For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the “English” or “Notes” tab.
Recitation
ہولی ۔ نظیر اکبرآبادی
آ دھمکے عیش و طرب کیا کیا جب حسن دکھایا ہولی نے
ہر آن خوشی کی دھوم ہوئی یوں لطف جتایا ہولی نے
ہر خاطر کو خورسند کیا ہر دل کو لبھایا ہولی نے
دف رنگیں نقش سنہری کا جس وقت بجایا ہولی نے
بازار گلی اور کوچوں میں غل شور مچایا ہولی نے
یا سوانگ کہوں یا رنگ کہوں یا حسن بتاؤں ہولی کا
سب ابرن تن پر جھمک رہا اور کیسر کا ماتھے ٹیکا
ہنس دینا ہر دم ناز بھرا دکھلانا سج دھج شوخی کا
ہر گالی، مصری، قند بھری، ہر ایک قدم اٹکھیلی کا
دل شاد کیا اور موہ لیا یہ، جوبن پایا ہولی نے
کچھ طبلے کھٹکے تال بجے کچھ ڈھولک اور مردنگ بجی
کچھ جھڑپیں بین ربابوں کی کچھ سارنگی اور چنگ بجی
کچھ تار طنبوروں کے جھنکے، کچھ ڈھمڈھی اور منہ چنگ بجی
کچھ گھنگرو کھٹکے جھم جھم جھم کچھ گت گت پر آہنگ بجی
ہے ہر دم ناچنے گانے کا یہ تار بندھایا ہولی نے
ہر جگہ تھال گلالوں سے، خوش رنگت کی گل کاری ہے
اور ڈھیر ابیروں کے لاگے، سو عشرت کی تیاری ہے
ہیں راگ بہاریں دکھلاتے اور رنگ بھری پچکاری ہے
منہ سرخی سے گل نار ہوئے تن کیسر کی سی کیاری ہے
یہ روپ جھمکتا دکھلایا یہ رنگ دکھایا ہولی نے
ہر آن خوشی سے آپس میں سب ہنس ہنس رنگ چھڑکتے ہیں
رخسار گلالوں سے گل گوں، کپڑوں سے رنگ ٹپکتے ہیں
کچھ راگ اور رنگ جھمکتے ہیں کچھ مے کے جام چھلکتے ہیں
کچھ کودے ہیں، کچھ اچھلے ہیں، کچھ ہنستے ہیں، کچھ بکتے ہیں
یہ طور یہ نقشا عشرت کا ہر آن بنایا ہولی نے
होली – नज़ीर अक्बराबादी
आ धमके ऐश ओ तरब क्या क्या जब हुस्न दिखाया होली ने
हर आन ख़ुशी की धूम हुई यूँ लुत्फ़ जताया होली ने
हर ख़ातिर को ख़ुरसंद किया हर दिल को लुभाया होली ने
दफ़ रंगीं नक़्श सुनहरी का जिस वक़्त बजाया होली ने
बाज़ार गली और कूचों में ग़ुल-शोर मचाया होली ने
या स्वाँग कहूँ या रंग कहूँ या हुस्न बताऊँ होली का
सब अब्रन तन पर झमक रहा और केसर का माथे टीका
हँस देना हर-दम नाज़-भरा दिखलाना सज-धज शोख़ी का
हर गाली, मिस्री, क़ंद-भरी, हर एक क़दम अटखेली का
दिल शाद किया और मोह लिया ये, जौबन पाया होली ने
कुछ तबले खटके ताल बजे कुछ ढोलक और मुर्दंग बजी
कुछ झड़पें बीन रबाबों की कुछ सारंगी और चंग बजी
कुछ तार तम्बूरों के झनके, कुछ ढमढी और मुँह-चंग बजी
कुछ घुँगरू खटके झम-झम-झम कुछ गत गत पर आहंग बजी
है हर दम नाचने गाने का ये तार बँधाया होली ने
हर जागह थाल गुलालों से, ख़ुश-रंगत की गुल-कारी है
और ढेर अबीरों के लागे, सो इशरत की तय्यारी है
हैं राग बहारें दिखलाते और रंग-भरी पिचकारी है
मुँह सुर्ख़ी से गुलनार हुए तन केसर की सी क्यारी है
ये रूप झमकता दिखलाया ये रंग दिखाया होली ने
हर आन ख़ुशी से आपस में सब हँस हँस रंग छिड़कते हैं
रुख़्सार गुलालों से गुल-गूँ, कपड़ों से रंग टपकते हैं
कुछ राग और रंग झमकते हैं कुछ मय के जाम छलकते हैं
कुछ कूदे हैं, कुछ उछले हैं, कुछ हँसते हैं, कुछ बिकते हैं
ये तौर ये नक़्शा इशरत का हर आन बनाया होली ने
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. nazir akbarabadi wrote classical Ghazals in chaste urdu and folk songs in awaami boli and came to be known as the “people’s poet”. His nazm celebrating holi, diwaali, eid, bahaar, barsaat are all in a class by themselves.
