक़्त-ए दरू मोहलत न थी दम भर
वही हैं हाथ चलते रहते थे बेशतर जिन के
वही हैं ये जिन्हों ने हल चलाए गीत गा गा कर
बड़े सरकश दरख़तौं को गिराते थे तबर जिन के
८
न देखें हाल इन लोगों का ज़िल्लत की निगाहों से
भरा है जिन के सर में ग़ुर्रा-ए नव्वाबी ओ ख़ानी
ये इनका कासा-ए सर कह रहा है कज कुलाहों से
अजब नादां हैं वो जिनको है उज्ब-ए ताज-ए सुल्तानी
९
नहीं शायान-ए फ़ख़र ओ नाज़-ए नौबत और नक़्क़ारा
जो नाज़ाँ जाह ओ सर्वत पर हैं उन पर मौत हंसती है
वो सा’अत आने वाली है नहीं जिस से कोई चारा
के फ़ानी है जहाँ हर औज का अंजाम पस्ती है
१०
नज़र आते नहीं कुतबे मज़ारों पर तो क्या ग़म है
चिरागां और संदल और गुल ओ रेहान न हों तो क्या
नहीं नम्गीरा ओ कमख्वाब की चादर तो क्या ग़म है
जो ख़ुश आहंग कोई क़ारी-ए कुरा’अं न हो तो क्या
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. syed ali haidar nazm tabaatabaai (1854-1933), scholar, critic, translator and poet. In 1883 he moved to hyderabad, Professor, Nizam College and Department of Translation, Osmania University with josh malihabadi. Wrote an explanatory discussion of Ghalib’s diivaan and published his own diivaan. This is a re-composed urdu version of Gray’s Elegy. Also see another one by ameer chand bahaar.
1
vidaa1 e roz-e-raushan2 hai gajar3 shaam-e-GharibaaN4 ka
charagaahoN5 se palTe qafile6 vo bezabaanoN7 ke
qadam ghar ki taraf kis shauq se uThta hai dahqaaN8 ka
ye veeraana9 hai maiN huN aur taa’er10 aashiyaanoN11 ke 1.farewell 2.bright day 3.peal, ringing 4.desolate evening 5.pasture 6.caravans 7.tongue-less, animals 8.farmer 9.wilderness, loneliness 10.birds 11.nest
The curfew tolls the knell of parting day
The lowing herd wind slowly over the lea
The ploughman homeward plods his weary way
And leaves the world to darkness and to me
2
andhera chhaa gaya duniya nazar se chhupti jaati hai
jidhar dekho uTha kar aankh udhar ek hoo1 ka hai aalam
magas2 laikin kisi jaa3 bhairaviN4 be-vaqt5 gaati hai
jaras6 ki duur se aavaaz aati hai kahiN paiham7 1.complete silence 2.beetle 3.place 4.raag bhairavi 5.wrong time 6.bell 7.repeatedly, continuously
Now fades the glimmering landscape on the sight
And all the air a solemn stillness holds
Save where the beetle wheels his droning flight
And drowsy tinklings lull the distant folds
3
kabhi ek gunbad-e-kuhna1 pe bom2 e Khanuma-veeraN3
falak4 ko dekh kar shikvoN5 ka daftar6 baaz-karta7 hai
keh duniya se alag ek gosha-e-uzlat8 meN huN pinhaaN9
koi phir kyuN qadam is kunj-e-tanhaaii10 meN rakhta hai 1.ancient dome/tomb 2.owl 3.deserted house 4.sky 5.complaints 6.roll/list, book 7.presents 8.corner of solitude 9.hidden 10.solitary corner
Save that from yonder ivy mantled tower
The moping owl does to the moon complain
Of such as wandering near her secret bower
Molest her ancient solitary reign
4
qataar1 ek saamne hai moolsariyoN2 ke daraKhtoN3 ki
vahaaN qabreN haiN kuchh miTTi ke jaise Dher hote haiN
har ek ne mar ke bas do-gaz4 kafan5 gaz bhar zamiN paaii
basane vaale jo is gaauN ke thhe` sub vo sote haiN 1.line, row 2.lantana (elm in the original) 3.trees 4.two yards 5.burial shroud
Beneath those rugged elms, that yew tree’s shade
Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap
Each in his narrow cell forever laid
The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep
5
nafas1 baad-e-sahr2 ka, naala3-e pur-dard4 bulbul ka
hue bekaar sub unko uTha sakta nahiN koi
rahi be-faaeda5 mastoN-ki-huu6 haq-shor7 qulqul8 ka
