For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the tabs marked “Roman” or “Notes”.
Recitation
نظر بندی ۔ فیض ۔ نریش کمار شاد
۱
کہاں یہ علم ہے زنداں کے گُھپ اندھیروں کو
کہ اُن کی چھاؤں میں تیرے چراغ جلتے ہیں
تری نظر میں جو رقصاں ہے التہاب کے ساتھ
اُس ایک لَو میں کئی آفتاب پلتے ہیں
جنہیں شعور کی تابانیوں نے سینچا ہو
وہ زمزمے بھی کہیں تیرگی میں ڈھلتے ہیں
۲
نسیمِ صبح کے نکہت بدوش جھونکوں کو
نہ کوئی روک سکا ہے نہ روک سکتا ہے
ستمگروں کے ستم جس قدر مسلتے ہیں
ترے خلوص کا پھول اور بھی مہکتا ہے
بہاریں بن کے کئی داغدار سینوں میں
تری جوان اُمیدوں کا دل دھڑکتا ہے
۳
پگھل رہی ہے ترے عزم کی حرارت سے
جفا و جبر میں ڈھالی ہوئی یہ زنجیریں
نئی حیات کی گُلریز شاہراہوں میں
بکھر رہی ہیں ترے ولولوں کی تنویریں
ترے ہی ناچتے خوابوں کو چومنے کے لئے
اُبھر رہی ہیں اُفق سے حسین تعبیریں
۴
نظامِ آتش و آہن پہ مسکراتی ہے
تری نوا کی لطافت، ترے خیال کی تاب
ترے جنوں میں وہ خوشبوئے سوز ہے جس سے
مہک رہے ہیں شرارے دہک رہے ہیں گلاب
ترے ضمیر کی معصومیت کا کیا کہنا
گناہگارِ نظر کو بھی آ رہا ہے حجاب
۵
ترے عمل نے یہ ثابت کیا کہ اہلِ وفا
کبھی ہوس کے اِشاروں پہ چل نہیں سکتے
ہزاروں طوق و سلاسل ہوں راہ میں حائل
وہ اپنی راہ گذر کو بدل نہیں سکتے
مسافروں پہ اندھیرے جھپٹ تو سکتے ہیں
مسافروں کو اندھیرے نگل نہیں سکتے
۶
صعوبتوں کے اِنہیں سنگدل اندھیروں میں
کیا ہے عظمتِ آدم کو ضو فشاں تو نے
زباں پہ مہر لگی ہے تو کیا کہ رکھ دی ہے
ہر ایک حلقۂ زنجیر میں زباں تو نے
متاعِ لوح و قلم چھن گئی تو کیا غم ہے
کہ خونِ دل میں ڈبو لی ہیں اُنگلیاں تو نے
नज़र बन्दी – फ़ैज़ – नरेश कुमार शाद
१
कहां ये इल्म है ज़िंदां के घुप अंधेरौं को
के उन की छाऊं में तेरे चराग़ जलते हैं
तेरी नज़र में जो रक़्सां है इल्तहाब के साथ
उस एक लौ में कई आफ़्ताब पल्ते हैं
जिन्हें श’ऊर की ताबानियौं ने सींचा हो
वो ज़म्ज़मे भी कहीं तीरगी में ढल्ते हैं
२
नसीम-ए सुबह के निक्हत बदोश झोंकौं को
न कोई रोक सका है न रोक सकता है
सितमगरौं के क़दम जिस क़दर मसलते हैं
तेरे ख़ुलूस का फूल और भी महकता है
बहारें बन के कई दाग़्दार सीनौं में
तेरी जवान उमीदौं का दिल धढकता है
३
पिघल रही है तेरे अज़्म की हरारत से
जफ़ा ओ जब्र में ढाली हूई ये ज़ंजीरें
नई हयात कि गुलरेज़ शाहराहौं पर
बिखर रही हैं तेरे वल्वलौं की तन्वीरें
तेरे हि नाचते ख़्वाबौं को चूमने के लिये
उभर रही हैं उफ़क़ से हसीन ता’बीरें
४
निज़ाम-ए आतिश ओ आहन पे मुस्कुराती है
तेरी नवा की लताफ़त, तेरे ख़याल की ताब
तेरे जुनूं में वो ख़ुश्बू-ए सोज़ है जिस से
महक रहे हैं शरारे दकहक रहे हैं गुलाब
तेरे ज़मीर की मासूमियत का क्या कहना
गुनाहगार-ए नज़र को भी आ रहा है हिजाब
५
तेरे अमल ने ये साबीत किया के अहल-ए वफ़ा
कभी हवस के इशारौं पे चल नहीं सकते
हज़ारौं तौक़ ओ सलासल हों राह में हा’एल
वो अपनी राहगुज़र को बदल नहीं सकते
मुसाफ़रौं पे अंधेरे झपट तो सकते हैं
मुसाफ़रौं को अंधेरे निगल नहीं सकते
६
स’ऊबतौं के इन्हीं संगदिल अंधेरौं में
किया है अज़्मत-ए आदम को ज़ौ फ़शां तू ने
ज़बां पे मोह्र लगी है तो क्या के रख दी है
हर एक हल्क़ा-ए ज़ंजीर में ज़बां मैं ने
मत’आ-ए लौह ओ क़लम छिन गई तो क्या ग़म है
के ख़ून-ए दिल में डुबो ली हैं उंग्लियां तू ने
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. naresh kumar shaad (1927-1969) prolific poet, writer, translater. Member Progressive Writers’ Association. Socialist/Communist. Educated and worked in rawalpindi and lahore before partition and then moved to India. This is probably a reflection of what the PWA asked poets/writers to do … write less about the beloved and more about social justice. In this nazm he expreses deep solidarity with faiz ahmed faiz when he was convicted of treason and jailed.
