For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the tabs marked “Roman” or “Notes”.
Recitation
زمیں کا براق – جوشؔ ملیح آبادی
۱
رواں ہوا ہے سوئے آسماں زمیں کا براق
نگاہ رُو برُو، اے روحِ انفس و آفاق
بڑھا ہے جانبِ اِنساں دراتیوں کا شعور
مڑا ہے سوُے بیاباں روائیتوں کا مراق
۲
عروسِ دانشِ حاضر اُلٹ رہی ہے نقاب
جھلک رہی ہے انگوٹھی، دمک رہا ہے بلاق
جو عصرِ دِل نے سدھائے تھے بچگانِ فسوں
اُنھیں دِماغِ بشر کر چکا ہے یکسر عاق
۳
تمام اثاثۂ ذہنی پہ تھی نظر جس کی
اَب اُس عجوز کو دے دی ہے آدمی نے طلاق
اُٹھارہا ہے اَدب، سازِ منطق و حکمت
دُکاں بڑھاؤ اے مطربانِ وصل و فراق
۴
زمین، توسنِ گردوں پہ ہو رہی ہے سوار
رکاب تھام کے چل، اے ذکاوتِ مشاّق
بزور پشتِ کواکب پہ کاٹھیاں رکھ دیں
ازل کے روز سے ذرّوں کا ہے یہ اِستحقاق
۵
اب آدمی کے قدم آفتاب چومے گا
اب آسمان کا ہوگا زمین سے اِلحاق
بلندیوں پہ نئے شہر جگمگائیں گے
قمر پہ قصر بنیں گے تو مشتری پہ رواق
۶
جمودِ فقر و سکونِ قلندری کو سلام
کہ اب بشر ہے خبر تشنہ و نظر مشتاق
غلط کہ بارشِ رحمت ہے کارسازِ معاش
جبینِ اہلِ عمل کا پسینہ ہے رزّاق
۷
نشیب کو جو حقوقِ فراز بخشے گا
خوشا کہ معرضِ تحریر میں ہے وہ میثاق
شہور و غیب کے دفتر کھلے ہوے ہیں تمام
حسابِ ارض و سما ہو رہا ہے اب بیباق
۸
نکل رہا ہے جلوسِ مذاقِ فکرِ جدید
کدھر ہے ذُرّیتِ عشق و اُمتِّ اشراق
اُبل رہے ہیں حروفِ کہن سے معنی نو
محلِ وجد ہے ائے ناقدِ سیاق و سباق
۹
ابھی نہیں نہ سہی، کل یہ نعرہ گونجے گا
کہ دہر کا ہے بشر قادر علی الا طاق
مسیحِ وقت پہ قطع حرفِ مرگ اے جوش
اُلٹ رہا ہے کتابِ حیات کے اوراق
ज़मीं का बुराक़ – जोश मलीहाबादी
१
रवां हुआ है सूए आस्मां ज़मीं का बुराक़
निगाह रू बा रू, अए रूह-ए अन्फ़स ओ आफ़ाक़
बढ़ा है जानिब-ए इनसां दरातिओं का शु’ऊर
मुड़ा है सूए बियाबां रिवायतौं का मुराक़
२
उरूस-ए दानिश-ए हाज़िर उलट रही है नक़ाब
झलक रही है अंगूठी, दमक रहा है बुलाक़
जो अस्र-ए दिल ने सधाए थे बच्चगान-ए फ़ुसूँ
उन्हें दिमाग़-ए बशर कर चुका है यकसर आक़
३
तमाम असासा-ए ज़हनी पे थी नज़र जिसकी
अब उस अजूज़ को दे दी है आदमी ने तलाक़
उठा रहा है अदब साज़-ए मंतक़ ओ हिकमत
दुकां बढ़ाओ आए मुत्रिबान-ए वस्ल ओ फ़िराक़
४
ज़मीन तौसन-ए गर्दूं पे हो रही है सवार
रकाब थाम के चल, अए ज़कावत-ए मश्शाक़
ब ज़ोर पुष्त-ए कवाकिब पे काठियाँ रख दीं
अज़ल के रोज़ से ज़र्रौं का है ये इस्तेहक़ाक़
५
अब आदमी के क़दम आफ़्ताब चूमेगा
अब आस्मान का होगा ज़मीन से इल्हाक़
बलंदियों पे नये शहर जगमगाएंगे
क़मर पे क़स्र बनेंगे तो मुश्तरी पे रवाक़
६
जुमूद-ए फ़क़्र ओ सुकून-ए क़लन्दरी को सलाम
के अब बशर है ख़बर-तिश्ना ओ नज़र-मुश्ताक़
ग़लत के बारिश-ए रहमत है कारसाज़-ए मा’श
जबीन-ए अहल-ए अमल का पसीना है रज़्ज़ाक़
७
नशेब को जो हूक़ूक़-ए फ़राज़ बख़्शेगा
ख़ुशा के मारेज़-ए तहरीर में है वो मीसाक़
शहूर ओ ग़ैब के दफ़्तर खुले हुए हैं तमाम
हिसाब-ए अर्ज़ ओ समा हो रहा है अब बेबाक़
८
निकल रहा है जुलूस-ए मज़ाक़-ए फ़िक्र-ए जदीद