haiN aise neend ke maare jaga sakta nahiN koi 1.breath/gust 2.morning breeze 3.wailing 4.sorrowful 5.ineffective 6.prayers of mystics 7.call to prayer 8.murmurings
The breezy call of incense-breathing morn
The swallow twittering from the straw built shed
The cock’s shrill clarion, or the echoeing horn
No more shall rouse them from their lowly bed
6
na choolhe, aag raushan hai na ab unke ghaRe paani
na ghar vaaloN ko ab kuchh kaam hai fikr-e-shabistaaN1 se
na bibi2 ko sar-e-shaam3 intezaar4 ab hai na hairaani5
na bachche dauRte haiN ab ke lapTeN aa ke damaaN6 se 1.care of the bedroom 2.wife 3.early evening 4.anticipation, waiting 5.wonder, speculate 6.hem of the robe/cloak
For them no more the blazing hearth shall burn
Or busy housewife ply her evening care
No children run to lisp their sire’s return
Or climb his knees the envied kiss to share
7
vahi haiN ye jinheN vaqt-e-daru1 mohlat2 na thi dam-bhar3
vahi haiN haath chalte rahte the beshtar4 jin ke
vahi haiN ye jinhoN ne hal chalaaye geet gaa gaa kar
baRe sarkash5 daraKhtoN ko giraate thhe` tabar6 jin ke 1.at the time of harvest 2.liesure 3.one moment 4.always 5.mighty 6.axe
Oft did the harvest to their sickle yield
Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe has broke
How jocund did they drive their team afield
How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke
8
na dekheN haal in logoN ka zillat1 ki nigaahoN se
bhara hai jin ke sar meN Ghurra2 e navvaabi3 o Khaani4
ye inka kaasa5-e sar kah raha hai kaj-kulaahoN6 se
ajab7 nadaaN8 haiN vo jinko hai ujb9-e taaj-e-sultaani10 1.contempt 2.pride 3.lordship 4.lordship 5.skull 6.“tilted-cap” – proud and defiant – used here in the sense of contemptuous 7.strange 8.fools 9.pride 10.royal crown
Let not Ambition mock their useful toil
Their homely joys and destiny obscure
Nor Grandeur hear with a disdainful smile
The short and simple annals of the poor
9
nahiN shayaan1-e faKhr2 o naaz3-e naubat4 aur naqqaara5
jo nazaaN6 jaah-o-sarwat7 par haiN un par maut haNsti hai
vo saa’at8 aane vaali hai nahiN jis se koii chaara9
ke faani10 hai jahaaN11 har auj12 ka anjaam13 pasti14 hai 1.deserving of honour 2.pride 3.stylish tribute 4.drum 5.trumpet 6.proud 7.grandeur and wealth 8.moment, time 9.cure, escape 10.mortal, temporary 11.world, life 12.peak 13.result 14.low
The boast of heraldry the pomp of power
And all that beauty and all that wealth ever gave
Await the inevitable hour
The paths of glory lead but to the grave
10
nazar aate nahiN katbe1 mazaaroN2 par to kya Gham hai
chiraGhaaN aur sandal aur gul-o-rehaaN3 na hoN to kya
nahiN namgeera4 o kamKhwaab5 ki chaadar to kya Gham hai
jo Khush-aahang6 koii qaari-e-qura’aN7 na ho to kya 1.inscriptions 2.graves 3.rose and bouquets 4.canopy 5.brocade 6.melodious 7.reciter of the qur’aan
Nor you ye proud impute to these the fault
If Memory over their tomb no trophies raise
Where through the long-drawn aisle and fretted vault
The pealing anthem swells the note of praise
syed ali haidar nazm tabaatabaai (1854-1933), scholar, critic, translator and poet. In 1883 he moved to hyderabad, Professor, Nizam College and Department of Translation, Osmania University with josh malihabadi. Wrote an explanatory discussion of Ghalib’s diivaan and published his own diivaan. This is a re-composed urdu version of Gray’s Elegy. Also see another one by ameer chand bahaar.