aa dhamke1 aish-o-tarab2 kya kya, jab husn3 dikhaaya holi ne
har aan4 Khushi ki dhuum hui, yuuN lutf jataaya5 holi ne
har Khaatir6 ko Khursand7 kiya, har dil ko lubhaaya8 holi ne
daf9 raNgiN naqsh10 sunahri ka jis vaqt bajaaya holi ne 1.burst in (into the gathering) 2.pleasures and joy 3.beauty 4.moment 5.proclaim 6.heart/bosom 7.contended, happy 8.enticed 9.tambourine 10.decoration
Pleasures and joy burst in when holi showed its beauty/colours. holi proclaimed such pleasure that every moment was a celebration of joy. It made every bosom swell with happiness, enticed every heart when holi played the tambourine with its brocade border.
bazar gali aur koochauN1 meN Ghul-shor machaya holi ne 1.street
In the bazar, streets and lanes, holi brought joyful sounds/noise.
ya svaaNg1 kahuN, ya raNg kahuN, ya husn2 bataauN holi ka
sab abran3 tan4 par jhamak5 raha aur kesar6 ka maathe Tiika
haNs dena har-dam, naaz-bhara7 dikhlana saj-dhaj8 shooKhi9 ka
har gaali10, misri11, qand13-bhari, har ek qadam aTkheli14 ka 1.acting 2.beauty 3.ornaments 4.body 5.shine 6.saffron, vermillion 7.full of coquettish style 8.dressed up 9.mischief, playfulness 10.abuse 11.candy 13.sweet 14.teasing, playfulness
This would be a reference to the many women/girls out celebrating. Shall I describe their feigned indifference or the colours and the beauty of holi. All ornaments dazzling, a vermillion mark on their brow, they laugh all the time, full of coquetry they show off their playfulness. Even abuse from their lips sounds sweet, every step is playfully mischievous.
dil shaad1 kiya aur moh2 liya ye, joban3 paaya holi ne 1.happy 2.attract, entice 3.youthfulness
holi with its youthfulness made me happy, won over my heart.
kuchh table khaTke taal baje kuchh Dholak aur murdaNg baji
kuchh jhaRpeN biin rabaabauN ki kuchh saaraNgi aur chaNg baji
kuchh taar tamburauN ke jhaNke kuchh DhamDhi1 aur muNh-chaNg2 baji
kuchh ghuNgroo khaTke jham-jham-jham kuchh gat-gat3 par aahaNg4 baji 1.tambourine 2.mouth organ 3.movement, flow 4.melody
A little drumming here, some thrumming there and beats on a murdaNg. A little rivalry between the flute and the rabaab and some saaraNgi and harp. The drone of the strings of the tanpura, the sounds of the tambourine and the mouth organ. The tinkle of ankle bells here the flow of melody there.
hai har dam naachne gaane ka ye taar1 baNdhaya holi ne 1.string, continuity
holi has created a continuing string of song and dance.
har jagah thaal gulaloN se, Khush-raNgat1 ki gul-kaari2 hai
aur Dher abirauN ke laage, so ishrat3 ki tayyaari4 hai
haiN raag bahareN dikhlaate aur raNg-bhari pichkari hai
muNh surKhi5 se gulnaar6 hue tan7 kesar ki si kyaari8 hai 1.beautiful colours 2.flowery decorations 3.pleasure, enjoyment 4.preparations 5.redness 6.rose coloured 7.bodies 8.row of plants
Everywhere platters decorated with colourful, flowery designs. Heaps of fragrant powder of abir all in preparation of joyful play. Songs welcome spring and there is jet of colourful spray. Lips red with paan, bodies fragrant like a row of saffron.
ye ruup jhamakta1 dikhlaya ye raNg dikhaaya holi ne 1.shining, glittering
Such is the glittering/dazzling image and beauty that holi displays.
har aan1 Khushi se aapas meN sab haNs haNs raNg chhiRakte2 haiN
ruKhsaar3 gulaalauN4 se gul-guN5, kapRauN se raNg Tapakte haiN
kuchh raag aur raNg jhamakte haiN kuchh mai6 ke jaam7 chhalakte8 haiN
kuchh kuude haiN, kuchh uchhle haiN, kuchh haNste haiN, kuchh bakte9 haiN 1.moment 2.sprinkle 3.cheeks/face 4.red powder 5.rose coloured, red 6.wine 7.cup, goblet 8.overflow 9.babble
Every moment with love, merrily they sprinkle dye on one another. Cheeks rose coloured with red powder, dye dripping from clothes. Dazzling song and colourful beauty, cups overflowing with wine of love (metaphorically), hopping, jumping, laughing they keep babbling happily away.
ye taur1 ye naqsha2 ishrat3 ka har aan4 banaaya holi ne 1.style, way 2.sketch, image 3.joy 4.moment
Such is the style and image of joy that holi brings every moment.
nazir akbarabadi wrote classical Ghazals in chaste urdu and folk songs in awaami boli and came to be known as the “people’s poet”. His nazm celebrating holi, diwaali, eid, bahaar, barsaat are all in a class by themselves.