किधर है ज़ुर्रियत-ए इश्क़ ओ उम्मत-ए इश्राक़
उबल रहे हैं हुरूफ़-ए कोहन से मा’नी-ए नौ
महल्ल-ए वज्द है आए नाक़िद-ए सियाक़ ओ सबाक़
९
अभी नहीं ना सही कल ये नारा गूंजेगा
के दहर का है बशर क़ादिर-उल-अलताक़
मसीह-ए वक़्त पे क़ता’ हर्फ़-ए मर्ग अए जोश
उलट रहा है किताब-ए हयात के औराक़
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. josh malihabadi (1898-1982) is known as – shaa’er-e inqelaab – poet of revolution. His nazm are fiery, passionate, and full of energy. His Ghazal and rubaaii are equally good. He was a secular humanist writing sharply and irreverently against colonialism, abuse of power, injustice and orthodoxy. This nazm follows the structure of Ghazal and is considered a musalsil Ghazal, because it maintains the theme in every she’r. Throughout this composition “zamin” is used as a metaphor for oppressed people and “aasmaan” for people of privilege (high status), oppressors. New awareness (of rights) is personified as a bride … who is removing her veil. This Ghazal, with its very difficult (qaafiya) rhyme, is also a testimony to the vast vocabulary of josh malihabadi. It reflects josh’s sympathies with the Progressive Writers’ Association and with the socialist movement.
1
ravaaN1 hua hai soo’e-aasmaaN2 zamiiN ka buraaq3
nigaah ruu-ba-ruu4, ae rooh5 e anfas-o-aafaaq6
baRha hai jaanib7 e insaaN daraatiyoN8 ka sha’uur9
muRa hai soo’e-biyabaaN10 rivayetoN11 ka muraaq12 1.departed 2.towards the sky 3.legendary horse (lightning speed) that Mohammed rode to seventh heaven 4.face to face 5.spirit 6.life and horizons i.e.the universe 7.towards 8.sickle (as in socialist symbol) 9.wisdom, awareness 10.towards the wilderness 11.traditions, old heresay 12.hysteria
The oppressed ride their heavenly horse towards the sky/privileged. Look me in the eye, O spirit of creation. The awareness of the might of the sickle has awakened in man. Hysterical belief in ancient mythology has been banished to the wilderness.
2
ravaaN1 hua hai soo’e-aasmaaN2 zamiiN ka buraaq3
nigaah ruu-ba-ruu4, ae rooh5 e anfas-o-aafaaq6
baRha hai jaanib7 e insaaN daraatiyoN8 ka sha’uur9
muRa hai soo’e-biyabaaN10 rivayetoN11 ka muraaq12 13.present day knowledge portrayed as a bride 14.turn over 15.veil 16.jewelry, diamond stud (nose) 17.age of emotions (heart) 18.nurtured 19.children of illusion 20.man 21.completely 22.reject
Modern knowledge/awareness of rights bestirs like a bride emerging, resplendent and bejwelled from behind her veil. The old order (irrational/emotional) had long cast a spell of ignorance. New man with new thinking has rejected it completely.