1
vidaa1 e roz-e-raushan2 hai gajar3 shaam-e-GharibaaN4 ka
charagaahoN5 se palTe qafile6 vo bezabaanoN7 ke
qadam ghar ki taraf kis shauq se uThta hai dahqaaN8 ka
ye veeraana9 hai maiN huN aur taa’er10 aashiyaanoN11 ke
1.farewell 2.bright day 3.peal, ringing 4.desolate evening 5.pasture 6.caravans 7.tongue-less, animals 8.farmer 9.wilderness, loneliness 10.birds 11.nest
The curfew tolls the knell of parting day
The lowing herd wind slowly over the lea
The ploughman homeward plods his weary way
And leaves the world to darkness and to me
2
andhera chhaa gaya duniya nazar se chhupti jaati hai
jidhar dekho uTha kar aankh udhar ek hoo1 ka hai aalam
magas2 laikin kisi jaa3 bhairaviN4 be-vaqt5 gaati hai
jaras6 ki duur se aavaaz aati hai kahiN paiham7
1.complete silence 2.beetle 3.place 4.raag bhairavi 5.wrong time 6.bell 7.repeatedly, continuously
Now fades the glimmering landscape on the sight
And all the air a solemn stillness holds
Save where the beetle wheels his droning flight
And drowsy tinklings lull the distant folds
3
kabhi ek gunbad-e-kuhna1 pe bom2 e Khanuma-veeraN3
falak4 ko dekh kar shikvoN5 ka daftar6 baaz-karta7 hai
keh duniya se alag ek gosha-e-uzlat8 meN huN pinhaaN9
koi phir kyuN qadam is kunj-e-tanhaaii10 meN rakhta hai
1.ancient dome/tomb 2.owl 3.deserted house 4.sky 5.complaints 6.roll/list, book 7.presents 8.corner of solitude 9.hidden 10.solitary corner
Save that from yonder ivy mantled tower
The moping owl does to the moon complain
Of such as wandering near her secret bower
Molest her ancient solitary reign
4
qataar1 ek saamne hai moolsariyoN2 ke daraKhtoN3 ki
vahaaN qabreN haiN kuchh miTTi ke jaise Dher hote haiN
har ek ne mar ke bas do-gaz4 kafan5 gaz bhar zamiN paaii
basane vaale jo is gaauN ke thhe` sub vo sote haiN
1.line, row 2.lantana (elm in the original) 3.trees 4.two yards 5.burial shroud
Beneath those rugged elms, that yew tree’s shade
Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap
Each in his narrow cell forever laid
The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep
5
nafas1 baad-e-sahr2 ka, naala3-e pur-dard4 bulbul ka
hue bekaar sub unko uTha sakta nahiN koi
rahi be-faaeda5 mastoN-ki-huu6 haq-shor7 qulqul8 ka
haiN aise neend ke maare jaga sakta nahiN koi
1.breath/gust 2.morning breeze 3.wailing 4.sorrowful 5.ineffective 6.prayers of mystics 7.call to prayer 8.murmurings
The breezy call of incense-breathing morn
The swallow twittering from the straw built shed
The cock’s shrill clarion, or the echoeing horn
No more shall rouse them from their lowly bed
6
na choolhe, aag raushan hai na ab unke ghaRe paani
na ghar vaaloN ko ab kuchh kaam hai fikr-e-shabistaaN1 se
na bibi2 ko sar-e-shaam3 intezaar4 ab hai na hairaani5
na bachche dauRte haiN ab ke lapTeN aa ke damaaN6 se
1.care of the bedroom 2.wife 3.early evening 4.anticipation, waiting 5.wonder, speculate 6.hem of the robe/cloak
For them no more the blazing hearth shall burn
Or busy housewife ply her evening care
No children run to lisp their sire’s return
Or climb his knees the envied kiss to share
7
vahi haiN ye jinheN vaqt-e-daru1 mohlat2 na thi dam-bhar3
vahi haiN haath chalte rahte the beshtar4 jin ke
vahi haiN ye jinhoN ne hal chalaaye geet gaa gaa kar
baRe sarkash5 daraKhtoN ko giraate thhe` tabar6 jin ke
1.at the time of harvest 2.liesure 3.one moment 4.always 5.mighty 6.axe
Oft did the harvest to their sickle yield
Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe has broke