1
kahaaN ye ilm1 hai zindaaN2 ke ghup andheroN ko
ke un ki chhaauN3 meN tere charaaGh4 jalte haiN
teri nazar5 meN jo raqsaaN6 hai iltehaab7 ke saath
us ek lau8 meN kaii aaftaab9 palte10 haiN
jinheN sha’oor11 ki taabaaniyoN12 ne seeNcha13 hai
vo zamzame14 bhi kahiN tiiragi15 meN Dhalte16 haiN 1.knowledge 2.prison 3.shadows 4.lamp, torch 5.eyes 6.dancing 7.fiery flames/passion 8.flame 9.sun 10.nurtured 11.wisdom 12.brilliance 13.irrigate, cultivate 14.gurgling of a spring, music 15.darkness 16.cast in mould
How can the pitch darkness of prison know that in their shadow, your torch will shine (still showing the way). The flame that dances in your eyes with fiery passion, in that one flame are nurtured many suns. That which the brilliance of wisdom has cultivated, those gurgling springs will never be cast into the mould of darkness. There is such a beautiful conflation of light, music, nurturing, guiding/leading. The same conflation continues in all stanzas.
2
naseem1-e subah ke nik’hat2 ba-dosh3 jhoNkoN ko
na koii rok saka hai na rok sakta hai
sitamgaroN4 ke qadam5 jis qadar6 masalte7 haiN
tere Khuloos8 ka phool aur bhi mahakta9 hai
bahaareN10 ban ke kaii daaGhdaar11 siinoN meN
teri javaan12 umeedoN13 ka dil dhaRakta hai 1.breeze 2.fragrance 3.carrying on the back 4.oppressors 5.feet 6.however much 7.trample, squeeze 8.love 9.spreads fragrance 10.flowers 11.wounded, scarred 12.young, strong 13.hopes
The gusts of morning breeze, carrying fragrance on its back, nobody has been able to stop it nor will they ever be able to. Of course, ‘fragrance’ here is the hope/yearning for justice. However much the feet of oppressors may trample and squeeze you, that much will the rose of your love spread fragrance. It (his fragrance – message of hope) will turn to flowers in the wounded hearts of many bosoms and throb with fervent hope.
3
pighal1 rahi hai teri azm2 ki haraarat3 se
jafa4 o jabr5 meN Dhaali6 hui ye zanjiireN
naii hayaat7 ki gulrez8 shaahraahoN9 par
bikhar10 rahi haiN tere valvaloN11 ki tanviireN12
tere hi naachte KhwaaboN ko choomne ke liye
ubhar13 rahi haiN ufaq14 se haseen15 taabeereN16 1.melting 2.determination 3.heat, passion 4.cruelty 5.oppression 6.moulded, cast 7.life 8.flower scattering 9.highways 10.spreading 11.enthusiasm, passion 12.rays of light 13.emerging 14.horizon 15.beautiful 16.interpretation/realization (of dreams)
The heat of your passionate determination is melting away these chains of oppression and exploitation. On the flowery highways of a new life (new world order, social justice) are spreading the rays of light of your passion. To kiss your dancing dreams, beautiful interpretation/visions are emerging over the horizon.