3
tamaam asaasa-e-zahni1 pe thi nazar2 jiski
ab us ajooz3 ko de di hai aadmi ne talaaq4
uTha raha hai adab5 saaz-e-mantaq-o-hikmat6
dukaaN baRhaao7 aye mutribaan8 e vasl-o-firaaq9 1.wealth/best part of thinking 2.sight 3.old woman 4.divorce 5.literature
6.lute of logic and wisdom 7.close shop, go away 8.singers, songsters 9.union and separation (from beloved)
The one on whom all thought was fixated, Man has now divorced that old woman (the old world order). The poet/writer now sings of rational thought and logic (the Progressive Writers’ Association had called upon poets to write about social issues rather than traditional poetry of romantic love … meeting and/or separation from the beloved.Josh is reinforcing that call). Close shop O you warblers of romantic falsehoods.
4
zamiin tausan-e-garduN10 pe ho rahi hai savaar11
rakaab thaam12 ke chal, aye zakaavat13 e mashshaaq14
ba-zor15 pusht-e-kavaakib16 pe kaaThiyaN rakh diiN17
azal18 ke roz se zarroN19 ka hai ye istehqaaq20 10.heavenly steed 11.mounting 12.holding stirrup 13.intelligence 14.expert 15.forcefully 16.backs of stars 17.placing bodies on the backs of stars 18.beginning 19.particles (downtrodden) 20.rights (haq)
Earth’s denizens are readying to ride the heavenly steed. Hold the stirrup, O Wisdom of the expert. The oppressed have discovered the power to mount the stars. They have had this right since the beginning of time.
5
ab aadmi ke qadam aaftab1 choomega
ab aasmaan ka hoga zamiin se ilhaaq2
balandiyoN3 pe naye shahr jagmagaaeNge
qamar4 pe qasr5 baneNge to mushtari6 pe ravaaq7 1.sun 2.annexation 3.heights 4.moon 5.castles 6.Venus 7.palaces
The sun will bow low to kiss the feet of man. The sky will be appropriated by the earth. A new order will sparkle over upon the heights. New palaces will spring up on the moon, new castles on Venus.
6
jumood-e-faqr8 o sukoon-e-qalandari9 ko salaam10
ke ab bashar11 hai Khabar-tishna12 o nazar-mushtaaq13
Ghalat14 ke baarish-e-rahmat15 hai kaarsaaz-e-ma’ash16
jabiin17 e ahl-e-amal18 ka pasiina hai razzaaq19 8.freezing (inaction) of the poor 9.tranquility of the mystic 10.(here it means) good bye 11.man 12.thirsty for news (new thought) 13.eager to see (new things) 14.wrong 15.rain of benevolence 16.maker of livelihood 17.forehead, brow 18.people of action, workers
Goodbye to the quiescence of the oppressed and the tranquility of the mystic. Man thirsts for new thought and espies new vistas. Forget the myth that livelihood comes from heavenly benevolence. For what feeds us is the working man’s sweat that gives us bread. I cannot help but remember the working woman. fahmida riaz in “chaadar aur chaardivaari” writes
zamiN ke ruKh par jo hai paseena to jhilmilati hai meri mehnat
The drops of sweat on the brow of the earth are the sparkle of my labour
7
nasheb1 ko jo huqooq2 e faraaz3 baKhshega4
Khusha5 ke ma’ariz-e-tahrir6 meN hai vo meesaq7
shahoor8 o Ghaib9 ke daftar10 khule hue haiN tamaam
hisaab-e-arz-o-sam’a11 ho raha hai ab bebaaq12 1.low (oppressed) 2.rights 3.high (and mighty) 4.grant 5.O, happiness 6.process of being written 7.compact, agreement 8.well known 9.hidden, unknown 10.assemblies, books 11.accounts of earth and sky 12.settle accounts
That which will give the low and oppressed the same rights as the high and mighty O Joy, that book (of rules) is being written. Secrets held long from the public are being opened to all and the accounts of heaven (privileged) and earth (oppressed) are being settled in the open.
8
nikal raha hai juloos13 e mazaaq14 e fikr-e-jadiid15
kidhar hai zurriyat-e-ishq16 o ummat-e-ishraaq17
ubal18 rahe haiN huroof-e-kuhan19 se ma’ani-e-nau20
mahall-e-vajd21 hai ae naaqid22 e siyaaq-o-sabaaq23 13.celebration, parade 14.taste 15.new thinking 16.children (followers) of (romantic) love 17.people of the east 18.overflowing 19.ancient words 20.new meaning 21.time, occasion to go into a trance (of happiness) 22.critic 23.all aspects
The march of the yearning for new thought is underway. Where are the followers of love, the people of the east. Old words are being being recast with new meaning. It is a moment of surpassing joy, O cynic of all things.