How jocund did they drive their team afield
How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke
8
na dekheN haal in logoN ka zillat1 ki nigaahoN se
bhara hai jin ke sar meN Ghurra2 e navvaabi3 o Khaani4
ye inka kaasa5-e sar kah raha hai kaj-kulaahoN6 se
ajab7 nadaaN8 haiN vo jinko hai ujb9-e taaj-e-sultaani10
1.contempt 2.pride 3.lordship 4.lordship 5.skull 6.“tilted-cap” – proud and defiant – used here in the sense of contemptuous 7.strange 8.fools 9.pride 10.royal crown
Let not Ambition mock their useful toil
Their homely joys and destiny obscure
Nor Grandeur hear with a disdainful smile
The short and simple annals of the poor
9
nahiN shayaan1-e faKhr2 o naaz3-e naubat4 aur naqqaara5
jo nazaaN6 jaah-o-sarwat7 par haiN un par maut haNsti hai
vo saa’at8 aane vaali hai nahiN jis se koii chaara9
ke faani10 hai jahaaN11 har auj12 ka anjaam13 pasti14 hai
1.deserving of honour 2.pride 3.stylish tribute 4.drum 5.trumpet 6.proud 7.grandeur and wealth 8.moment, time 9.cure, escape 10.mortal, temporary 11.world, life 12.peak 13.result 14.low
The boast of heraldry the pomp of power
And all that beauty and all that wealth ever gave
Await the inevitable hour
The paths of glory lead but to the grave
10
nazar aate nahiN katbe1 mazaaroN2 par to kya Gham hai
chiraGhaaN aur sandal aur gul-o-rehaaN3 na hoN to kya
nahiN namgeera4 o kamKhwaab5 ki chaadar to kya Gham hai
jo Khush-aahang6 koii qaari-e-qura’aN7 na ho to kya
1.inscriptions 2.graves 3.rose and bouquets 4.canopy 5.brocade 6.melodious 7.reciter of the qur’aan
Nor you ye proud impute to these the fault
If Memory over their tomb no trophies raise
Where through the long-drawn aisle and fretted vault
The pealing anthem swells the note of praise
Elegy in a Country Churchyard – Thomas Grey
1
The curfew tolls the knell of parting day
The lowing herd wind slowly over the lea
The ploughman homeward plods his weary way
And leaves the world to darkness and to me
2
Now fades the glimmering landscape on the sight
And all the air a solemn stillness holds
Save where the beetle wheels his droning flight
And drowsy tinklings lull the distant folds
3
Save that from yonder ivy mantled tower
The moping owl does to the moon complain
Of such as wandering near her secret bower
Molest her ancient solitary reign
4
Beneath those rugged elms, that yew tree’s shade
Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap
Each in his narrow cell forever laid
The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep
5
The breezy call of incense-breathing morn
The swallow twittering from the straw built shed
The cock’s shrill clarion, or the echoeing horn
No more shall rouse them from their lowly bed
6
For them no more the blazing hearth shall burn
Or busy housewife ply her evening care
No children run to lisp their sire’s return
Or climb his knees the envied kiss to share
7
Oft did the harvest to their sickle yield
Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe has broke
How jocund did they drive their team afield
How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke
8
Let not Ambition mock their useful toil
Their homely joys and destiny obscure
Nor Grandeur hear with a disdainful smile
The short and simple annals of the poor
9
The boast of heraldry the pomp of power
And all that beauty and all that wealth ever gave
Await the inevitable hour
The paths of glory lead but to the grave
10
