A ghazal from Jahanuma
Jahanuma sent me this ghazal and I like its mood…. I will try and translate it later.. Naqshe khushboo ko fana kaise karen ab…
The brain is wider than the sky
A friend has reminded me of this lovely poem. The expanse of this poem is soothing… The brain is wider than the sky, For,…
My heart is open to all winds..
I am grateful to Zahid Hussein from Islamabad for introducing me to these lines. The Wahdatul Wajood (Unity of Being) school of thought in…
Everything except love is devoured by Love
The wild beast wouldn’t dare to devour the flesh of the lover: Love is recognized both by the corrupt and by the good; and…
The Ship Sunk in Love
My evening glows with Rumi’s presence. I am posting poems that I have been reading today. Contrary to several purists, I enjoy all the…
Put thy eyes into mine…..Shah Hussain
My wrist in the beloved’s grip, I cannot ask Him to leave hold. Dark is the night, the cloud is dripping, I suffer it…
Ustad Daman on partition – again
Here is the roman Punjabi version of Ustad Daaman‘s poem that appeared in my earlier post. Punjabi readers will appreciate it. Bha’n-wain Moo-hoon Na…
Bhuj Rahen Hain Chiragh Dair-o-Haram
Thoughtful Shaista has shared this couplet from the Urdu poet Sahab Qizilbash (1930-2004): Bhuj Rahen Hain Chiragh Dair-o-Haram Dil Jalao Ke Roshni Kam Hai.…
Water weight of this growing abyss
A new poem by Ayesha Salman. The images are stark and the colours surreal. Please do comment so AS gets some feedback from the…
Peace to Beirut with all my heart…
Thanks to Aman Azhar for contributing this post and introducing Robert Fisk’s recent piece on the misery of Lebanon – “Fairouz, the most popular…
The Universalism of Kabir
Troubled by the ongoing middle east crisis, the destruction of Lebanon and the acrimony generated by the tragic Mumbai blasts, I am reminded of…
Perfection of my Companion II
Further to my earlier post “Perfection of my Companion” on Saadi’s beautiful poetry, Isa Daudpota from Islamabad has sent me the Urdu translation. I…
Perfection of my companion…
Read Ammar Qureshi’s improvised translation of Sa’adi. Profound and delicate! A sweet-smelling piece of clay, one day in the bath, Came from the hand…
Amrita Pritam: 1919-2005
Amrita Pritam never woke up on the afternoon of October 31, 2005 and the world is emptier without her musings. She embodied the fullness…
Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi (1916-2006)
“Ab aik baar to qudrat javaabdeh thehre hazaar baar ham insaan aazmaaye gaye” Now Nature must be held accountable at least once We humans…
On the bank of the river
On the bank of the river, water is grudged by that one alone who is blind to the flowing stream. ~~~~~~~~~~ Bar lab-e ju…
Mustafa Zaidi – A poet remembered
Why would a poet of Mustafa Zaidi’s stature decide to end his life? Thirty five years ago, Mustafa Zaidi, a poet of notable standing…
Ode to Mirza Ghalib’s Haveli
This excellent post brought found here back so many memories – of my two memorable visits to the famed but neglected Haveli From My…
More on the Urdu poet Mustafa Zaidi
I wrote a piece on Urdu poet Mustafa Zaidi six years ago. Since then I have received immense feedback. Zaidi’s relatives, friends and admirers…
The sea was calm behind your house
A POEM By Basil Fernando ( dedicated to M. I. Kuruvilla) In a day in July 1983 When our nation had gone mad I…