(27 December 1797 —– 15 February 1869)

This piece is truly exquisite!!

Kal Ke Lie Na Aaj Kar K’hissat Sharaab Meiñ (Mirza Ghalib)
kal ke lie na aaaj kar k’hissat sharaab meñ,
yah suu-e-zan hee saak’i-e-koosar ke baab meñ.

heeñ aaj kyuuñ zaliil? ki kal tak na thii pasand,
gushtaak’hi-e-farishtaa hamaarii janaab meñ.

jaañ kyuuñ nikalane lagatii hee tan se, dam-e-samaa’a,
gar vo sadaa samaii hee cañg-o-rabaab meñ.

roo meñ hee rak’hsh-e-umr, kahaañ dekhie thame,
ne haath baag par hee, na paa hee rakaab meñ.

itanaa hii mujhako apanii hak’iik’at se bod hee,
jitanaa ki vahm-e-geer se huuñ pec-o-taab meñ.

asl-e–shuhuud-o-shaahid-o-mashahuud ek hee,
heeraañ huuñ, phir mushaahid: hee kis hisaab meñ.

sharm ik adaa-e-naaz hee, apane hii se sahii,
heeñ kitane behijaab ki heeñ yuuñ hijaab meñ.

aaraaish-e-jamaal se faarig’ nahiiñ hanoz,
pesh-e-nazar hee aain: daaim nik’aab meñ.

heeñ geeb-e-geeb jisko samajhate heeñ ham shuhuud,
heeñ k’hvaab meñ hanoz, jo jaage heeñ k’hvaab meñ.

‘g’aalib’ nadiim-e-dost se aatii hee buu-e-dost,
mashag’uul-e-hak’ huuñ, bandagii-e-buuturaab meñ.
–0–
Please mark the beginning of misra-e-awal ie Kal ke liye..

Your translation of the matla is apt. Lemme however record it in a slightly different way-

1 For the sake of tomorrow, don’t show stinginess with wine today.
2 This is evilness/unseemliness of opinion with regard to the Cupbearer (God) of Kausar (canal of wine in heaven).

As far singing of this Mirza Ghalib ghazal, Malika Pukhraj has done a perfect job. Link is as follows-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHJNtU1iv8Q

Surrinder Nakai 04 Feb 13

Your analysis of Ghalib deserves praise,

all these yrs I have deliberatedly avoided getting pulled in to urdu poetry,

coz Me is not strong in urdu like you.but now What ever fond interest Ihave would share in future with u. Some philosophy from my bank…

Kahan jaa rukenge yeh raaste, woh jo morr tha, ussey bhool ja,

Jo bhi mil gayaa, ussey yaad rakh, jo nahin mila ussey bhool ja.

Main to gumm tha tere hi dyan mien, teri chah tere gumaan mien,

Hawaa keh gayee mere kaan mien, mere saath chal, ussey bhool ja.

Kahan jaake rukenge yeh raaste, woh jo morr tha , ussey bhool ja,

Jo bhi mil gayaa, ussey yaad rakh, jo nahin mila ussey …..

malik

The taste of urdu gets lost in translation of many difficult words.

Interesting thought.

“You stinginess shows disrespect to the ability of the Master Saqi to give you enough tomorrow!”

Surjit

“baab mein?”

Jog Bath

Pee ke gham to bhula sakte hain, lekin un ki yaad nahin,
jo aur bhi tarpane lagti hai.