sannaaTa – maKhdoom

For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the “English” or “Notes” tab.

سنّاٹا ۔ مخدوم محی الدین

 

کوئی دھڑکن

نہ کوئی چاپ

نہ سنچل

نہ کوئی موج

نہ ہلچل

نہ کسی سانس کی گرمی

نہ بدن

 

ایسے سناّٹے میں اک آدھ تو پتہّ کھڑکے

کوئی پگھلا ہوا موتی

کوئی آ  نسو

کوئی دِل

کچھ بھی نہیں

کتنی سنسان ہے یہ راہگزر

کوئی رخسار تو چمکے، کوئی بجلی تو گرے

सन्नाटा – मख़दूम मोहिउद्दीन

 

कोई धड़कन

ना कोई चाप

ना संचल

ना कोई मौज

ना हलचल

ना किसी सांस की गर्मी

ना बदन

 

ऐसे सन्नाटे में एक आध तो पत्ता खड़के

कोई पिघला हुआ मोती

कोई आंसू

कोई दिल

कुच्छ भी नहीं

कितनी सुनसान है ये राहगुज़र

कोई रुख़सार तो चमके, कोई बिजली तो गिरे

Click here for overall comments and on any passage for meanings and discussion.   maKhdoom mohiuddin (1908-1969), progressive, communist, freedom fighter, labour union leader/organizer, beloved of the city of hyderabad. This nazm is a penetrating description of loneliness. It could be loneliness in prison or loneliness on the path of struggle for equality. Read this together with faiz ahmed faiz’s “tanhaaii” .

koi dhaRkan1
na koi chaap2
na sanchal3
na koi mauj
na halchal4
na kisi saaNs ki garmi
na badan
1.heartbeat 2.footfall 3.noise 4.movement, motion, disturbance
Not even a faint heartbeat, no footfall. no noise, nor any waves or excitement. Neither the warmth of any breath, nor any person.

aise sannaaTe meN ek aadh to patta khaRke
koi pighla hua moti
koi aaNsu
koi dil
kuchh bhi nahiN
kitni sunsaan1 hai ye raahguzar2
koi ruKhsaar3 to chamke, koi bijli to gire
1.silent, deserted, fearful 2.pathway 3.cheek, face
Such stillness, at least the rustling of some leaves, some melted pearl or a tear drop. Some (beating) heart! There is nothing. How desolate is this path. Let some visage shine, let lightning strike. The poet/revolutionary feels all alone in his quest and yearns for some company/comrades.

maKhdoom mohiuddin (1908-1969), progressive, communist, freedom fighter, labour union leader/organizer, beloved of the city of hyderabad.  This nazm is a penetrating description of loneliness.  It could be loneliness in prison or loneliness on the path of struggle for equality.  Read this together with faiz ahmed faiz’s “tanhaaii”  .

koi dhaRkan1
na koi chaap2
na sanchal3
na koi mauj
na halchal4
na kisi saaNs ki garmi
na badan

1.heartbeat 2.footfall 3.noise 4.movement, motion, disturbance

Not even a faint heartbeat, no footfall. no noise, nor any waves or excitement.  Neither the warmth of any breath, nor any person.

aise sannaaTe meN ek aadh to patta khaRke
koi pighla hua moti
koi aaNsu
koi dil
kuchh bhi nahiN
kitni sunsaan1 hai ye raahguzar2
koi ruKhsaar3 to chamke, koi bijli to gire

1.silent, deserted, fearful 2.pathway 3.cheek, face

Such stillness, at least the rustling of some leaves, some melted pearl or a tear drop.  Some (beating) heart!  There is nothing.  How desolate is this path.  Let some visage shine, let lightning strike.  The poet/revolutionary feels all alone in his quest and yearns for some company/comrades.