9
abhi nahiN na sahii kal ye na’ara1 goonjega
ke dahr2 ka hai bashar3 qaadir-ul’al’ataaq4
masiih-e-vaqt5 pe qat’a6 harf-e-marg7 aye josh
ulaT raha hai kitaab-e-hayaat8 ke auraq9 1.cry 2.world 3.man 4.power/control over all dominions 5.healer of the times 6.cut off, ends 7.word of death 8.book of life 9.pages
If not today, then surely tomorrow, the cry will ring out that man has dominion over the workings of this world. The healer of the times prevails over/ends the word of death i.e., death/fortune is no longer the final word. O josh, the healer of the times is turning over the pages of the book of life.
josh malihabadi (1898-1982) is known as – shaa’er-e inqelaab – poet of revolution. His nazm are fiery, passionate, and full of energy. His Ghazal and rubaaii are equally good. He was a secular humanist writing sharply and irreverently against colonialism, abuse of power, injustice and orthodoxy. This nazm follows the structure of Ghazal and is considered a musalsil Ghazal, because it maintains the theme in every she’r. Throughout this composition “zamin” is used as a metaphor for oppressed people and “aasmaan” for people of privilege (high status), oppressors. New awareness (of rights) is personified as a bride … who is removing her veil. This Ghazal, with its very difficult (qaafiya) rhyme, is also a testimony to the vast vocabulary of josh malihabadi. It reflects josh’s sympathies with the Progressive Writers’ Association and with the socialist movement.
1
ravaaN1 hua hai soo’e-aasmaaN2 zamiiN ka buraaq3
nigaah ruu-ba-ruu4, ae rooh5 e anfas-o-aafaaq6
baRha hai jaanib7 e insaaN daraatiyoN8 ka sha’uur9
muRa hai soo’e-biyabaaN10 rivayetoN11 ka muraaq12
1.departed 2.towards the sky 3.legendary horse (lightning speed) that Mohammed rode to seventh heaven 4.face to face 5.spirit 6.life and horizons i.e.the universe 7.towards 8.sickle (as in socialist symbol) 9.wisdom, awareness 10.towards the wilderness 11.traditions, old heresay 12.hysteria
The oppressed ride their heavenly horse towards the sky/privileged. Look me in the eye, O spirit of creation. The awareness of the might of the sickle has awakened in man. Hysterical belief in ancient mythology has been banished to the wilderness.
2
uroos-e-daanish-e-haazir13 ulaT14 rahi hai naqaab15
jhalak rahi hai angooThi, damak raha hai bulaaq16
jo asr-e-dil17 ne sadhaae18 the` bachchagaan-e-fusooN19
unheN dimaaGh e bashar20 kar chuka hai yaksar21 a’aq22
13.present day knowledge portrayed as a bride 14.turn over 15.veil 16.jewelry, diamond stud (nose) 17.age of emotions (heart) 18.nurtured 19.children of illusion 20.man 21.completely 22.reject
Modern knowledge/awareness of rights bestirs like a bride emerging, resplendent and bejwelled from behind her veil. The old order (irrational/emotional) had long cast a spell of ignorance. New man with new thinking has rejected it completely.
3
tamaam asaasa-e-zahni1 pe thi nazar2 jiski
ab us ajooz3 ko de di hai aadmi ne talaaq4
uTha raha hai adab5 saaz-e-mantaq-o-hikmat6
dukaaN baRhaao7 aye mutribaan8 e vasl-o-firaaq9
1.wealth/best part of thinking 2.sight 3.old woman 4.divorce 5.literature
6.lute of logic and wisdom 7.close shop, go away 8.singers, songsters 9.union and separation (from beloved)
The one on whom all thought was fixated, Man has now divorced that old woman (the old world order). The poet/writer now sings of rational thought and logic (the Progressive Writers’ Association had called upon poets to write about social issues rather than traditional poetry of romantic love … meeting and/or separation from the beloved.Josh is reinforcing that call). Close shop O you warblers of romantic falsehoods.