aa dhamke1 aish-o-tarab2 kya kya, jab husn3 dikhaaya holi ne
har aan4 Khushi ki dhuum hui, yuuN lutf jataaya5 holi ne
har Khaatir6 ko Khursand7 kiya, har dil ko lubhaaya8 holi ne
daf9 raNgiN naqsh10 sunahri ka jis vaqt bajaaya holi ne
1.burst in (into the gathering) 2.pleasures and joy 3.beauty 4.moment 5.proclaim 6.heart/bosom 7.contended, happy 8.enticed 9.tambourine 10.decoration
Pleasures and joy burst in when holi showed its beauty/colours. holi proclaimed such pleasure that every moment was a celebration of joy. It made every bosom swell with happiness, enticed every heart when holi played the tambourine with its brocade border.
bazar gali aur koochauN1 meN Ghul-shor machaya holi ne
1.street
In the bazar, streets and lanes, holi brought joyful sounds/noise.
ya svaaNg1 kahuN, ya raNg kahuN, ya husn2 bataauN holi ka
sab abran3 tan4 par jhamak5 raha aur kesar6 ka maathe Tiika
haNs dena har-dam, naaz-bhara7 dikhlana saj-dhaj8 shooKhi9 ka
har gaali10, misri11, qand13-bhari, har ek qadam aTkheli14 ka
1.acting 2.beauty 3.ornaments 4.body 5.shine 6.saffron, vermillion 7.full of coquettish style 8.dressed up 9.mischief, playfulness 10.abuse 11.candy 13.sweet 14.teasing, playfulness
This would be a reference to the many women/girls out celebrating. Shall I describe their feigned indifference or the colours and the beauty of holi. All ornaments dazzling, a vermillion mark on their brow, they laugh all the time, full of coquetry they show off their playfulness. Even abuse from their lips sounds sweet, every step is playfully mischievous.
dil shaad1 kiya aur moh2 liya ye, joban3 paaya holi ne
1.happy 2.attract, entice 3.youthfulness
holi with its youthfulness made me happy, won over my heart.
kuchh table khaTke taal baje kuchh Dholak aur murdaNg baji
kuchh jhaRpeN biin rabaabauN ki kuchh saaraNgi aur chaNg baji
kuchh taar tamburauN ke jhaNke kuchh DhamDhi1 aur muNh-chaNg2 baji
kuchh ghuNgroo khaTke jham-jham-jham kuchh gat-gat3 par aahaNg4 baji
1.tambourine 2.mouth organ 3.movement, flow 4.melody
A little drumming here, some thrumming there and beats on a murdaNg. A little rivalry between the flute and the rabaab and some saaraNgi and harp. The drone of the strings of the tanpura, the sounds of the tambourine and the mouth organ. The tinkle of ankle bells here the flow of melody there.
hai har dam naachne gaane ka ye taar1 baNdhaya holi ne
1.string, continuity
holi has created a continuing string of song and dance.
har jagah thaal gulaloN se, Khush-raNgat1 ki gul-kaari2 hai
aur Dher abirauN ke laage, so ishrat3 ki tayyaari4 hai
haiN raag bahareN dikhlaate aur raNg-bhari pichkari hai
muNh surKhi5 se gulnaar6 hue tan7 kesar ki si kyaari8 hai
1.beautiful colours 2.flowery decorations 3.pleasure, enjoyment 4.preparations 5.redness 6.rose coloured 7.bodies 8.row of plants
Everywhere platters decorated with colourful, flowery designs. Heaps of fragrant powder of abir all in preparation of joyful play. Songs welcome spring and there is jet of colourful spray. Lips red with paan, bodies fragrant like a row of saffron.
ye ruup jhamakta1 dikhlaya ye raNg dikhaaya holi ne
1.shining, glittering
Such is the glittering/dazzling image and beauty that holi displays.
har aan1 Khushi se aapas meN sab haNs haNs raNg chhiRakte2 haiN
ruKhsaar3 gulaalauN4 se gul-guN5, kapRauN se raNg Tapakte haiN
kuchh raag aur raNg jhamakte haiN kuchh mai6 ke jaam7 chhalakte8 haiN
kuchh kuude haiN, kuchh uchhle haiN, kuchh haNste haiN, kuchh bakte9 haiN
1.moment 2.sprinkle 3.cheeks/face 4.red powder 5.rose coloured, red 6.wine 7.cup, goblet 8.overflow 9.babble
Every moment with love, merrily they sprinkle dye on one another. Cheeks rose coloured with red powder, dye dripping from clothes. Dazzling song and colourful beauty, cups overflowing with wine of love (metaphorically), hopping, jumping, laughing they keep babbling happily away.
ye taur1 ye naqsha2 ishrat3 ka har aan4 banaaya holi ne
1.style, way 2.sketch, image 3.joy 4.moment
Such is the style and image of joy that holi brings every moment.
Key Search Words: communal harmony, festivals
