Dr Aamir Butt has translated Sahir’s great poem into English | Mufamat
Mufamat: Compromise Nasheb-e-arz pe zarroñ ko mushta.il pā kar bulandiyoñ pe safed-o-siyāh mil hī ga.e jo yādgār the bāham satīza-kārī kī ba-faiz-e-vaqt vo dāman ke chaak…
The day I’m killed
Dr Az a fearless and sensitive soul – sent me this poem via email. Travel TicketsThe day I’m killed,my killer, rifling through my pockets,will…
Countless walls that divide the hearts – by Majeed Amjad
I had written about Majeed Amjad, a forgotten but outstanding Urdu poet of twentieth century. Today, a friend tagged me (on facebook) with another…
What the heart is like – a poem by Miroslav Holub
Today, my friend Khalid Mir told me rather casually that he had been reading poems by Miroslav Holub. I had heard his name; and…
Taj Mahal – a poem by Sahir Ludhianvi (reposted)
Today is Sahir Ludhianvi’s death anniversary. Am reposting this poem for the readers. Sahir Ludhianvi’s immortal poem Taj Mahal has always fascinated me. It…
A poem by Eunice de Souza
Through a Twitter discussion with Rohit Chopra (an Indian academic based in the US), Eunice deSouza re-emerged in my cluttered mind. DeSouza taught a…
Sahir Ludhianvi’s poem composed on Ghalib’s centenary celebrations
Sahir Ludhianvi laments the way Urdu was treated by Indian nation-state as it became alien overnight. Ikees baras guzray aazadi-i-kaamil ko Tab ja…
Love and the Law: An exerpt from Bulleh Shah (Required reading if you have studied the law)
By Sovmind Bulleh Shah (1680 – 1757) was a Punjabi Sufi poet, a humanist and philosopher from what is now considered Pakistan. As one…
At this one point, all talk ends – Bulleh Shah
Bulleh Shah Pakar saaf dile diyaan khavaabaan nu. Gal aise ghar vich dhukkdi eh, ik nuqte vich gal mukdi eh. Hold tight…
Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form.
By Jalal-Uddin Rumi Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form. Friends are enemies sometimes, and enemies friends. I was a tiny…
The Beloved you’ve lost
…but you’ve chained me down stolen away my heart leaving yourself behind now i’ve lost my way my soul restless and head twisted all…
Confused and distraught — Rumi
Rumi interpreted by Coleman Barks derived from Arberry’s translation You bind me, and I tear away in a rage to open out into air,…
Priests and scholars parade their learning to please the kings
Abayat from Sultan Bahu on Priests and Scholars (thanks to Shahidain) “Parh parh ilam mulook rijhaavan, kiaa hoiaa is parhiaan hoo Hargiz makkhan mool…
My Master has planted jasmine in my heart
Shahidain has sent another Bait from Sultan Bahu for Jahane Rumi “Alif-Allaah chambe dee bootee murshid man wich laee hoo Naffee asbat daa panee…
Rumi – You and I, in the Palace
Happy is the moment, when we sit together, With two forms, two faces, yet one soul, you and I. The flowers will bloom forever,…
I am the call of Love — Rumi
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You whispered in my ears like early spring: “I am the call of Love, can you hear me in the full grasses, in…
Destination of love by Ahmad-i-Jam
Sohaib Qureshi has translated 12th century mystic Ahmad-i Jam’s verse – thanks to his endeavours Manzil-i ishq az makàn-i dìgar ast Mard-i ìn ràh…
The priest thrives on self promotion
A Bait from Sultan Bahu “Haafiz parh parh karan takabbur, mullaan karan vadaaee hoo Saavan maah de badalaan vaangoon phiran kitaabaan chaaee hoo Jithe…
Waiting for the Tomorrow’s Happy Dawn – Ali Sardar Jafri
The setting imperial sun
broke into two parts
On this very Border, yesterday…
The Night Has A Thousand Eyes
The mind has a thousand eyes,
And the heart but one;
Yet the light of a whole life dies
When love is done…