Nor you ye proud impute to these the fault
If Memory over their tomb no trophies raise
Where through the long-drawn aisle and fretted vault
The pealing anthem swells the note of praise
1
ameer chand bahaar
hua rooposh1 jab mahr2-e munavvar3 chashm4-e geti5 se
sukoot6-e shaam meN vaapas chale khetoN se chaupaaye
mashaqqat7 kar thaka maaNda hua dahaqaan8 bhi ruKhsat9
faqat10 maiN rah gaya huN is jagah ya Doobte saaye
ali haidar nazm tabaatabaaii
vidaa1 e roz-e-raushan2 hai gajar3 shaam-e-GharibaaN4 ka
charagaahoN5 se palTe qafile6 vo bezabaanoN7 ke
qadam ghar ki taraf kis shauq se uThta hai dahqaaN8 ka
ye veeraana9 hai maiN huN aur taa’er10 aashiyaanoN11 ke
Thomas Grey
The curfew tolls the knell of parting day
The lowing herd wind slowly over the lea
The ploughman homeward plods his weary way
And leaves the world to darkness and to me
2
ameer chand bahaar
siyaahi1 si faza2 meN ghul gaii hai aahista aahista
savaad3-e shaam ka maahaul4 par chhaaya hai sannaaTa5
magar sunta huN aise meN kabhi to taan bhaNwre ki
kabhi baaNg6-e jaras7 se kaaNpta8 hai dil biyabaaN9 ka
ali haidar nazm tabaatabaaii
andhera chhaa gaya duniya nazar se chhupti jaati hai
jidhar dekho uTha kar aankh udhar ek hoo1 ka hai aalam
magas2 laikin kisi jaa3 bhairaviN4 be-vaqt5 gaati hai
jaras6 ki duur se aavaaz aati hai kahiN paiham7
Thomas Grey
Now fades the glimmering landscape on the sight
And all the air a solemn stillness holds
Save where the beetle wheels his droning flight
And drowsy tinklings lull the distant folds
3
ameer chand bahaar
kabhi TooTe hue guNbad1 se ullu bol uThta hai
mah2-e taabaaN3 ko apna haal ye kah kar sunaata hai
mujhe kyuN gosha4-e uzlat5 meN koii chheRne aaye
nikal kar ghar se viiraane6 meN kyuN insaan aata hai
ali haidar nazm tabaatabaaii
kabhi ek gunbad-e-kuhna1 pe bom2 e Khanuma-veeraN3
falak4 ko dekh kar shikvoN5 ka daftar6 baaz-karta7 hai
keh duniya se alag ek gosha-e-uzlat8 meN huN pinhaaN9
koi phir kyuN qadam is kunj-e-tanhaaii10 meN rakhta hai
Thomas Grey
Save that from yonder ivy mantled tower
The moping owl does to the moon complain
Of such as wandering near her secret bower
Molest her ancient solitary reign
4
ameer chand bahaar
udhar kuchh molsariyoN1 ke daraKhtoN2 ki qataaroN3 meN
kaii taNg4 aur bosiida5 si qabreN bhi haiN poshiida6
ye bosiida7 si qabreN chaadareN haiN jin pe sabze ki
inhiN qabroN meN haiN is gaauN ke aslaaf7 Khwaabiida8
ali haidar nazm tabaatabaaii
qataar1 ek saamne hai moolsariyoN2 ke daraKhtoN3 ki
vahaaN qabreN haiN kuchh miTTi ke jaise Dher hote haiN
har ek ne mar ke bas do-gaz4 kafan5 gaz bhar zamiN paaii
basane vaale jo is gaauN ke thhe` sub vo sote haiN
Thomas Grey
Beneath those rugged elms, that yew tree’s shade
Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap
Each in his narrow cell forever laid
The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep
5
ameer chand bahaar
naseem1-e sub’h-gaahi2 ya abaabiiloN3 ki aavaazeN
unheN ab Khwaab4-e Ghaflat5 se jagaane ke nahiN qaabil6
sadaa7 murGhe ki sunte haiN na GhoGha8 ahl-e-sahra9 ka
Gharaz10 koii bhi sha’e un ko uThaane ke nahiN qaabil6
ali haidar nazm tabaatabaaii
nafas1 baad-e-sahr2 ka, naala3-e pur-dard4 bulbul ka
hue bekaar sub unko uTha sakta nahiN koi
rahi be-faaeda5 mastoN-ki-huu6 haq-shor7 qulqul8 ka
haiN aise neend ke maare jaga sakta nahiN koi
Thomas Grey
The breezy call of incense-breathing morn
The swallow twittering from the straw built shed
