I first heard this poem more than sixty years ago. Our eldest brother, Air Vice Marshal Manjit Singh used to sing it in parties, and it was always well received. Behzad Lakhnawi (born 1895) composed the lyrics, and he was an acclaimed poet. But after the partition, he migrated to Pakistan, and we heard no more of him.

Recently, someone sent me a link to its rendition and I have played it several times. I was also able to get the lyrics along with the English translation. I am mesmerized by the thoughts they convey. The last verse (called maqta in Urdu adab) does not carry his name, but it is an absolute masterpiece.

For the lovers of Urdu shayari, the words are given below. And at the end I have given a link to the YouTube recording.

   ai jazba-e-dil gar main chahun, har cheez muqabil aa jae

by Behzad Lakhnavi

ai jazba-e-dil gar maiñ chāhūñ har chiiz muqābil aa jaa.e

manzil ke liye do gaam chalūñ aur sāmne manzil aa jaa.e

My heart’s resolve if I so wish, all will be so near and clear

I take two steps toward my goal, and straight ahead it would appear

ai dil kī ḳhalish chal yūñhī sahī chaltā to huuñ un kī mahfil meñ

us vaqt mujhe chauñkā denā jab rañg pe mahfil aa jaa.e

O heartache, come, I do agree, to go and join her company

there rouse me from my reverie, when it befits the atmosphere

ai rahbar-e-kāmil chalne ko tayyār to huuñ par yaad rahe

us vaqt mujhe bhaTkā denā jab sāmne manzil aa jaa.e

I’m set to venture forth mine guide, but by this you must abide

from the path turn me aside, when the journey’s end is near

haañ yaad mujhe tum kar lenā āvāz mujhe tum de lenā

is rāh-e-mohabbat meñ koī darpesh jo mushkil aa jaa.e

yes, you may think of me and be, at liberty, call out for me

if in these paths of love you see anything that makes you fear

ab kyuuñ DhūñDūñ vo chashm-e-karam hone de sitam bālā-e-sitam

maiñ chāhtā huuñ ai jazba-e-ġham mushkil pas-e-mushkil aa jaa.e

why should I seek her kindness say, let her tortures pile away

O grief for what I now do pray, is troubles even more severe

is jazba-e-dil ke baare meñ ik mashvara tum se letā huuñ

us vaqt mujhe kyā lāzim hai jab tujh pe mirā dil aa jaa.e

This counsel I do seek from you, about my inner feelings true

What is it that I should do, when I am smitten by you dear

ai barq-e-tajallī kauñdh zarā kyā tū ne mujh ko bhī muusā samjhā hai

maiñ tuur nahīñ jo jal jā.ūñ jo chāhe muqābil aa jaa.e

O brilliant lightning tell me do you think me to be Moses too

no matter what it may come to, I am not Tuur to burn or sear

The Last shayer

aatā hai jo tūfāñ aane do kashtī kā ḳhudā ḳhud hāfiz hai

mumkin to nahīñ in maujoñ meñ bahtā huā sāhil aa jaa.e

Storm does not scare me; because, the Lord  Himself is my Protector

I know,  that it is not possible for the shore to float on the waves and come !

Link to the Ghazal sung by Nayara Noor