4
zamiin tausan-e-garduN10 pe ho rahi hai savaar11
rakaab thaam12 ke chal, aye zakaavat13 e mashshaaq14
ba-zor15 pusht-e-kavaakib16 pe kaaThiyaN rakh diiN17
azal18 ke roz se zarroN19 ka hai ye istehqaaq20
10.heavenly steed 11.mounting 12.holding stirrup 13.intelligence 14.expert 15.forcefully 16.backs of stars 17.placing bodies on the backs of stars 18.beginning 19.particles (downtrodden) 20.rights (haq)
Earth’s denizens are readying to ride the heavenly steed. Hold the stirrup, O Wisdom of the expert. The oppressed have discovered the power to mount the stars. They have had this right since the beginning of time.
5
ab aadmi ke qadam aaftab1 choomega
ab aasmaan ka hoga zamiin se ilhaaq2
balandiyoN3 pe naye shahr jagmagaaeNge
qamar4 pe qasr5 baneNge to mushtari6 pe ravaaq7
1.sun 2.annexation 3.heights 4.moon 5.castles 6.Venus 7.palaces
The sun will bow low to kiss the feet of man. The sky will be appropriated by the earth. A new order will sparkle over upon the heights. New palaces will spring up on the moon, new castles on Venus.
6
jumood-e-faqr8 o sukoon-e-qalandari9 ko salaam10
ke ab bashar11 hai Khabar-tishna12 o nazar-mushtaaq13
Ghalat14 ke baarish-e-rahmat15 hai kaarsaaz-e-ma’ash16
jabiin17 e ahl-e-amal18 ka pasiina hai razzaaq19
8.freezing (inaction) of the poor 9.tranquility of the mystic 10.(here it means) good bye 11.man 12.thirsty for news (new thought) 13.eager to see (new things) 14.wrong 15.rain of benevolence 16.maker of livelihood 17.forehead, brow 18.people of action, workers
Goodbye to the quiescence of the oppressed and the tranquility of the mystic. Man thirsts for new thought and espies new vistas. Forget the myth that livelihood comes from heavenly benevolence. For what feeds us is the working man’s sweat that gives us bread. I cannot help but remember the working woman. fahmida riaz in “chaadar aur chaardivaari” writes
zamiN ke ruKh par jo hai paseena to jhilmilati hai meri mehnat
The drops of sweat on the brow of the earth are the sparkle of my labour
7
nasheb1 ko jo huqooq2 e faraaz3 baKhshega4
Khusha5 ke ma’ariz-e-tahrir6 meN hai vo meesaq7
shahoor8 o Ghaib9 ke daftar10 khule hue haiN tamaam
hisaab-e-arz-o-sam’a11 ho raha hai ab bebaaq12
1.low (oppressed) 2.rights 3.high (and mighty) 4.grant 5.O, happiness 6.process of being written 7.compact, agreement 8.well known 9.hidden, unknown 10.assemblies, books 11.accounts of earth and sky 12.settle accounts
That which will give the low and oppressed the same rights as the high and mighty O Joy, that book (of rules) is being written. Secrets held long from the public are being opened to all and the accounts of heaven (privileged) and earth (oppressed) are being settled in the open.
8
nikal raha hai juloos13 e mazaaq14 e fikr-e-jadiid15
kidhar hai zurriyat-e-ishq16 o ummat-e-ishraaq17
ubal18 rahe haiN huroof-e-kuhan19 se ma’ani-e-nau20
mahall-e-vajd21 hai ae naaqid22 e siyaaq-o-sabaaq23
13.celebration, parade 14.taste 15.new thinking 16.children (followers) of (romantic) love 17.people of the east 18.overflowing 19.ancient words 20.new meaning 21.time, occasion to go into a trance (of happiness) 22.critic 23.all aspects
The march of the yearning for new thought is underway. Where are the followers of love, the people of the east. Old words are being being recast with new meaning. It is a moment of surpassing joy, O cynic of all things.
9
abhi nahiN na sahii kal ye na’ara1 goonjega
ke dahr2 ka hai bashar3 qaadir-ul’al’ataaq4
masiih-e-vaqt5 pe qat’a6 harf-e-marg7 aye josh
ulaT raha hai kitaab-e-hayaat8 ke auraq9
1.cry 2.world 3.man 4.power/control over all dominions 5.healer of the times 6.cut off, ends 7.word of death 8.book of life 9.pages
If not today, then surely tomorrow, the cry will ring out that man has dominion over the workings of this world. The healer of the times prevails over/ends the word of death i.e., death/fortune is no longer the final word. O josh, the healer of the times is turning over the pages of the book of life.