4
nizaam1-e aatish2 o aahan3 pe muskuraati hai
teri nava4 ki lataafat5, tere Khayaal ki taab6
tere junooN7 meN vo Khushboo-e soz8 hai jis se
mahak9 rahe haiN sharaare10, dahak11 rahe haiN gulaab
tere zamiir12 ki maasoomiyat13 ka kya kahna
gunaahgaar14-e nazar15 ko bhi aa raha hai hijaab16 1.regime 2.fire (cruelty, exploitation) 3.steel (oppression) 4.voice 5.elegance, subtlety 6.brilliance 7.passion 8.pain 9.fragrant 10.sparks 11.glowing (as in fire) 12.conscience, inner self 13.innocence, blamelessness 14.guilty 15.glance, look 16.used here to mean shame
Your elegant voice laughs at this regime of oppression and exploitation. The fragrant pain of your passion gives fragrance to sparks and glow to the rose (again conflation of attributes). What can anyone say about the blamelessness of your inner self. Even the accuser feels ashamed.
5
tere amal1 ne ye saabit2 kya ke ahl-e-vafa3
kabhi havas4 ke ishaaroN5 pe chal nahiN sakte
hazaaroN tauq6 o salaasal7 hoN raah8 meN haa’el9
vo apni raahguzar10 ko badal11 nahiN sakte
musafaroN12 pe andhere jhapaT to sakte haiN
musafaroN ko andhere nigal13 nahiN sakte 1.actions 2.prove 3.faithful, steadfast 4.greed 5.directions 6.shackles 7.chain 8.path 9.obstruction 10.chosen path 11.change 12.travelers (on the path of justice) 13.swallow
Your actions prove that the steadfast will never succumb to the directions of those greedy for power. There may be a thousand chains and shackles along the way, but they will never change their chosen path. The powers of darkness can attack the travelers on the path of justice, but they cannot swallow them.
6
sa’oobatoN1 ke inhiiN saNgdil2 andheroN meN
kiya hai azmat3-e aadam4 ko zau-fashaaN5 tu ne
zabaaN pe mohr6 lagi hai to kya ke rakh di hai
har ek halqa6-e zanjiir7 meN zabaaN tu ne
mat’aa8-e lauh9 o qalam10 chhin11 gayii to kya Gham hai
ke Khoon-e dil meN Dubo liiN haiN uNgliaaN tu ne 1.hardship 2.hard hearted, cruel 3.greatness 4.Adam, human 5.shine 6.stamp, seal 6.circle, link 7.chain 8.possession 9.writing tablet, paper 10.pen 11.snatched
This is a direct quote from a quatrain that faiz composed. In the cruel hardship of darkness/oppression, you have made the greatness of humanity shine bright. What if your lips were sealed, you have placed a tongue in every link of the chain that binds you (each link is like a mouth and speaks). What pain if your pen and paper have been snatched away. You have dipped your fingers in the blood of your heart to write.
naresh kumar shaad (1927-1969) prolific poet, writer, translater. Member Progressive Writers’ Association. Socialist/Communist. Educated and worked in rawalpindi and lahore before partition and then moved to India. This is probably a reflection of what the PWA asked poets/writers to do … write less about the beloved and more about social justice. In this nazm he expreses deep solidarity with faiz ahmed faiz when he was convicted of treason and jailed.
1
kahaaN ye ilm1 hai zindaaN2 ke ghup andheroN ko
ke un ki chhaauN3 meN tere charaaGh4 jalte haiN
teri nazar5 meN jo raqsaaN6 hai iltehaab7 ke saath
us ek lau8 meN kaii aaftaab9 palte10 haiN
jinheN sha’oor11 ki taabaaniyoN12 ne seeNcha13 hai
vo zamzame14 bhi kahiN tiiragi15 meN Dhalte16 haiN
1.knowledge 2.prison 3.shadows 4.lamp, torch 5.eyes 6.dancing 7.fiery flames/passion 8.flame 9.sun 10.nurtured 11.wisdom 12.brilliance 13.irrigate, cultivate 14.gurgling of a spring, music 15.darkness 16.cast in mould
How can the pitch darkness of prison know that in their shadow, your torch will shine (still showing the way). The flame that dances in your eyes with fiery passion, in that one flame are nurtured many suns. That which the brilliance of wisdom has cultivated, those gurgling springs will never be cast into the mould of darkness. There is such a beautiful conflation of light, music, nurturing, guiding/leading. The same conflation continues in all stanzas.
