Yet again, its that time of year.
Wahrat-triggered insomnia crumbles my resistance and today, yet again, I must succumb to this irresistible urge to inflict my translations upon innocent stumblers-upon.
Sadly, it is Faiz Ahmed Faiz who today, yet again, has to suffer this posthumous ignominy – but that is just the way it is.
Aaj Ek Harf Ko – Faiz Ahmed Faiz
aaj ek harf ko phir dhoondta phirta hai khayal
madh bhara harf koi, zeher bhara harf koi
dil-nashin harf koi, qeher bhara harf koi
aaj ek harf ko phir dhoondta phirta hai khayal…
harf-e-ulfat koi dildar-nazar ho jaise
jis se milti hai nazar bosa-e-lab ki surat
itna roshan ke sare-mauja-e-zar ho jaise
sohbat-e-yaar main aghaaz-e-tarab ki surat
harf-e-nafrat koi shamsheer-e-ghazab ho jaise,
aaj ek harf ko phir dhoondta phirta hai khayal…
ta abad shahre-sitam jis se tabah ho jayein
itna tareek ke shamshan ki shab ho jaise
lab pe laoon to mere honth siyah ho jayein
aaj ek harf ko phir dhoondta phirta hai khayal…
Here goes…
today, yet again, my thoughts wander seeking a word
an intoxicating word, a venomous word
a bewitching word, a wrathful word
today, yet again, my thoughts wander seeking a word
a word of desire that brings to mind my beloved's glance
meeting my gaze like a kiss on the lips
as radiant as the crest of a wave of gold
like the first stirrings of ecstasy in a lovers tryst
a word of hate slicing like a dreadful sword
today, yet again, my thoughts wander seeking a word
a word that shall destroy these flourishing cities of oppression
a word as dark as the dusk over a cremation ground
a word that, if uttered, shall turn my lips black
today, yet again, my thoughts wander seeking a word
Strangely enough, it is Faiz Ahmed Faiz, and not Ghalib, whose poems feature most on my blog, even though the latter is my favourite poet.
Shashi Kapoor, who self-confessedly did not know a single word of Urdu, did an amazing job in this version of Aaj Ek Harf Ko featured in Merchant-Ivory's Muhafiz/in Custody.
Enjoy !