The cock’s shrill clarion, or the echoeing horn
No more shall rouse them from their lowly bed
6
ameer chand bahaar
huiN ek qissa1-e paariina2 ab maazi3 ki vo shaameN
jab un ki vaapasi4 par ghar meN ho jaati thi taabaani5
na chashm6-e muntazar7 se biibiyaaN ab raah8 dekheNgi
na bachche dauR9 kar choomeNge10 un logoN ki peshaani11
ali haidar nazm tabaatabaaii
na choolhe, aag raushan hai na ab unke ghaRe paani
na ghar vaaloN ko ab kuchh kaam hai fikr-e-shabistaaN1 se
na bibi2 ko sar-e-shaam3 intezaar4 ab hai na hairaani5
na bachche dauRte haiN ab ke lapTeN aa ke damaaN6 se
Thomas Grey
For them no more the blazing hearth shall burn
Or busy housewife ply her evening care
No children run to lisp their sire’s return
Or climb his knees the envied kiss to share
7
ameer chand bahaar
daraaNti1 haath meN le kar kabhi aate the khetoN meN
kabhi ye hal chala kar saKht2 Dhele3 phoR4 dete the
yahi haiN jo Khushi se haaNkte the apne bailoN ko
yahi ek zarb5 se gardan shajar6 ki toR dete the
ali haidar nazm tabaatabaaii
vahi haiN ye jinheN vaqt-e-daru1 mohlat2 na thi dam-bhar3
vahi haiN haath chalte rahte the beshtar4 jin ke
vahi haiN ye jinhoN ne hal chalaaye geet gaa gaa kar
baRe sarkash5 daraKhtoN ko giraate thhe` tabar6 jin ke
Thomas Grey
Oft did the harvest to their sickle yield
Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe has broke
How jocund did they drive their team afield
How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke
8
ameer chand bahaar
hiqaarat1 ki nazar2 se dekhna in be-navaaoN3 ko
amiiroN4, kaj-kulaahoN5 ke liye hargiz6 nahiN achchha
ye maana7 be-maza8 hai daastaan9-e zindagi in ki
GhariboN par magar zebaa10 nahiN ye Khanda-e-zeba11
ali haidar nazm tabaatabaaii
na dekheN haal in logoN ka zillat1 ki nigaahoN se
bhara hai jin ke sar meN Ghurra2 e navvaabi3 o Khaani4
ye inka kaasa5-e sar kah raha hai kaj-kulaahoN6 se
ajab7 nadaaN8 haiN vo jinko hai ujb9-e taaj-e-sultaani10
Thomas Grey
Let not Ambition mock their useful toil
Their homely joys and destiny obscure
Nor Grandeur hear with a disdainful smile
The short and simple annals of the poor
9
ameer chand bahaar
bahut naadaaN1 haiN jo naazaaN2 haiN apni shaan-o-shaukat3 par
ye duniya chand-roza4 hai yahaaN har cheez hai faani5
jahaaN har cheez ka anjaam6 ho miTTi meN mil jaana
vahaaN kya cheez hai ye taaj-e shaahi, taKht7-e sultaani8
ali haidar nazm tabaatabaaii
nahiN shayaan1-e faKhr2 o naaz3-e naubat4 aur naqqaara5
jo nazaaN6 jaah-o-sarwat7 par haiN un par maut haNsti hai
vo saa’at8 aane vaali hai nahiN jis se koii chaara9
ke faani10 hai jahaaN11 har auj12 ka anjaam13 pasti14 hai
Thomas Gray
The boast of heraldry the pomp of power
And all that beauty and all that wealth ever gave
Await the inevitable hour
The paths of glory lead but to the grave
10
ameer chand bahaar
nahiN katbe1 kahiN in be-navaaoN2 ke mazaaroN3 par
baraa’e4 faateha-Khwaani5 yahaaN koii nahiN aata
nazar6 aate nahiN haiN phool bhi in Khasta7 qabroN8 par
ye aalam9 hai charaaGh in par kabhi raushan nahiN dekha
ali haidar nazm tabaatabaaii
nazar aate nahiN katbe1 mazaaroN2 par to kya Gham hai
chiraGhaaN aur sandal aur gul-o-rehaaN3 na hoN to kya
nahiN namgeera4 o kamKhwaab5 ki chaadar to kya Gham hai
jo Khush-aahang6 koii qaari-e-qura’aN7 na ho to kya
Thomas Grey
Nor you ye proud impute to these the fault
If Memory over their tomb no trophies raise
Where through the long-drawn aisle and fretted vault
The pealing anthem swells the note of praise