2
naseem1-e subah ke nik’hat2 ba-dosh3 jhoNkoN ko
na koii rok saka hai na rok sakta hai
sitamgaroN4 ke qadam5 jis qadar6 masalte7 haiN
tere Khuloos8 ka phool aur bhi mahakta9 hai
bahaareN10 ban ke kaii daaGhdaar11 siinoN meN
teri javaan12 umeedoN13 ka dil dhaRakta hai
1.breeze 2.fragrance 3.carrying on the back 4.oppressors 5.feet 6.however much 7.trample, squeeze 8.love 9.spreads fragrance 10.flowers 11.wounded, scarred 12.young, strong 13.hopes
The gusts of morning breeze, carrying fragrance on its back, nobody has been able to stop it nor will they ever be able to. Of course, ‘fragrance’ here is the hope/yearning for justice. However much the feet of oppressors may trample and squeeze you, that much will the rose of your love spread fragrance. It (his fragrance – message of hope) will turn to flowres in the wounded hearts of many bosoms and throb with fervent hope.
3
pighal1 rahi hai teri azm2 ki haraarat3 se
jafa4 o jabr5 meN Dhaali6 hui ye zanjiireN
naii hayaat7 ki gulrez8 shaahraahoN9 par
bikhar10 rahi haiN tere valvaloN11 ki tanviireN12
tere hi naachte KhwaaboN ko choomne ke liye
ubhar13 rahi haiN ufaq14 se haseen15 taabeereN16
1.melting 2.determination 3.heat, passion 4.cruelty 5.oppression 6.moulded, cast 7.life 8.flower scattering 9.highways 10.spreading 11.enthusiasm, passion 12.rays of light 13.emerging 14.horizon 15.beautiful 16.interpretation/realization (of dreams)
The heat of your passionate determination is melting away these chains of oppression and exploitation. On the flowery highways of a new life (new world order, social justice) are spreading the rays of light of your passion. To kiss your dancing dreams, beautiful interpretation/visions are emerging over the horizon.
4
nizaam1-e aatish2 o aahan3 pe muskuraati hai
teri nava4 ki lataafat5, tere Khayaal ki taab6
tere junooN7 meN vo Khushboo-e soz8 hai jis se
mahak9 rahe haiN sharaare10, dahak11 rahe haiN gulaab
tere zamiir12 ki maasoomiyat13 ka kya kahna
gunaahgaar14-e nazar15 ko bhi aa raha hai hijaab16
1.regime 2.fire (cruelty, exploitation) 3.steel (oppression) 4.voice 5.elegance, subtlety 6.brilliance 7.passion 8.pain 9.fragrant 10.sparks 11.glowing (as in fire) 12.conscience, inner self 13.innocence, blamelessness 14.guilty 15.glance, look 16.used here to mean shame
Your elegant voice laughs at this regime of oppression and exploitation. The fragrant pain of your passion gives fragrance to sparks and glow to the rose (again conflation of attributes). What can anyone say about the blamelessness of your inner self. Even the accuser feels ashamed.
5
tere amal1 ne ye saabit2 kya ke ahl-e-vafa3
kabhi havas4 ke ishaaroN5 pe chal nahiN sakte
hazaaroN tauq6 o salaasal7 hoN raah8 meN haa’el9
vo apni raahguzar10 ko badal11 nahiN sakte
musafaroN12 pe andhere jhapaT to sakte haiN
musafaroN ko andhere nigal13 nahiN sakte
1.actions 2.prove 3.faithful, steadfast 4.greed 5.directions 6.shackles 7.chain 8.path 9.obstruction 10.chosen path 11.change 12.travelers (on the path of justice) 13.swallow
Your actions prove that the steadfast will never succumb to the directions of those greedy for power. There may be a thousand chains and shackles along the way, but they will never change their chosen path. The powers of darkness can attack the travelers on the path of justice, but they cannot swallow them.
6
sa’oobatoN1 ke inhiiN saNgdil2 andheroN meN
kiya hai azmat3-e aadam4 ko zau-fashaaN5 tu ne
zabaaN pe mohr6 lagi hai to kya ke rakh di hai
har ek halqa6-e zanjiir7 meN zabaaN tu ne
mat’aa8-e lauh9 o qalam10 chhin11 gayii to kya Gham hai
ke Khoon-e dil meN Dubo liiN haiN uNgliaaN tu ne
1.hardship 2.hard hearted, cruel 3.greatness 4.Adam, human 5.shine 6.stamp, seal 6.circle, link 7.chain 8.possession 9.writing tablet, paper 10.pen 11.snatched
This is a direct quote from a quatrain that faiz composed. In the cruel hardship of darkness/oppression, you have made the greatness of humanity shine bright. What if your lips were sealed, you have placed a tongue in every link of the chain that binds you (each link is like a mouth and speaks). What pain if your pen and paper have been snatched away. You have dipped your fingers in the blood of your heart to write.
